Monthly Archives: October 2017

Ivy and the Inky Butterfly: A Magical Tale to Color

By: Johanna Basford

Rating: 5 of 5

I will attach a silent, full length flip-through of the storybook/coloring book as well as a few sample photos so you can judge for yourself as to whether or not this coloring book will work for you.

Once again, Johanna Basford is blazing a new path in the coloring genre. With Ivy and the Inky Butterfly, she has published a beautiful storybook about a young girl and her adventures in Enchantia. Along with the lovely story, there are great coloring elements on all pages. Whether the design is merely framing around the words of the tale or if it is a full page (or even a two-page spread) of illustration, Ms. Basford’s signature style is immediately evident. There are beautiful flowers and animals as usual. There are also scenes with a high amount of detail. Some of my favorites are those which feature Ivy, who is a cute little girl. The illustrations are highly detailed and only a very few have smaller and intricate areas to color.
As with her most recent coloring books, there appears to have been a concentrated effort to reduce the elements which span across the binding if the page is a two-page spread designs. In my book, some pages line up fantastic and some are a little off. The only real problem I have with the book is that due to the intense glue binding, it is very difficult to get into the seam unless you, as I did, break the spine. The inherent problem with that is that you risk having pages come loose over time. It seems like the book is glued together much more heavily than previous books by Ms. Basford.
I want this book to be a keepsake I read to my grandchildren and which I plan hand down to my granddaughter once I have finished coloring it, so loose pages can be a problem. I solved that problem by, in addition, buying the UK version of the book which has a sewn binding. I’m waiting for delivery and will include comments about the differences (in the comments below) once it arrives. You can find the UK version of the coloring book here:Ivy and the Inky Butterfly
The paper is ivory as just it has been for the last couple of books. It is not the same color of cream as used in Secret Garden or Enchanted Forest. Nor is it the white color that was used in the first four printings of Lost Ocean. It seems to me that the paper has a smooth side and a slightly rough side and that it alternates in my book.
The cover is attached and has green and gold foil highlights. The inside of the front and back covers have French folds (partial fold-outs.) There is a color palette test page at the back for testing your medium to see what seeps through or not.
This is what I found as I colored in this book and tested the paper with my coloring medium.
Alcohol-based markers bleed through the page quickly.
Water-based markers (except for Tombow’s) leave shadows and even spots of color on the back of the page. The brush end of Tombows did not bleed through.
Gel pens and India ink did not bleed through the page.
Colored pencils worked well; however, they worked better on the slightly rougher side of the page. On the smoother side, my oil-based pencils did not grip the page as well but were still acceptable. I tested both oil and wax-based pencils. I was able to layer the same color for deeper pigment, layer multiple colors and to blend with a pencil style blending stick (again, better on the rougher side than on the smooth side.) Pencils did not leave indentations on the back of the page.

Hello Kitty & Friends Coloring Book

By: Various

Rating: 5 of 5

Both of my daughters loved Hello Kitty when they were young and now my granddaughter is a huge fan as well. I’ve always had a soft spot for her and her friends as well. While the focus of the coloring book is on Hello Kitty, there are cute designs of Keroppi, Chococat, Pochacco, My Melody (another big favorite of my kids), Cinnamoroll, Hangyodon, Badtz-Maru, Tuxedosam and Pompompurin as well.

The designs are detailed and are meant for adult coloring though some young kids may enjoy them as well if they can deal with the high level of detail. There are a few areas which are intricate and have smaller spots to color.
I really like the designs. I think that they are adorable and show a good sense of imagination in putting the various characters in backgrounds that will be fun to color and shade. There are scenes which show everything from winter and snow to sushi. There are even a couple of Hello Kitty mandalas thrown in for extra fun.
On the back of the page is a small design element which mimics the full design on its facing page. If you use a medium which does not bleed through, it is an extra little spot to color. If you use alcohol-based markers as I do much of the time, you will, more than likely, be sacrificing those little designs.
This is what I found when I colored in this book and tested it with my coloring medium:
47 full page designs are printed on front of page with smaller designs printed on the back of the page.
Paper is heavyweight, white, slightly smooth and non-perforated
Glue bound
Designs do not merge into the binding. Designs either have a light double framing line or have finished elements at the outer edges.
Book lays fairly flat for coloring if you heavily crease/break the spine
Alcohol-based markers bleed through the page. For this use, I suggest a blotter page of card stock or heavy weight paper under your working page. That will keep ink from seeping through to the next design. If you use these types of markers, you will mar the smaller designs on the back of the pages.
Water-based markers, India ink pens and gel pens do not bleed through or leave shadows on the back of the page.
Colored pencils work well with this paper. It is slightly smooth to the touch but still has enough tooth for pigment. I was able to layer the same color for deep pigment, layer multiple colors and blend easily using a blender stick. I tested both oil and wax based pencils.

Foxes & Fairies coloring book by Meredith Dillman: 25 kimono, kitsune and fairy designs

By: Meredith Dillman

Rating: 5 of 5

This is a beautiful coloring book of 25 designs by Meredith Dillman. According to her introduction in the book, the designs are inspired by various Asian fox spirit myths, traditional costumes and nature. I have recently read a novel which featured information about kitsune (Japanese fox spirit) and was thrilled to find a coloring book which meshed so well with it. The artwork is based on Ms. Dillman’s finished designs and each has a name which is printed on the back of the page.

In this coloring book, there are designs of both foxes and fairies (and sometimes, just young women) in traditional kimono style fashions. The designs are detailed and have a beautiful hand-drawn and sketch-like look to them. There are some areas which have intricate and small areas to color.
This is what I discovered while coloring in this book and testing my coloring medium on the paper:
25 Lovely Asian inspired designs featuring kimono-clad foxes and fairies and young women
Printed one side of the page
Paper is typical inexpensive quality by CreateSpace printing: white, thin, slightly rough and non-perforated.
The designs do not merge into the binding. The designs have framing lines at the outer edges though some finished elements overlap the framing line to give a three dimensional look to the design.
Glue Binding
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.
I like to use a blotter when working in the 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.

Adult Coloring Book: The Manga Invasion Coloring Book: Meditate and find inspiration on a magical journey (Anime, Drawing)

By: Storytroll

Rating: 5 of 5

I am a fan of coloring books which are Manga or doodle creatures designs. This is the first one I have which is both in one. The central figure (male or female) is generally Manga inspired with an interesting background with lots of little doodle creatures. There is a great sketch-like quality to the designs which gives the finished artwork a very original look. The designs are detailed and some have intricate and small areas to color. Really a fun coloring book by artist Boonhau for fans of these two genres.

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.
This is what I discovered while coloring in this book and testing my coloring medium on the paper:
40 designs which are a mash-up of Manga characters with doodle creatures
Printed one side of the page
Paper is typical inexpensive quality by CreateSpace printing: white, thin, slightly rough and non-perforated.
The designs do not merge into the binding. While the designs do not have a framing line at the outer edges of the designs, they do have finished elements at the edges for ease of coloring.
Glue Binding
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.
I like to use a blotter when working in the 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.

The Fantastic World of the Brothers Grimm – Adult Coloring Book: Fairy Tales – Experience the Old Masters on a New Journey

By: Julia Rivers

Rating: 5 of 5

I enjoy both reading and coloring Brothers Grimm Fairy tales. This coloring book, by artist Forest Diver, has 40 different designs from a wide variety of tales. There are beautiful maidens, heroic young heroes and a few unpleasant villains. There is Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Snow White, Hansel and Gretel and much more. Most tales have two or more designs dedicated to them.

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.
This is what I discovered while coloring in this book and testing my coloring medium on the paper:
40 various Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale Designs
Printed one side of the page
Paper is typical inexpensive quality by CreateSpace printing: white, thin, slightly rough and non-perforated.
The designs do not merge into the binding. While most of the designs do not have a framing line at the outer edges of the designs, the rest have finished elements at the edges for ease of coloring.
Glue Binding
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.
I like to use a blotter when working in the 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.

Nocturnal Magic – Adult Coloring Book: Step into the World of Night Creatures

By: Julia Rivers

Rating: 4 of 5

This is a coloring book by Ksenia Spirina. The designs all have a sketch-like quality to them. By the title, I was expecting designs which were related to the night or nocturnal creatures. While I found that to be true for many of the designs, it is not applicable to all of them per se. The subtitle on Amazon refers to Halloween. Some of the pictures are Halloween related but again, not all of them.

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.
This is what I discovered while coloring in this book and testing my coloring medium on the paper:
40 different designs with most showing nocturnal creatures.
Printed one side of the page
Paper is typical inexpensive quality by CreateSpace printing: white, thin, slightly rough and non-perforated.
The designs do not merge into the binding. While there is only one design with a framing line at the outer edges, the other designs have the elements at the edges finished so it is easier to color.
Glue Binding
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.
I like to use a blotter when working in the 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.