Start with the red hat and blue overalls, because getting Mario’s signature colors right anchors the whole page. If you’re using markers, lay down the red first and let it dry before touching the skin, or you’ll get bleeding where the hat brim meets his forehead. For pencils, keep the pressure light and build up the red in layers so you can fix any slips before they darken.
Pick the right tools for the job
Crayons work for young kids, but for clean edges and smooth coverage, go with colored pencils or fine-tip markers. Markers give that flat, cartoon-pop look that matches Mario’s game art, but they bleed through thin paper. Print your page on standard 80 gsm paper and put a scrap sheet underneath. Pencils are more forgiving—they let you shade, blend, and erase mistakes, which matters on small details like the mustache or the “M” on his cap. If you’re working with a child, crayons are easier to grip, but for your own work, pencils or markers will look sharper. For a full comparison of your options, read how to choose between colored pencils, markers, or crayons before you start.
Why markers suit Mario’s cartoon look. Markers deliver the bold, saturated red and blue that define Mario’s design. They dry fast, so you can layer colors without waiting long. Just keep the strokes even and avoid going over the same spot twice while the ink is wet.
When pencils are the better choice. Pencils give you control over shading and blending, which is key for the mustache or the cap’s “M.” They’re also easier to correct—a quick eraser fixes a stray line. If you’re new to shading, start with pencils to build confidence.
Crayons for little hands. Crayons are sturdy and forgiving, perfect for kids who press hard. They won’t bleed or smudge, and they’re easy to grip. The trade-off is less precision, so save them for simple pages with big shapes.
Know the classic Mario palette
Mario’s colors are not random. Red hat and shirt, blue overalls, brown shoes, yellow buttons, and skin that’s a warm peach. Luigi flips it: green hat and shirt, blue overalls, and a slightly taller frame. When you’re working on a page with multiple characters, keep each one’s core colors consistent so they read instantly. For enemies like Koopa Troopas, use green shells with yellow undersides and tan skin. For power-ups like the Super Mushroom, the red cap with white spots and the green stem are non-negotiable. If you’re working on a page with a background, like a castle or a level, use cooler blues and purples for the sky and distant elements so Mario’s warm red pops forward. For more on building a pleasing palette, check out how to choose colors that look good on coloring pages.
The reds and blues that read as Mario. Stick to a true red (like fire engine) and a medium denim blue. Avoid dark maroon or navy—they muddy the iconic look. Test your red on a scrap to see if it leans orange or pink; you want a balanced, warm red.
Skin tones and shading. Use a warm peach for skin, and add a slightly darker peach or light brown for shadows under the hat and chin. Avoid orange or pink that looks unnatural. For Luigi, use a paler peach to match his lighter skin.
Background colors that make Mario stand out. Cool blues, purples, and greens for the background create contrast with Mario’s warm red. If the page has a sky, use a light blue and leave the area around Mario’s head clear until the end. For ground, use earthy browns or greens that don’t fight with the character.
Get the small details right
The difference between a decent Mario and a great one is in the details. The “M” on his cap should be a solid, even shape—use the tip of a pencil or a thin marker to fill it in. His mustache is brown, not black, and it should follow the curve of his mouth. The buttons on his overalls are yellow, and the cuffs of his sleeves are red. Don’t forget the white of his glove cuffs and the brown of his shoes with the white soles. If you’re working on a page with Cappy, the hat from Super Mario Odyssey, remember Cappy’s eyes are blue and his band is red. For Ice Mario, swap the red for a light blue and add white highlights to suggest frost. For 8-bit pages, keep the colors flat and stay inside the pixel squares—no shading, because that breaks the retro look. If you’re shading, use a darker tone of the same color, not black, to keep it clean. For a deeper dive, see how to shade coloring pages for more depth.
The cap’s “M” and mustache. Fill the “M” with a single, even stroke. If you’re using a pencil, go over it twice with light pressure. The mustache should be a warm brown, not black, and curve slightly downward at the ends to match Mario’s expression.
Buttons, cuffs, and shoes. Yellow buttons pop against the blue overalls—use a bright yellow and leave a tiny white dot for a shiny effect. Red cuffs on the sleeves match the hat. Brown shoes with white soles are classic; add a small white highlight on the toe for depth.
Special variants: Cappy, Ice Mario, and 8-bit. Cappy’s eyes are blue with a red band—keep them distinct from Mario’s brown eyes. Ice Mario swaps red for light blue and adds white frost lines. For 8-bit pages, use flat colors and stay within the pixel grid; no blending or shading.
Step-by-step: Coloring a classic Mario action page
Pick a page where Mario is mid-jump, maybe over a pipe or a Goomba. Here’s how to work through it:
- Outline the main shapes. Start with the red hat and shirt. Use a light red or a base layer, and leave the skin areas untouched. If you’re using markers, do all the red first, then move to the blue overalls.
- Fill the blue overalls. Use a medium blue, and keep the strokes going in one direction. Leave the buttons for later—they’re yellow, and you’ll get a cleaner edge if you color them after the blue dries.
- Add the skin and hair. Use a warm peach for the face, ears, and hands. For the hair, a dark brown or black works, but keep it separate from the mustache. The mustache is brown, so pick a shade that’s lighter than the hair.
- Do the brown shoes and white soles. Brown for the main shoe, light gray or white for the soles. Add a small white highlight on the toe for a shiny look.
- Finish with details and outlines. Go back with a fine black marker to trace the outer edges and define the eyes, eyebrows, and the “M” on the cap. This makes the character pop. If you’re using pencils, blend the edges with a light touch. For more on blending, see how to blend colored pencils on coloring pages.
Step 1: Lay down the red base. Start with the hat and shirt in red. Use broad strokes for large areas, and switch to a fine tip for the edges near the skin. Let it dry completely before moving on.
Step 2: Fill in the overalls. Use a medium blue and stroke in one direction—left to right or top to bottom. Leave the buttons and any white highlights for later. If you make a mistake, a white gel pen can fix small slips.
Step 3: Add skin and hair. Warm peach for the face and hands. For the hair, use a dark brown or black, but keep it separate from the mustache. The mustache is brown, so pick a shade that’s lighter than the hair.
Step 4: Finish with shoes and details. Brown shoes with white soles, plus a small highlight on the toe. Then use a fine black marker to outline the whole character—this makes the page look cleaner and more professional.
Which Mario pages to start with
If you’re new to coloring, start with pages that have large, simple shapes. The Mario Face coloring pages are perfect—just the head and cap, so you can focus on the red and skin without worrying about a full body. Next, try Baby Mario or Baby Mario and Luigi pages; they have bigger features and fewer small parts. When you’re ready for a bit more challenge, move to Cat Mario with its striped suit and tail, or Ice Mario if you want to practice cool tones. For a fun crossover, Mario and Sonic pages give you two characters to color, which helps you practice keeping colors consistent across a scene. If you like the retro feel, the 8 Bit Mario pages are great for flat, blocky color. And if you want to try a different style, Paper Mario has a cut-out look that rewards neat, even coloring. For a full list of options, browse the Mario coloring pages category.
Start simple: Mario’s face. A face page lets you master the red and skin tones without the pressure of a full body. You can also practice the “M” and mustache in close-up.
Move to Baby Mario and Luigi. These pages have larger features and fewer small parts, making them ideal for practicing skin tones and overalls. The simpler shapes also help you build speed.
Challenge yourself with Cat Mario or Ice Mario. Cat Mario’s striped suit and tail test your ability to keep patterns even. Ice Mario forces you to work with cool tones and highlights, which is great for shading practice.
Try crossover and retro pages. Mario and Sonic pages let you practice keeping colors consistent across two characters. 8-bit pages are perfect for flat, blocky color, while Paper Mario’s cut-out style rewards neatness.
The most common mistake: Coloring the background first
Most people start with the sky or the ground, and then they color Mario on top. That’s backwards. If you fill the background first, you’ll have to color over it or risk smudging your character. Instead, color the character first, then the background. That way, you can erase any accidental marks on the sky without ruining Mario’s face. And when you do get to the background, use a lighter touch or a lighter color so it doesn’t compete with the main action. If you’re working on a page with a lot of white space, like a simple Mushroom or a single Koopa, you can leave the background white—that’s a valid choice, especially for beginners. But if you want to fill it in, do it last, and use a horizontal stroke pattern for the sky to suggest motion. That single habit—character first, background last—will improve every Mario page you color, from the Super Mario 3D World pages to the Mario Wonder sets.