Norse Mythology
By: Jade Summer
Rating: 5 of 5
This is a really interesting coloring book of Norse Mythology designs. Usually, Jade Summer books are focused on females; however, in this book, there is a full range of mythological characters including many men and some creatures.
The designs have a very realistic look to them rather than a comic character type feel. The names of each character is included in the design. It is incorporated so well, it becomes part of the design and creates almost a storybook type feel to the entire book. There is a definite use of shading and cross hatching throughout which give the designs an almost sketch-like feel but leaves them still fairly easy to color.
The designs are quite detailed and will take time to finish. While the designs have backgrounds, some are much more elaborate than others. The overall designs are not what I consider intricate as the elements to color do not require special small nib pens/markers. I am able to use a wide variety of coloring medium on these designs.
While you can have access to .PDFs when you purchase this book, my review is based on the book as it is received from Amazon. That way you will know what the pages look like and how they accept color. I like that the publisher provides the digital version as well so you can choose the paper you wish to use and/or to color the pictures as many times as you choose.
This is what I found while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my coloring medium:
30 unique designs (2 copies of each) based on Norse Mythology
Paper is typical of CreateSpace: white, thin, slightly rough and non-perforated. The back of the page is printed black.
The designs do not merge into the binding. There is a heavy framing line at the outer edges of the design to give the project a more finished look, especially for framing. There is a slight shadowing effect to the framing line which gives the image an almost 3D effect.
Glue Binding (there is room to cut the pages out if you choose to do so.)
Though you cannot see the bleed-through easily due to the back of the page being printed in black, I recommend the use of a blotter page when working in this 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.
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.
Here are some sample designs from the book:
This is a really interesting coloring book of Norse Mythology designs. Usually, Jade Summer books are focused on females; however, in this book, there is a full range of mythological characters including many men and some creatures.
