Monochrome Coloring Pages
By The Color Page Team · Updated · 24 pages · How we make them
Monochrome coloring pages are made for one color: pick a single marker or pencil, and let the shading do the work. These free monochrome coloring pages have bold lines and cozy little scenes, so you can relax and finish a page in one sitting, with no decisions about what color goes where.
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How to do one color coloring
Choose one marker, gel pen or colored pencil you love. Press lightly for pale areas and harder for dark ones, or go over a spot twice to build up the tone. Leave some shapes white, because white is what makes the rest stand out. Dark blue, deep green, burgundy, brown and plain black all look great. Each page prints on US Letter or A4, or print the whole set as one PDF for your own monochrome coloring book.
Easy: big shapes, thick lines · Medium: more detail
Tip: tick the pages you want, then print just those.
Free Printable Monochrome Coloring Pages
Why color with just one color?
Choosing colors is part of what makes coloring tiring. With a monochrome coloring page you make that decision once, then just relax. Because every part of the page is the same color, it comes out looking calm and put together, even if you're not an artist.
Which color should I pick?
- Dark blue or indigo: looks like an old block print. Try it on the big ocean wave or the garden bridge.
- Forest green: great for nature, like the cabin in the snow.
- Burgundy or dusty rose: warm and soft, lovely on the single rose and the bouquet.
- Rust or brown: cozy, and ideal for the sleeping fox or the mushroom cluster.
Make three tones from one pencil
Press lightly for your palest tone. Use medium pressure for the middle tone, and press hard or go over a spot twice for the darkest. Decide what stays white before you begin, since white is the brightest thing on the page.
Where to start
New to this? Try a small, simple page like the cozy cup of tea or the sleeping cat. Once you're comfortable, the reading nook and kitchen shelf have more objects to plan. Prefer lots of color? See our flower coloring pages and mushroom coloring pages.
Tips for Monochrome Coloring
- Pick three tones first. Light, medium and dark from one color is enough for a whole page.
- Leave white on purpose. Choose what stays white before you start.
- Test on scrap paper. Layer the same marker to see how dark it gets.
- Use alcohol markers or pencils. Pencils give the smoothest shading; put a sheet behind the page if your marker bleeds.
- Keep it calm. It's meant to be easy on the mind, so don't worry about being perfect.
Questions
- What is monochrome coloring?
- It means coloring a whole page with a single color, using light and dark tones of it instead of many different colors.
- Do I need special supplies?
- No. One colored pencil works well, because you can control how dark it gets. Markers work too, and layering them makes darker tones.
- Are these monochrome coloring pages for adults or kids?
- Both. They were made with adults and teens in mind, and the bold lines are easy enough for older kids.
- Can I make my own monochrome coloring book?
- Yes. Print the whole set as one PDF and staple or bind it. It's free for personal use.
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