Monthly Archives: January 2017

Creative Haven Deluxe Edition Elegant Art Nouveau Coloring Book (Adult Coloring)

By: Ted Menten

Rating: 5 of 5

This is my third coloring book by Ted Menten and is the first one that shows his interpretation of the Art Nouveau movement. The 63 designs in this coloring book are primarily of stylized flowers and plants as well as the occasional bird and other insects and animals.

I was a bit surprised that the book did not include a wider variety of subject matter given that there are 63 designs and the title doesn’t reflect that it is a book of nature designs. At the time I pre-ordered the book, the product description was not available. It now is and does focus on nature but it would have been nice if the title reflected it as well. Apart from that small nit, I really like the designs in the book and am pleased with it.
I am hoping that Mr. Menten will do an Art Nouveau coloring book that includes fashion and other design elements. I really liked the nostalgic look of his recent Christmas coloring book with its elegant designs and hope for something along those lines.
This is what I experienced while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my coloring medium.
63 Nature Art Nouveau inspired designs
The designs are printed one side of the page
Paper is the usual Creative Haven quality: white, medium weight, slightly rough and has perforated pages.
Glue Binding but with perforated pages so removing a page is fairly simple.
The designs stop well before the perforations and each of the designs has a framing line (with rounded corners) at the outer edge for a defined stopping point for coloring.
Alcohol-based markers bleed through this paper
Water-based markers bleed through in spots and show colorful shadows on the back of the page
Gel pens and India ink pens leave shadows of color on the back of the page. India ink pens can bleed through when I apply more than one layer of ink.
Coloring pencils work well with this paper. I was able to get good color lay down, layer the same color and multiple colors and to blend easily using a pencil style blender. I tested both oil and wax-based pencils with similar results. Hard lead pencils, like Verithins, leave dents on the back of the page.
I suggest either removing pages from the book to color or using a blotter page under your working page. I like card stock as it keeps ink from seeping through and damaging the pages below.

Creative Haven Jazz Age Fashions Coloring Book (Adult Coloring)

By: Ming-Ju Sun

Rating: 5 of 5

I love Ming-Ju Sun’s fashion coloring books from Creative Haven and from Dover. Her books cover a range of modern to futuristic and, most importantly, historic fashions.

In Jazz Age Fashions the focus is on the Roaring ’20s. It was during this period of time that Jazz music came to the forefront. The womens fashion of the period were designed with the thought of dancing in mind and, with shorter skirts and less restrictive lines, also reflected the changing role and empowerment of women that was going on in society.
It was a glamorous period and one which is beautifully captured in the 31 Designs in this coloring book. Each of the designs have one or more women dressed in very detailed clothing. The backgrounds are fairly simple to make the fashions stand out.
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.
This is what I experienced while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my coloring medium.
31 Fun Jazz Age, Flapper-style designs
The designs are printed one side of the page
Paper is the usual Creative Haven quality: white, medium weight, slightly rough and has perforated pages.
Glue Binding but with perforated pages so removing a page is fairly simple.
The designs stop well before the perforations and each of the designs has a framing line at the outer edge for a defined stopping point for coloring (though some elements on some designs extend slightly beyond the framing line to give a slight 3-D effect.
Alcohol-based markers bleed through this paper
Water-based markers bleed through in spots and show colorful shadows on the back of the page
Gel pens and India ink pens leave shadows of color on the back of the page. India ink pens can bleed through when I apply more than one layer of ink.
Coloring pencils work well with this paper and even better than many of the more recent Creative Haven coloring books I have bought. I was able to get good pigment (color) lay down, layer the same color and multiple colors and to blend easily using a pencil style blender. I tested both oil and wax-based pencils with similar results. Hard lead pencils, like Verithins, leave dents on the back of the page.
I suggest either removing pages from the book to color or using a blotter page under your working page. I like card stock as it keeps ink from seeping through and damaging the pages below.

Forever Inspired Coloring Book: Angela Porter?s Designer Doodles Hidden Pictures

By: Angela Porter

Rating: 5 of 5

This is a coloring book filled with 35 designs in Angela Porter’s imaginative style. It reminds me a great deal of her Entangled Landscapes but with much less intricate designs. The designs range from landscapes and seascapes to flowers to simply fun patterns.

This series of books is being marketed to tweens but I think Ms. Porter’s books in this line are equally good for adults. I like them not only for myself but also for anyone who might have been unable (or unwilling) to attempt her much more intricate designs. The designs are still fairly detailed but are larger and easier to color. Notwithstanding that, they are instantly recognizable as Ms. Porter’s style.
An extra fun part of coloring the designs in this book are the hidden pictures (really more elements) that you can look for on the various pages. There are eight different style of elements in this book, which are: ladybugs, hearts, cat heads, stars, candies, buttons, music notes and raindrops.) Some are larger and some are smaller. What especially like is that they are not as obtrusive as I have found with a few other hidden picture designs.
At the time I am writing this review, the product description is for that of the Tropical Rainforest rather than for this book. It also mentions 44 designs. There are only 35 so hopefully the publisher will get these errors fixed in the future.
This is what I found while coloring in this book and testing my coloring medium on the paper:
35 Detailed and imaginative designs with hidden elements to find while coloring all in Ms. Porter’s unique and fun to color style. The book also includes answer keys to all of the hidden elements.
Includes a page for color palette testing.
Printed one side of page
Paper is on the thin side (definitely thinner than her Creative Haven books), white, slightly rough and perforated
Glue binding
Designs stop well before the perforation with a framing line at the outer edge. Gives a natural stopping point for coloring and a more finished looking project for framing if you so desire.
The coloring book opens fairly flat for coloring but you must crease or break the spine to do so. You can always simple remove pages before coloring as well.
Alcohol-based markers bleed through this paper.
India ink pens spot through in tiny areas and leave colorful shadows on the back of the page
Water-based markers and gel pens leave definite colorful shadows on the back of the page.
Colored pencils work very well with this slightly rough paper. I was able to get good color (pigment) especially when layering the same color for rich tone. I was also able to layer multiple colors and to blend very easily using a pencil style blender pencils. Hard lead pencils left dents through the page.
If I do not remove a page prior to coloring, I use a blotter page of card stock or heavy weight paper to keep ink and dents from damaging the designs below my working page.

Forever Inspired Coloring Book: Angela Porter?s Tropical Rainforest Hidden Pictures

By: Angela Porter

Rating: 5 of 5

I really enjoy Angela Porter’s style of design. I find her illustrations to be detailed and fun to color. Until now, her coloring books that I have purchased have not only been detailed but also extremely intricate with lots of tiny spots to color. I do enjoy those books and designs but was really pleased to see her do a book where the design elements are larger.

The book is being marketed to tweens but I think it is a great book for adults as well. It is also a good way for individuals who may not have been able to color her previous books due to the complexity to buy and color in a book that has her fun style. The designs are still quite detailed but definitely larger and with less elements than her previous books have been.
The designs in this book are focused on the tropical rainforest with lots of plants, flowers, birds and animals. An extra fun part of coloring these designs are the hidden pictures (really more elements) that you can look for on the various pages. There are only four different elements in this book, which are: ladybugs, snails, hearts, and stars. Some are larger and some are smaller. What especially like is that they are not obtrusive and out of place as I have found with a few other hidden picture designs.
At the time I am writing this review, the product description mentions 44 designs in this book. There are only 35 so hopefully the publisher will get this error fixed in the future.
This is what I found while coloring in this book and testing my coloring medium on the paper:
35 Tropical Rainforest inspired designs with hidden elements to find while coloring all in Ms. Porter’s unique and fun to color style. The book also includes answer keys to all of the hidden elements.
Includes a page for color palette testing.
Printed one side of page
Paper is on the thin side (definitely thinner than her Creative Haven books), white, slightly rough and perforated
Glue binding
Designs stop well before the perforation with a framing line at the outer edge. Gives a natural stopping point for coloring and a more finished looking project for framing if you so desire.
The coloring book opens fairly flat for coloring but you must crease or break the spine to do so. You can always simple remove pages before coloring as well.
Alcohol-based markers bleed through this paper.
India ink pens spot through in tiny areas and leave colorful shadows on the back of the page
Water-based markers and gel pens leave definite colorful shadows on the back of the page.
Colored pencils work very well with this slightly rough paper. I was able to get good color (pigment) especially when layering the same color for rich tone. I was also able to layer multiple colors and to blend very easily using a pencil style blender pencils. Hard lead pencils left dents through the page.
If I do not remove a page prior to coloring, I use a blotter page of card stock or heavy weight paper to keep ink and dents from damaging the designs below my working page.

Delicious Desserts: An Adult Coloring Book with Whimsical Cake Designs, Easy Pastry Patterns, and Beautiful Bakery Scenes for Relaxation and Stress Relief

By: Jade Summer

Rating: 5 of 5

This is a really sweet coloring book of desserts. The variety range from wedding and birthday cakes to counter displays of penny candy. It is the perfect set of designs for those who like to color delicious and sweet treats. The desserts are displayed in a beautiful manner rather than just a cake or such. You will see a full table design with drinks or backgrounds in many of the illustrations. It certainly makes it a lot more fun to color when I can imagine the whole table set with deliciousness.

The designs are detailed but not what I consider intricate with small areas to color. I am able to use a wide variety of coloring medium on these designs.
While you can have access to .PDFs when you purchase this book, my review is based on the book as it is received from Amazon. That way you will know what the pages look like and how they accept color. I like that the publisher provides the digital version as well so you can choose the paper you wish to use and/or to color the pictures as many times as you choose.
This is what I found while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my coloring medium:
25 x 2 each Dessert inspired Designs covering a wide range of subjects
Paper is typical of CreateSpace: white, thin, slightly rough and non-perforated. The back of the page is printed black which is something I am find typical of Jade Summer coloring books.
The designs do not merge into the binding. There is a heavy framing line at the outer edges of the design to give the project a more finished look, especially for framing. There is a slight shadowing effect to the framing line which gives the image an almost 3D effect.
Glue Binding (there is room to cut the pages out if you choose to do so.)
Though you cannot see the bleed-through easily due to the back of the page being printed in black, I recommend the use of a blotter page when working in this book. I use a page of card stock or several sheets of heavyweight paper under my working page. It keeps seeping ink and marring dents from ruining the pages below.
Alcohol-based markers bleed through the page quickly.
Water-based markers bleed through in spots.
Gel pens and India ink pens leave shadows on back of the page. India ink can bleed through if you apply heavily or multiple coats.
Coloring Pencils work well with this paper. I found that I could layers the same color for deeper pigment or multiple colors and I could blend easily using a blending stick. I tested both oil and wax based pencils. I also found that hard lead pencils leave dents through the paper.

The Magical Garden: Creative Art Therapy For Adults (Creative Colouring Books For Grown-Ups) (Volume 2)

By: Mel King

Rating: 5 of 5

The Magical Garden is a smaller format book (8.5 x 8.5 inches.) The designs are extremely detailed with many small and intricate spots to color. The designs are inspired by plants and animals in a garden setting. The animals are drawn realistically though some are wearing clothes and are involved in more human type activities. The designs range from cute to pretty and elegant and are a good challenge to color.

While I enjoy coloring in detail, this is not a book I would suggest for anyone who has vision or fine motor issues. It is a book for individuals who like a bit of a challenge in their projects and who enjoy charming idyllic settings.
This is what I experienced while coloring in this book and testing my coloring medium on the paper.
54 Garden setting Inspired Designs by a variety of illustrators (not including title and intro pages) in a smaller format book
Designs are printed on one side of thin, slightly rough non-perforated paper typical of CreateSpace. While the paper is actually white, the background of the designs are printed in black.
Glue Binding
Easy to open to flat position for coloring
Designs do not merge into the binding and have a double framing line at the outer edge of the design. This makes for a natural stopping place for coloring and adds to a more finished looking project.
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 or apply heavily.
Colored 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 no matter what medium I use. I prefer card stock but several sheets of heavyweight paper work as well.

Colour Your Own Historical Maps (Colouring Books)

By: British Library

Rating: 4 of 5

I have collected antique maps for more than twenty years. I enjoy having a piece of history framed and part of my home. I was very happy to find this coloring book as it meshes so well with one of my hobbies.

I really like the coloring books in many ways but found that many of the intricate elements are so small that it takes (me, at least) an extremely sharp and hard pencil (such as Prismacolor Verithins or Tombow Irojiten) to be able to color them. I wish that the book had been made in a larger format such as the artist editions that many designers use so that the details could have been enlarged.
Apart from that, the book is extremely nice. The paper quality is super and the subject of the maps well done. In addition to the 22 designs (printed one side of the page), the inside of the front and back cover has color thumbnails of the maps the designs are based on.
The book is presented in landscape with a white smooth cover with a colored map depicted on it. It has a few gold metallic accents as well. The binding is glue notepad style so you can easily remove pages in whole if you wish to do so, perhaps for framing. The back of the book includes a heavyweight card board page which gives a wonderful and stable surface to color on.
Each map is printed in landscape mode on the page and has a framing line around the outer edge. I really like this as it gives a defined stop for coloring and makes the finished project that much better. In addition, there is a small blurb at the bottom of the page about the map, its cartographer and a interesting information pertaining to one or the other.
The designs are well printed and I am finding them interesting to color now that I have chosen the medium I list best for my skill set. I don’t suggest this coloring book for anyone who has fine motor or vision issues due to the intricate designs.
The paper quality is very nice. It is white, heavy weight (almost light card stock), and somewhat smooth. Alcohol-based markers bled through the page. Water-based markers, India Ink pens and gel pens did not bleed through. As I mentioned, I preferred colored pencils for my projects. The paper has enough tooth to give good pigment and I was able to layer and blend well with it as well.

Floribunda: A Flower Coloring Book

By: Leila Duly

Rating: 5 of 5

This is a beautifully published book with gorgeous floral illustrations. The inside of both the front and back covers have color botanical depictions of the flowers that are included in the designs should you wish to color their natural tones. While there are no framing lines at the outer edges, all of the floral elements are finished at the edges so there are no dangling elements left to deal with.

The cover of the book is hinged with a secondary cover beneath it. The actual pages are glue bound but with the type of binding that allows you to remove pages easily and in whole (think of a notepad type of binding.) The paper, which is a light weight card stock, is a light cream tone with a slight amount of roughness to it. The paper is such a nice quality, it will be easy to remove and frame these if you wish.
My various coloring medium all worked well with this edition. I tested a variety of alcohol-based makers with the paper. The paper works fantastic with these markers with only the slightest amount of bleed through. I would still use a blotter page of card stock below my working page to keep seeping ink from marring the rest of the book.
Water-based markers, India ink pens, and gel pens did not bleed through at all. The gel pens required more drying time than usual. Both oil and wax based pencils worked well with this paper with go=ood pigment, layering and blending.

Amy Brown Faeries Coloring Book 2

By: Amy Brown

Rating: 5 of 5

I own a couple of coloring books by Amy Brown. She has a unique style and look to her faeries that is really fun to color. I was really pleased to see that other of her older and out of print books are being re-printed once again. This is the second book in her series of Faeries.

The designs has some detailed elements but are, for the most part, open and easy to color. I like the sense of movement I feel when I am coloring one of Ms. Brown’s designs. There is always a feeling of flow and grace to her lovely creatures.
This is what I experienced while coloring in this book and testing my coloring medium on the paper.
20 Hand-drawn Faerie Designs by Amy Brown
Designs are printed on one side of 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 or apply heavily.
Colored 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 no matter what medium I use. I prefer card stock but several sheets of heavyweight paper work as well.