Author Archives: Iiiireader

Color Me Blessed Inspirational Adult Coloring Book (31 stress-relieving designs) (Artist’s Coloring Books)

By: Peter Pauper Press

Rating: 5 of 5

This is my second coloring book illustrated by Flora Waycott. The first one was Follow Your Dreams, which I enjoyed so much, I pre-ordered this book as soon as it was available. In Color Me Blessed, Ms. Waycott explores spiritual blessing through scriptural references and inspirational religious sayings. The words take the forefront in the designs but the designs are also quite lovely as well. If a design is based on a Biblical cite, the cite is noted on the back of the page. The designs are detailed but not overly intricate.

I cannot say which translation was utilized as it is not noted in the book. I chose to do one based on Exodus 3:14 I am who I am for my first project in colored pencils and alcohol-based markers.

This is what I found while coloring in this book and testing the paper for use with my coloring medium. In the comments section below, I will include a list of the medium that I used for testing and which I generally use for most of my coloring books.

31 Inspirational and Scripture-based Designs by Flora Waycott

Printed on one side of the page (with Biblical cites, as applicable, on the back of the page.)

Paper is bright white, acid-free (good for archival purposes), heavyweight, smooth, and micro-perforated.

Glue Binding

Designs do not merge into the binding area but many extend slightly past the perforation line.

Alcohol-based markers bleed through this paper. I either remove the page from the book or use a blotter page of card stock under my working page to keep the rest of the book safe from leaking ink.

Water-based markers, gel pens and India ink pens do not bleed through the paper.

Colored pencils work well with this coloring book. I was able to use both wax and oil based pencils equally well for good color, layering and blending (with a pencil style blending stick).

Animals Stories

By: Jhih Ling Whang

Rating: 5 of 5

I am really enjoying coloring books released by the Dream State Studio. Animal Stories is the most recent release and is illustrated by Jhih Ling Whang (also known as Aoi.) The designs are of adorable animals in fun and fantasy situations. I chose to do a space bear for my first project. I love that he is floating outside the space rocket looking in rather than out. The designs are detailed, as I expect from this company’s books.

I have noticed that the last two books released by this company been released in a standard coloring book size, which is larger than the earlier books. I have found it much easier to color in this size book as the very detailed parts of the design are big enough to color with regular coloring medium.

There is a visual thumbnail table of contents at the beginning of the book to assist you in finding which design to color next. The designs are printed on the right on side of the page and on the opposite side, there is a short explanation of the design. It helps give me context to what I am coloring.

There are many cute animals in this coloring book, including: mice, cat, bear, snake, bats, lion, walrus, elephant, fish, rabbit and much more.

This is what I discovered in coloring in this book and by testing my coloring medium on this paper. In the comments section below, I will list the coloring medium I used for testing this book and which I usually use for coloring most of my projects.

30 Cute and Fun Fantasy Animals designs

Printed on one side of the page

Paper is typical of CreateSpace publications. It is thin, white, slightly rough and non-perforated.

Glue Bound

Some designs merge into the binding area. You may lose some portion of the design if you remove it from the book. I prefer to leave them in so the explanation of the design stays together with it.

Alcohol and water-based markers bleed through this paper. Water-based come through in spots while alcohol based flow through rapidly.

Gel pens and India ink pens leave shadows of color on the back of the page. India ink pens can spot through on the paper if used in multiple coats.

Colored pencils work well with both oil and wax based providing good color. I can layer the same and multiple colors and blend well using a pencil style blending stick. Hard lead pencils can dent through on this paper to the page below.

I use and suggest the use of a blotter page below your working page. I use card stock or a couple of pages of heavyweight paper. This helps keep any ink or dents from marring the designs below.

Exotischer Urwald

By: ?

Rating: 5 of 5

I have all of the Good Wives and Warriors Escape series and enjoy coloring in them so much that when I saw this book, I ordered it from the UK (through Amazon.) The copyright, etc, of the book is written in German; however, the names of the various parts of the world are written in English.

The title translates to Exotic Jungle and that is exactly what the designs show throughout. The designs take you on a trip to various parts of the world to see the flora and fauna that is native to that area. The designs are detailed and in some cases, quite intricate.

The front and back cover of the book fold out with beautiful coloring opportunities on each. The back page includes two postcards which can be cut out on the provided cutting lines.

Most of the book is printed on both sides of the page with many designs spread across two pages. There are a few pages at the end of the book which are printed on card stock and which are perforated for easy removal from the book. There are three such designs in full size and two that are half size (and printed on one page.) The half size ones are especially cute as they are done in almost a totem style.

The pages of this book are heavyweight and are white and slightly rough. The binding is sewn and you can remove several sheets at one time in whole by snipping a few threads.

I wish that the publisher would consider releasing this book I the US as I am sure that many more people would love to purchase it if the title were in English.

Alcohol-based markers bleed through this paper.

Water-based markers, gel pens, and India ink pens did not bleed through for me. If you use multiple coats, you might get some shadows appearing on the back of the page. Gel pens took longer to dry than usual.

Colored pencils worked exceptionally well with this paper. I tested both oil and wax based pencils and they both did great. I could layer the same color to get deep pigment, layer multiple colors and blending using a pencil style blending stick.

Color Happy: An Adult Coloring Book of Removable Wall Art Prints

By: Paige Tate Select

Rating: 5 of 5

I own Lindsay Hopkins previous coloring book (Beauty in the Bible, Volume 2) in both the original, thinner paper and in the premium version as well. This new book, Color Happy is now printed in the premium style, which means thicker, higher grade paper and perforated pages. The designs have also been sized for easy framing. The larger designs will fit an 8 x 10 inch frame and the smaller designs will fit a 5 x 7 inch frame.

The designs in this book are more general in nature than are the ones in her first book. The book is filled with inspirational great messages to bolster your day. The designs are by Lindsay Hopkins also know as Pen + Paint. The designs are easy and fun to color. For the larger size designs, any form of coloring medium works well. For the smaller, sized down designs, it might be necessary to use ultra-fine tip markers, pens, and sharp pointed pencils for some of the elements.

I like to do this type of design while I am working on a larger, more intense project. I find stopping and coloring a fun, inspirational, and quick project helps rejuvenate me if I have gotten bogged down in the bigger project. I also like to do this type of design to give away. That these pages can now be easily removed and framed makes it that much easier.

This is what I found while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my coloring medium. In the comments section below, I will include a list of the coloring medium that I used for testing this book and which I usually use for most of my coloring as well.

30 Full Page and 14 smaller inspirational message designs by Lindsay Hopkins. The smaller designs are on a perforated page; however, you will need to cut the two apart for separate use (cutting line is included.)

Printed on one side of medium weight, white, slightly rough perforated paper

Designs do not merge into the binding area

Glue Binding

Alcohol-based markers bleed through the paper.

Water-based markers left shadows of color on the back of the page

Gel pens and India ink pens left indistinct shadows on the back of the page

Coloring pencils work well with the paper. I tested both oil and wax based pencils. I was able to get good pigment, layer the same color to intensify the color, layer multiple colors and blend easily using using a pencil style blending stick.

If I use alcohol-based markers in this book, I will either remove the page or use a blotter page of card stock or a couple of pages of heavyweight paper below my working page to protect the pages below.

I was provided a free copy of this coloring book for test and review purposes.

Shanti Sparrow: Colorful Creatures Coloring Book

By: ?

Rating: 5 of 5

This is a fun to color animal designs coloring book. The designs are based on the original artwork of Shanti Sparrow and have been translated into line drawings in a well-thought out manner. The shading of the original artwork is replaced with doodle elements in the coloring book. There are lots of animals, including: birds, turtle, fish, elephants, fox, giraffes, owls, hippo and more.

Thumbnails of the original colored designs are printed in glossy prints on the inside of the front and back covers. It’s nice to see what the artist original had in mind but I generally color my coloring books to suit my color mood.

This is what I experienced in coloring in this book and testing my coloring medium on the paper. I will list, in the comments section below, the coloring medium I use to test with and which I use most of the time to color my projects.

22 Animal Designs with some doodle style areas to color

Designs are printed on one side of the page

Paper is heavyweight, slightly off-white, slightly rough to the touch and is non-perforated

The book is bound by two heavyweight staples. These can be removed fairly easily to release all of the page from the book without any loss of design. There is also plenty of room to cut a page out if you choose to do so.

Designs do not merge into the binding area and each design has a framing line on the outer edge.

Book easily opens to a flat position for coloring.

Alcohol-based markers bleed through this paper easily. I use a blotter page of card stock under my working page if I use markers in this book.

Water-based markers leave shadows and slight spots of color bleed through on the back of the page

Gel pens and India ink pens do not bleed through the page.

Colored pencils work well with the paper. The paper has just a slight roughness to it that allows good pigment coverage from both oil and wax based pencils. I was able to layer same color and multiple colors and to blend easily as well.

Janelle Dimmett: Fun & Fantasy Coloring Book

By: ?

Rating: 5 of 5

This is my second coloring book by Janelle Dimmett. In this book the designs are mostly animals but there are a few fanciful designs that are flowers, cupcakes and other cute non-animal designs. The book is published by Pomegranate and is made to their usage high standard. The designs are nicely hand-drawn and are detailed. A few of the designs have more intricate small parts to color but for the most part, I won’t need any sort of special markers or pens to color in this book.

Thumbnails of the original colored designs are printed in glossy prints on the inside of the front and back covers. It’s nice to see what the artist original had in mind but I generally color my coloring books to suit my color mood.

This is what I experienced in coloring in this book and testing my coloring medium on the paper. I will list, in the comments section below, the coloring medium I use to test with and which I use most of the time to color my projects.

22 Fun Animal and Fanciful Designs

Designs are printed on one side of the page

Paper is heavyweight, slightly off-white, slightly rough to the touch and non-perforated

The Designs are bound by two heavyweight staples which can be removed to release all of the page from the book without any loss of design.

Designs do not merge into the binding area

Pages can be cut out if you wish without losing any design elements.

Book easily opens to a flat position for coloring.

Alcohol-based markers bleed through this paper easily.

Water-based markers leave shadows and slight spots of color bleed through on the back of the page

Gel pens and India ink pens do not bleed through the page.

Colored pencils work well with the paper. It has a slight roughness to it that allows good pigment coverage from both oil and wax based pencils. I was able to layer and blend easily with both as well.

Color Crush: An Adult Coloring Book, Premium Edition

By: Paige Tate Select

Rating: 5 of 5

This is the premium edition of Color Crush. I don’t own the original version on the thinner paper so I cannot compare it specifically; however, I do own some of the other coloring books by this publisher in the old-style paper. There is a huge difference in the quality and the thickness of the paper. The Premium version is much thicker and has perforated pages as well. The larger designs will fit an 8 x 10 inch frame and the smaller designs will fit a 5 x 7 inch frame.

The design images are licensed via Shutterstock. I’m not sure if Paige Tate & Co. added the wording or if that was part of the licensed product. In any case, the words fit well with the designs.

The book is filled with inspirational messages, such as: Dream Big, Get it Girl, Strut Your Stuff and much more. The designs are cute and, in the larger size, don’t have tiny spaces to color. The smaller, sized-down images do have smaller spaces, so you might need to use ultra-fine markers and pens and sharp pointed pencils to finish those designs.

This style of design is usually a fairly quick project for me to color. The designs are fairly easy to color and the words take the prominent place in the design. I like to color this style of design as a quick gift for someone. It’s really nice that these fit well in standard size frames for gift-giving.

This is what I found while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my coloring medium. In the comments section below, I will include a list of the coloring medium that I used for testing this book and which I usually use for most of my coloring as well.

28 Full Page and 18 smaller inspirational message designs

Printed on one side of perforated, white, slightly rough medium weight paper

Designs do not merge into the binding area

Glue Binding

Alcohol-based markers bleed through the paper. I use a blotter page of card stock or heavyweight paper when using this style of marker. It keeps ink from seeping through and ruining the next design. You can also simply remove the design at the perforations prior to coloring.

Water-based markers left shadows of color on the back of the page

Gel pens and India ink pens left indistinct shadows on the back of the page

Coloring pencils work well with the paper. Both oil and wax based pencils work equally well providing good color, layering (both same and different colors) and blending well with a pencil style blending stick.

You should note that the smaller format designs are on a perforated page; however, you will need to cut the two apart for separate use (cutting line is included.)

I was provided a free copy of this coloring book for test and review purposes.

The Chronicles of Narnia Official Coloring Book

By: C. S. Lewis

Rating: 5 of 5

This is a really lovely storybook collection based on all seven books in the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. Those include: The Magician’s Nephew, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Horse and His Boy, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, and The Last Battle. As the coloring book is slightly longer than average size and there are seven books covered, each is only touched on lightly. The coloring book can be used as an fun addition while you are reading the stories but it does not replace them.

The designs are based on the original artwork by Pauline Baynes from the books written and published in the 1950’s. In some cases, the artwork has been turned into what I call wallpaper style designs with repeated patterns.

The designs include considerably more black in shading than usual for coloring books. That is because the original artwork was just that artwork and not coloring designs. I’ve found that utilizing the black as shading is what works best for me with this type of design. I’ve run across it before when original artwork has been presented in this format.

On a personal note, the designs bring back memories from my own life. I was a big fan of these books as a child and I would read them over and over again. Once I had children, I would read books to them before bedtime each night and this was a favorite, especially of my late son. He also would read the books over and over again on his own.

I am now looking forward to reading them to my grandchildren and I will now also have a book of designs that I have colored to go along with them. I will admit that coloring these designs is a bittersweet experience as I spend as much time thinking of my son as I do in coloring.

This is what I found as I colored in this book and tested the paper with my coloring medium. I’ll include a list of my coloring medium, which I use for tests and for coloring, in the comments section below.

96 pages of Designs based on original artwork from The Chronicles of Narnia

Printed on both sides of the page

Paper is heavyweight, white, slightly smooth and non-perforated

Glue Bound

Many Designs merge into the binding area

Some designs spread across two pages with integral parts merging into the binding area

Alcohol-based markers bleed through this paper

Water-based markers, gel pens, and India ink pens do not bleed through the page.

Colored pencils worked well with the paper. I was able to get good color with multiple layers of the same shade. I was also able to layer multiple colors and blend well using a pencil style blending stick. Both oil and wax based pencils worked well.

Fantastic Collections: A Coloring Book of Amazing Things Real and Imagined (Fantastic Cities)

By: Steve McDonald

Rating: 5 of 5

I own both of Steve McDonald’s first two coloring books and have enjoyed coloring in them. I immediately pre-ordered Fantastic Collections as soon as I saw it was available. The groupings of collections are quite interesting. Some things, such as oil cans, toy horses, locks, and even typewriters are familiar to me. Others are definitely new, such as Japanese cleaning supplies and chainsaws.

Most of the designs are presented straight-forward but a few are also interpreted into mandala style format and those become beautiful abstract designs that will be a lot of fun to color.

This is what I found while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my coloring medium. I will provide a list of the coloring medium I used for tests and which I use for coloring as well. You will find the list in the comments section below.

58 Pages of Designs based on a wide variety of Collectibles

Printed on both sides of white heavyweight, smooth, non-perforated paper

Sewn Binding

Designs do not merge into binding area

Book can be opened to a flat position

Alcohol-based markers bleed through page. Using these will ruin the design on the back of the page.

Water-based markers, gel pens, and India ink artist pens do not bleed through or leave color shadows on back on page. Gel pens required additional drying time.

Coloring pencils work well with this paper. I used both oil and wax based pencils for good pigment, layering multiple colors and blending using a pencil style blending stick.