I finally got around to a project I’ve been wanting to try for a while – making Ali coloring pages of some favorite photos. And actually, it was quite a bit easier than I had anticipated.
I have Photoshop (the cheap version), but I’m pretty sure a similar effect can be found in most photo editing software programs.
I learned through trial and error that the best types of photos for coloring pages are ones that:
- Have uniform lighting throughout the photo .
- Aren’t too busy, but have consistent geometric prints .
- Have a clear contrast between the subjects in the photo and the background.
- Minimal shadows, especially on faces.
- All subjects in the foreground.
- Subjects are wearing lighter-colored clothes.
- Are fairly large photos, with regards to pixels.
With that in mind, in Photoshop, you just pull up a photo: 
And click on the “Photocopy” effect (which can be found on the Edit –> Effects right-hand sidebar menu OR at the top by clicking Filter –> Sketch –> Photocopy).
After that, the photo will come up in an edit form, and you can play with the “darkness” and “detail” settings until you get the settings to the point where it has the most clear outline with the least amount of darkness within the outline (usually on the low end of both settings, but it varies by photo): 
As I said, I know that not everyone has Photoshop, but I am confident that there is a setting in most photo editing software (free or purchased) that will have the same results.
To give a free option, I checked out Lunapic’s (www.lunapic.com) version. Lunapic is a completely online, no downloads required photo editing software. On their “Effects” menu, they have a “Coloring Book” option:
Granted, it didn’t come out nearly as clear as Photoshop AND there were no adjustable features, but it’s an option.
Here are a few of the others that I made using Photoshop:
And, as I usually do when I learn a new trick, I went completely overboard and spent the week making a coloring book for our small group:
I added names to the pictures so that the kids could color the letters, and possibly learn how to spell each other’s names.
Well, all but Julie’s long-winded kid’s names, anyway.
So – what did Ali think of these wonderfully self-centered coloring pages?
When Ali woke up from her nap after I finished phase one of my Grand Coloring Project, I couldn’t wait to show her my creations.
Me: “I have a very special surprise for you!!! Guess what it is!”
Ali: “Can I eat it??!!”
Me: “Good question! But no, it’s not to eat! Guess again!”
Ali: “It’s NERDS!!!!”
Me: “No, it’s not any kind of food surprise. Guess again!”
Ali, with growing excitement in her voice, “IT’S CINDERELLA CANDY!!!!”
(I have no idea what Cinderella Candy is, for the record.)
Me: “No – no eating involved in this surprise! Maybe try asking, ‘Can I color on it?’”
Ali: “Can I color on it?”
Me: “YES!! It’s special coloring pages!!!!”
Ali: “So can I EAT the special coloring pages??”
Obviously, I don’t feed my child enough.
The first one she colored was the one of her, Eli, and Tessa:
She thought it was quite excellent, edible or not.
The second one that I gave her was a remake of this photo from our Gymnastics trip:
But it came out a bit Medusa-esque:
She gasped and said “What is THAT?!!?!”
“That’s you, baby – with silly hair blowing in the wind!”
“That is NOT me!!!”
Poor thing – I know how she feels. That’s my reaction to at least 95% of photos I see of myself.
So she chose instead to color herself getting affirmation from Mommy and Daddy and felt MUCH better,
And let me color MedusAli.
…errr, not that I made these coloring pages as much for me as for her or anything.
But if I HAD made them for me, it’s a great way to see what my husband would look like in a hot pink suit, what I’d look like as a blonde, and what Ali would look like with what she’s always wanted: Pink Hair.
Yup. On our next trip to the salon, I’m going blonde and Ali’s going pink.
And the pink suit? Oh yeah – Chris definitely needs one.
I love Chris's hot pink suit, I was laughing out loud when I saw it!
Thanks for the coloring books, they are awesome, I couldn't wait to start coloring this morning! Unfortunately, when I started coloring I realized that our $1 crayons from Target weren't going to get the job done. I need to go get some new crayons first!
Thanks for the tips!
You guys look great. I can't wait to try it and see if Jack will color our family.
So cute! Amusing that you did the whole book (sounds like something I'd do too!)
You need to get her edible colouring paper now though. And lest you think I'm joking, I hasten to add that when I was a kid my mother let us colour on rice paper and eat it. I would recommend using food colouring paint rather than the sniff and colour magic markers we used. I'm not sure whether magic marker than smells like raspberry is any safer to eat than the regular ones but…
Awesome idea!
That is an awesome idea. I would want to do all the coloring though!
What a neat idea!! I love the pink hair!
That is such a cute idea, I'll have to pass this on to my daughter for Mabry.
Wow, what a great idea! I never would have thought of that! I will have to see if my editing program does that. I bet K would love coloring herself. :)
This is a great idea! I can't wait to try it with Sam, but I think I'll have to put myself on hold for a few months. He still thinks that crayons are for sorting, not coloring. Loved the conversation about eating the surprise!
This was such a great idea, Rachel! We love, love our copy of the coloring book! The boys are delighted to see themselves on coloring pages, and we can't wait to get started on it. Thanks!!!
Rachel, that is so cool! You are one smart cookie!
Thanks for the fantastic idea! I just did one picture, and can't wait to do more!
What a great idea. I never thought to do this but this would be fun to do with neices and nephews with different photos of extended family members.
P.s. Ali sure does know how to rock pink hair.