There’s a new adult colouring book trend that’s taking over social media, and it’s changing the way people colour.
Some people love intricate colouring books, transforming detailed lines and patterns into works of art. But what if you don’t necessarily want to make a masterpiece? What if you don’t want to learn colour theory or advanced shading techniques? What if you just want to enjoy the process of colouring?
That’s where Bold & Easy or Cute & Cozy (AKA ‘Hygge’) colouring books come in. They offer a way to enjoy colouring without the need for perfection or advanced techniques.
This trend has taken off recently, popping up all over bestseller lists and social media, and it’s easy to see why. If intricate patterns feel overwhelming, or you want a stress-free way to enjoy colouring, this trend is definitely for you.
What Are Bold & Easy / Hygge Colouring Books?
Bold & Easy, and ‘Hygge’ colouring books have become some of the most popular colouring books in the world of adult colouring. These books do away with overwhelming details and instead focus on accessibility, relaxation, and fun.
There are two distinct styles within this trend – the cute and cosy, character-driven Hygge style and the Bold & Easy style. While both focus on quick wins and relaxation, they have some differences.
The Hygge style is all about warmth and charm, often featuring whimsical characters and cutesy scenes. You might find adorable animals toasting marshmallows, a chicken doing laundry, or a penguin bungee jumping.
Some of these books have thick, defined outlines, while others use thinner, hand-drawn lines with a looser, more organic feel.
Some have fully enclosed shapes, while others are more stylised, with gaps in some lines and no sharp corners.
But no matter the variation, they all have one thing in common – cute characters doing cute things.
Then there’s the Bold & Easy style.
Some of these colouring books feel like a natural extension of the hygge trend, but with even thicker lines and fewer intricate details. They often serve as a beginner-friendly step into colouring full scenes, offering large, open spaces that let you focus on colour choice and creativity rather than precision.
These books embrace simplicity, making them an excellent choice for anyone who wants a more relaxed colouring experience.
They use thick outlines that make them easy to colour without worrying about staying inside the lines. Many are also printed with single-sided pages, so you can colour them with alcohol markers, without worrying about colours bleeding through the page and ruining the picture on the other side.
Why Are Simple Colouring Books So Popular?
The rise of these simple adult colouring books isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s about accessibility and enjoyment.
Many people love colouring but don’t want the pressure of intricate shading and blending. These books offer a more relaxed approach, making them ideal for quick colouring sessions.
Their simple designs also make them great for beginners, seniors, and those with visual impairments or motor challenges.
Beyond accessibility, these books bring back the simple joy of colouring without overthinking. They offer a way to be creative without the need for fine details, or perfection. They’re for the moments when you just want to relax, unwind, and enjoy the process.
Social media has also fuelled their popularity. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram make it easy for colourists to share their cosy pages with friends, family, and artistic communities like ours, inspiring others to join the trend as well.
Best Art Supplies for Bold & Easy Colouring Books
The tools you use can make a big difference in how your colouring pages turn out.
I love testing all different art supplies in my colouring books – coloured pencils, acrylic paints, watercolours, markers and more.
Alcohol Markers
Alcohol markers are by far the most popular choice for bold & easy colouring books.
Alcohol markers allow you to colour large areas quickly with bold, vibrant colour. They make it easy to cover these spaces without spending too much time on each section. Alcohol markers create smooth layers, and you can use the same marker to add darker tones, create shadows, and add depth without streaks. You can also use them to create textures or other effects. Many artists love them for their smooth colouring, giving their artwork a clean comic-style look. Not to mention they’re just really fun to use!
These colouring books are often printed on Amazon’s thin paper, so markers will always bleed through to the next page. An easy fix is to place a blank sheet behind the page you’re working on. Pro tip!
Generally I wouldn’t recommend water-based markers in books like this. The paper in these books is usually quite thin, so even light layers will likely bleed through, and they don’t have the other blending advantages of alcohol markers.
If you want to learn more about the different types of markers and how to get the most out of them, I recommend this video on my YouTube channel!
And if you’re still not sure which markers are right for you, I’ve put together the Ultimate Marker Comparison to help you make the right choice for your project and budget.
Gel Pens
Gel pens are great for adding small details, defining edges, or creating a metallic or glittery effect on your pages. They work especially well for highlights on reflective surfaces like glass, water, or shiny decorations.
Acrylic Paint Pens
Acrylic paint pens are another fun way to mix things up in Bold & Easy colouring books. They give you bold, solid coverage, perfect for filling large spaces with colour. They also add a bit of texture to the page, making your colouring feel (literally) more like a painting. Unlike alcohol markers, the paint will cover the black lines underneath – so use this to your advantage to hide details you don’t like or fix mistakes. You can even use them on top of alcohol markers to create different textures, patterns or highlights (a white paint pen is my favourite!)
Coloured Pencils
While coloured pencils are usually something you’d use on their own, my favourite way to use them is on top of markers – especially with colouring books like these. They are great for adding extra details and soft shading. You can use them to darken certain areas, blend colours together, or add subtle highlights. They’re also useful for fixing any little mistakes you made with the markers!
How to Colour Bold & Easy: Fun Techniques to Try
Bold & Easy colouring books may be simple, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring.
When you first get started, the best approach is to fill each section with a single colour. This is easy to do, and the alcohol markers should give you a smooth finish.
From there, you can level-up with some of these different colouring techniques:
- Layer colours to add depth and make areas stand out. Start with a light base colour, then go over certain areas with a darker shade to create shadows or give objects a more 3D look.
- Blend different shades together for a smooth colour transition. Use two similar colours and overlap them slightly where they meet, using gentle strokes to mix them together gradually. (Note: this is a little trickier on the thin Amazon paper, so use this for similar colours to help make the blending easier)
- Outline shapes with a darker shade to define sections and add contrast. Tracing along the edges of a shape with a slightly darker colour helps make it pop and adds structure to your colouring.
- Use gel pens to highlight details or add a bit of shimmer for extra effect. Try adding small dots, lines, or sparkly accents to bring attention to certain parts of your artwork.
- Use a paint pen to add patterns, textures and highlights. I never finish a page without some white highlights! You can add a few dots or lines in the lightest areas where the light might reflect, or add dots to a starry sky or glittering gown. You can also use coloured paint pens to add textures.
Try different techniques and see what works best for you. Some approaches may feel more natural, while others might surprise you with the results. The best part of colouring is making it your own.
What Colours Should I Use?
Choosing the right colours can completely change the look of a page. Play around with different colour combinations to create a specific mood, and don’t be afraid to try a colour combination you wouldn’t usually pick. If you’re unsure where to start, tools like the Color Cube can help you find colours that look good together, making the process easier and more fun.
Most importantly, colouring should be fun – not perfect. Mix colours, try new techniques, and enjoy the process. It’s what makes colouring a great creative escape.
Where to Find Free Bold & Easy Colouring Pages
If you’re eager to try this trend, there are plenty of free simple adult colouring pages available online. Here are some that I’ve collected to help you get started!
50+ free colouring pages. Coco Wyo updates their instagram with free colouring regularly.
Creativity Should Be FUN!
Colouring is about enjoyment and creativity.
It doesn’t have to be complicated, it can be as simple as picking up a marker and letting your imagination take over.
No rules, no pressure, just a chance to unwind and let your creativity flow.
Have you tried the bold & easy colouring trend? Or maybe you’ve coloured some cute hygge scenes? I’d love to hear about them! Comment below or share your colouring in my Facebook Group!
Thanks for the information, very helpful.
When you print the free pages on an ink jet printer what mediums can be used?
I’ve been enjoying a similar style of coloring on silicon mats. There’s a brand called Little Change Creators that make some really nice designs and it’s so smooth and therapeutic to color on. Unlike these paper pictures, you can erase on the silicon so I can remove mistakes or color the picture again and again. It’s a nice change from the really intricate adult coloring. Not as much pressure to be perfect! :)
I love the more detailed colouring books but find these hygge (Danish cozy word, at least similar and yes I am Danish hehe) to be so lovely when I have less energy and on my bad days.
I suffer from a small selection of illnesses which disabled me to always lay in bed now. Energy levels are low so something easy and simple is a way to keep my creativity alive. Plus it is so fun to add more to the drawing, making them a tad more detailed as well.
Creative Paula has made two similar colouring books which I strongly recommend to everyone to support a great artist and YouTuber.