What’s Wrong with Adult Coloring Books
I recently read a idea-provoking post from Lisa Mitchell at Inner Sail, Alarm, developed coloring books could practice more harm than adept. I've been grappling with my thoughts and feelings about adult coloring books, paint nights, and other "scripted," art activities for some time. While I agree with her on many points, I'd like to add my thoughts to this discussion.
I Don't Like Coloring Books, But…
I don't buy coloring books for my kids. "Pigment nite" images brand me cringe. At that place'southward so little originality and expressiveness in these images, what you accept to say is so much more interesting, fifty-fifty if it's non "pretty."
But I know that for many people the artistic liberty of early babyhood has been long forgotten. Trying to speak through fine art again takes practice. I besides know that coloring pages offer well-defined expectations and a construction inside which folks feel condom. Considering there'southward not a lot of thought or input required, information technology can too be a mindful or meditative practice.
Lisa Mitchell makes the excellent signal that coloring pages can exist only equally "empty" as watching television. While I wholeheartedly agree they are non expressive, or even hugely creative, I would encourage yous to exercise a coloring page earlier you channel surf or troll social media.
Are Developed Coloring Books Art?
I see coloring pages as a way of bringing a very modest, just creative experience to the masses. There'due south a great deal of curiosity in our civilization at the moment about the healing powers of art, and the intersections of art and mindfulness.
Coloring pages can be relaxing and mindful. At that place is value in that. I believe strongly though that each of us has creative and artistic power. Perhaps if you lot enjoy coloring pages, yous will try your hand at doodling, art journaling, or a painting class.
And then attend your local paint nite, buy a coloring book and indulge in information technology. And then permit yourself take the next step. Endeavour out a tutorial for some doodles. See how to turn paint splotches into animals. Imitate the random mark making of a toddler. Play. You might exist surprised at what you discover. Or try following the steps I've outlined below.
What's the worst that could happen? Someone sees y'all playing with crayons?
Let Your Art Take You on a Journey
What coloring books don't offer that an prototype does is a journey. Mystery. Transformation.
In a coloring book, you can make choices nigh colors, or perhaps experiment with blending, but there'southward a lack of flexibility, risk-taking, and artistic self-expression. This, in my opinion, takes the soul out of the art.
Only like in life, there are a lot of unknowns in fine art. Each new color you add to a canvas changes all the others. Paying attention to these parallels can be profound. When you lot color in someone else'southward lines, you lot miss the opportunity to explore your feelings and contemplate the metaphors equally you watch the image sally.
Art Requires Attention
There is no footstep by stride process I can give y'all for making a beautiful or expressive art piece. It's about paying attention. Listening, head cocked and ears strained, you footstep quietly until the next footfall becomes clear. It takes attention, patience, and courage to uncover our images. That'south a mindful practice.
Coloring Outside the Lines: My Creative Process
I wanted to share my artistic process for this periodical page because it shows how winding, unplanned, and healing art can be.
I painted the crimson and pinkish background a few weeks ago for this post, and set up it aside.
Recently, I cutting tracing newspaper into big tear driblet shapes. I wrote all over these about an issue that has weighed heavy on my center.
After writing for some fourth dimension, I constitute resolution in a phrase: "The gift is focusing on the proficient." I highlighted it in glitter.
Next I sewed the pieces on the page. I've been wanting to do a more than extensively sewn page, so this was my adventure.
To add colour, I colored over most of the tear shapes, smudging the colors together with my finger.
I stood dorsum from my piece numerous times to see what it needed, and added color, fabric, and ribbon edging.
I sewed over the whole page, "cartoon" leaf-like shapes with the sewing machine in a random pattern.
I love this piece. It feels satisfying to create something beautiful out of my hurting. It also reminds me of what's important – and I need that.
Creative Self-Intendance
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Comments:
What's your experience of making art? Do you relish coloring pages as an adult? Is your art making highly structured and planned, or open and meandering?
Title Image: 123rf.com: karakotsya
Update 11/2015: I've created a DIY Adult Coloring Book gratuitous for download. It will give y'all enough construction to go your own designs going, if that interests you. I hope y'all bask!
You can find some other thoughtful article virtually both sides of this fence here.
Source: https://mindfulartstudio.com/whats-wrong-with-adult-coloring-books/
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