How to Create Beautiful Coloring Pages at Home

You don't need expensive software or professional art training to create beautiful Islamic coloring pages. With free tools and a few basic principles, you can design pages that are both spiritually meaningful and artistically satisfying.

Tools You Need

All of these are free:

Inkscape: (vector graphics) — best for geometric patterns

GIMP: (raster graphics) — good for hand-drawn styles

Canva: (web-based) — easiest to start with

Paper and pencil: — the most accessible of all!

Method 1: Tracing Existing Patterns

Start by finding public-domain Islamic patterns (many available from museum collections). Print them lightly, trace the outlines with a fine pen, and photocopy or scan.

Method 2: Creating Geometric Patterns

Start with a circle

Divide into equal segments (6, 8, 12...)

Draw connecting lines between points

Erase the construction lines

Thicken the remaining lines for a clean coloring page

Pro tip: Inkscape has a "tiled clones" feature that automatically creates tessellations!

Method 3: Hand-Drawn Arabesques

Arabesques are flowing, plant-inspired patterns. They're more freeform than geometric patterns. Start with:

A central stem or spiral

Branching curves

Leaves and flowers at the ends

Repeat symmetrically

Design Tips

Line thickness: Use 1.5–2pt lines for good visibility when printed

Spacing: Leave enough room for colored pencils (avoid overly tight patterns)

Test print: Always print a test page to check line clarity

Single-sided: If making a book, keep designs on right-hand pages

Turn Your Designs Into a Book

Once you've created 20+ pages, consider compiling them into a coloring book! Our upcoming guide covers the full self-publishing process on Amazon KDP.