The Wonderful World of Horses: Midnight Edition
By: Simone Phillips
Rating: 5 of 5
This coloring book is the midnight version of the revised second edition of “The Wonderful World of Horses” by Simone Phillips. That means that the designs are printed on black backgrounds. The designs are still black line work with white space for coloring, which is how I prefer this style of book. That gives me the blank white areas that I use for shading and blending. It is simply that the backgrounds are already finished in black.
The designs have a lovely hand-drawn quality with little extras such as cross hatch shading on the horses. There is a flowing look to Ms. Phillips designs which conveys a real sense of movement. The designs are detailed but do not contains areas which are too intricate and small to color.
One of the things that I really enjoy about this book is the thumbnail images that serve as the table of contents. They are small in size but can be colored as well.
44 Horse inspired designs (not including title pages and thumbnails.)
Printed one side of the page
Paper is typical inexpensive quality by CreateSpace printing: white, thin, slightly rough and non-perforated. The black backgrounds are printed on white paper.
The designs do not merge into the binding. The designs have framing lines at the outer edges though some are not as evident as the background is black.
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. When blending with so much black involved, I prefer to use a liquid blending medium, such as Gamsol or odorless mineral spirits so that the black doesn’t smear. 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.
I was provided an advance copy of this book by the artist.
Here are some sample photos from the book:
This coloring book is the midnight version of the revised second edition of “The Wonderful World of Horses” by Simone Phillips. That means that the designs are printed on black backgrounds. The designs are still black line work with white space for coloring, which is how I prefer this style of book. That gives me the blank white areas that I use for shading and blending. It is simply that the backgrounds are already finished in black.
