Do
you want to learn how to do more with your coloring books
and own artwork? This book introduces you to color theory
in a fun way and gets you drawing patterns and effects in
no time at all. Just grab some pens or pencils and get going.
Ostensibly billed as a book for children, as Buster Books
is Michael O’Mara’s younger imprint, this useful
and innovative book is suitable for anybody. If, for example,
you have wanted to do some Zentangle but thought it looked
a bit daunting, this is definitely for you. It is also great
for anybody who admires the intricate patterns in coloring
books and wants to have a go at drawing some; it is also ideal
for children of course, if they can wrestle it away from the
adults! From the first page with the color wheel, the book
is divided into six sections, each about a color. It tells
you the complementary color and gets you looking at patterns,
copying them into boxes and decorating pictures with them.
As you are filling in the spaces with patterns rather than
just coloring, this is a departure from the basic idea of
a coloring book, so something a bit different. These pictures
are of things of a suitable color; for example, strawberries
and peppers in the red section, a frog and turtle in the green
section, etc. These all have a suitably colored frame around
them and no disappearing into the spine. Because you get to
practice each pattern so thoroughly, it is a good way to learn
this type of ”doodle“ drawing. By the time you
get to the drawings in the freestyle section at the end of
each chapter, you are ready to go it alone with your own patterns.
It frees up the mind and is relaxing and stimulating, a great
way to develop your own drawing and coloring skills. The paper
is a bright white and of good thickness, printed both sides
but suitable for water based pens as well as pencils, if you
don’t press too hard or linger too long in one place.
The instructions mention pens mostly, so this is what the
creators had in mind; not suitable, however, for paints or
permanent markers. As I settled down with it, I felt glad
that there weren’t any children around who might think
it was for them-lots of fun for anybody.
If you cannot find a good range of coloring and drawing materials
locally try www.searchpress.com
for a list of suppliers. |
