Color by number apps have become incredibly popular in recent years as a fun and relaxing way to express creativity and make digital artwork. These apps provide users with outline drawings that are divided into sections mapped to specific colors. By choosing colors and filling in the corresponding sections, users can bring the artwork to life while following simple numbered instructions. For those looking for a customizable and meditative digital coloring experience, color by number apps offer an engaging option.
The Basics of Color by Number Apps
The concept behind color by number apps is straightforward. Users are presented with a line drawing that has been divided into many numbered sections. Each number is matched to a specific color. By selecting colors and filling in the various numbered shapes, the artwork comes together section by section. These apps provide all the outlines and color keys needed to complete images.
Color by number apps often have libraries of images to choose from across a variety of categories and difficulties. Some focus specifically on mandalas, animals, landscapes, flowers, famous artwork, and other themes. The images range from simple to intricate in detail. Users can browse libraries until they find an image they connect with.
The act of choosing colors and methodically working through the sections is both calming and creatively satisfying. Following simple numbered instructions allows users to relax into the process. Seeing the artwork come to life section by section enables a sense of creative accomplishment.
Popular Color by Number Apps
There are many excellent color by number apps to choose from for iOS, Android, and desktop. Here are 5 top options:
Pigment – Adult Coloring Book and Color by Number
Pigment is one of the most popular and highest rated color by number apps available. It offers an expansive library of images including animals, landscapes, mandalas, architecture, science, and fanart. Pictures range from simple to extremely detailed. Pigment provides helpful color picking assistance and background image locking to make coloring easier. Images can be saved and shared.
Colorfly – Color by Number & Paint by Number
Colorfly is beloved for its enormous collection of artwork across dozens of categories. From mosaics to unicorns, landscapes to movies, users will find tons of color by number images. Colorfly makes it easy to zoom and select the right colors. Images can be saved, shared, and printed. The app also includes pixel art images for added variety.
ColorMe – Color by Number & Paint by Number
With over 4,000 five-star ratings, ColorMe is a fan favorite color by number app. It features a user-friendly design and interface. The library includes animals, landscapes, flowers, mandalas, and more. Completed paintings can be saved to the camera roll or shared on social media. ColorMe also allows users to create color by number drawings which can be shared.
Happy ColorTM – Color by Number
Happy Color is a highly rated app with fun and engaging artwork options. It provides a mix of intricate paintings alongside simpler images suitable for kids. Helpful color assistance makes completing the artwork easy. Images can be magnified for detail work. Completed pieces can be saved and printed. Happy Color also includes pixel art.
Colorfy: Color by Number & Paint by Number Art Games
Colorfy contains thousands of images including animals, quotes, mandalas, iconic figures, and more. Its library spans classics, fan art, nature, architecture, fashion, and many other categories. This app allows saving progress on images so they can be completed over multiple sessions. Finished pieces can be saved, printed, or shared on social platforms.
Key Features of Color by Number Apps
While each color by number app has unique offerings, they tend to share some core features:
Extensive Libraries of Images
A diverse library with hundreds or thousands of color by number images to choose from is essential. The wider the selection, the more likely users can find artwork they feel motivated to complete. Libraries often have specific themes and categories to browse as well.
Numbered Sections
The images feature numbering systems that map each section to a specific color. Numbers indicate the progression, allowing users to work through sections methodically without guessing where to fill colors. Numbers may appear inside shapes or on layer overlays.
Color Assistance
Given the numbered shapes, color by number apps assist users in selecting the right colors for each section. This might involve displaying the color on that shape or showing the numbers matched to color swatches. Some apps even automatically fill in the correct colors.
Zoom Capability
Being able to magnify sections provides the fine detail needed for working on intricate images. Zoom features allow users to have the accuracy to stay within the lines.
Share and Save Creations
After completing an image, users will want to share or save their hard work. Apps offer social sharing, camera roll saving, and printing options. Some allow saving progress to continue coloring later.
| App | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Pigment | – Expansive image library with various themes and difficulties – Color matching assistance – Ability to lock background layer – Save and share creations |
| Colorfly | – Huge collection of diverse images – Print and share capabilities – Pixel art coloring option – Easy color selection |
| ColorMe | – Thousands of images to choose from – Simple and intuitive interface – Social media sharing integration – Custom drawing creation |
| Happy Color | – Fun and engaging images – Suitable for kids and adults – Color assistance for easy filling – Print finished pieces |
| Colorfy | – Massive category-based library – Save coloring progress – Share on social platforms – Classic and fan art images |
Benefits of Color by Number Apps
Beyond being enjoyable activities, color by number apps provide some great benefits:
Stress Relief and Relaxation
The methodical process of coloring is meditative and relaxing. Focusing on choosing and filling colors allows users to unwind, de-stress, and achieve a calm mindset. The simple numbered instructions are easy to follow for light cognitive engagement.
Creativity and Self-Expression
Color by number apps provide guided creative experiences. While following instructions, users also make artistic choices in color selection allowing self-expression. Seeing a drawing come to life through applied colors is fulfilling. Completing a beautiful image boosts creative confidence.
Focus and Concentration
The concentration and attention needed to color cleanly within intricate lines engages the mind. Staying focused within the lines also helps develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. The apps can engage users in a state of immersive flow.
Accessibility
For those new to art, color by number apps provide an easy entry point for creating beautiful finished pieces without needing drawing skills. The simple numbered instructions make visually bringing the image to life achievable for anyone.
Variety and Engagement
With so many apps and expansive libraries, users can bounce between selections for ongoing engagement. The images provide enough variety to keep the experience feeling fresh and interesting for the long-term.
Portability
As smartphone and tablet apps, users can enjoy color by number creation on-the-go. The apps provide engaging activities no matter where users may be without the need for art supplies and messy clean-up. Finished pieces can also be easily saved and shared digitally.
Conclusion
Color by number apps offer an enjoyable, relaxing, and creatively fulfilling digital art experience. They provide guided color artwork that allows users of all skill levels to make beautiful images through simple numbered color instructions. A range of excellent color by number apps are available with extensive libraries spanning different themes, art styles, and difficulties. While providing hours of engaging entertainment, color by number apps can also lower stress, increase focus, and enable a satisfying sense of accomplishment in completing the artwork. With so many benefits and options to choose from, color by number apps are certainly worth exploring for those seeking accessible and enjoyable digital art activities.
