Chalk-Style Expressions Coloring Book: Color With All Types of Markers, Gel Pens & Colored Pencils
By: Valerie McKeehan
Rating: 5 of 5
This is my first coloring book by Valerie McKeehan though I have a couple of other chalk-style coloring books by other artists. I was surprised at how life-like these designs were until I read how Ms. McKeehan creates her designs which is process which includes actually creating the design on a slate with chalk. I find the process interesting and the results (the designs in the book) fun to color and visually very chalk like in nature, with the imperfect sketchiness one associates with the style.
Many of the designs include inspirational expressions while others just have a happy saying or thought. In all cases, the words stand front and center with the designs grouped around them.
The designs are printed on the right side of the page. On the back of the page are quotes about life and living it to its highest potential by a variety of sources. There are also journal lines. I’ve seen these before in books by this publisher but the first time I have seen them in color are in this style of chalk-style book with black backgrounds.
This is what I found while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my coloring medium.
32 Expression Words Deigns with designs in white on black background
Designs printed on one side of the page
Paper is medium weight, slightly rough, black printed on white paper and is perforated for easy removal. The paper is noted as archival-grade and acid free for 200 years.
Designs stop well before the perforations
Alcohol and water-based markers bleed through the page
Gel pens and India ink pens can spot through to the back of the page
Colored pencils work well with the paper. Both oil and wax based pencils provide good color, layer, and blend well. Hard lead pencils can dent through the page.
I use a piece of card stock as a blotter under my working page. It keeps ink and dents from marring the rest of the book. You can also simply remove the page from the book before coloring to keep the rest of the book safe.