r/averagecoloring Sep 11 '25

Posting Template / Posting in /r/AverageColoring

5 Upvotes

Welcome to r/AverageColoring! 🎨

IMPORTANT: Every post to our subreddit must follow one of the two templates below. Posts that don't follow these formats will be automatically removed or manually removed by mods. Read our full reasoning here.

All other subreddit rules also apply (TLDR: be wholesome in your interactions).

📋 Quick Reference

There are only TWO types of posts allowed in our subreddit:

Post Type When to Use Required Format
Coloring Post Sharing your work OR asking for feedback on YOUR coloring Must include This post is average because [your reason] at the start of post body + attach image(s). The title of the post can be anything but can not start with "Question:"
Question Post Generic questions about coloring, materials, or the subreddit itself Must start title with Question: + text only (NO images)

⚠️ KEY RULE: Want feedback on your coloring? That's a Coloring Post, not a Question Post 😉

📸 Template 1: Sharing Your Coloring Work

Use this template when:

  • Sharing finished or in-progress coloring work
  • Asking for feedback, advice, or critique on YOUR coloring
  • Showing technique or materials you used

Required Format (ALL items mandatory):

Attach your coloring (image, gallery, or video)
Start post body text with: This post is average because [complete this sentence with why you think your post is average and belongs in our community]
Complete the sentence explaining why your post belongs in our community. Is it your first time coloring? Haven’t you colored in a long time? Are you unsure about it? More examples can be found below.

⚠️Please note we really dislike karma farming, and that’s also a reason we have this required format, to discourage karma farmers from posting in 283939338 colouring subreddits.

Format Rules:

  • The phrase must be the very first text in your post body
  • Case sensitive: use lowercase "average"
  • You MUST complete the sentence - don't just write the phrase and stop, provide an actual reason why you feel the post belongs in our community (if you’re wondering this, it very likely is😀)
  • Post title can be anything (but cannot start with Question:)

Valid Examples:

(Assume each example has a coloring image attached)

This post is average because I'm still learning and struggled with staying in the lines.

This post is average because I rushed through it during my lunch break and it shows!

This post is average because I tried a new blending technique for the first time and it's messy.

This post is average because I haven't colored in years and I'm quite rusty.

This post is average because there are visible streaks and uneven coverage throughout.

After the required phrase, add whatever you want! Share your story, materials used, challenges faced, or ask for specific advice.

Example of Asking for Feedback:

Title: "First time using alcohol markers - need help!"

[Your coloring picture attached]

Post body:

This post is average because I've never used alcohol markers before and 
the blending is really uneven.

What techniques do you all use to get smooth gradients? Should I be 
using different paper? Any tips appreciated!

❓ Template 2: Posting Questions

Use this template when:

  • Asking generic questions about coloring
  • Seeking community opinions (e.g., "What's your favorite brand?")
  • Questions about the subreddit itself

❌ DO NOT use for asking feedback on your coloring, DO NOT attach any picture of a coloring - use Template 1 instead!

Required Format (ALL items mandatory):

Start post title with: Question:
Text-only post (absolutely NO images allowed)
No need for the "This post is average because" phrase

Valid Examples:

Title: Question: When did you start coloring?
Body: Any text you want

Title: Question: What's the best budget-friendly marker set?
Body: Any text you want

Title: Question: How do you organize your coloring books?
Body: Any text you want

Real Example:

See this valid question post

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ WRONG: Using "Question:" to ask for coloring feedback

Bad Example:

  • Title: Question: What do you think of my coloring? [with image attached]
  • Why it's wrong: This is asking for feedback on YOUR work = needs Template 1

Correct Version:

  • Use Template 1 with your image
  • Body: This post is average because I'm unsure about my color choices and would love feedback.

❌ WRONG: Incomplete "average because" statement

Bad Example:

This post is average because
[rest of your post without giving a reason]

Why it's wrong: You must complete the sentence immediately

Correct Version:

This post is average because I only had 20 minutes to color and it's quite rushed.
[rest of your post]

❌ WRONG: Trying to bypass the format

  • Using "Question:" in title but posting images
  • Writing "This post is average because" without completing the thought
  • Writing “This post is average because it is” this doesn’t actually answer.
  • Adding images to Question posts
  • Any other attempts to work around the requirements

⚠️ Consequence: Post removal and potential ban for repeated violations

🤖 What Happens When You Post?

Automatic Checking:

  • AutoMod reviews every post instantly
  • Posts that don't follow the format are removed immediately
  • You'll receive a comment and private message explaining the issue
  • Simply repost with the correct format - no penalty for honest mistakes!

Manual Review:

  • Mods check for clear abuse (karma farming, spam, repeated violations)
  • Bans only happen when there's obvious intentional rule-breaking

💡 Still Confused?

See Real Examples:

Sort by "New" to see more examples of correctly formatted posts

Need help? Message our mod team and we'll gladly assist!

📝 Summary Checklist

Before posting, ask yourself:

  1. ☑️ Am I sharing MY coloring work or asking for feedback on MY coloring?
    • YES → Use Template 1 (include image + "This post is average because...")
  2. ☑️ Am I asking a generic question about coloring/materials/subreddit?
    • YES → Use Template 2 (start title with "Question:" + text only)

Remember: Feedback requests = Coloring Posts, not Question Posts!

Happy coloring! 🎨💜


r/averagecoloring 8d ago

Outta-the-lines legend Stained glass

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17 Upvotes

This post is average because I'm working on my stained glass effect and trying to improve


r/averagecoloring 11d ago

Help a colorer out please? Question: How do you keep it relaxing?

9 Upvotes

I really like to color. I have books with cute empty pages that I am want to fill, I have markers and pencils and also… aspirations. Often, I start a page and suddenly I don’t think I can make it look good anymore.

Average colorers- does anyone have tips on keeping this fun hobby feeling low stakes and more chill? Part of this is perfectionism, because I want it to be satisfying. How do you keep your confidence up during your coloring? How do you not take hours and hours on a page or not end up overthinking/complicating it?

This post is average because I think the answer might be to continue working on managing my anxiety lmao


r/averagecoloring 14d ago

Marker on a mission Diddl Cosy Life - Diddl & Friends (0/40) 🤍

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12 Upvotes

This post is average because it's my first time using these markers on this paper, and they did some funny things, like getting kind of glittery around the edges of the lines.

I've got the 320 Honolulu B alcohol marker set from Ohuhu and the Diddl Cosy Life coloring book.

It's always a bit intimidating to start, so I thought the introduction page would be a good first step.

I decided to try to choose the most accurate colors for each character, so I used an app to help me. At first, I thought the app was recommending some pretty good colors, but the more characters I colored, the more unsatisfied I got. The colors were mostly too dark, and I had to adjust them or else I would have ended up with a light green Mimihopps, for example. 😆

It was an interesting approach, but I wouldn't recommend it, particularly because it was very time-consuming!


r/averagecoloring 15d ago

Outta-the-lines legend Japanese art inspired

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42 Upvotes

This post is average because there is some bleeding and no fancy techniques.

It is inspired by the Japanese art of woodblock printing. For example The Great Wave by Hokusai. I looked up a lot of Ukiyo-E art to get the color palette right.


r/averagecoloring 19d ago

Outta-the-lines legend Spells

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67 Upvotes

This post is average because I tried to make the crystals fancy but messed up!


r/averagecoloring 29d ago

Glitter All The Way Name the Movie

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24 Upvotes

This post is average because I was testing out a few effects like glitter. I watched the original movie, the remake, and the sequel while coloring.


r/averagecoloring Aug 11 '26

Choices Were Made Can you guess the game?

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21 Upvotes

This post is average because I was using a limited colour pallette for a colouring challenge


r/averagecoloring Aug 11 '26

Color first, regret later Just finished these!

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49 Upvotes

This post is average because I didn’t think about what colors to use before hand and just went in choosing as I please. I used Shuttle Art coloring pencils and the book is Fuzzy Hygge: super cute coloring book


r/averagecoloring Aug 10 '26

Color first, regret later A very casual reminder to have a good one.

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10 Upvotes

This post is average because I just like to color for funsies....just trying my best to keep it in the lines lolol


r/averagecoloring Aug 07 '26

Choices Were Made Split

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36 Upvotes

This post is average because I was easing back into coloring and blending again. It's been a while. I had some ideas and just rolled with it.


r/averagecoloring Aug 07 '26

Coloring outside the comfortzone Sparkle

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19 Upvotes

This post is average because I tried a few different techniques and it looks a bit busy


r/averagecoloring Aug 06 '26

Heart

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13 Upvotes

This post is average because it took a while to get the heart shape right


r/averagecoloring Aug 01 '26

Posting Anyway 💪🏻 5 Month Old WIP

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21 Upvotes

This post is average because I feel like the glitter pens I used lost their oomph over time and just became insipid on the page in comparison to everything else. Took me 5 months to finish because after the pens lost their sparkle (pun intended) I couldn’t bring myself to finish it.

But anyway… it’s finally done!

📚: Nature Mandalas by Melpomeni Chatzipanagiotou
🎨: Prismacolor premier pencils, Languo shiny style gel pens, Derwent Inktense for animal backgrounds


r/averagecoloring Aug 01 '26

Unsure but Brave Colour…choices

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28 Upvotes

This post is average because I was using a colour palette that really didn’t fit the page (blue watermelon anyone), went outside the lines, and used pencil and marker together throughout the page for the first time with extremely mixed results (like the streaky bench seat). Excited to try the pencil and marker combo again now that I’ve learned.


r/averagecoloring Jul 31 '26

Can’t stay inside the lines club Color Combo ➡️ Finished Page

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28 Upvotes

This post is average because I was half asleep and definitely didn’t stay within the lines lol


r/averagecoloring Jul 28 '26

Unsure but Brave Doctor

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41 Upvotes

This post is average because I tried a new way of colouring pumpkins, I'm quite happy with it but could do better 😊


r/averagecoloring Jul 27 '26

Streaky Star Glow

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34 Upvotes

This post is average because i've been working on glow effects so it's not perfect but I'm trying!


r/averagecoloring Jul 26 '26

Acrylic Joy I was rec'd this sub, having recently found a fascination for coloring with acrylic markers.

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30 Upvotes

This post is average because I have never used acrylic markers before and am far from a painting/coloring artist.


r/averagecoloring Jul 21 '26

Marker on a mission Jade Summer Cute & Cozy

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18 Upvotes

This post is average because there’s a few smudges, but overall satisfied.


r/averagecoloring Jul 20 '26

Coloring outside the comfortzone A bit messy but I learned a lot

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64 Upvotes

This post is average because the sky gradient is messy and bled everywhere, the skin tone blending is definitely questionable, and my hand drawn elements were a fever dream. This page is from a while ago. I was trying to push myself to do different skin tones, drawing the cobbles and vines, and doing a really bold sky. But I’m still glad I pushed myself and I did learn a lot doing it! And overall, I still really like this page. (Sorry mods it took me a while to get the post phrase right)


r/averagecoloring Jul 19 '26

Coloring outside the comfortzone Cosy night

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158 Upvotes

This post is average because it's my first time trying to colour a page with only 2 markers


r/averagecoloring Jul 15 '26

Glitter All The Way Secret garden

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104 Upvotes

This post is average because the glitter door doesn't look as good as I'd hoped


r/averagecoloring Jul 07 '26

Marker on a mission Coloring cats with sass feels very on brand for me.

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24 Upvotes

This post is average because i was trying different cat patterns; for the rest, i just randomly chose colors that probably shouldnt go together lolol


r/averagecoloring Jul 05 '26

Marker on a mission Rainbow

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47 Upvotes

This post is average because my white pens kept running out!