Geomorphia: An Extreme Coloring and Search Challenge
By: Kerby Rosanes
Rating: 4 of 5
This is Kerby Rosanes latest and, perhaps according to the buzz, his last coloring book. It is another thinner book, like Fantomorphia. This time, when I pre-ordered this book, I was aware of the number of pages it included. Thus, the fact that it was only one quarter the number of designs as in, for instance, Mythomorphia, didn’t surprise me.
The designs are full images (no animals cut in half in this one!) They are what I have come to expect from Mr. Rosanes: beautiful and imaginative. One of my favorites is of giraffes with trees sprouting out of their heads.
I really like the book but wish it were bigger. I must say, having pre-ordered it, I got it for under $10. If I had to pay the printed list of $16.00, I would not necessarily think it worth that much. However, I have purchased CreateSpace books with fairly mediocre paper for around the same price as what I paid for this book and for the same number of images, so I can’t complain about that.
The designs are highly detailed with intricate, small and somewhat difficult areas to color. The images seem even smaller than those of Fantomorphia and those were quite small. I’ve removed a star for this issue as it makes some of the designs very difficult to color.
I appreciate that the last two books have been printed on only one side of the page. As, due to health issues with my lungs, I can no longer use alcohol-based markers, this is less of a plus for me personally. However, my husband uses those markers and is really pleased to be able to finally use them with Mr. Rosanes work.
Unlike Fantomorphia, the designs in this book do disappear into the binding. You can still break the binding and get to the edges fairly easily (though with more difficulty if you are a left-handed colorist.)
The paper is comparable to that of Fantomorphia. It is still what I call heavy weight but seems a little smoother than the earlier, two-sided printed books. It is still slightly rough and has enough tooth for blending easily.
This is what I found in this coloring book:
19 Fantasy designs included in the book plus title and presentation page(s) artwork. The book has a search and find challenge along with an answer key in the back of the book.
The designs are printed on one side of the page
Paper is heavy weight, off white, very slightly rough and non-perforated
Glue Binding
The designs merge into the binding
Alcohol-based markers bleed through the page
Water-based markers gel pens and India ink pens do not bleed through.
Coloring pencils work well with the paper. I am able to get good pigment (color) lay down, layer the same color and multiple colors and to blend very easily using a pencil style blender. Both oil and wax-based pencils have similar results. Hard pencils do not dent through the page.
I suggest using a blotter page under your working page. I like card stock as it keeps ink from seeping through and damaging the pages below.
Here are some sample photos from the book:
This is Kerby Rosanes latest and, perhaps according to the buzz, his last coloring book. It is another thinner book, like Fantomorphia. This time, when I pre-ordered this book, I was aware of the number of pages it included. Thus, the fact that it was only one quarter the number of designs as in, for instance, Mythomorphia, didn’t surprise me.
