How I Choose a Theme for a Coloring Book: My Creative Process
Choosing a theme for a coloring book is one of my favorite parts of the whole process. It’s where the magic starts, and honestly, it’s the spark that gets me excited about bringing the book to life. But how do I settle on a theme? It’s a bit more than just picking something random off the top of my head. Let me take you behind the scenes and share how I decide on a theme—and how I use it to build my coloring books.
Step 1: Find an Aesthetic That Excites Me
Before anything else, I need to find a vibe or aesthetic that sparks joy for me. It’s essential that I feel excited about it because that energy translates into the work I create. Whether it’s something nostalgic or whimsical, there needs to be an element of intrigue that draws me in. For example, I might think about a general idea—like coffee—but I’m not just interested in coffee. It has to be coffee and books. Or maybe it’s not just the Y2K aesthetic, but the nostalgia of being a book girl in the 2000s.
That’s where the fun begins: I pick an aesthetic that fuels my creativity and gets me thinking about all the little details I can bring into the theme.
Step 2: Create a Pinterest Board & Dive Into Inspiration
Once I’ve landed on an aesthetic, I dive into research mode. I open up Pinterest and create a brand-new board dedicated to the theme. From there, I start typing every possible related word or idea into the search bar. I’m talking about everything from illustrations and existing coloring pages to aesthetic photos, stickers, and more. No idea is off-limits. The goal is to gather as much inspiration as possible to see what speaks to me.
I pin everything that catches my eye, and I make sure to include a variety of content, even things that may not seem directly related to coloring but still fall under the vibe I’m going for. For example, if I’m working on a bookish theme, I’ll pin photos of cozy reading nooks, cute book stacks, and anything else that evokes that same feeling.
Step 3: Curate & Collect Inspiration
After a Pinterest binge, I go through my pins and start saving my absolute favorites to my phone. I’m looking for patterns, color schemes, unique designs, and aesthetic elements that will help inform my own designs. These photos become my foundation. They’re the visual reference point that I’ll return to throughout the design process.
It’s at this stage that I start to see common threads emerging. I begin to notice certain motifs or visual elements that seem to be popping up, and that’s a sign that I’m honing in on the direction I want to take.
Step 4: Organize & Start the Design Process
Now that I have a collection of inspiration, it’s time to start putting it to use. I open up Procreate and begin creating new projects for each page I want to make. I usually start by stacking around 30 projects in one stack, and I name that stack after the theme I’m working on. This helps me stay organized and keeps me focused on the big picture. It also makes it easier to manage everything when I need to apply consistent elements like the border and my signature.
Once the projects are stacked, I’ll begin by creating 10 pages or so, making sure each design stays within the theme but also leaves room for creativity. I’ll import the inspiration photos I’ve saved and reference any necessary images—whether that’s a photo of a jasmine plant if I’m drawing flowers, or a figure sketch for poses.
Each coloring page is its own unique process, but the theme and inspiration are my guiding lights. They’re the framework that helps me stay on track while still allowing room for flexibility and artistic freedom.
Step 5: Bringing It All Together
As the designs come to life, I keep coming back to my initial inspiration. I check in with my Pinterest board and the photos I saved on my phone to make sure each page stays true to the original aesthetic I had in mind. But just because I’ve gathered all this inspiration doesn’t mean I’m copying anything. The goal is to take what inspires me and make it my own, blending my style and vision with the core theme.
Each page becomes a puzzle, fitting into the larger picture of the entire book. And by the time I hit that 30-page mark, I’ve created something that not only excites me but also, I hope, excites all of you.
Why This Process Works for Me
The process of choosing a theme and building a book from the ground up is deeply personal, but it’s also a lot of fun. By taking the time to gather inspiration, organize my ideas, and work systematically, I can make sure every page aligns with the aesthetic I want to create. It’s not just about making a pretty design—it’s about bringing an experience to life through art.
Plus, knowing that each page is inspired by something I genuinely love gives me the energy and excitement I need to keep going. Every page I create is a reflection of that initial spark of creativity, and it’s such a rewarding feeling to bring that to life for all of you to enjoy.
