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Net Galley
Category Archives: Adult Color Books
31 Highly Detailed Designs which include hearts – printed one side of the page
Creative Haven Hearts Coloring Book: Romantic Designs on a Dramatic Black Background
By: Lindsey Boylan
Rating: 4 of 5
I own a number of coloring books by Lindsey Boylan and all of them are white line drawings on black backgrounds. “Hearts” is the same format as the rest. There are 31 designs which include hearts as their theme but I found that the detail in the designs sometimes obscured the hearts to the point of not being noticed. I can hopefully rectify that in coloring by using colors which will bring the hearts to prominence.
The designs are extremely detailed and have intricate elements to color. There are lots of flowers, vines, and tiny little lines within small elements. The hearts themselves are filled with lots of elements as well. It might have been nice to get a more simple heart or two to color with shading, etc. Some areas are so detailed that I will put a swathe of color over the tiny elements as if they were not separate and call it good.
On the whole, I still like the coloring book. It is a book of projects for those who like detail and want projects that will take longer rather than shorter periods of time to finish. It is not a book that I would recommend at all to anyone with fine motor or vision issues. It is simply too intricate and detailed and will require the use of smaller nib pens/markers and very sharp pencils.
I noticed that the feel of the paper is slightly rougher than other Creative Haven books I have ordered in this last six months or so. I like the new texture as it is even better for use with colored pencils.
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30 Detailed and Intricate line drawing designs of tiny trailers – printed one side of page
Adult Coloring Book: Whimsical Patterns: Farmers Market (Volume 3)
By: Francis Keene
Rating: 5 of 5
This is the third coloring book in the Francis Keene coloring book series of called Whimsical Patterns. In this book, artist Evelyne Park has provided 30 designs of Farmer’s Markets and items associated with them. I live very close to a wonderful Farmer’s Market which is in operation from March until October.
During those months, I like to spend my Saturday mornings picking up fresh veggies and fruits and seeing what special treats (such as wonderful rosemary lemon bread, jams and jellies and fresh potted herbs and flowers) I can pick up for that week. This coloring book reminds me of our market, right down to the fun entertainment for children.
I found the designs to be both cute and detailed. A few of them have smaller and more intricate areas to color. The designs are hand-drawn with the charming not quite perfect look that makes my finished projects have a unique and hand-made look. Because it is hand-drawn, the level of ink saturation on the designs from from design to design and even sometimes within a single design.
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48 Cat designs shown in fabulous scenes around the world – printed on one side of the page
Marty Noble’s Cats Around the World: New York Times Bestselling Artists’ Adult Coloring Books
By: Marty Noble
Rating: 5 of 5
I love cat design coloring books. I have had a number of cats in my life and now, because of health issues, I can only enjoy my kitties from a distance. This coloring book, with its 48 glorious designs, provides a wide spectrum of cat breeds and locales in which they are placed. The designs are truly from around the world and provide a wonderful coloring experience as each has a full background.
The designs are detailed (as usual with a background) but they are not what I consider intricate or difficult to color. There are a few spots with smaller areas to color especially in the backgrounds. I might not consider it for someone with visual issues but I don’t think that I will need special pens or pencils to color this book.
Just a small nit. I noticed that many countries only ranked one design (including the US) but that a few, such as France and Italy had four and a number of others had two. Based solely on the title, I would have liked one designs per country and a broader range of countries show. As I said, a nit, a I really like all of the designs in the book. Perhaps there will be a second book with other countries included.
Just a note in passing. This line of books is called “New York Times Bestselling Artists” Adult Coloring Books. It does not mean that this particular book has made it to the New York Times Best Sellers list, merely that the artists who create these books have been on that list for one or more books.
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Cute Doodle Creatures plus feel good messages – 32 designs printed one side of the page
Lovin’ the Good Vibes! A Coloring Book with Positive Messages for Adults and Kids: (Improve Confidence, Self Worth, Doodles)
By: Illustrator: Lily Chioe/Publisher: Julia Rivers
Rating: 5 of 5
I enjoy coloring in both doodle creature coloring books and in positive thoughts books. Until now, I had never come across a book that was both in one. “Lovin’ the Good Vibes” has lots of cute little doodle guys that put a smile on my face surrounding a message that makes me feel happy as well. In this book, Lily Chioe is the illustrator.
It appears that Okami Coloring and Storytroll publishing companies are somehow connected as they list both publishers books at the end of this book. I really appreciate the quality of their artists though the CreateSpace paper always leaves something to be desired. I also appreciate that they have included the actual artist’s name though they seem to be developing a specific name (Julia Rivers) to cover the coloring books they deliver. This is similar to what another publisher has done with the name Jade Summer.
The designs are detailed but do not, for the most part, include intricate elements with lots of tiny spots to color. By the nature of doodle creatures, there is a lot to color and you can use a lot of different colors – it’s one of the things I like most about the genre.
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47 Psalms inspired designs – printed one side of the page (verse cite on the reverse of page)
Psalms to Color and Soothe the Soul
By: Felicity French
Rating: 5 of 5
This is a coloring book of 47 designs inspired by the book of Psalms. The designs are very pretty but do not generally reflect the verse. The words themselves are part of the design and are meant to be colored. In some cases, the words are, in fact, the design. The verses are all cited but the translation used has not been given an attribution. The designs are quite detailed and in some spots, intricate and small to color.
This is one of the nicest coloring books of Psalms that I own. The verses are given the prominent position on the page and the designs are very pretty to color. I think about the verse and how it applies to my life as I color the design. It takes a restful activity and adds an element of worship for a more meaningful experience.
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Hidden Paradise: Artist Edition
By: Cris Lopez
Rating: 5 of 5
T
his is my first coloring book by artist Cris Lopez. I’m very impressed with the skill with which the designs have been drawn and look forward to many happy hours with this book.
There are lovely maidens, handsome men, fairies, animals, mermaids, fun creatures and even a dwelling place. It is all about the variety of fantasy in this land that the artist calls “hidden paradise”. The level of detail varies by design with some slightly less detailed, most what I consider a good amount of detail and a few that have smaller and/or more intricate areas to color.
Once again, Phoenix Amulet (the publisher) has set a high bar for other publishers to emulate. Not only is the paper a good heavy weight, it also has great tooth, is printed one-sided, has excellent perforations and, best of all, has a covered spiral binding that makes opening and laying this book flat a breeze.
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30 Beautifully Drawn Horse Designs – printed on one side of page
The Horse Lover’s Coloring Book
By: Amanda Neel
Rating: 5 of 5
I was looking for coloring books for my Christmas gifts this year and ran across this lovely book of designs for the horse lover. This book reminded me of my older sister who was always horse crazy as a child (and who has recently begun to color as well.) The beautifully drawn designs in the book brought those memories back and are lovely and fun to color besides. I think the title is apt – it is a great book for any who loves the beauty and majesty of horses.
The designs show horses. Sometimes one, sometimes more than one. Some of the designs also include people. I found that there was a nice mix of both horizontal and vertical designs as well. The designs are detailed with backgrounds but not to the point of being intricate or hard to color.
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A Colorful Christmas – A Colorit Coloring Book
50 Fun and Jolly Christmas Designs – printed on one side of page
By: Hasby Mubarok
Rating: 5 of 5
T
his is a book of really cute set of 50 Christmas designs. The designs are well done with lots of Christmas elements. Some are full page designs and others are smaller designs set on the larger page. The designs are all hand-drawn by Hasby Mubarok (a new designer for me.)
I found all sorts of elements which symbolize the holiday season for me. From Santa (a must have!) to Christmas trees to snowflakes (which can also be used through the winter) to to stockings and wreathes and reindeer, this book has much to offer.
The designs contain detailed elements (especially the full page scenes with full backgrounds); however, I don’t consider this book to have intricate or difficult to color images.
I really like the top spiral binding along with the perforated pages. It does away with coloring over the “hump” of the binding. I’ve been told that this is a major issue for left-handed colorists, so this is a great Christmas book for anyone troubled by this issue.
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35 Detailed and Interesting designs of mythological creatures – printed one side of the page
Mythological Life Adult Coloring Book: HAND DRAWN FRAMED VERSION
By: Nathaniel Wake
Rating: 5 of 5
The Mythological creatures in this book have a look of strength and, in more than one instance, an almost sinister expression on their face. I noticed this with the leprechaun as well as others. It gives the creatures in this book a really differ vibe than those in other coloring books that I own. The artist responsible for the designs is very skilled and is able to convey the emotions and attitude of the creatures well. This is the version of the coloring book which has framed at the outer edges of the designs. I believe there is another version which has unfinished edges and no frame. Be sure to choose the style that you prefer. For me, that is the version with frames.
There are many different creatures included in the book, including: dragons, mermaids, pegasus, unicorns and many more. Some of the images are a little more evil in attitude than others, so you may want to watch the video I post in its entirety to see if this is the coloring book for you. Once again, Nathaniel Wake (the small publisher who brings us these books) has come up with a subject and book that appeals to both men and women.
The designs are detailed and several have areas which have a little more intricate/smaller areas to color. Overall, I don’t think I will need special coloring medium and I don’t consider the designs to be especially difficult or intricate to color. That being said, they are detailed with full backgrounds and will provides hours of fun in coloring.
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A perfect lightly coloring journal book for my needs right now
Grateful Thankful Blessed – A Beautiful Gratitude Journal
By: Simone Phillips
Rating: 5 of 5
When I first received this gratitude journal, I thought that it might be a little difficult to come up with entries that show that I am grateful, thankful and blessed. Little did I know that a health crisis of huge magnitude awaited just ahead of me.
I was hospitalized with severe pneumonia and low oxygen. A recipe for disaster. The doctors have told me that I was “just this close” but to what they still don’t want to refer.
That was on November 10, 2017. I was released from the hospital nine days later – weak, still looking for answers as to what happened, with a long recovery ahead – but alive.
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