If you have a good set of colored pencils you can always color over the symbols. I've done that when I want to see exactly where the colors are going to go. For me it's easier to follow patterns when there is some color involved. I don't usually color in large solid areas, but when there are a lot of small areas of a particular color, it's much easier. You need a set of pencils that is at least 24 - 32 pencils per set. And you may have to use a color you wouldn't normally use in order to have enough to go around.