Posh Adult Coloring Book: Inspired by Nature (Posh Coloring Books)
By: Marjolein Bastin
Rating: 5 of 5
This is a beautiful book of designs based on artwork by Marjolein Bastin. The book is published by Posh (who also publish the Thomas Kinkade coloring books) and this one follows the same format as the Kinkade, that is, a line drawing to the right and a matte color photo of the design to the left. The size of the book is the same (smaller than most coloring books) as is the texture of the paper. What is different is that the line drawings are in a variety of colors from yellow to green to blue to purple and more. Each design is done in a single color. The line work is delicately done and somewhat difficult to see and the colored lines do not seem to show through when I am coloring in the book.
I have loved Marjolein Bastin’s artwork for years. I buy her calendars, gift cards, and other household decorated items. I have loved cross stitching her designs, many of which seem to be represented in this book. It is a real thrill to be able to color designs based on her nature work.
The designs are beautiful but lack details so that my finished projects will look quite different from the originals. However, I do get to enjoy Ms. Bastin’s exquisite nature studies while I am coloring. I plan to purchase a second copy of this book to keep just for the colored designs. My coloring medium generally shows through and mars the photo images, so I will want the second book just to enjoy a book of her work.
I could wish for (at least) two other books in the future. I would love to see a book of Vera Mouse designs and I also would love to see a larger format book of grayscale coloring based on Ms. Bastin’s work. That would be a great way of getting all the detail in a coloring book which is inherently difficult with a coloring book of line drawings.
The designs are printed on the right hand side of with the photo of the actual painting on the left hand side (i.e., opposite each other in the book.)
Here is what I experienced while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my medium:
63 Marjolein Bastin nature designs with 63 color photos as well
Designs printed on one side of the page with a photo on the back of the page.
Paper is bright white, very slightly rough, non-perforated and medium weight. Line drawings are printed in a wide variety of colors (one color per design.)
Designs stop before the binding area and do not leave elements dangling unfinished
Sewn Binding
Pages can be cut out without loss of designs or binding threads shipped to remove more than one page at a time. I don’t plan to do so as I want to keep the continuity of the colored picture and design together.
Alcohol-based markers bleed through the paper
Water-based markers leave shadows of color (with some spotting through) on the back of the page except for the brush end of Tombows which did not leak through.
India ink pens leave shadows of color on the back of the page
Gel pens do not bleed through
Colored pencils work well with this paper. I tested both oil and wax based pencils and was able to get good results from both. I got good pigment (especially with multiple layers of the same color.) I was able to layer different colors and to blend easily using a blending stick.
If you decide to use markers, you will probably have some amount of bleed-through onto the back of the page. I recommend using a heavyweight sheet of paper or card stock below your working page. That will keep ink from damaging the next design below but they will mar the colored picture on the back of the page.