Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Coloring"

To sign "coloring," start by signing "color": bring your dominant hand to your chin and wiggle your fingers. Next, hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up, representing a piece of paper. Finally, bring your dominant hand down and wiggle your fingers back and forth across your non-dominant palm, mimicking the action of coloring on a page.

Examples Using "Coloring" in a Sentence

1

I love coloring in my free time.

To express this fun hobby, point to yourself for 'I', sign 'love' by crossing your arms over your chest, and then perform the two-part sign for 'coloring'. Keep your facial expressions bright and enthusiastic to show how much you enjoy the activity.

2

The children are coloring.

Start by signing 'children' by patting the imaginary heads of kids in front of you. Then, transition smoothly into the 'coloring' sign. You can repeat the coloring motion slightly longer to emphasize that it is an ongoing, continuous activity they are currently doing.

3

Do you want to color with me?

Sign 'you', 'want', and then 'coloring', followed by 'with me'. Since this is a yes/no question, remember to keep your eyebrows raised and lean forward slightly while making eye contact to clearly indicate that you are asking the other person a question.

How to Sign "Coloring"
To sign "coloring," start by signing "color": bring your dominant hand to your chin and wiggle your fingers. Next, hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up, representing a piece of paper. Finally, bring your dominant hand down and wiggle your fingers back and forth across your non-dominant palm, mimicking the action of coloring on a page.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is a wonderful example of how ASL combines concepts to create specific meanings. The first part is the standard sign for 'color,' which is traditionally thought to represent the variety of colors found on a person's lips or face. The second part is highly iconic, directly mimicking the physical, real-world action of holding a crayon or marker and shading back and forth across a flat piece of paper, represented by your non-dominant hand.
Signing Tips
When transitioning from the chin to the palm, focus on keeping the movement fluid and natural. The wiggling of the fingers on the chin establishes the concept of 'color,' while the rubbing motion on your palm shows the continuous action of 'coloring' on a surface. Make sure your non-dominant hand stays steady and flat, acting as a reliable canvas or piece of paper. Relax your dominant hand so the wiggling motion looks like effortless shading.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is skipping the first part of the sign at the chin. Without that initial 'color' sign, rubbing your fingers on your palm might be confused with signs for 'drawing,' 'art,' or 'design.' Another frequent error is keeping the fingers of the dominant hand too stiff when moving across the palm. Remember to keep your fingers loose and wiggle them back and forth to accurately mimic the action of shading in a picture.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Coloring" in a Sentence
1

I love coloring in my free time.

To express this fun hobby, point to yourself for 'I', sign 'love' by crossing your arms over your chest, and then perform the two-part sign for 'coloring'. Keep your facial expressions bright and enthusiastic to show how much you enjoy the activity.

2

The children are coloring.

Start by signing 'children' by patting the imaginary heads of kids in front of you. Then, transition smoothly into the 'coloring' sign. You can repeat the coloring motion slightly longer to emphasize that it is an ongoing, continuous activity they are currently doing.

3

Do you want to color with me?

Sign 'you', 'want', and then 'coloring', followed by 'with me'. Since this is a yes/no question, remember to keep your eyebrows raised and lean forward slightly while making eye contact to clearly indicate that you are asking the other person a question.

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to do both parts of the sign?

Yes, for maximum clarity, it is best to do both parts. The first part at the chin specifies the concept of 'color,' while the second part on the palm shows the physical action of doing it. Together, they clearly distinguish 'coloring' from simply talking about colors.

What is the difference between 'coloring' and 'drawing'?

They are quite different! 'Drawing' typically uses the tip of your pinky finger tracing lines on your non-dominant palm, representing a pencil making fine outlines. 'Coloring' uses multiple wiggling fingers rubbing back and forth to represent shading in a broader area with a crayon.

Does it matter which hand I use as the paper?

Yes, you should always use your non-dominant hand as the base or the 'paper' (the flat hand facing up). Your dominant hand should be the one doing the active coloring motion. This mirrors real life, where your dominant hand holds the crayon and does the work.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!