How to choose the right colouring book for you

Adult colouring books are now ubiquitous: you can find them everywhere from specialty bookstores to your local Coles or Kmart. The question is: are colouring books for grown-ups a trend or have they morphed into a mechanism for adults to cope with their increasingly busy lives? Psychologists have found that some of the qualities of adult colouring books prompt positive neurological responses in their patients: namely those of repetition, pattern and detail. If you haven’t joined the wave of this trend yet or you’re looking for some different options, here are our recommendations for colouring books for adults:

Animal Kingdom by Millie Marotta

This is a colouring book to keep and treasure forever. The wonderful illustrations from Millie Marotta’s Animal KIngdom are reproduced here on the thickest paper yet (180 gsm) on one side only, including five additional prints that can be pulled out of an envelope at the back of the book. This is an edition for all Millie fans and even those new to her work who want something special to record their creative outputs.

Colour Me Good London by I Love Mel

Perfect for London lovers or global travellers, this colouring book captures the key landmarks and the madcap culture that is London life. Over 16 pages, you can enjoy colouring landmarks such as Piccadilly Circus, well-known faces like Will and Kate and common sights such as a black cab and fish & chips.

Fill Me In by Moose Allain

Perfect for both adults and children alike, ‘Fill Me In’ invites people to draw, imagine and complete the dense line drawings. Why not complete your own city or draw your own comic book? Perfect for the doodler as well as the colouring-in fan, this book is fun to share with a friend, be they big or small.

Dream Cities by Rosie Goodwin and Alice Chadwick

Fancy going on a journey around the world in black and white? From the huge domes of Moscow to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, choose your colours, unleash your creativity and lose yourself in a wonderful coloured universe. As you focus on colouring in and forget the stresses of everyday life, you’ll find calm returning.

Animorphia by Kerby Rosanes

Welcome to this weird and wacky colouring challenge. There are pictures to colour in, drawings to complete, spaces to scribble in and lots of things to find in these super-detailed doodles by artist Kerby Rosanes. This book features unique and intricate ink drawings of incredible animals, shape-shifting aliens and breathtaking scenes. Readers will have to keep their eyes peeled for hidden treasures and creatures scattered throughout the pages.

Doodle Invasion by Zifflin and Kerby Rosanes

Described by some as a colouring book on steroids, this book is another great option for those that love doodling. Doodle Invasion is filled with 50 unique and extremely detailed works of art by the master of doodles Kerby Rosanes. With thick, single-sided pages perfect for markers, this book is perfect for the serious doodler. The intricate artworks are spectacularly drawn and will keep even the most serious doodler busy for hours.

If you’re interested in more of our colouring-in picks, check out the Pinterest board!