Beautiful Patterns by Various Authors

Beautiful Patterns by Various Authors
Buy Beautiful Patterns by Various Authors at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
Category: Art
Reviewer: Sam Tyler
Summary: Pens at the ready for a colouring book that packs a challenge. Not only is this book filled with great patterns, but it will also make you consider composition.
Buy? Yes	Borrow? Yes
Pages: 128	Date: September 2014
Publisher: Michael O'Mara
ISBN: 9781782432784
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If you are going to make a colouring book aimed at adults I say do it 100% and go all out. You can keep your minimalist landscapes or your naïve animals; give me a page packed to the gills with something that needs filling in. This can make a creative colouring book for grownups feel more like a military operation, but at least you will have fun doing it and improve your skills.

Many people may be unaware of the number of colouring books that are out there for older people to use. There is more than one company making them and they have different styles, even within their own ranges. This is certainly the case with Beautiful Patterns, it is different from many of the other books by Colouring Books for Grown Ups, but also has differentiation within itself. This is because it is gleaned from several different illustrators. However, whilst some of the range can be a little naïve in places, Patterns remains strong throughout.

Not being tied down to a particular theme means that this colouring book is a little eclectic, it avoids the likes of plants and animals that can be found elsewhere and instead just revels in pattern. And what patterns these are. Most of the book is absolutely chock a block with pattern, right into the corner of each page. At first glance this can feel a little daunting, but as this is a book for adults, it is better to have a challenge.

By filling each page Patterns rises above just being a simple colouring book and actually helps enhance your own artistic skills. It forces you to think about framing, colour and perspective. You may start the first couple of drawings and end up with a psychedelic mess, but after a while you will begin to think about the composition before you put pen to paper. You need to consider where the colour is going to be first and then start. This makes the book a more challenging endeavour, but once you start, you begin to relax more and enjoy the experience.

With over 100 designs to work with, this is a colouring book that will last a while. I have found some of the similar books for adults too simple and merely enhanced versions of those for children. It is refreshing to see a colouring book that is aimed at grownups and actually delivers on this. The patterns are great and the challenge is not small – I say bring it on.

Looking for more colouring in for adults, then Glorious Gardens is similar (but not quite as good). For someone more interested in art as a whole Lost, Stolen or Shredded: Stories of missing works of art and literature by Rick Gekoski explores what has happened to missing art over the years.

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You can read more book reviews or buy Beautiful Patterns by Various Authors at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.

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Carole McDonald said:

What a great idea and a way for adults to relax