This
is a coloring book with a difference, as you don’t color
the pictures in, you fill the spaces instead with patterns.
In essence, this is a type of paint by numbers book, only
the number key contains the patterns you will use rather than
the usual colors. All you need is a good black drawing pen
and off you go, wallets of pens and pencils not required!
I continue to love the way Michael O’Mara comes up not
only with top quality coloring books but with many twists
on the basic idea. There is a lot to enjoy in here, from the
large format (11½²) to the good quality bright
white paper and images printed on one side only. The pictures
have a frame around them and do not vanish into the spine,
but have the key on that side, which is also clearly visible
and away from the spine. Lines are black and visible, but
anybody with less than good sight will find the wee numbers
hard to spot. This does mean that they won’t spoil the
pictures when they have been completed, but they could have
been black rather than gray. A magnifying glass and a good
light is recommended. Each of the twenty-five different pictures
has a different pattern key for variety’s sake, and
many of these are delightfully suitable for their subject.
A dog’s head is filled in with patterns of bones and
paw prints, a leopard has spots, rings and dots, and the duck
and owl have feathery patterns. Most of the pictures are wildlife
themed, but others feature mandalas, buildings or abstract.
At the back you can see completed pictures if you get stuck,
and before you start, there is a page telling you what you
need and how to do it. Also included is a useful practice
page with its own frame where you can doodle away and get
the hang of it -- essential for anybody new to this type of
activity. I hope this is the first of a series; highly recommended
for quality and imagination.
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