Monthly Archives: August 2016

Autumn Fantasy Coloring Book – Halloween Witches, Vampires and Autumn Fairies: Coloring Book for Grownups and All Ages!

By: Molly Harrison

Rating: 5 of 5

The first coloring book I purchased by Molly Harrison was her first one with Halloween designs. That was one year ago and since then I have bought many of her books. She has a beautiful delicacy of design that is very appealing to me. In Autumn Fantasy, the focus is on adult witches, vampires, and fairies. There are lots of cats, bats, owls and pumpkins as well.

I recently purchased Ms. Harrison’s Halloween grayscale coloring book and have noticed that the designs in this book are the line drawing versions of those. I’m thrilled with that concept as it allows me to color her designs in two completely separate ways. In her line drawing designs, I generally use both alcohol-based markers and soft lead coloring pencils to finish my projects.

I did note that my book has only 24 different designs rather than 25. I don’t know if that is a problem generally or if only my book has the issue. What I received was four copies of one design (a witch with a cat fairy in her hat.) While I could wish that I had 25 different designs x 2 each, I’m still pleased with my purchase. I’ll happily share my extra couple of designs with others in my family so that they, too, can come to appreciate Ms. Harrison’s beautiful art.

This is what I discovered while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my coloring medium. I will list, in the comments section below, the coloring medium I used for testing and for most of my coloring projects.

24 x 2 and with one having two additional copies Halloween inspired witches, vampires, and autumn fairies

Printed on one side of the page

Paper is typical of CreateSpace publications, thin, white, slight rough, and non-perforated

Glue Bound

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

Book opens fairly flat for coloring if you break or crease the spine hard

Alcohol-based markers bleed through this paper easily

Water-based markers bleed through in spots

Gel pens and India ink pens do not bleed through. If you use multiple coats of India ink, it may bleed through in spots on the back of the page.

Colored pencils work well with this paper. It has a nice slightly rough texture with lots of tooth for catching pigment. I could layer using the same color for deeper pigment, layer multiple colors and blend well using a pencil style blending stick. This was true for both wax and oil based pencils. Hard lead pencils, like Verithins, can dent through the page.

I use a blotter page to protect the pages below from both ink and marring dents. I generally use card stock but have also used several sheets of heavyweight paper for this purpose.

The Curiosity Shoppe Coloring Book: A Magical and Mad Exploration of a Most Amusing and Unexpected Assemblage of Novelties and Oddities

By: Chris Price

Rating: 5 of 5

The Curiosity Shoppe is my first coloring book by Chris Price and my first book published by Adams Media as well. I am very happy with the wide variety and style of the designs. I am also pleased, for the most part, with how the book was published. What is especially nice about the book is that the binding is at the top so you don’t have to color over the lump of binding regardless if you are right or left handed.

The designs cover a wide segment of the types of items one might find at a curiosity or collectibles type store. The designs, like others that I have recently come across, are heavy on black and with lots of shading. I have been treating them somewhat like grayscale designs by utilizing the heavy shading as part of my project. For my first project in this book, I used colored pencils to complete the collection of bottles and paintbrushes.

The collectibles are quite fun and include: old-fashioned light bulbs and clamps, Chinese vases, fountain pens, stamps, globes, shells, eggs, teacups, geodes and much much more. I found many items that I either have as small collections or have thought about collecting in the past. Quite a wonderful assortment of designs.

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 include a list of the coloring medium I used in testing and which I generally use for coloring my projects.

40 Unusual Collectibles Designs with heavy shading in black

Printed on one side of the page

Paper is cream color, heavyweight, smooth, and non-perforated

Book has its binding at the top of the page rather than at the side

Sewn binding. You can remove a few pages at a time without loss of any of the design by snipping a few threads.

Designs do not merge into the binding area

I was easily able to get the design page to lay flat for coloring.

Alcohol-based markers bleed through the page. I will use a blotter page of card stock or several sheets of heavyweight paper when I use alcohol-based markers to keep the ink from seeping through to the pages below.

Water-based markers, gel pens, and India ink pens did not bleed through the page. Larger nib gel pens required additional drying time.

Colored pencils worked well with the paper. While it is somewhat smooth to the touch, the paper had enough tooth to allow for good pigment, whether I used wax or oil based pencils. I was able to layer the same color, different colors and to blend easily using a pencil style blender stick.

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.