Spellbinding Images: A Grayscale Fantasy Coloring Book: Beginner’s Edition (Volume 1)
By: Nikki Burnette
Rating: 5 of 5
When I recently experienced some difficulties in coloring grayscale in a coloring book that was printed quite dark, I was advised by many individuals to check out this book, Spellbinding Images Volume 1 for beginners to learn how to color with dark prints. While I still have issues with the other book, I am absolutely blown away by the designs in this book as well as the how-to tips provided by Artist Nikki Burnette.
Before getting this book, I was only using colored pencils in my grayscale. With Ms. Burnette’s suggestions, I have now been able to successfully use both alcohol and water-based markers in my grayscale projects. I’ve yet to try gel pens but that will be next. I not only used these hints with this book but also with several other grayscale coloring books I have purchased and I have been extremely pleased with my results. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning grayscale as the tutorial is so well-written.
Then there is the book itself. What a great set of designs and how well thought out this book was put together. In addition to the 20 designs being printed on one side of the page, Ms. Burnette has included thumbnail color samples of each design along with two additional thumbnails in which you can test your own colors and mediums. I used these thumbnails to become comfortable with markers and then with pencils over markers as well.
The artist also has a tutorial on her website which has proved invaluable as well. If all of this wasn’t enough, she has graciously provided permission to copy her designs onto other forms of paper if your coloring medium doesn’t work well on the paper in this book. The paper is a medium weight that has what she calls a satin sheen and to me, a glossy feel to it.
As I mentioned, the designs are printed on one side of the page. The page is non-perforated but can open flat very easily for coloring. The designs all stop well before the binding, so you won’t have to twist and tweak the page and book to color in it.
I’m so impressed by this book, I will certainly be purchasing the advanced version of this book (lighter scale coloring with more opportunities for blending, etc.) and will be looking forward to more grayscale books by this artist in the future.