These adult coloring books are made with artist’s quality paper that is perfect for watercolor paints. The paper also works with pencil crayons, markers, and acrylic paints so your creative options are wide open.
Artist Kristy Rice has kicked it up a notch with this gorgeous 3-book Painterly Days series with woodland, flower, and pattern themes.
If you’d like to wear your art, also see How to Paint Shoes.
I may receive a commission if you purchase something mentioned in a link on this post for sites including Amazon.com. Other links may go to websites including eBay where I have been paid to write a blog or article. See the entire disclosure here.
Reclaiming Your Creativity as an Adult
I’ve mentioned before that the plan I naively devised as a child to bring peace to the world still seems like a good option: encourage everyone to take time every day to create.
Whether it’s gardening, knitting, cooking, painting, woodworking, sewing, beekeeping, or whatever you love to do, even a few minutes spent in that place far away from worries, responsibilities, and obligations, can do wonders to restore a feeling of inner balance and contentment each day.
My mission with this blog has always been to share the things that bring me that inner joy. So many people get their creative mojo stomped upon as they’re growing up, shut down by others who tell them they can’t do it, or it’s not good enough, or blah blah blah.
Nothing makes me happier than to see this same person, as an adult, brush themselves off, press the reset button, and try again.
As crazy as the whole adult coloring book trend has been—and it’s really nothing new—it can be very good indeed.
So many people feel that visceral (and natural) desire to explore their creativity and what’s simpler than a coloring book and some pencils or paints?
Anything that gets the hands working, away from screens, and into the world of creativity can help.
Coloring Books with Watercolor Paper
This new series by Kristy Rice has 3 books:
- Painterly Days: The Woodland Watercoloring Book for Adults
- Painterly Days: The Flower Watercoloring Book for Adults
- Painterly Days: The Pattern Watercoloring Book for Adults
Art for Joy’s Sake
Artist Kristy Rice (kristyrice.com) must have been reading my mind when she made these adult watercoloring books. A few months ago, I started printing out free coloring sheets I’ve found online onto good quality paper so I use watercolor paints with them.
These three books are all printed on 80lb artist’s quality paper and work beautifully with a variety of media including pencil crayons, markers, acrylic paints, and watercolor pencils and paints. You can use any combination and the paper holds up just fine.
The paper is such high quality that markers will not bleed through the page and, even if you use quite a bit of water (for a special effect), it does not soak through to the back of the page.
Kristy’s mantra is art for joy’s sake and the illustrations are a perfect vehicle for this. They are done in an open, free-hand style that lends itself perfectly to watercolors. Each book has 25 illustrations and—bonus—you get two of each, so there’s one for practice and another for your final version.
I really think this is a whole new direction for grownup coloring books. I know as a kid I also craved better quality designs and paper. That cheap, gray newsprint stuff can ruin the best drawings!
Who Will Love These Books
If you are already an accomplished artist with watercolors and like to create your own designs, you probably won’t have any need for these books. I think they’re best suited for anyone who wants to try watercolor painting without the stress of coming up with a design or feels overwhelmed by big, blank pages.
With these books, the illustrations are there, but there’s plenty of space for infusing your own style or ideas.
And, with two opportunities to paint each illustration, you could have a lot of fun trying out completely different color schemes or painting styles.
Quotes
In each of the books, several of the illustrations include quotes to inspire and encourage you.
“Just living is not enough…one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” ~ Hans Christian Andersen
“To see a world in a grand of sand. And heaven in a wild flower. Hold infinity in the palm of your hand. And eternity in an hour.” ~William Blake
Watercolor & Art Making Tips
The front section of each of the books has a collection of tips to help you with various painting techniques as well as encouragement for art making (and life) in general.
Watercolors are unique as they allow everything from dry-brush application to letting those pigments loose in tiny puddles of water, giving them a life of their own. I know that flowing colors aspect is the part that makes some people nervous, but once you let go and see what happens, it’s really fun (and rather addictive).
If it works out beautifully, take credit. If it goes a bit haywire, well, the water did it, not you! And seriously, the more you spend time on it, the better control you’ll have. It doesn’t take long before you can tell how much paint you want on the brush or how much water to dab.
Getting Started
The one problem with introducing someone to a new type of art making is, you don’t want them to spend a bunch of money on stuff they might only use once, but neither do you want them to get cheap supplies that will frustrate them and make them never want to try again.
With some variation, you really do get what you pay for in art supplies.
I’ve been using watercolor paints since I was a kid and there’s certain brands that just do very well for me and others that do not. It’s not going to be the same for everyone, so be willing to try some different brands.
Start with supplies that fit your budget and be aware that you can’t expect Winsor & Newton quality from an inexpensive pack of Crayola paints, but you can still have fun. If you get hooked on watercolor painting, start exploring good art supply stores, test samples, ask questions, and keep a wish list for later.
Supplies
Here’s the basics to get started.
- Watercolor adult coloring book – make sure you get good quality paper like these ones have.
Painterly Days: The Woodland Watercoloring Book for Adults
Painterly Days: The Flower Watercoloring Book for Adults
Painterly Days: The Pattern Watercoloring Book for Adults - Watercolor pencils – these are great for getting color in small spaces.
The Prismacolors are a good kit to start with. - Watercolor paints – pick a kit with a range of colours you like.
You can see some suggestions (below). - Pencil sharpener
- Water pen – I love these!
I use a fine tip one for just about all my painting. - Paint brushes (the smaller the number (e.g. #2), the finer the tip).
- Rag
Affordable Beginner Materials
Here’s what Kristy recommends in the books:
- Artist’s Loft Fundamental Watercolor (24 or 36 Pan Set).
- Crayola Washable Watercolors (24 ct set)
- Cotman Watercolour Field Plus Set by Windsor & Newton
- Watercolor Pencil 24 or 36-Piece Set by Prismacolor
Kristy’s Personal Favourites
- Kremer Watercolor Set 1 – available at art shops in various color themes
- F Pearlescent Shimmering Liquid Acrylic by Daler-Rowney
- 24 Inktense Watersoluable Ink Pencils by Derwent
- Series 4200 Mini-Majestic Brushes by Royal and Langnickel, 1/8″ dagger.
- University Series Short Handled Brushes by Winsor & Newton (#2, #6, #10).
- Professional Water Colors by Winsor & Newton
You Can Do It
I hope this has given you the encouragement you need to get started. It doesn’t have to be this project. You already know which ones resonate with you. Get your materials and make the time. Art for joy’s sake awaits you. 🙂
I hope this has given you the encouragement needed to try watercoloring painting. These painting books offer a unique way to ease into this art form without becoming overwhelmed. Enjoy!
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛
Congratulations to Evelyn L, Brenda B, and Virginia!
***********Giveaway Now Closed***************
Winners have been notified by email.
Thanks for entering!
I would love the chance to try water colors. I would love to have any one of the books, but I think the Woodland one would be my favorite. I currently reside in Illinois. Thank you for facilitating this give away.
I’ve always loved colouring.Would be fun to try the watercolouring.The flowers one looks beautiful but would love to win anyone of them Thanks and happy colouring. Sherri Brantford On.
Painterly Days BOOKS sound like a great way to relax. I am a painting contractor by trade and I LIVE in Montana.
How do you choose between the 3 different painterly day’s coloring books. They all look pretty amazing!!!
Traci
East Setauket NY
I would just love the Patterns book. I started coloring a while ago and really enjoy it–when I’m not too tired at nite! I live in Hemet, CA, in the Inland Empire, a semi-arid microclimate not all that far from Palm Springs. I thoroughly enjoy your blog and have been reading it for quite some time, and I would also enjoy spending most of my time in my gardens!
What a wonderful giveaway! Everything you said about being a beginner using watercolors is so true. I want to try but am terrified of the results at the same time. I would love to try any of the books but am partial to the Painterly Days flowers book.
Love all three of the Painterly Days books but especially the flowers. So enjoy reading the Empress of Dirt blog and look forward to getting it in my email. Thanks so much for all the good info. Pat Hickerson
Painterly Days books by Kristi Rice . Hi! I love your blog and have been reading for more than a year. I’m in Burbank, CA. Thanks, Claire Torrey
I love the Painterly Days book! I have been meaning to get back into watercolor painting and this would be a great way to do it! Thanks for introducing this to us!
These are beautiful books. I would love the woodland book. I do have watercolor pencils, but this might inspire me to try “real” watercolors.
My oldest friend gave me very good professional quality watercolor supplies to encourage me to try this medium. I am still daunted when I try to do something on a blank page of expensive paper. I do own Prismacolor watercolor pencils, and I have enjoyed doing some things with them. Perhaps these books would help me to become more confident with the supplies I am lucky enough to already own. I would also like to share them with two granddaughters. The Woodland book is especially appealing to me. I live at the tip of Michigan’s lower peninsula.
I would be happy to win the Painterly “Flower” or the Painterly “woodland”. I live in Nw Houston,Tx
I would love to win these books for my daughter in law. She paints and these Painterly Books by Krisite would be awesome. I live in Illinois but her job has her in Oslo Norway. She has been there for quite some time so these would be really great.
Love all the Painterly days books
I’m a beginner at this. I would love to start with your book. Love getting your emails! I’m so addicted to flower gardening. As I always say ” there’s always room for one more plant”.
Have a bless day,
Mary
Love your newsletter! Thanks for sharing all of your ideas and finds.
I just purchased watercolor pencils and water brushes – I love them as well.
I live in High View, West Virginia with multiple gardens and lots of wildlife
visitors. I would enjoy the flower book of the Painterly Books.
Thanks for the opportunity
Am enjoying this site, the book I am drawn to is Painterly Days: The Pattern Watercoloring Book for Adults. I am located in Lacey’s Spring, AL and am busy daily maintaining 7 acres, several gardens (hosta, fern, daylily, rose, cutting and oh yes vegetable). Would be delightful to relax with this book and create beautiful pictures as well. Have been pondering trying this for some time, would be great to win one of these very unique books. The information you share is enlightening and enjoyable to read. thanks for the time you put into this site.
Thanks for listing your fav supplies! Would love the flower bk! Am in SE VA.
I would love to send the Woodlands Coloring Book to my daughter. She has had some difficulties to overcome but loves the adult coloring books. Thanks for informing us about these. Pinke
Looks like a perfect way to relax on any type of day. The Painterly Days Books looks like a new hobby. Sturgis Michigan
Wow the Painterly Days Books are absolutely beautiful. Oh my goodness all three are a treasure. I would love to try my hand at doing these watercolor goodies. I live in New Mexico. The Woodland book looks great but of course they all look great. It would be such a blessing to win one of these treasures for my very own. Thank you for the opportunity.
My favorite would be the Flower book, however any of the books would be wonderful. I live in Oregon
I would enjoy the woodland coloring book. I have tried coloring with pencils but never water color. That sounds like a lovely way to paint the beautiful pictures. I live in Louisville KY. Thank your for the opportunity to participate.
I would love too try water color, I’m in Sealy, Texas. The flower book is beautiful. Thank you
I would love to try my hand at watercolor. All of the books look wonderful but the Woodland might be more me. I like anything to do with nature here in Central Ohio.
Vegetables and Flowers are already started so I am ready to try something new.
The woodland book
Would love to work on any of these with my granddaughter this summer. It would be a great indoor activity during the hot, hot Houston summer!!
Painterly Days is the name of the books and I live in northern Minnesota.
The Painterly Days set by Kristy Rice looks like so much fun! What a great idea that the books are printed on artist-quality paper.
I live in Edmonton. Spring came early this year and I’m enjoying getting into my backyard dirt.
Ooh! I LOVE these! So hard to chose just one! This Painterly Days series is just what I’ve been looking for. I just started getting into Adult Color Books this year and find them very relaxing at bedtime. I would love to try the Woodland one. Thank you for telling us about these. I learn so much from your newsletters! Always write down at least one tip or project.
I live in still cold Vermont – looking forward to seeing some flowers in the garden soon! Thanks again for all you do!
It would be wonderful to win the flower book. Would love to try my hand at watercolour painting ! Thank you Lynell Surrey BC
I would love to paint in the Woodland coloring book! I live in Colorado and love sitting by a mountain stream and coloring! This book would be pure bliss to do in watercolors!
Rupert, ID here. Since becoming disabled I have taken up coloring to ease my stress. Its amazing how much it has helped me. I would love to have any of the WaterColor Adult Coloring books. They will get put to good use 🙂
Painterly Days: The Watercolor Flowers Coloring Book for adults
Love it! I have water colors I can use!
The Flower Watercoloring Book for Adults
California
I never gave up colouring, loved it as a child, enjoyed it while I was teaching, constantly colouring with the grandkids, and now I’ve got my own colouring books. I print off free sheets too, use them to fold into envelopes, wrap small gifts and frame fir display. I’ d love to win the woodland book ang do some water colouring once again.
Forgot …. I live in south eastern Ontario
These are all so pretty! What a blessing to have on gloomy days, especially! Spring has been beautiful here in Southern Ohio, but hailstorms have been hitting the past few days. I bought a dogwood tree yesterday and poor thing already went through baptism by hail and not even planted yet! I love the newsletter and have used many of the ideas. Thanks so much!
I would love the Woodland book. A great way to learn a new medium. I live on the gulf coast of Texas.
I would love to win the Flower coloring book!!!
I live south of Downtown Houston.
I have always wanted to learn how to water color. These books would be a great way to play with and learn. I would love The Woodland book to start with. I’m from central Texas. Thanks for giving away these books!
I love to paint with acrylics. I would be happy to have any of the books, but Flowers is my fave. Thank you for the chance to win it!
Have always loved watercolors, great way to begin. Would love the Flower book.
Midge Evans eager to try a new craft , love the flowers.
Thanks so much for this chance! I’ve been wanted to start watercolours for a while now and one of these books would be a great motivation! They’re all gorgeous, but since I have to choose just one, I think the Woodlands one would be it 🙂 Thanks again! Oh ya, I almost forgot … I live in Québec City.
Thanks so much for this chance! I’ve been wanted to start watercolours for a while now and one of these books would be a great motivation! They’re all gorgeous, but since I have to choose just one, I think the Woodlands one would be it 🙂 Thanks again!
I can’t decide which book I like best…maybe the woodlands is my number one. I have never seen these before and I have always loved watercolors. I can’t wait to try my hand at it.
I live south of Houston, TX.
Would love the Woodland or any of them, not too picky here in Duncan, SC.
I am all about the Flowers! Love, love, love flowers! Have wanted to try watercolor for many years. Sounds like a fun way to start! Thank you for sharing!
I would love the “Flower” book….. live Central New York, USA.
These are beautiful. We do adult coloring in our libraries! Virginia.
I hail from Southern Ontario and would love to win The Pattern Watercoloring Book for Adults. I have tried the spirally, swirly, psychedelic colouring books but since the subject matter does not interest me I lose interest and don’t complete them. The Pattern book looks to have flowy, flowery patterns to paint or colour, which does interest me!!!
I would love to add the Woodland book to my collection! I loved to color as a little girl, but now get so much joy and peace choosing pictures, particularly nature and flowers to color…it is not only calming and enjoyable, but very therapeutic(I suffer from fibromyalgia)!
Thank you for offering these beautiful books!
Have always wanted to try watercolor, and these books look like a great way to start! Love the flowers! Just have to get one of each of these!
I would love to win a copy of one of the Painterly Days books. I live in the Chicago, Il area.
I love the Woodland book because the cover reminds me of Lowcountry South Carolina where I live but the Flower book is so gorgeous. In Georgetown, South Carolina we have access to beautiful Brookgreen Gardens which features among the famous statuary floral and fauna to inspriation for art and beauty.
I would love to have Painterly Days: The Woodland Watercoloring Book for Adults. I love watercolors.
Oops forgot to mention I’m in Saint Cloud, Florida
Painterly Days: The Woodland Watercoloring Book for Adults
the flowering watercoloring book for adults
Northern California
Painterly Days: The Woodland Watercoloring Book for Adults would be excellent to win. I live in dreary, drizzly Illinois!
I’m in Coastal NC. I already have watercolor pencils, watercolor crayons, brushes and just the desire to paint on Painterly Days!
Kristi Rice’s Painterly Days are by far the most beautiful “coloring” books I have seen! Absolutely amazing! Thanks for the opportunity!
I am in Colorado and enjoy nature’s beauty 365 days a year.
I would love to try painting Painterly Days, once I make some hypertufas, and another mosaic path, and…
I live in NH
What a neat way to learn a new art form! This is exciting, and I like Kristy Rice’s enthusiasm, artwork, and teaching! Painterly Days – the quotes are a plus. The Woodlands is my favorite, but all are beautiful. Thanks, Ms. Rice, for sharing with us. 🙂
I live in, and enjoy, pretty Charleston, South Carolina.
I would love to have one of these books. I live in the Driftless ( very hilly, not flattened by the ice age glaciers) area of south west Wisconsin.
Painterly flowers would be most enjoyable for me to bring my gardens in
The cold of winter.
Western New York has no flowers in winter growing in my garden
Flowers flowers flowers. Love those flowers would love t try with watercolors recently took watercolor class and these sound great !!
Live in western New York
I became disabled a little over a year ago and lost my job. In the excruciating Social Security Disability approval process I have taken up Coloring. I loved it as a child and even more so now. It as helped me keep my sanity, my stress lowered and it makes me happy. I do not have much these days that does any or all of those so its been great to rediscover coloring. I’m on a serious low budget, as in destitute and sleeping on a friends couch. Its been my friends who have taken to buying things I need so I can keep up this hobby. Any chance I get to win free coloring supplies and I’m all in 😀
Would love to try watercolour. The Flower book for sure!
I live on the east coast of Canada, Cape Breton Island to be exact.
Your posts are always such fun, Melissa! Thanks for the delightful giveaway. Have just recently discovered a love of painting with acrylics and I’m itching to try watercolors. Would LOVE to win the Painterly Days: The Flower Watercoloring Book for Adults. Much love to you from the cornfields of northern IL!
Very pretty books! I would have to go with Woodland. Thank you so much for the chance to win!
The Painterly Days books look amazing and perfect for days when you’re itching to be creative but don’t have time to get out all your art stuff!
I live in Richmond BC, Canada and Spring here is already well on it’s way!
Kate Herring
Winning anything is a bonus so any of the books would be amazing. I would feel lucky to water color paint in any of the books
This sounds like such fun! The Painterly Days: The Flower Watercoloring Book for Adults is my favorite. Because it’s just starting to warm up here in Dayton, painting may have to take a temporary backseat to spring gardening.
I love these books from this very talented woman, would like to start water coloring. I live in Nevada USA.
Thank you for offering this.
I’m in KC,MO and just a few blocks from a mini-woodland and a former wildlife re-habber so I’d especially love the Woodlands book, but I’d love any of them. I’ve never been much at painting, but have recently discovered the control watercolor pencils give and would love to see what more I can achieve with them.
Woodland would probably be my first choice. I’m a Georgia peach.
Woodland, Flower, Pattern- all 3 look lovely. This is a “fad” that will last, at least for me. Good luck, everyone!
I would absolutely love the flowers coloring book and live in the country in North Carolina. Next week, fingers crossed, it will be warm enough to plant my garden, I am ready!
Oh what wonderful books! Kristi is such a fantastic artist. I love the flowers coloring book. I live in Jefferson, GA which is about an hour north of Atlanta. Thanks for the opportunity to win one of Kristi’s books!
I live near Birmingham, Alabama, which is considered central Alabama. I would love the Woodland coloring book. These look like they have some amazing detail. Thanks for the opportunity to win one!
I would love to receive one of the Painterly Day books. They are all so great that is hard to choose just one. But since you want that info,I would choose the Woodlands volume.
Oh my, they are all amazing but if I have to choose either Woodland or
Flowers.
I have been using colored markers or pencils but would love to try my hand at the water colors. I like to make cards with my finished pages!
Live near the coast of Va.
Thanks
The birds look interesting! I’d gladly accept any of the 3, though! 🙂 Thanks for having the contest!
I agree with you about taking a little time each day to be creative! Sometimes I only have enough time to move an item on a table to a better position, but that’s being creative! I’ve been enjoying the adult coloring books and have used markers and colored pencils but the paper isn’t of good quality usually and the books you’re showing definitely have better paper if you can use water colors. I would enjoy the woodland book and would use water colors for sure! Thank you for showing these!
I would love to win one of the Painterly Days books by Kristi Rice! These look amazing and I adore watercolors! I live in Denver, Colorado and like to paint and color whenever I go to the beautiful mountains!
Living in the Arizona desert…I would love any of your lovely books, especially the Woodlands volume. I’ve been waiting for an adult watercoloring book ever since this adult coloring book wonderment started. Thank you for this opportunity.
Oh my gosh these books look beautiful, I consider myself “not very good at staying inside the lines” but am thinking if I could paint…….It would be a whole different story. These books all look just beautiful. I am in Kansas where the wind really does blow constantly. I would love the to give the woodland watercolor book a try.
I love the mantra “art for joy’s sake”, I haven’t been making enough time in my life for art. I’ve done a little watercolor painting but not for long time. I would love to try the Woodland or Flowers book to recapture some of that joy of painting! I live in Valencia PA.
The Woodlands book is something I would love to play with!
These books are all lovely. I live in Kansas and love the outdoors and walks in the woods, so I think I would enjoy the Woodland book to start with.
Thank you for sharing this.
Painterly Days – I’m buying this for my mother in law even if I don’t win!! And thanks for the recommended supplies list… I’m always trying to get her to move past Crayola type stuff! Cheers from Keila in the Oregon high desert.
I would love to see all of these books, esp the Woodland book, since I love nature. It is so nice that the books also include quotes. Such an added bonus!!!! I am in Ohio, Thanks for the introduction to such great items–I probably would never have known about them otherwise. Thanks for the chance to win.
Am interested in trying watercolors.
I have done some coloring with pencils in a beautiful book I purchased. The book was flowers and gardens but it was not on this awesome paper. The water coloring is a good fit with flowers and nature pictures. I live in the south and you know we love gardening. “Painterly days”, would be wonderful on a rainy spring day.
I have done some coloring with pencils in a beautiful book I purchased. The book was flowers and gardens but it was not on this awesome paper. It is rather strange to say I love paper, but I do. The water coloring is a good fit with flowers and nature pictures. It allows more creativity than the colored pencils. I live in the south and you know we love gardening. Painerly days would be wonderful on a rainy spring day.
I would love to have the Painterly Days Woodland book to try my hand at watercolors! I live in Lincoln, Nebraska where spring is busting out all over!
The Painterly Days books look so wonderful. What a great way to usher in Spring in NY.
I’m from Southwick, MA at the foothills of the Berkshires. Like you said, I started dabbling with poor supplies and lost the inspiration to watercolor. These books by Kristi Rice, especially for me, Painterly Days: The Flower Watercoloring book for Adults sounds fabulous. Although, I think any of the Painterly Days series will be wonderful. I can already see me framing them. Great job Kristi!
I used to love to draw but let it go years ago when my kids were very young. I’d love to get back to it and this looks like a wonderful way to start. I love flowers and I’m sure I’d thoroughly enjoy the flower book.
Would love the Flower Book – being into Gardening here in the Midwest it would be perfect for the evenings of sitting in the garden, enjoying the evening and relaxing….
The book that I like best is the “Flower” book. I have been doing floral design for over 40 years.
All the artwork is gorgeous. The flower theme would be tops on my list, perhaps because I garden and the winter would be cheery with this coloring book! Mid Atlantic, U.S.
Thank you, great article!
I’ve been intimidated by watercolors but now I’m inspired.
Painterly Days Woodland or Flower book would be my picks.
Linda – Victoria Harbour ON
This is a step up from coloring with pencil. I can’t wait to do this. I am an oil painter and just bought my first watercolors, didn’t know how I was going to get started, but now I do. Looking forward to getting my brushes out and giving it a go. thanks, gayle
All three of the Painterly Days books look SO inviting! I know that I could get lost for hours in those pages! Thanks for sharing them – great info!
I think they are all pretty but since I grow a large garden, I think I would like the flower book. So enjoy your blog and have learned so much. I live in Midwest Indiana. Blessings
LOVING the WOODLAND book!
I would love to win the woodland book but any of them would be wonderful!. I took some watercolor classes a few yrs ago but still have not bought one dab of paint. I keep putting it off because of the cost.
I have been coloring for sometime now…using gel pens..crayons..ink…colored pencils…I am ready for some water paint…
the Painterly Days books sound like fun and maybe what I am looking for to step up my creativity I would really enjoy the Woodland Watercoloring Book…. I am in central Florida. Love your newsletter
Empress of Dirt…I have used a lot of you ideas and look forward to the new newsletter each time…thank you for being you.
Have been looking at – I would love the Flower book.
I live in the Midwestern USA.