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The
original Tangle Wood was published back in 2015 in
a slightly smaller format. Then another larger, single sided
version came out in 2017 printed on thicker paper for framing.
Now here is a third edition, slightly bigger than the first
and square. What does this have to offer for adult colorists?
This version is printed on very smooth
paper that almost feels glossy. Colored pencils won’t
find a tooth here but it is of above average quality and will
take watercolor pens (not Sharpies) if you press lightly.
The brief introduction recommends watercolor pencils or brush
pens, showing that perhaps this brand-new edition is aimed
at two mediums that are currently cheaper and more widely
available than they used to be. It also suggests using a fine-nibbed
black pen for adding extra details which gives an added new
dimension to the coloring experience. Sadly the pictures are
not one sided (or perforated) and if you want to frame them
you will have to choose. Some are on one page and would look
good displayed in a group, but others are two-page spreads
and in many cases details vanish into the center. There are
frames inside which you can add your own drawings, and images
with large blank areas around them for filling in with backgrounds.
This allows you to give your own spin on what is there and
create something unique, a feature I like a lot. The line
widths vary from very fine to medium but all look hand drawn
with no pixilation. There are no mandalas or abstract “carpet”
pages generated on a computer which is another change from
many coloring books; each page is unique. Pictures range from
depictions of real creatures to those with a fantasy element.
Owls peek out of holes in trees, butterflies and dragonflies
flutter over flowers, vegetation writhes to create a border.
Elsewhere you can find unicorns, animals with patterned bodies,
wee fairy homes and birds with jewels in their beaks. Some
pictures have more detail than others and most can be personalized
in some way. Another feature is a list of items to find hidden
in the pictures and a “this book belongs to” page.
Even the covers can be colored. For under £10 this is
good value for money and a lot of fun.
If you cannot find a good range of
coloring and drawing materials locally try www.searchpress.com
for a list of suppliers.
All the art media mentioned and more
available from https://arteza.co.uk/
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