I’ve been drawing in the evening and enjoying it. I find it relaxing, engaging, and satisfying. Plus I think the results are cool! 😀
Some of the pattern combinations I’ve drawn won’t work in the coloring book I intend to create, and that’s okay. I draw primarily for my own pleasure. But many of my pen-and-ink designs look perfect to me as candidates for a page in my coloring book.
I’m hoping that a few of you who visit my blog enjoy coloring. If you do, would you consider doing me a favor?
Click on the image below, and the link should take you to the original image file, which is a little larger than the image appearing in this post.
Print out the design. And try coloring it!
Then report back on your experience. (Either in the comments or via email.)
Was it fun? Was there a part of the design that you particularly liked? Was there a part that you wished were different? I’d love to know, so that I can tailor future pages for maximum enjoyment.
Thank you!
For more design patterns:
Nest of the Phoenix (Story for My Coloring Book)
Wing-clap of the Phoenix
For more about the origin of my proposed coloring book:
Drawing for Fun and Relaxation
I must be missing something – the image, printed, takes about 3/4 of a printer page, but doesn’t leave me much room (except in the leaves) for putting much color in – and my watercolor pens are too broad.
For me it would work better with slightly thicker lines and much bigger spaces. A quarter of the image, blown up to full page size, would be better for my actual crayons (yup, the big box) or markers.
That said, I have a couple of little coloring books, and haven’t finished more than an image or two in each, so I’m definitely not your target audience.
I tried coloring, and it turned into just one more uncompleted chore. My brain will literally not do ANYTHING late at night, not even put itself to bed.
You are too kind! Giving it a go even though you’re not into coloring. Thank you! And your feedback is helpful. I suspect many who do enjoy coloring would prefer thicker lines and larger spaces. That’s why I posted the design – I want functional feedback. A coloring book needs to work – not just look pretty. 😀
Here’s a thought: don’t change what you’re planning, but LABEL it ‘fine coloring book’ or ‘for fine pencils and markers’ – to avoid unhappiness. Or even ‘ESPECIALLY for fine…’
I have children’s crayons. They are not the only kind.
Excellent idea! Thank you!
Downloaded and coloured in 🙂 …
Some thoughts …
A lot of the detail is lost at this size. It seemed too busy … Maybe think of going sketch-book size if you want to keep the complexity? I gravitated to the more ‘open’ spaces that I did all sorts of things within, with different colours.
I like pure abstract, but fairly soon after I settled in with pencils and coloured sharpies I found myself wanting the image to tell a story. 🙂
As a piece of art the image is stunning. 🙂
Thanks so much for giving it a try! Your feedback dovetails with what others are saying: the smallest spaces are too small. This is exactly the kind of feedback I was hoping for – very much appreciated!
Your wish for storytelling within the abstract composition has caught my attention. I wonder how I might accommodate that desire. You’ve got me thinking!
I love your drawing and have just printed it out even though I don’t actually have anything to color with at the moment! My first thought was what a lovely greeting card it would make. Is there anyway your designs could be printed on blank greeting cards or marketed as a set of cards to color and personalize?
Thank you! Rachel colored one of my earliest pattern drawings, and she likes the way her rainbow set of Sharpies worked for that. Perhaps you should consider getting a set for yourself. 😀
I like your idea of turning my designs into greeting cards. Maybe I need to set up a site on Etsy! I could sell the framed originals there as well.
I’m away from my printer and haven’t colored in, well, decades, but the image is beautiful. I find myself particularly drawn to the smaller ones at the top of the post. I don’t know why.
Thank you! The small ones at the beginning of the post are the patterns I used to create the large design. I keep a ‘catalog’ of patterns in my sketchbook, adding to the roster as I learn new patterns or create them. It’s fun to flip through and see my repertoire. 😀