The Magical Garden
By: Mel King and various Illustrators
Rating: 5 of 5
“The Magical Garden” is a smaller format book (8.5 x 8.5 inches.) The designs are extremely detailed with many small and intricate spots to color. The designs are inspired by plants and animals in a garden setting. The animals are drawn realistically though some are wearing clothes and are involved in more human type activities. The designs range from cute to pretty and elegant and are a good challenge to color.
While I enjoy coloring in detail, this is not a book I would suggest for anyone who has vision or fine motor issues. It is a book for individuals who like a bit of a challenge in their projects and who enjoy charming idyllic settings.
This is what I experienced while coloring in this book and testing my coloring medium on the paper.
54 Garden setting Inspired Designs by a variety of illustrators (not including title and intro pages) in a smaller format book
Designs are printed on one side of thin, slightly rough non-perforated paper typical of CreateSpace. While the paper is actually white, the background of the designs are printed in black.
Glue Binding
Easy to open to flat position for coloring
Designs do not merge into the binding and have a double framing line at the outer edge of the design. This makes for a natural stopping place for coloring and adds to a more finished looking project.
Alcohol and water-based markers bleed through the page to some degree. Water-based bleed through in spots while alcohol-based bleed through freely
Gel pens and India ink pens leave shadows of color on the back of page. India ink can bleed through if you use multiple layers or apply heavily.
Colored pencils work well with this paper. Both oil and wax based provide good color when I use multiple layers of the same color. I am easily able to blend (using a pencil style blender stick) and layer multiple colors as well. Hard lead pencils leave dents through the back of the page.
Because of the bleed through and dents, I suggest (and use) a blotter page below my working page no matter what medium I use. I prefer card stock but several sheets of heavyweight paper work as well.
Here are some sample designs from the book:
“The Magical Garden” is a smaller format book (8.5 x 8.5 inches.) The designs are extremely detailed with many small and intricate spots to color. The designs are inspired by plants and animals in a garden setting. The animals are drawn realistically though some are wearing clothes and are involved in more human type activities. The designs range from cute to pretty and elegant and are a good challenge to color.
