Mt. Rainier and Lenticular Clouds - Dec. 2008 copyright: JMM

June 20, 2014

Catching Up On Colouring

I've been so busy making crafts this year that my colouring books have fallen by the wayside so I finally did a couple of pages.

This one took me an entire afternoon.  I would have preferred to use markers for the sky and moon but the ink bleeds through to the other side so I had to use coloured pencils. My hand kept going numb and dead from bearing down so hard.  Also used gel pens for the detail work (that's why the lightning is so shiny).



I don't like the fact that the ink from another picture shows through.  I wish Dover Press would either make bleed-resistant pages or keep the back side of each colouring design blank, like in the mandala books.


I got a bunch of free designs off the internet and printed them on card stock instead of regular paper.  Gel pens are perfect for the fine detail work.

The Portland sign, Western Meadowlark and light green St. John's Bridge are all accurately coloured.  


Same thing for the American Goldfinch (WA state bird), the bark of the Western Cedar (Oregon STOLE the Douglas fir for their state tree, so Washington's is Western Cedar), salmon & rhododendron (state flower) are also accurate.

I've just had a new cross stitch project arrive that has taken priority over other crafts for now, so the colouring will have to take a back seat for a few weeks.  

16 comments:

  1. Not quite sure what colouring books are? Certainly very colourful.

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    1. Your kids didn't have colouring books when they were growing up? Plain designs, cartoons, etc. drawn with black lines and then you colour in the blank spots? Most of the ones you see in stores are for kids - Micky Mouse, Barbie, Disney, etc. But I buy 'grown up' ones with more intricate designs.

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  2. I love the dragonfly one! I miss coloring books. I used to color a lot when I was a kid. This brings back a lot of memories from my childhood.

    Sonnia

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    1. You need to get some!!!! There are so many awesome ones for adults out there. I've done about 20 over the past 12 years. Cover to cover.

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  3. What beautiful pictures from coloring books, and you make them even more beautiful with your talent, and your patience. Wow. Inspiring.
    http://debioneille.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you Debi!!! I do enjoy it. Another thing I can do in the livingroom when my guy is home.

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  4. JoJo, I've not seen coloring books with such detail as these. They're really unique and the way you've colored them certainly makes them "frame worthy".

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    1. If they weren't double sided pages they would be frame worthy! Only my mandala books are one sided. Dover Press has a lot of great books but they are double sided.

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    2. That's a shame that some books are printed on both sides of the page. So if someone wanted to frame their work they'd have to choose which side they liked the best. :( Unless they bought one of those double sided frames that can display art work from both sides.
      By the way, I just took another look at your butterfly coloring and it is really amazing - that's one I would definitely frame !!!

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  5. I used to love, LOVE the black felt coloring posters. I haven't colored anything in ages, maybe it's time. What a wonderful idea. You color beautifully, the dragonfly is delightful.

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    1. I loved those too!!!!! I did a celestial black velvet one about 6 years ago! And colouring is really relaxing too.

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  6. The Portland sign image is my fave, perhaps because those things resonate with us British Columbians, too.

    Coloring and drawing are like therapy to me. I should do more, but mostly I write now. This summer I want to do two watercolors. If I get any 'calm' time. Both hubs, and two daughters also do some art. I do like that dragonfly one too!

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    1. Thanks!! I have been kicking around getting the Craigdarroch Castle colouring book but the designs are very childish. I was hoping for a more detailed book from them. I got one of all Washington state stuff too that I haven't yet done but it too is childish.

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  7. Very nice. I really like all the unique patterns, especially in the first two. The third from the bottom/dragonfly is beautiful. Be well, JoJo.

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    1. Thank you! I just love using gel pens on those intricate designs like the dragonfly. Really makes the design pop.

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