By coloring ready-made drawings, we can reduce stress, fall asleep easier, become more creative … Art therapy books and just patterns for creativity and inspiration are extremely popular. Following the mandalas, fantastic animals, floral and geometric ornaments came into play. How to explain such a passion?
“The coloring pages we offer in art therapy books just give our readers exactly what they promise: more subjective well-being and less stress,” Anna Le Mer explains their success.
Anna is the head of the direction at the French publishing house Hachette, which also publishes books for creativity and inspiration. She told what caused the relaxing effect of coloring and why they attract regardless of age.
At the end of this article, you will find five coloring pages from The Enchanted Forest and The Secret Garden by Joanna Basford. You can download them, print them out and experience the magical power of art for yourself.
Psychologies: How to explain the craze for coloring books?
Anna Le Mer: Art therapy books are not about coloring for the sake of coloring. Each book provides an opportunity to indulge in truly creative activity, which in itself is a source of pleasure.
When we focus on a drawing that only needs to be colored, a meditation effect or a state of flow occurs: it is at this moment that the positive effect of this practice becomes apparent. And this effect is quite real: many of our clients have told us that thanks to these exercises, their headaches have disappeared, the feeling of tension and stress has decreased …
In addition, these drawings enable anyone to create something beautiful without having any knowledge and skills in the field of drawing. Those who paint patterns have fewer complexes, which is always good!
The first books on art therapy appeared on the market a long time ago and have been in constant demand ever since. What is their secret?
Success not only does not subside, but also becomes a worldwide phenomenon! From Scandinavia through Russia to China, art therapy coloring books can be found in more than 20 countries.
Interest in them relies heavily on the popularity of mindfulness practice and mindfulness meditation.
There is too much information in our society, the pace of life is too fast, and the time we can spend on coloring becomes time for ourselves, when we can focus and free our minds from everyday problems. And coloring pages are especially to the liking of those who are not only sensitive to stress, but also try new methods of maintaining health, relaxation, and increasing life satisfaction.
Why are coloring pages in art therapy books interesting for both children and adults?
One of the main criticisms of these publications concerns the fact that they allegedly develop infantilism in us. This is absolutely not the case, moreover, some books, on the contrary, are very complex. Usually the drawings are very rich and made by real professional artists. This is a full-fledged work of art, which has graphic innovations and thematic diversity.
Everyone will find something to their liking: traditional mandalas, floral and ethnic motifs, animals, stained glass… Finally, we have complete freedom in choosing colors, which allows everyone to express not only their uniqueness as a person, but also their aesthetic inclinations. The same path can be colored in an infinite number of ways, and this opportunity for creative play is very inspiring.
Six coloring pages to make you feel better
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Coloring games for mobile
You can color pictures not only on paper, but also on any gadget! Recently, there are more and more applications for coloring – while coloring by numbers is very popular. We offer you to get acquainted with the most popular of them.
- Happy Color – coloring game by numbers;
- Sandbox Pixel Coloring – pixel art coloring game;
- Colorfy: Coloring Game – anti-stress coloring and color therapy;
- Coloring book for me – coloring of mandalas and other patterns, as well as photographs.