31 Spring Designs based on original watercolor artwork by Teresa Goodridge printed one side of the page

Creative Haven Spring Scenes Coloring Book (Creative Haven Coloring Books)

By: Teresa Goodridge

Rating: 5 of 5

I own the two previous books in this series by Teresa Goodridge (Winter and Summer) and have found the Spring book to be an improvement over both. While the colored samples are still pictures of the original watercolor artwork rather than colored samples of the actual designs in the book, the problems with the tiny details (especially on faces) is much improved in this book. Details are more finished (less open ended, sketchy type details.) Coloring in it is easier as well as being able to use more types of coloring medium with larger nibs.

The designs are quite lovely with lots of spring themes. There are flowers, birds, outdoor scenes with fun activities like kite flying, walking in the part, riding bicycles, and shopping in an open-air market. The designs are quite detailed and do contain intricate and small areas to color. It is not a book that I would recommend to anyone with fine motor or vision issues.
I noticed that the feel of the paper is slightly rougher than other Creative Haven books I have ordered in this last six months or so. I like the new texture as it is even better for use with colored pencils.
This is what I experienced while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my coloring medium.
31 Spring inspired Designs
The designs are printed one side of the page
Paper is the usual Creative Haven quality: white, medium weight, slightly rough and has perforated pages.
Glue Binding but with perforated pages so removing a page is fairly simple.
The designs stop well before the perforations and each of the designs has a framing line at the outer edge.
Alcohol-based markers bleed through this paper
Water-based markers bleed through in spots and show colorful shadows on the back of the page
Gel pens and India ink pens leave shadows of color on the back of the page. India ink pens can bleed through when I apply more than one layer of ink.
Coloring pencils work well with this paper and even better than many of the more recent Creative Haven coloring books I have bought. I was able to get good pigment (color) lay down, layer the same color and multiple colors and to blend easily using a pencil style blender. I tested both oil and wax-based pencils with similar results. Hard lead pencils, like Verithins, leave dents on the back of the page.
I suggest either removing pages from the book to color or using a blotter page under your working page. I like card stock as it keeps ink from seeping through and damaging the pages below.