So many people tell me that drawing is a struggle and coming up with ideas can be paralyzing. Good news: the Doodle Flowers Coloring Book is perfect for you. The flower designs are approachable, the pages are satisfying to fill in, and you don’t need any drawing skills at all. Just color.
I tested 15 sets of acrylic markers and discovered that I like some of them for my journaling and totally different ones for coloring. What’s listed here is specifically recommended for coloring on the paper that this book is printed on.
First Things First: Doodle Flowers Coloring Book
50 hand-drawn floral designs, and I drew every single one. From simple daisies to intricate botanical patterns, there is something on every page that makes you want to pick up a marker and start.
The pages are single-sided so you can use any markers you want without worrying about bleed-through. I thought about that when I designed it because nothing kills the joy faster than a beautiful page ruined by ink soaking through. There are also bonus journal pages at the end for whatever comes up while you are coloring, because something always does.
This book is for beginners and experienced colorists alike. You do not need any drawing skills. You do not need to know anything about color theory. You just need the book, a few markers, and a few minutes to yourself. The flowers take care of the rest.
When you finish a page, come share it on Instagram @SuperDoodleGirl and tag #CreateWithSDG. I want to see what you make.
What I Recommend for Coloring
Acrylic Markers: My Top Picks for Coloring Books After Testing 15 Sets
Acrylic markers are my first recommendation for this book. The color goes down smooth, the dual tip gives you flexibility for both detail work and filling in larger areas, and they layer beautifully on the paper.
Here are the two sets I keep coming back to.
For the Color Maximalist: Grabie 72 Color Dual Tip Acrylic Paint Markers
When I first saw this set of 36 markers, I thought they were dual-tipped and that I would get a brush marker on one end and a bullet tip on the other in matching colors like every other dual tipped marker I have had.
I was wrong! This set of 36 markers is dual-toned and you get two slightly different colors on each marker. That means 72 colors total!
72 colors means you’re never hunting for the right shade. The dual tip gives you a brush end for fills and loose strokes and a bullet end for tighter detail work. Acrylic paint markers layer beautifully, so you can build up color, go back in with a darker shade, and add highlights on top. If having a full spectrum at your fingertips is your thing, this is your set.
For the Colorful Doodler: Arrtx 32 Dual Tip Acrylic Paint Markers
Now, these Arrtx are the pens I see everyone RAVING about. I can see why. These are dual tipped so you can use the brush tip for larger areas and then switch to the other end for the tighter spots. You can layer these colors and they work magic with the florals. No shaking required and they do not bleed through the paper. These are great for adding doodles onto larger spaces in the Doodle Flowers coloring book.
The palette is bright and focused: 32 colors that play well together without overwhelming you with choices. Acrylic markers dry fast so you can layer without waiting, go back in with a darker shade, and add highlights on top. I know. I know. 32 colors sounds like not enough. But this is one of those sets where every color earns its place. If you want a set that does exactly what you need for florals and nothing extra, this is it.
For the Detail Oriented: 3D Gel Pens, 48 Set
Now, these are a definite special find. In my quest to find a Glaze pen replacement, someone sent me the link to these acrylic gel pens. They do have a tiny bit of texture and add so much to the final details. These come out after the markers. Once your acrylic color is dry, go back in with the gel pens to add dimension, detail, and depth. Tiny dots in a flower center, fine outlines, a pop of opaque white or gold over a dark base. They do things markers simply can’t. The 48 color set gives you plenty to play with and if you want to uplevel your coloring pages, these are definitely worth adding to your cart.
Prefer Pencils?
Colored Pencils: Two Options Worth Buying
If markers aren’t your thing, colored pencils are a beautiful choice for flower designs. The blending possibilities give you a softer, more painterly result.
The Investment Pick: Faber-Castell Polychromos 36 Set
These are the colored pencils I reach for when I want the best result. I know the price point makes you pause. Stay with me. Polychromos have an oil-based core that blends like butter and holds a sharp point for detail work. That matters when you are working inside flower petals and want clean edges. The color is rich and they layer without muddying, which is the thing that happens with cheaper pencils when you try to blend two colors together and end up with a mess instead. These do not do that. The 36 set covers everything you need for florals without overwhelming you with choices. They are creamy, easy to layer, and they will last you a long time. If you are going to invest in one quality art supply, make it your colored pencils. These are the ones.
The Starter Pick: Prismacolor Colored Pencils Starter Set
Here is where I tell you that you do not have to start with the Polychromos. The Prismacolor starter set is a solid entry point and honestly a great way to find out if colored pencils are your thing before you commit to a bigger investment. Prismacolor has a soft, wax-based core that blends easily and delivers rich color without a lot of pressure. That is good news for beginners because you do not have to work hard to get a pretty result. The colors are vibrant, the set is approachable, and you will be surprised at what you can do with it.
Here is the thing that makes colored pencils really interesting on these pages. You can combine them with your acrylic markers and gel pens. Lay down colored pencil first and go over it with markers, or put your marker color down first and layer pencil on top. Both work. Both look amazing. That layering is where the magic happens and where your pages start to look like nothing you have seen in a coloring book before.
Start here, build your confidence, and upgrade to Polychromos when you are ready for more precision. Either way you are going to make something beautiful.
Ready to start?
Ready to start? Pick up the Doodle Flowers Coloring Book and one set of markers and you have everything you need. No special skills, no complicated setup, just you and a page full of flowers waiting for color.
Creating every day does not have to be a big production. It can be ten minutes and a few markers. It can be one flower on one page. That is enough. That is where it starts.
Grab your supplies, open to any page, and just begin. The rest takes care of itself.
