25 (x 2 of each) Victorian Romance grayscale designs printed one side of the page

Memory’s Wake Victorian Romance – Grayscale Coloring Edition (Grayscale Coloring Books by Selina) (Volume 5)

By: Selina Fenech

Rating: 4 of 5

I think it is really interesting that Selina Fenech is releasing both the line drawing version and this grayscale version of Victorian Romance at the same time. I purchased both and found that the same designs are in each but, of course, have a completely different look and feel (line drawings versus grayscale.)

I’m pleased to have both but I found that, as with another of Ms. Fenech’s grayscale books, a number of the designs in this book are somewhat dark compared to others of her books. I can still work with designs but I will have to be careful which colors I use to avoid having the finished designs look a bit muddy. I will post a silent flip through video of the entire book so you can decide for yourself if it will work for you.
I believe that the artwork in these books are inspired by her series of novels called The Memory’s Wake. I just picked up the first volume of the series so I will understand more about the designs as I color them.
The designs, which are detailed and have some intricate and small areas to color, follow in a story format with the brief story excerpt or summary printed on the facing page (same storyline as the line drawing version of the book.) Thus, the designs are printed on the front of the page and there is a continuing story printed on the back of the page. If you use bleed-through media (see below), it will disfigure the story but it should remain readable.
This is what I discovered while coloring in this book and testing my coloring medium on the paper:
25 x 2 each (total of 50 pages) Victorian Romance inspired grayscale designs
Printed one side of the page
Paper is typical inexpensive quality used by CreateSpace: white, thin, slightly rough and non-perforated.
The designs do not extend into the binding area. The designs have double framing lines at the outer edges
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; however, some of the darker designs had a tendency to smear using this type of blender. I found that liquid forms (gamsol or mineral spirits) did a better job. I tested both oil and wax based pencils. I also found that hard lead pencils (like Verithins) 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.