Author Archives: Iiiireader

Doctor Who Travels in Time Coloring Book

By: Price Stern Sloan

Rating: 5 of 5

Attached to this review will be a silent flip-through of the entire coloring book so you can make an informed decision as to whether or not it will work for you. I will also include a few sample photos of designs pages from the book as well.

I reviewed the UK version of this book here on Amazon in May of this year. At the end of this review, I will discuss the differences between the two versions. The video and photos on this review will be of the US version only, except for the one which I will show comparing the two versions paper color.

Once again, rather than discuss how this coloring book is like or different from TV series or to compare any of the Dr. Who actors and casts, I will discuss only how I feel about it as an adult coloring book.

As with the first Dr. Who coloring book, I really like the illustrations. I have found that I actually like these designs in this book even a little better than the first book. This is because I found these scenes to be a little more interesting and fun to color. The designs are by the same team of illustrators who were responsible for the first book, namely: James Newman Gray, Lee Teng Chew, and Jan Smith. There are 45 designs (even more if you count the title and preface pages.)

The episodes included are from 1964 through 2015, so the range of Dr. Who’s represented is good. This time the designs focus on Dr. Who in various time periods including Vikings, ancient Egypt, the Battle of Hastings, with Winston Churchill and even with Shakespeare among many others. The designs are well drawn with clean black lines though it is easy to see that these designs are hand-drawn for the most part as the lines are not perfectly straight. Some designs are fairly open and easy to color while others are more intricate and will be a little more challenging but still a lot of fun.

The book is well made once again. The designs are printed on one side of deep cream colored non-perforated paper. On the back of each page is a thumbnail version of the design along with a quote that is applicable to the design, the name of the episode and the year it was filmed and, in some cases, which Dr. Who it pertains to. The cover can be colored as well and has deep red foil touches which enhance it. The publisher once again missed an opportunity by not providing designs on the inside of the fold-out, attached cover; however, there are two flaps you can color if you wish where the printing is white on red background. The binding is sewn rather than glued, so removing pages is a matter of snipping threads. A good number of designs merge into the binding area so snipping threads may be the way to go if you decide to remove pages.

This is what I found in coloring in and testing medium on this book:

45 Dr. Who Time Travel Designs

Printed on one side of the page

Paper is heavyweight, deep cream color, very smooth, and non-perforated.

Sewn Binding

Alcohol-based markers bleed through the page. I recommend a blotter page be used under your working page to keep the page below free of seeping ink.

Water-based markers bled through in the tiniest of spots except for Tombows brush end markers which did not bleed through at all.

I recommend a blotter page be used under your working page to keep the page below free of seeping ink.

India ink markers left shadows on the back of the page.

Gel pens did not bleed through but needed extra drying time.

My colored pencils were a little mixed. I was able to get good color and layer the same color and mixed colors well with both oil and wax based pencils. I had a little trouble with blending (using a pencil style blender stick.) The color smeared a tiny bit more than I am used to and that is probably because the paper is very smooth. The pencil did blend but not as well as it did with the British release of this book.

My comparison of the US and UK version is fairly short. They weighed the same and are the same size. They contain the same designs. The differences are slight. The cover of the US version is slightly lighter with slightly darker red foil. The US paper is a much deeper cream tone. Both bindings are sewn but are sewn together on different pages. The biggest differences is in the feel of the paper. The US version paper is much smoother.

I am happy with both but if I planned on doing a lot of blending of pencil or if I wanted lighter paper, I would opt for the UK version. Otherwise, I like both versions.

Mermaid Fantasy: Adult Coloring Book

By: Jason Hamilton

Rating: 5 of 5

I really enjoy coloring Jason Hamilton’s designs. From his first coloring book (Cats and Quilts) to this, Mermaid Fantasy, I’ve found his artwork to be beautiful and fun to color.

I came across Mr. Hamilton’s mermaid designs in his recent contribution to Adult Coloring Book Treasury 2 and was in high hopes that he would soon release a mermaid book. Just a week or so later, here it is. Along with a video and other sample photos from this book, I will include the mermaid that I colored for Treasury 2.

In this book, the focus of the designs is on mermaids. There is a merman and even a human but, for the most part, there are mermaids. There are even a few mermaids with their children.

The designs have a nice level of detail. There is plenty of room for shading or adding your own details, if you wish. The elements on the full size pages are a good size and are not difficult to color with any type of coloring medium that I use. The smaller (4 x 6 inch) versions may require ultra-fine nibs or sharp pencil tips but that is to be expected with a design that has been sized down.

This is what I experienced when I was coloring in this book and testing the paper with my coloring medium. In the comments section below, I will list the coloring medium I used for testing this book and which I usually use for coloring my projects.

24 Large Mermaid designs with 24 4 x 6 inch duplicate copies

Printed one side of the page

Paper is thin, white, slightly rough and non-perforated

Glue Binding

Designs do not merge into the binding area. They have a framing line around the outer edge

Coloring book opens to flat position fairly easily

Alcohol-based markers bleed through this paper

Water-based markers spot through this paper

Gel pens and India ink pens leave colorful shadows on the back of the page. India ink can bleed through if it is applied heavily or in multiple layers.

Colored Pencils work well with this slightly rough paper. Both oil and wax pencils provide good pigment with multiple layers, layer multiple colors well and blend well using a pencil style blending stick. Hard lead pencils can dent through to the back of the page.

I use a blotter of card stock under my working page. Several sheets of heavier weight paper work well, too. This keeps seeping ink and dents from messing up the pages below.

Adult Coloring Book: Doodle Explorations (The Peaceful Adult Coloring Book Series)

By: Lei Melendres

Rating: 5 of 5

This is my third coloring book by doodle artist Lei Melendres. I have enjoyed his unusual look at the world both in Doodle Fusion and more recently in Doodle Worlds. In this new book, Mr. Melendres presents a narrative of a doodle world rather than a compilation of doodle designs. In this story, we follow the life of a young doodle creature as it chases after its wind-swept away balloon. There are many adventures to be had, some of which are fun and some of which are challenging. They are all a lot of fun to color.

The designs in this book are quite detailed. Having said that, they are not overly intricate and do not contain a lot of tiny spots. There is simply a lot of detail to color. There are also two double-sided pages at the back of the book for use in determining color palettes. I really appreciate the palette pages as it allows me to test my medium and colors on the exact same paper my projects are on.

This is what I experienced 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 I use for my tests and which I generally use for coloring my projects.

48 Storybook style doodle design pages plus 2 double-sided color palette test pages

Printed on one side of the page

Paper is medium weight, white, slightly rough and perforated for easy removal

Glue Bound

I can get the book fairly flat for coloring but I did have to crease or break the spine to do so.

Alcohol-based markers bleed through this paper.

Water-based markers leave colorful shadows and tiny spots that bleed through on the back of the page.

Gel pens and India ink pens leave shadows on the page of the page.

Colored pencils work well with this paper. Both oil and wax based pencils can lay down good color, layer multiple colors well and blend well using a pencil style blending stick. Hard lead pencils can dent through to the back of the page.

I suggest either removing project pages from the book or using a blotter page behind your working page. I like card stock but a couple of sheets of heavyweight paper work as well.

Color Cats Book Two – Literary Reference Edition: Coloring Pages for Adults

By: Margaret Gates Root

Rating: 5 of 5

This is my second Cats coloring book by Margaret Gates Root. She has a beautiful knack for coloring cats in poses that bring my own cats firmly to mind. My cats have all passed now but I really enjoy coloring all sorts of cat designs and especially those that make me think of them.

What is fun and special about these kitties is that they are inspired by some interesting sources. They are based on fables, rhymes, fairy tales, and more. As Ms. Root suggests on the back of the book, you can either look to see the inspiration or not peek and try to guess as you go along. I couldn’t help myself I had to peek.

The designs are detailed but without itsy bitsy tiny details. I will enjoy coloring in this book with all of my various medium provided I take the proper precautions to keep the rest of the book in good condition.

The 25 designs are presented in full page, horizontal format but are also provided in slightly larger than thumbnail format at the back of the book where the artist explains the source of her inspiration. Those smaller designs can also be colored but you may need ultra-fine nibs and/or sharp pointed pencils to finish them.

This is what I experienced 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 testing and which I use for most of my projects. You can find that information in the comments section below.

25 Cute Cat Designs in realistic and believable poses

Printed on one side of the page

Paper is thin, white, slightly rough and non-perforated.

Glue bound, so you will have to cut pages out if you want to remove them from the book

Designs do not merge into the binding area and have a frame line around the outer edge of the design.

Book opens flat fairly easily for coloring

Alcohol and water-based markers bleed through this paper to varying degrees. (Alcohol-based bleed through freely while water-based bleed through in spots.)

Gel pens and India ink pens leave colorful shadows on the back of the page. India ink can bleed through if you layer it or use it heavily.

Colored pencils work well with this paper. Wax and oil-based pencils provide good pigment and I can layer and blend well with both. Hard lead pencils (like Verithins) can leave dents on the back of the page.

Because of the bleed through and dents, I always use card stock as a blotter to keep ink and hard lead pencils from marring through the page to the designs below.

Inky Whimsy: Playful, whimsical adult colouring (Inky colouring books) (Volume 9)

By: Helen Elliston

Rating: 5 of 5

I own a couple of Helen Elliston’s earliest coloring books and decided to pick up her most recent based on the cute cover. Her designs are as cute as ever but I was surprised to see that the book was in the smaller format she used for her mandalas coloring books. It works well and makes the book a little easier to carry around.

What I was happy to see was that the designs are included all on one page. In her earliest books, some of the designs spread slightly across two pages and I much prefer the way the book is put together now. I also like that the designs stop well before the binding area in this book as well.

The designs are a really eclectic mix of what seems to be whatever hit the artist’s fancy that day. I think that is great as it lets me see a little into the world that she sees as well. One of my favorites is the people climbing all over various books. I also chose it for my first project in this book.

This is what I found as I colored in this book and tested my various coloring medium on the paper. I will include, in the comments section below, a list of the coloring medium I used to test this book and which I generally use for completing my projects.

30 Whimsical and Fun Designs in a 8.5 x 8.5 inch format

Printed on one side of the page

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

Glue Bound

Designs do not merge into the binding area

Book can be opened flat with a little effort for coloring

Alcohol-based markers bleed through this paper readily

Water-based markers bleed through in spots

Gel pens and India Ink artist pens create colorful shadows on the back of the page. India ink pens can spot through if multiple layers are applied.

Colored pencils work well with this paper. I can use either wax or oil based pencils and get good pigment (with multiple layers of the same color), layer multiple colors well and blend well using a pencils style blender stick. My hard lead pencils, such as Verithins, can cause dents through to the back of the page.

I use a piece of card stock or a couple of pieces of heavy weight paper as a blotter when coloring in this book. It keeps ink from seeping through or dents from marring the pages below my project page.

Endangered Species Coloring Book: of Endangered Species Around the World

By: Casey L Gilmore

Rating: 5 of 5

This is a beautifully hand-drawn set of designs which feature 20 different endangered species. The artist, Casey Gilmore, is both a biologist and an artist and it shows in the high level of detail found in most of these designs. Because of the shading in the designs, I used some of the skills I have learned for grayscale coloring; however, from my point of view this is a coloring book and not a grayscale coloring book.

The designs are all printed on the right hand side of the page. Opposite each design, on the left hand side of the page, is information about the animal, including name, scientific name, habitat, diet, coloration, uniqueness, and conservation. It makes for very interesting reading. Also, for those who want to color their designs to be more life-like, it is nice to understand the coloration.

I really appreciate that each design has its own color palette page following the design page which can be used to test colors before committing to them in the design. It can also be used as a blotter page but if you are using alcohol-based markers, I suggest adding additional paper to keep ink from seeping through.

In addition to being a very well done set of designs, the book is endorsed by the Wildlife Act Focused Conservation Act. While I did not find reference to this in the book, the product blurb mentions that 1% of all proceeds from the book go to Wildlife Act a conservation organization in South Africa.

This is what I experienced while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my various coloring medium. In the comments section below, I will list the coloring medium I used for testing this book and which I usually use for coloring my projects.

20 Hand-Drawn Endangered Animal Designs

Designs are printed on one side of the page while information about animals are printed on the other side of page.

Color Palette pages are provided for each design and can be used as a blotter page as well. I prefer to add my own blotter page of heavier weight paper or card stock.

Paper is thin, white, slightly rough (with good tooth), and non-perforated.

Alcohol-based markers bleed through this paper.

Water-based markers, except for Tombow brush end, can spot through on this paper.

Gel pens and India ink pens do not bleed through though India ink can bleed through if you apply multiple coats of ink.

Colored pencils work well with this paper. I was able to get good pigment with repeated layers of the same color and to layer multiple colors and blend well (using a pencil style blending stick.) I had good results with both oil and wax based pencils. Hard lead pencils can dent through to the back of the page.

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

2017 Coloring Calendar: A Cup of Blessings For Every Day – Psalm 16:5

By: Christian Art Gifts (Corporate Author)

Rating: 5 of 5

This is a really lovely Christian-based monthly calendar. The artwork is licensed from Shutterstock and each of the designs (except December) incorporates a Bible verse and cite from either the Old or New Testament. December quotes the words of a beautiful Christmas hymn Oh come let us adore him! rather than a verse. The calendar does not cite which translation(s) it uses.

The monthly calendar pages are bound by a top spiral and the purple base unfolds to stand the calendar in an upright position. It is easy to fold it back up to flat for coloring purposes. The cover and the base are glossy. The cover is card stock as are the monthly designs. The base is a heavier weight cardboard.

My first project in the calendar, January 2017, I finished using wax-based colored pencils. The design takes up the majority of the page with a smaller calendar section as part of the page. I really appreciated that the design matched to the verse but in a cute way. That I could focus on the Scripture as I colored made the project a special time for me.

This is what I discovered as I colored in this calendar and tested my coloring medium on the paper. I will include, in the comments section below, a list of the coloring medium I use for testing and for most of my coloring projects as well.

12 Designs (one per month) with a Christian theme

Printed one side of the page

Paper is card stock, white, slightly smooth and non-perforated

Spiral bound at top of the designs

Calendar can be stood up or collapses to flat for coloring

Alcohol-based markers bleed through slightly

Water-based markers, gel pens, and India ink pens do not bleed through though gel pens take a slightly longer time to dry

Colored pencils work well. I got a good color, layering, and blending with both oil and wax-based pencils.

Adult Coloring Book Treasury 2: 130 Illustrations from 70 Artists

By: Treasury Artists Group

Rating: 5 of 5

Attached to this review will be a silent flip-through video so you can see all of the designs in the book. I apologize for the length (at over 8 minutes) but, as it turns out, it takes a long time to flip through 130 designs.

I have been enjoying the first book in this series and wondered how they could improve on it. Well, they did it by adding an additional 20 designs for about the same value. This is an outstanding coloring book filled with 130 designs by a variety of independent coloring book artists. Some of the artists are familiar to me and some are new. It makes for a great compilation of designs for any colorist.

It is once again fantastic to have the opportunity to try so many different artists in one book. As I finish my coloring projects, I will add them to the photo samples I will include.

This is what I experienced while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my coloring medium. In the comments section below, I will list the coloring medium I used to test this book and which I usually use for coloring my projects.

130 Designs by 70 different artists

Designs are printed on one side of page

Paper is thin, white, slightly rough and non-perforated

Glue Binding

Designs do not merge into the binding and there is plenty of room to cut pages out if you choose to do so.

Alcohol-based markers bleed through this paper freely

Water-based markers and India ink pens spot through this paper

Gel pens leave shadows of color on back of page

Coloring pencils work well with the paper but also leave shadows on the back of the page. I was able to get great results from both oil and wax based pencils. I was able to layer the same color for deep pigment, layer multiple colors, and blend extremely well using a pencil style blending stick.

I can get the book to lay fairly flat by breaking the spine of the book; however, as with the first book in this series, it is so thick that even laying flat may be too high for me to color comfortably. I will, most likely, be cutting pages out before I color them.

If you don’t plan to cut pages out, I suggest that you use a blotter page below the project you are working on. I use card stock but a couple of sheets of heavyweight paper works well, too.

Beautiful Nature: A Grayscale Adult Coloring Book of Flowers, Plants & Landscapes

By: Nicole Stocker

Rating: 5 of 5

Nicole Stocker’s first grayscale coloring book Beautiful Creatures was my first coloring book in this genre. It was so beautiful and beautifully printed, it set a high standard for grayscale coloring books. I have purchased a number of other grayscale books but none have approach the high quality of Ms. Stocker’s book until now. Of course, this is the second book in her series and it is as gorgeous as the first book.

Where her first book focused on animals, in Beautiful Nature, Ms. Stocker has turned her attention to flowers, plants, and landscapes. I was so very happy to see succulents included as well as some of my favorite flowers (roses, peonies, hydrangea, orchids, and the list simply goes on and on.) The landscapes and plant studies are equally beautiful and will be lovely to color.

Since my first venture into coloring grayscale, I have expanded my skills to include markers as well as colored pencils. I find that both work well with this book. I like to use markers to put a color foundation down and then to add shading and blending with my colored pencils.

Essentially, coloring with soft pencils in this book is simple light colors for light areas, medium for medium, and dark for dark areas. You color the light areas first, then the dark areas. Finally, you come through with the medium colors and blend the picture together. I suggest that you have a blending medium (such as a pencil) at hand when working with this coloring book.

This is what I experienced while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my coloring medium. In the comments section below, I will list the medium I used for testing and which I usually use for coloring all of my projects.

48 Beautiful Nature grayscale designs with plants, flowers and landscapes

Printed on one side of page

Paper is heavyweight, acid-free, slightly rough, white and perforated

Pages are water-marked on the back with an area for you to sign your projects

Alcohol-based markers bleed through the paper readily

Water-based markers bleed through in tiny spots with the exception of my Tombows brush end markers which did not bleed through in my tests.

Gel pens and India ink pens do not bleed through.

Colored pencils work remarkably well with this paper. I could lay down great color, layer, and blend equally well with both wax and oil based pencils. I did find that soft lead pencils were somewhat easier to work with as they blend more readily.

If you use markers, I suggest that you either remove the pages from the book to color or use a blotter page below your working page to keep ink from seeping through to the page below. I use card stock but a couple of sheets of heavyweight paper work just as well.

Colour My SketchBook 3: Greyscale colouring book (Volume 1)

By: Bennett Klein

Rating: 5 of 5

This is the third grayscale coloring book which I have purchased by Bennett Klein. Each of the books so far have fantastic artwork to work with. The designs in the book are based on Mr. Klein’s original artwork rather than photographs as many grayscale books are. I like both styles but the original artwork in the Sketchbook series is really impressive.

I have been coloring in grayscale since early this year and am learning more techniques and I find that Mr. Klein’s designs are ones where I can utilize what I have learned. I’ve more recently begun using markers as well as pencils in coloring my projects and have been very pleased with the results of the new (to me) process.

With this book, the artist provides a table of contents with the title of each of his pieces of art. I really appreciate that extra touch as many of the titles give context to his intent with the design. Many of the designs feature animals in highly stylized concept. There are whimsical designs and designs that are so highly imaginative they border on the bizarre (and I mean that in a good way!)

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

25 Hand-drawn sketches in grayscale based on the artwork of Bennett Klein

Designs are printed on one side of white, thin, slightly rough non-perforated paper typical of CreateSpace

Glue Binding

Easy to open to flat position for coloring

Designs do not merge into the binding and there is plenty of room to cut pages out if you choose to do so

Alcohol and water-based markers bleed through the page to some degree. Water-based bleed through in spots while alcohol-based bleed through freely

Gel pens and India ink pens leave shadows of color on the back of page. India ink can bleed through if you use multiple layers.

Coloring pencils work well with this paper. Both oil and wax based provide good color when I use multiple layers of the same color. I am easily able to blend (using a pencil style blender stick) and layer multiple colors as well. Hard lead pencils leave dents through the back of the page.

Because of the bleed through and dents, I suggest (and use) a blotter page below my working page. I prefer card stock but several sheets of heavyweight paper work as well.