Start with the strangest shape on the page. That melting clock or floating eye anchors the composition, so color it first and give it the strongest contrast. Save the background for last, and let the impossible objects pop by keeping their edges sharp while you blur or darken what surrounds them. This approach works because the genre is about making the unreal feel believable, and contrast does that job for you.

Choose colors that sell the dream

Surrealism rewards color choices that feel slightly off. A purple sun, a green sky, or a blue horse reads as intentional, not a mistake. Use the art styles guide to see how this category differs from realism or abstract work, then lean into that freedom.

  • Pick one or two "impossible" colors for focal objects (e.g., magenta elephant, teal moon) and keep the rest of the page more natural so the oddity stands out.
  • Use warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) for objects you want to come forward, and cool colors (blues, purples, greens) for things that should recede into the background.
  • Avoid using all bright colors at full strength. Let some areas stay pale or muted, or the whole page will compete for attention and the dream logic will blur.
  • If the page has a repeating element, like a row of hovering clocks, vary the hue slightly across each one (e.g., pink, coral, peach) instead of using the same red everywhere.
  • For shadows and depth, use complementary colors—a purple shadow under a yellow apple, or a blue shadow under an orange fish—rather than plain gray or black.

For a deeper look at color relationships, the guide on choosing colors that look good walks through palettes that stay harmonious even when you push them into weird territory.

Match your tools to the weirdness

Your tool choice changes how surreal the result feels. Colored pencils give you control for tiny details like eyelashes on a levitating head or the cracks on a melting clock. Markers deliver flat, bold color that suits graphic, poster-like pages. Crayons are softer and can create a childlike, dreamy texture, but they struggle with fine lines.

  • For detailed pages (intricate patterns, small objects), use fine-tipped colored pencils or gel pens.
  • For large background areas like skies or oceans, markers or watercolor pencils spread faster and smoother. If you use markers, work on a separate sheet under your page to avoid bleeding through.
  • Blend colored pencils with a light touch and a colorless blender, or layer two colors and then burnish with white for a smooth, polished look. The blending guide explains the technique step by step.
  • If you want soft transitions, like a gradual fade from night sky to dawn, try pastels or watercolor pencils and a damp brush.
  • Skip crayons if the page has very fine details—they will mush the lines. If you do use them, keep the tip sharp and press lightly.

Still unsure which medium fits your style? The colored pencils, markers, or crayons guide compares their strengths for different effects.

Get the details that sell the illusion

The genre lives in the details. A hovering island needs a shadow underneath it, even if the light source is impossible. A clock with melting numbers needs those numbers to curve and distort with the form. These small choices make the difference between a weird picture and a convincing dream.

  • Always add a cast shadow on the ground or below suspended objects. Use a darker shade of the ground color, not black, and blur the edge for softness.
  • If the page has a sky, give it a gradient—darker at the top, lighter at the horizon, or vice versa. Flat skies kill the surreal mood.
  • When coloring an object with a distorted shape (like a melting face or a twisted tree), follow the contour of the shape with your strokes. Color in the direction of the distortion to reinforce the form.
  • Add highlights on glossy or wet-looking elements, like an apple with a sheen or a glass eye. Leave a small white spot or use a white gel pen to suggest shine.
  • If the page includes a pattern inside an object (e.g., a dress made of stars), color the pattern first, then shade over it with a light layer of the object's base color to integrate it.
  • For depth, use the shading guide to learn how to create a light source, even an impossible one, and stick to it across the whole page.

Step-by-step: Coloring a typical surrealism page

Let's walk through a common subject: a floating island with a waterfall pouring off its edge into the sky.

Step 1: Color the focal object first

Choose the island itself. Use a warm green for the grass on top, but make it slightly muted—add a touch of brown or blue so it doesn't scream "realistic." Color the underside of the island (the rocky part) with a dark purple or brown, and leave a thin white edge at the bottom to suggest a light rim from below.

Step 2: Add the waterfall

Color the falling water with a light blue or cyan. Use vertical strokes that follow the flow. Leave the bottom of the falls white or very pale, and add a few darker blue streaks near the edges to show where the water separates. Don't outline every drop—let the strokes suggest motion.

Step 3: Paint the sky

Use a gradient from deep indigo at the top to a soft peach at the horizon. You can do this with markers by blending while wet, or with colored pencils by layering and then blending with a colorless blender. Keep the sky smooth so the island and water stay sharp.

Step 4: Create the impossible shadows

Add a soft shadow on the sky directly below the floating island. Use a pale purple or gray and blend the edges outward. This shadow tells the eye the island is really hovering, even if the light source is a mystery.

Step 5: Finish with small details

Add tiny birds in the distance, stars in the upper sky, or a few drifting leaves near the waterfall. Use a white gel pen for highlights on the water and on the island's edge. Step back and check the contrast—if the island blends into the sky, darken the sky or lighten the island with another layer.

Which surrealism pages to start with

If you are new to this category, start with a page that has one clear focal object and a simple background. The Surrealism coloring pages include 8 printable designs, and the category page shows the full range—from melting clocks to floating islands. Pick a page with one large object and a plain sky, not a busy scene with many elements. That lets you practice the key skills—contrast, shading, and gradient—without feeling overwhelmed. As you gain confidence, move to more complex pages with multiple objects and patterns.

Next step: Print a page and practice the contrast trick

Grab one of the Surrealism coloring pages and try the contrast trick on a single object: color the object in a bright, warm color, then shade the background around it with a cool, darker tone. That one choice will instantly make the impossible feel real. Keep the rest of the page simple on your first try—you can always add more layers later.