Badge: Color Fun Events

Coloring by yourself can be fun and relaxing.

Let’s look at taking it beyond an individual activity into something a group can do!

Steps

1. Why color with a group?

Whether you choose to do the “event” as a workshop where you teach or a club where everyone shares, there are many benefits to doing this craft as a group. Coloring with a group can give you exposure to materials and techniques you might not have seen before. Of course, connecting with others who are interested in the same things is also a benefit. Decide how you want to enjoy your coloring time.

2. Group size.

Your group size (and members) will make a big difference in your event. For example, younger participants may not have as much patience to color a full sheet so a simpler one may be required. Also, a larger group will be louder and require more room. Determine the size and age range of the group you’re willing to work with.

3. Location.

You can color anywhere. If outdoors, be sure you have clipboards or a similar hard, smooth surface to work on. For indoor venues, check out tables you will be using. Some are designed with a textured surface to keep things from sliding around. Also, wear can result in damage that is not apparent until you’re coloring a sheet on it. If you’re unsure, it’s safe to have something smooth for each attendee to place under the sheet.

4. Atmosphere.

This is supposed to be a relaxing experience. Visit the location you plan to attend on the day / time your event will be. Will light (or lack thereof) coming into the area affect your attendees? Does one of the neighbors practice heavy metal music when you’re planning to meet? Is there a playground nearby with screaming children? After experiencing the area, determine any issues you may have. Can you deal with the issues? Is there a way to combat the issues or should you find another venue?

5. Physical comfort.

If you’re not comfortable, you won’t be able to relax. When you check out the location, don’t stop at the atmosphere. Are the chairs comfortable and sturdy? Will they be if someone is twice your weight / size? Are there any air ducts that will blow directly on people? Look for ways to improve your attendee’s physical comfort.

For example, if the room is cold, you might want to suggest that attendees wear a sweater or bring lap blankets.

6. Materials.

Are you supplying the sheets and coloring materials? It’s easy to print out multiple free sheets or cut the binding from a purchased book. However, providing coloring materials can get expensive. This is especially true when working with younger participants who may not be careful with your supplies.

You may want to ask them to bring their own. Provide a list of materials they may need and preferred brands (if any). Impress upon everyone the need to identify their materials or bring a container to keep track of them.

Activities

7. Music.

Would sound add to the relaxing atmosphere? You might want to try one of these.

Folk music
Classical music
Instrumental music
Cultural music
Nature sounds
Medication tracks

Experiment to find out what you like.

8. Conversation.

If you’re encouraging conversation, be aware your music / sound needs to be in the background. The arrangement of tables / coloring locations can influence the ease of conversation. You might even want to run a few icebreakers before the start of your coloring event to get strangers talking. Look for ways to encourage conversation between your attendees.

9. Teach.

You’ll need to troubleshoot issues that will occur while teaching. Choosing to teach means less conversation, but you need to be aware of how your voice will be traveling in the area. It may be harder to teach in an outdoor setting, especially if you have people with hearing challenges. To help combat this, a whiteboard or chalkboard is great to show what you’re saying. A dedicated area to show samples or completed projects, especially the ones the class will be doing, is important.

Depending on what you are teaching, you may want to have handouts available for your attendees to take home so they can duplicate what they learned with the piece they made with you available for a visual reference. Be sure to provide handouts AFTER your presentation. If not, they may pay more attention to the paper in their hands than you. You might also choose to send the handout to them via email after the class.

After you teach, note any issues you had and how you can fix them next time.

10. Others run the event.

You don’t have to do it all. You can bring in experts and local artists who share things they’ve been doing themselves to make a presentation to the entire group. They may do the basics or go more in-depth. If you have others running the event, you can participate yourself. Can you find ways to include others and their expertise into your coloring event?

11. Share techniques.

Sharing techniques might be planned beforehand or happen at the event. If they are planned, you should have a handout available with an explanation. For last minute additions, you can ask the person showing the technique to email it to you and then you can share it with the group. Be sure to include specifics so everyone can duplicate the technique they’ve seen. Of course, referencing online sites or video tutorials can provide the information without creating a handout.

12. Final projects.

Showing a completed final project helps your participants. If someone is a visual learner, they may understand more looking at your project than listening to you. A final project also shows the class before they begin what they’ll be doing, making them more eager to participate.

The best part comes from the notes and tips you come away with from doing the project. It might be something that sounds silly to you if you’ve been coloring and experimenting a long time. Think of the little things your participants might not know. These hints add your experiences and knowledge into the presentation.

13. National Coloring Book Day.

Find out about National Coloring Book Day. Find a party near you and join others who are in your area or host an event yourself.

If you don’t want to celebrate this holiday, what other holidays can you add a coloring event to?

Supplements

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