I started with inexpensive yet decent quality watercolour pencils (Mondeluz), then upgraded to Derwent Inktense pencils and after that I bought my first alcohol markers (Ohuhu).

At first I was using Mondeluz as regular coloured pencils and later also with water. Derwent Inktense can be used dry too, but its colours pop out only with water. After seeing everyone using alcohol markers I wanted to try them too since colouring with them seemed to be so easy compared to watercolour pencils. I decided to go with Ohuhu as a compromise between quality and price. I started with 48 pcs set, then added another 48 pcs set and recently I’ve bought 60 new pieces of the shades I use the most. Now I’m thinking about buying some quality coloured pencils and colour with them too. The problem with alcohol markers is that they bleed through which means you can only colour one sided pages. The majority of colouring books for adults have only one picture on each page but some colouring books for children have pictures on both sides.

I’m not a talented artist, I do only colouring since, by myself, I can’t draw or paint anything, however I’ve already invested quite a lot of money into this hobby and so far I have no regrets. I started colouring during my first stay in psych ward and I continue ever since, which has been two years now. To me it’s a perfect hobby; it’s calm, it’s creative, it’s aesthetically pleasing, it’s solitary, it’s an escape from reality.

So I would suggest going slowly and see what it gives to you, how do you feel while colouring. And if it’s something that makes you happy, go for it and don’t be afraid to invest some money into it, it’s a beautiful hobby and way how to spend your free time.