Hello Kitty & Friends Coloring Book
By: Various
Rating: 5 of 5
The designs are detailed and are meant for adult coloring though some young kids may enjoy them as well if they can deal with the high level of detail. There are a few areas which are intricate and have smaller spots to color.
I really like the designs. I think that they are adorable and show a good sense of imagination in putting the various characters in backgrounds that will be fun to color and shade. There are scenes which show everything from winter and snow to sushi. There are even a couple of Hello Kitty mandalas thrown in for extra fun.
On the back of the page is a small design element which mimics the full design on its facing page. If you use a medium which does not bleed through, it is an extra little spot to color. If you use alcohol-based markers as I do much of the time, you will, more than likely, be sacrificing those little designs.
This is what I found when I colored in this book and tested it with my coloring medium:
47 full page designs are printed on front of page with smaller designs printed on the back of the page.
Paper is heavyweight, white, slightly smooth and non-perforated
Glue bound
Designs do not merge into the binding. Designs either have a light double framing line or have finished elements at the outer edges.
Book lays fairly flat for coloring if you heavily crease/break the spine
Alcohol-based markers bleed through the page. For this use, I suggest a blotter page of card stock or heavy weight paper under your working page. That will keep ink from seeping through to the next design. If you use these types of markers, you will mar the smaller designs on the back of the pages.
Water-based markers, India ink pens and gel pens do not bleed through or leave shadows on the back of the page.
Colored pencils work well with this paper. It is slightly smooth to the touch but still has enough tooth for pigment. I was able to layer the same color for deep pigment, layer multiple colors and blend easily using a blender stick. I tested both oil and wax based pencils.