iiiiReader Book Reviews

Victorian Fashion: An Adult Coloring Book with Beautiful Vintage Dresses, Historical Fashion Designs, and Relaxing Floral Patterns

By: Jade Summer

Rating: 5 of 5

This is a fun fashion book based on styles from the Victorian period. The elegant clothes of the period were stylized and had many swirls and layers of fabric. The hats were quite elaborate and contained bows and flowers and other embellishments. The designs in the book give you the opportunity to play with color and dress the ladies of the period as you would prefer.

The designs in the book are detailed with lots of background patterns. The details are not intricate and small but they will keep you busy while you color.
While you can have access to .PDFs when you purchase this book, my review is based on the book as it is received from Amazon. That way you will know what the pages look like and how they accept color. I like that the publisher provides the digital version as well so you can choose the paper you wish to use and/or to color the pictures as many times as you choose.
This is what I found while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my coloring medium:
25 x 2 each fashion designs based on the Victorian Period for a total of 50 coloring pages
Designs are printed on one side of the page
Paper is typical of CreateSpace: white, thin, slightly rough and non-perforated. The back of the page is printed black.
The designs do not merge into the binding. There is a heavy framing line at the outer edges of the design to give the project a more finished look, especially for framing.
Glue Binding (there is room to cut the pages out if you choose to do so.)
Though you cannot see the bleed-through easily due to the back of the page being printed in black, I recommend the use of a blotter page when working in this 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.
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. I tested both oil and wax based pencils. I also found that hard lead pencils leave dents through the paper.

Legend Nouveau Coloring Book

By: Herb Leonhard

Rating: 5 of 5

This is the latest coloring book in Herb Leonhard’s Nouveau series. In this book, the designs are based on legends and myths of enchanted beings from English, Celtic and European folklore. There is a nice range of designs and they are drawn with Mr. Leonhard’s eye for wonderful detail and design.

The designs in the book are detailed and in some cases have small and intricate areas to color. The designs are printed on both sides of the page and the book has a fold-out which has two designs printed on both sides of the page.
As it is printed on both sides of the page, using certain coloring medium will bled through to the design on the back of the page. As I like all of the designs in the book and it is a good value, I decided to purchase a second copy of the book so I can use whatever type of medium I want and still be able to color all of the pages.
This is what I experienced when coloring and testing my coloring medium with this book:
23 Fantasy Myth/Legend Designs in Art Nouveau Style (plus title page that can be colored.)
Printed on both sides of the page.
Paper is thin, white, slightly rough and non-perforated.
All designs stop well before the binding area and none of them extend across two pages
Staple bound with only two staples so that it is really easy to take the book apart if you choose to do so.
Opens easily to flat position for coloring
Alcohol and water-based markers bleed through the page
India ink pens leave spots through the page
Gel pens leave colorful shadows on the back of the page
Colored pencils work really well with this paper. I was easily able to get good color from wax and oil based pencils. I could layer the same and multiple colors and blend easily using a pencil style blender stick.

Creative Haven Magnificent Tiffany Windows Coloring Book (Adult Coloring)

By: Louis Comfort Tiffany

Rating: 5 of 5

This is, with the exception of one new design (the last one), a re-print of another Dover Coloring book Color Your Own Tiffany Windows from 2008. While that book is still available, I prefer this one as the designs are printed on one side (versus both sides) and the pages are perforated (versus being staple bound.) By having the designs on one side of the page, I am free to use whatever medium I prefer. As these are windows, I am sure to want to use alcohol-based markers with pencil shading and detail something that would not work well with the older book.

The designs are lovely and give the impression of stained glass windows. There is a high level of detail but not really intricate and hard to color.
I’ve done stained glass both copper-foil and leaded for many years. It’s lovely to have a coloring book that allows me to enjoy both hobbies at the same time. While my stained glass projects come nowhere near to those of Mr. Tiffany, I can still have fun with his designs while I color.
This is what I experienced while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my coloring medium.
31 designs by Marty Noble based on stained glass windows by Louis Comfort Tiffany
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 have a framing line at the outer edges.
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.

Flower Fairies Alphabet Coloring Book

By: Cicely Mary Barker

Rating: 5 of 5

This is a really cute set of 24 designs of Flower Fairies based on the artwork of Cicely Mary Barker. All but U and X letters have a flower fairy (though those letters are included on pages, so you can still use the book as a way to help teach letters.)

The designs are fairly open and easy to color. There is plenty of room left for blending or adding details if you wish to do so. I think it is a good book for adults who do not care for a lot of intricate details, those who are fans of Ms. Barker, and for children as well.
As it is printed on both sides of the page, using certain coloring medium will bled through to the design on the back of the page. As I like all of the designs in the book and it is a good value, I decided to purchase a second copy of the book so I can use whatever type of medium I want and still be able to color all of the pages.
This is what I experienced while coloring in this book and testing it with my coloring medium.
24 Flower Fairy Alphabet designs inspired by Cicely Mary Barker’s artwork
Printed on both sides of the page
Paper is medium weight, slightly smooth, white and non-perforated
Glue Binding
Designs stop well before the binding area.
All designs have a framing line around the outer edge to give a natural stopping point for the design and all of the elements within it. I really appreciate this feature in coloring books.
Alcohol-based markers bleed through this paper
Water-based markers, gel pens and India ink pens leave very slight shadows on the back of the page.
Colored pencils worked well with this paper. Both oil and wax-based pencils provided good pigment, layered well with the same or multiple colors and blended well using a blending stick.

Magical Ocean: A beautiful coloring book for adults

By: Ebony Rainn

Rating: 5 of 5

I love the artwork in this coloring book and that you get 30 designs with white backgrounds and then the same designs set up for black backgrounds (total of 60 coloring pages) is great.

The designs have a nice level of detail and are both fun and fairly easy to color. The subjects are mostly underwater creatures (including a mermaid) and shells. Having both colors of background allows me to play with different colors and come up with fairly different looking projects.
This is what I discovered while coloring in this book and testing my coloring medium on the paper:
30 x 2 each (total of 60 pages) ocean inspired designs. Each design is printed on both white and black backgrounds.
Printed one side of the page
Paper is typical inexpensive quality used by CreateSpace: white/black thin, slightly rough and non-perforated.
The designs do not extend into the binding area.
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. I tested both oil and wax based pencils. I also found that hard lead pencils leave dents through the paper.
I like to use a blotter when working in the book regardless of which medium I use. Even though you don’t see the bleed through with the black background, it does exist. 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.

Inkspirations The Art of Grace: Creative Coloring Designs to Inspire Christian Hearts

By: Erin Leigh

Rating: 5 of 5

This is my first coloring book by Erin Leigh though I have several others in the Inkspirations line. The designs are inspired by various verses in the Bible. I love the hand-drawn look as it gives my finished project an artistic quality that I don’t find in computer generated designs. The designs are detailed but not what I consider intricate.

I especially appreciate the introduction in the book by Ms. Leigh, The Gift of Grace. As a Christian, I appreciate the message and as someone who enjoys coloring, I am happy to be reminded that being perfect is not (thankfully) a requirement.
The designs each seem to be inspired by the verse that it contains. Sometimes the tie between the two is obvious and other times it is less so. The verses are front and center and are the focus on each design. On the facing page (the back of the preceding page), there is a verse with cite and translation information. On a number of these pages, there are also devotional activities. Additionally, the small designs on these pages tie to the larger design page opposite.
This is what I found while coloring in the book and testing my coloring medium on the paper:
32 hand-drawn designs inspired by Biblical verses
The designs are printed one side of the page with verses and devotional pages on the back of the page
Paper 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 have a framing line at the outer edges.
Book has a stay flat binding which allows the book to easily open to a flat position for coloring.
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 slight 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. I was able to get good 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.
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.

Creative Haven Knitting Notions Coloring Book (Adult Coloring)

By: Jessica Mazurkiewicz

Rating: 5 of 5

I like working with yarn, whether it be knitting or crocheting. I also like to color and have been looking for a great coloring book which combines two of my hobbies. This coloring book is the one. The designs are fun and some are humorous (I especially like the ones with male inferences as I taught my husband to knit and crochet as well as my daughters the designs are perfect for him.) They range from fairly simple to detailed but not overly intricate.

My only nit with the book is that the designs go right to edge of the paper (even crossing over the perforations on the bound side.) It makes it a little more difficult to color as I have to deal with coloring off the edge of the page. I’ve found that using my blotter page as an extension of the page (underneath) helps with this issue.
Other than that, I really like this book and plan to spend many hours coloring the cute designs.
This is what I experienced while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my coloring medium.
31 designs inspired by knitting and wool
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 cross over the perforations but nothing essential to the design will be lost if you remove a page from the book.
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.

Creative Haven The Saturday Evening Post Americana Coloring Book (Adult Coloring)

By: Marty Noble

Rating: 5 of 5

I have collected a number of vintage magazines over the years (both for the covers and for the wonderful advertising contained in them.) I was thrilled to find that Marty Noble had rendered some of famous covers into a coloring book format. With her wonderful attention to detail, I knew it would be done well and it is!

This coloring book has 31 designs from The Saturday Evening Post. The designs are from a variety of artists, but I noticed that Stevan Dohanos and Richard Dick Sargent have many designs in the book. The designs start with some covers from the mid-1940s and carry through the 1950’s and even to 1960. The artists included are: Stevan Dohanos, John Clymer, George Hughes, Mead Schaeffer, John Falter, Amos Sewell, Richard Sargent, Kurt Ard, and Ben Kimberley Prins.
What is great is that on the back of each designs information about the original magazine is listed: the plate number (page in coloring book), title of the artwork, artist’s name, and the publishing date of the original magazine. I like that the information is kept with the design (on the back), so if you remove a page it is kept together.
The designs are detailed and contain intricate and small areas to color. I’ve found that sharp pencils and ultra-fine nib markers and pens work well with the small details.
This is what I experienced while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my coloring medium.
31 beautifully rendered designs derived from great Saturday Evening Post covers
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.