When I began exploring watercolor and marker coloring recently, I found that loosening my own expectations was the key to enjoying the process more deeply. Instead of stressing over perfect color palettes or technique, I decided to embrace softness and playfulness, especially with pastels and rainbows. Trying to recreate unique palettes I’ve come across, like those in Coloring Dangles and works by creatives like @Caley, was both a challenge and a fun experiment. Mixing pastel hues with traditional markers can be tricky because you want to keep the colors vibrant yet gentle. I found that layering colors lightly and gradually building depth helps maintain that soft pastel aesthetic. If you’re considering a watercolor tutorial like the one mentioned, I highly recommend starting with a simple theme—like a rainbow—where the colors naturally blend into one another. This allows you to practice gradient transitions and observe how different markers like Ohuhu or The Markermonster interact on paper. One tip: don’t be afraid to relax your standards and let colors blend imperfectly. This creates a dreamy, whimsical effect that is soothing to the eye. Bringing back pastel tones also adds a fresh, calming vibe to your coloring book pages, making the whole coloring session feel more like creative meditation than a task. Coloring communities such as #colortok or #cocowyo are excellent places to find inspiration and tips for mastering these techniques. They often showcase how artists bend traditional rules and bring new life to coloring books like those by Bobbie Goods. So whether you're an experienced colorist or a curious beginner, stepping away from strict techniques and exploring your own unique style can truly transform your creative journey.