How to Draw and Color Bubbles – It’s Really Easy!

Have you seen those pictures where other colorists have added really cool details to their pictures like bubbles? Ever wondered how they do it or how you can add some really cool bubbles to your own ocean, sea creatures or underwater adult coloring pictures?

It looks like it might be hard. Actually once you know how, it’s really easy!

As a beginner you may have avoided using bubble details because:

• Intimidated by the shading required;
• Don't know which tools create the "shine" effect;
• Lack confidence blending multiple colors;
• Afraid you will ruin your artwork

The good news? This 4 step process eliminates all those worries.

I learned how to color bubbles from another colorist, Selina Gascoigne, who posted a step-by-step tutorial on a Facebook group I'm a member of, Coloring Books for Adults. I was blown away by how easy her technique was and just how brilliant the bubbles looked. Once this small white highlight detail has been added to your circles, they magically look like real bubbles!

What You'll Learn:

• The basic 4-step bubble coloring technique
• Which coloring tools work best for bubbles
• Common mistakes and how to avoid them
• Creative ways to use bubbles in your coloring projects

Whether you're adding bubbles to an ocean scene, creating a magical fairy background, or just want to try something new, this technique will add that extra "wow" factor to your coloring.

Forget the complex physics, coloring bubbles is just about smart layering to produce some magic. I'll walk you through each step using the exact method that works beautifully for underwater scenes.

Step 1: Create the Bubble Outlines

The first step is creating your bubble shapes using a white or cream colored pencil or a burnisher pencil. This creates a waxy resist on the paper.

I am using:

• Crayola Colored Pencils in Sand and White;
• Derwent Burnisher Pencil; and
• Prismacolor Premier Colourless Blending Pencil.

What to Do:

Draw circles of different sizes wherever you want bubbles to appear. Important: Make sure the outlines are fairly thick lines. This lays down a waxy resist onto the paper so that when you apply your soft pastel or eyeshadow background in the next step, the circles stand out clearly.

Pro Tip: Vary your circle sizes with some tiny, some medium, a few larger ones. Real bubbles come in different sizes, and this natural variation makes your scene more realistic.

Why This Works:

The thick outline creates a "resist" layer so that when you apply pastels over this, they won't stick to the pencil line, keeping your bubble defined and realistic.

Pencil broke while drawing outlines? Try a burnisher or blending pencil with a softer core rather than a regular pencil. 

Step 2: Add the Background Color

Now comes the fun part! Adding your water or magical background color using soft pastels or eyeshadow.

I use Mont Marte Soft Pastel in a sea green color. Apply the soft pastel to a cotton pad, then rub the cotton pad over your bubble outlines. You'll see the magic happen! Your bubble outlines stand out clearly against the background because of the waxy resist you created in Step 1!

The cotton pad is ideal here because its soft texture allows you to apply the soft pastel pigment in even, circular motions. This avoids streakiness and maintains a soft look.

Alternative: You can also use eyeshadow instead of soft pastels. Blue and green eyeshadows work great for water scenes. The application method is the same. Use a cotton pad or makeup applicator.

You might notice that the Prismacolor Premier Colorless Blender outlines show less contrast than the white or cream pencils. This is normal ! They'll still work for the technique, just with a subtler effect.

Background Color Tips:

• For ocean/underwater scenes: Blues and sea greens
• For magical scenes: Purples, pinks, soft blues
• For beverage scenes: Browns (for soda/beer), golds (for champagne)
• Application trick: Use circular motions with your cotton pad for even coverage

Step 3: Add Shadows to the Bubbles

This is where your bubbles start gaining depth and dimension! You'll add shadow colors both inside and outside each bubble.

Shadow Placement 

Achieving realistic, three-dimensional bubbles depends entirely on a consistent light source. If the light hits every bubble from the same direction, your entire coloring page will "pop" into 3D.

Instead of just guessing the shadow side, try this simple experiment to lock in your light source before you begin coloring:

1. Find Your Direction: Place a clear drinking glass on a piece of white paper. Stand a pen or pencil upright inside the glass.
2. Establish the Light: Shine a single, strong light source (like a desk lamp or the flashlight on your phone) onto the glass and pen.
3. Check the Shadow: Look at the shadow cast by the pen.
   • Not happy with the shadow direction? Move the light source, not the glass, until the shadow falls exactly where you want it (e.g., lower-right, lower-left).
4. Lock in the Angle: The angle you choose now is your consistent light source. If the pen's shadow points to the bottom-right, then the light is coming from the top-left. Draw a line along the shadow to lock in the angle. Use that shadow line to ensure all your shadows are in the same place on your bubbles.

Apply the Angle to Your Bubbles

Once you've locked in your light source:

• The Highlight (Shine): The brightest highlight (where you use your White Gel Pen) must be placed on the bubble's surface closest to your chosen light source.
• The Shadow (Depth): The crescent-shaped shadow inside the bubble (colored with darker pencils) must be placed on the bubble's surface farthest from the light source.

Remember: Every single bubble on your page must follow this exact same shadow and highlight placement for maximum realism.

Shadow Placement Guide Summary:

• Decide where your light source is (I use upper left)
• Inside shadows go on the opposite side (lower left)
• Outside shadows go below or beside the bubble on the light side
• Keep shadows consistent across all bubbles for realistic lighting

Inside shadows (creates roundness):

Pick one side of your bubble to be the shadow side. I usually choose the left side. Using colored pencils, draw a crescent moon shape along the inside edge of your bubble on the shadow side.

     For my Crayola white bubbles, I used:

• Crayola Mauve for the crescent moon shape 
• Crayola Silver directly below the mauve to fill in more of the circle

     For Derwent burnisher bubbles, I used:

• Crayola Pink and Mauve for inside shadows

     For Prismacolor Colorless Blender bubbles, I used:

• Crayola Mauve and Silver for inside shadows

Outside shadows (creates depth and placement):

To make bubbles look like they're floating in space, add a shadow underneath or beside them. Draw a thick line along the outside edge on the opposite side from where your light is hitting.

     For Crayola bubbles: Crayola Cerulean along the outside right edge
     For Derwent bubbles: Crayola Turquoise for the outside shadow
     For Prismacolor bubbles: Crayola Cool Grey for outside shadows

• Shadow too thick inside: Keep it a crescent, not covering half the bubble
• Inconsistent shadow direction: Pick one light source and stick with it
• Shadow colors too dark: Use medium-toned colors, not black

Step 4: Add Shine to the Bubbles

This is the magic step! A dash of the white gel pen instantly transforms a flat circle into a shimmering sphere. 

Use a white uni-ball Signo gel pen (broad tip) for this or a White Acrylic Paint Pens (They do similar things). My favorite brand and size of pen is Posca PC-1MR 0.7mm in White. Inside each bubble, towards the top on the light side (opposite your shadows), draw:

1. A longer curved white line
2. A small white dot beside it

That's it! Once this small white highlight detail has been added to your circles, they magically look like real bubbles!

Highlight Placement:

• Goes on the opposite side from your inside shadow
• If shadow is lower left, highlight is upper right
• The curved line should follow the bubble's edge curve
• The small dot goes right next to the curved line

Why This Works

Real bubbles reflect light in a specific pattern. That curved highlight with the small dot beside it mimics how light bounces off a transparent sphere. It's the visual cue our brains recognize as "shiny bubble!"

Comparing These Different Color Combinations

I used these products to create the technique pictures above. 

Crayola Colored Bubbles 

• I used Sand, White, Mauve, Silver and Cerulean. 
• They are a great product for beginners as they are affordable and forgiving. You can use these to learn the technique without expensive materials.
• I love how these look! The cream and white outlines create clear, defined bubbles with a slightly frosted appearance. Perfect for ocean scenes. The sand color is warmer than the white and is great for coloring bubbles in sunset toned water.

Derwent Pencils

• I used Pink, Mauve, Turquoise.
• Derwent pencils are the best all round professional quality pencils. They provide smooth blending with excellent color vibrancy.
• They create a very strong resist and clear outlines. Excellent if you want your bubbles to really pop against the background.

Prismacolor Premier with Blending

• I used Mauve, Silver, Cool Grey, Colorless Blender
• These pencils produce realistic, 3D water droplet effects
• I love the effect created by these. To me, they look like water droplets rather than air bubbles. On a green background they look like dew drops on a leaf! More subtle than the white outlines but very realistic.

My Recommendation:

Why don't you experiment with this basic technique using the above guidelines and try different background and shadow colors? I know I will be experimenting with them further in my own coloring.

Start with Crayola white or cream pencils if you're just beginning. They're affordable and create beautiful results. Once you're comfortable with the technique, try the colorless blender for that water droplet effect!

Frequently Asked Questions

Best Tools for Coloring Bubbles

The great thing about bubble effects is that you can create them with tools you probably already have. That said, certain tools make it easier and produce different effects. Here's what I've found works best after experimenting with this technique on dozens of coloring pages.

The trade-off is that they're slightly less dramatic than white pencil highlights, but they look more realistic and transparent. Great for when you want subtle, sophisticated bubbles.

Mastering Other Coloring Techniques

Now that you've learned how to create bubbles, here are some other techniques that work beautifully with bubble effects:

How to Color Gems and Crystals

If you enjoyed learning the shadow-and-highlight technique for bubbles, you'll love coloring gemstones! The principle is similar. Strategic shadows and highlights create dimension and shine. Gems take it up a notch with multiple facets, but it's just as fun once you get the hang of it. Learn how to color realistic gems

Background Techniques for Coloring

Want to create the perfect ocean or magical scene for your bubbles? Our background techniques guide covers everything from smooth gradients to creating water effects. A well-colored background makes your bubbles really pop!  Explore background coloring techniques

Blending Techniques

Smooth blending is key to creating professional-looking backgrounds for your bubble effects. Whether you're using colored pencils, markers, or a mix, good blending technique makes all the difference. Master blending techniques

Color Theory Basics

Choosing the right colors for your bubbles and backgrounds becomes easier when you understand color theory. Learn about complementary colors, cool vs warm tones, and how to create harmonious color schemes. Understand color theory for coloring