Adult colouring...just how many pens/pencils should I buy?!

[tessiegirl]

I've just bought a gorgeous Johanna Basford colouring book and I cannot wait to get started on it.

However...

Should I buy a 24 pack of pencils or 36? I'm not really looking to go above 36 atm. I keep thinking 36 is too many but would the extra colours come in handy? Then there is the expense and the 24 pack is much more cost friendly but will I soon tire of only 24 colours?!

I'm also looking to get some fine liners but again, would a 12, 24 or 36 pack be enough? I'm only looking to use these in small areas but concerned that a 12 pack won't have enough colours.

Can anyone help me work this out?!! Please!

About this many

I had a Johanna Basford book (the enchanted forest I think) and I got a tin of 18 watercolour pencils- Prismalo by Caran d'Ache. The watercolour aspect made them a bit more versatile. However I would have liked more shades of brown and green when doing that particular book although I did enjoy mixing and blending the shades I had.

Have you thought about using watercolour paint? Takes longer but looks lovely.
I have a tiny travel watercolour set, comes with a small fine brush.

If not then I'd buy the 24 pack of pencils and fine liners.

I thought one of those colouring books would be a nice idea. I was wrong. I got so bastard angry when I coloured a flower in different to it's twin!