How to color PDF coloring books or pages on your tablet step-by-step instruction.
Photo by Ivan Samkov
If you read this article, you've already bought your first PDF digital coloring book (if not, you can check mine here) and are now wondering how to use it on your tablet, right?
What apps do you need to start coloring your PDF coloring sheets? What tools are required?
Or are you tired of stacks of old coloring books on the floor and shelves around the house and want to try your hand at digital art?
If so, then you're in the right place!
In this article, I will give you a step-by-step guide on coloring a PDF coloring page using a digital tablet such as an iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, or any other tablet with a touch screen.
If you don’t already have a drawing stylus, then my previous article 10 Best stylus for digital coloring books and drawing apps will help you find the right one for every budget.
Photo by Adrienne Andersen
The world of digital art is taking over, and it's time to jump on board the hype train. With the rise of technology, coloring has become an even more exciting activity than ever. Digital coloring pages have become increasingly popular, and it's no wonder why. Not only is it a fun way to spend a family evening, a day out with the kids, or a rainy day at home with your little ones, but it's also environmentally friendly and easily shareable with family and friends.
And don’t forget about the benefits of coloring itself!
Coloring has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus and concentration, and enhance motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Plus, it's just plain fun! So let's combine the benefits of coloring with the convenience of technology and take our coloring game to the next level!
With popular drawing apps like Procreate, Adobe Fresco, and Autodesk SketchBook, coloring a PDF coloring page on a digital tablet has never been easier. The possibilities are endless, and the fun is just beginning.
So, get ready to create some stunning digital art and have a blast while doing it!
Photo by Ivan Samkov
But first, let's talk about the tools you'll need to color a PDF coloring page on a digital tablet:
A digital tablet (such as an iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, or any other tablet with a touch screen)
A stylus (optional but highly recommended for more precise coloring)
A PDF coloring page (plenty of them are available online or you can buy my The First Silly Butts Coloring Book, for example)
Now that you've got everything you need let's get started!
Photo by Artem Podrez
The first step is to choose a drawing app. There are plenty of great drawing apps out there, but some of the most popular ones include Procreate, Adobe Fresco, and Autodesk SketchBook. Each app has unique features, so it's worth exploring a few to find the one that best suits your coloring style.
Let's start our PDF coloring journey with Procreate.
Ah, Procreate, the love of every digital artist's life! This app is so good! It's like having a whole art studio right at your fingertips. It's got all the features you could ever want and more, making it the perfect tool for coloring your favorite PDF coloring books and pages.
It is easy to use and has a wide range of brushes, from pencils to markers to watercolors, that can give your coloring page a unique look and feel.
Plus, Procreate has a feature called "Layering," which allows you to separate your colors and make changes without messing up your original masterpiece.
And let's talk about the endless color options! With Procreate, you can easily create your own custom color palettes or use pre-made ones to make your coloring pages pop. If you ever feel like you made a mistake, Procreate's "Undo" button saves the day.
Procreate is also perfect for sharing your digital artwork with others. You can easily export your colored PDF page and share it with family and friends, or even print it out and hang it up for all to see. So, grab your tablet and let Procreate be your guide to creating beautiful, whimsical, and fun digital coloring art.
Here's how to color a PDF coloring page using Procreate:
1. Open Procreate and create a new canvas by selecting "Create New Canvas" from the home screen.
2. Select "Import" from the toolbar at the top of the screen.
3. Choose the PDF coloring page you want to color and import it into Procreate. Finally, you can import the entire PDF coloring book into Procreate, where it will be displayed with each page on a separate layer.
4. Create a new layer by tapping the "+" icon in the Layers panel.
5. Select the brush you want to use from the Brush Library and start coloring away!
Photo by Alex Green
Next great for digital coloring app and my personal favorite is Adobe Fresco.
Hold onto your digital stylus because Adobe Fresco is about to blow your mind! This app is perfect for coloring your favorite PDF coloring books.
Experience the ultimate painting and drawing adventure with Adobe Fresco. You'll be amazed by the incredibly realistic touch and stylus features that will take your coloring art to the next level.
With the world's most extensive collection of vector and raster brushes, as well as innovative live brushes, you'll have everything you need to unleash your creativity and bring your imagination to life. And now, with its availability on iPhones, you can take your artistic journey wherever you go.
But wait, there's more! With the great selection of color palettes, Adobe Fresco has a built-in color picker tool that allows you to select colors from any image or photo on your device.
When it comes to sharing your digital artwork, Adobe Fresco has got you covered. You can easily export your colored PDF page to share with friends and family or even print it to hang on your wall.
Here's how to color a PDF coloring page using this Adobe Fresco app:
Open Adobe Fresco on your device and tap the "+" button in the top left corner of the screen.
Select "Import File" from the menu that appears.
Browse for the PDF file you want to import and select it.
The file will now appear in your Adobe Fresco library. Tap on it to open it up and start coloring!
That's it! You can now use all of Adobe Fresco's fantastic tools to color your PDF coloring sheets and books.
Photo by Cottonbro Studio
And finally, let's take a look at Autodesk SketchBook.
This app is also good for coloring your favorite PDF coloring books and pages and for your tablet to avoid collecting dust on the top shelf somewhere in the house.
One of the best things about Autodesk SketchBook is that it has over 190 brushes, including pencils, markers, and paintbrushes. So you'll always have creative possibilities. Plus, you can customize each brush to suit your coloring needs.
The app's layering system is a powerful tool that allows you to unleash your creativity and create stunning artwork.
With vibrant color schemes at your fingertips, you can explore various hues and tones to bring your vision to life.
Sharing your masterpieces is a breeze, just like the professionals do with Procreate and Adobe Fresco.
Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out, this app is the perfect platform to showcase your talent and connect with other creatives worldwide.
Here's how to color a PDF coloring page using Autodesk SketchBook:
1. Open Autodesk SketchBook and create a new canvas by selecting "Create New" from the home screen.
2. Select "Import" from the toolbar at the bottom of the screen.
3. Choose the PDF coloring page you want to color and import it into SketchBook.
4. Create a new layer by tapping the "+" icon in the Layers panel.
5. Select the brush you want to use from the Brush Library and start coloring away!
Photo by Anna Shvets
Congratulations!
You now have a detailed guide on how to color a PDF coloring page using a digital tablet.
By incorporating popular drawing apps such as Procreate, Adobe Fresco, and Autodesk SketchBook, you can elevate your coloring skills to a professional level.
