Daily Archives: October 4, 2017

Lovin’ the Good Vibes! A Happiness Coloring Book: Adult Coloring Book (Improve Confidence, Self Worth, Positive Messages)

By: Julia Rivers

Rating: 5 of 5

I enjoy coloring in both doodle creature coloring books and in positive thoughts coloring 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.

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.
This is what I discovered while coloring in this book and testing my coloring medium on the paper:
32 Unique Feel Good Message designs with lots of cute little 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 there is no framing line at the outer edges of the designs, most of the elements at the edges are 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.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Big Bads & Monsters Adult Coloring Book

By: Fox

Rating: 5 of 5

Attached to this review, I will include a silent flip-through video (and a few photos) so you can see if the book will work for you.

This is the second coloring book volume of Buffy inspired designs. I liked the first and really like the second one, perhaps even more. I appreciate that the illustrators provided the quotes and episode/season information to put each design in context. While the artwork is focused on the bad guys, the heroes are well represented, too.
The designs are quite detailed with only a few areas that are intricate and small to color. The artwork is done by a group of illustrators rather than by one individual. I found the artwork in this volume to flow better than that of the first one (not that it was bad but it was obvious that many designers were at work on it. A listing at the back of the book gives the name of each illustrator and on which pages they did the artwork.
This is what I found when I colored in this book and tested it with my coloring medium:
45 Buffy Bads and Monster designs inspired by the original television series plus a great intro/title page designs
Designs printed on front of page and quotes and episode/season information printed on back of pages
Paper is heavyweight, white, slightly smooth and non-perforated
Glue bound
Designs merge into the binding; if you cut pages out you will lose portions of the design
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.
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.