72-Pencil Canvas Roll Holder (Taotree)
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When I received the offer of a canvas pencil holder to evaluate at no cost, I was delighted to accept because, as it happened, I had 72 colouring pencils still sitting in their original cardboard box, waiting for more user-friendly accommodation. This beautifully-made fabric roll allows me to have the pencils readily available, portable and well protected at the same time, thanks to the deep flap that covers the tips.
The elastic loops are perfectly sized for colouring pencils, and hold them firmly so they don't slide out unless you want them to. I also love the fact that I can keep all the colours arranged exactly as I want them. It saves me so much time to have all the greens together, for example. |
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There is a 73rd extra small loop and the elastic is carried across at both ends making a couple of larger holders (for an eraser, paintbrush, thicker marker, cloth or some other accessory). Once rolled up, the whole thing is secured by two pieces of cord long enough to wrap twice over the pencils. Practical and beautiful.
Quality of manufacture is high, the stitching looks strong and I could not see any imperfections or loose threads. The canvas is printed in lovely, saturated colours and is washable in cool water. As an added bonus, the Blue Elephant fabric is a favourite of mine and exactly matches a too-small laptop sleeve which I can now use to carry sketching pads and notebooks to go along with my pencils. Please note that this article arrives empty, so you can add the pencils of your choice.
Quality of manufacture is high, the stitching looks strong and I could not see any imperfections or loose threads. The canvas is printed in lovely, saturated colours and is washable in cool water. As an added bonus, the Blue Elephant fabric is a favourite of mine and exactly matches a too-small laptop sleeve which I can now use to carry sketching pads and notebooks to go along with my pencils. Please note that this article arrives empty, so you can add the pencils of your choice.
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ARTdala by Jonatan Shushan and Vidal
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I accepted a PDF version of this book to evaluate and so that I could offer my personal opinion. Apparently, colouring books are the new Zen thing to do to combat stress. Mandalas (originally spiritual symbols) have acquired an everyday meaning, applied to any drawing or pattern loosely intended to represent the universe or a part of it.
Apart from the aesthetically appealing circular shape, I find them challenging and almost addictive and, being a very visual person with a great appreciation for colour, I just wish I had more time to “relax” in this way! Among the many colouring books I have been offered lately, this is one of the very best. There are 50 mandalas and as many inspiring phrases. The designs are very beautiful, intricate and detailed. They encourage soothing repetition of colour patterns, or experimenting with different hues within the same geometric shapes. ARTdala is available in paperback and Kindle version. The decision between the two is very personal but, for me, I'm very happy with my PDF because it allows me to print the mandala of my choice on paperstock of my choice. If I don't like a pattern, I don't print it; if I like something particularly, I can print it (and colour it) as many times as I wish. |
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I did my first project one stormy afternoon. Usually, thunderstorms unsettle me and there is not much one can do to distract oneself, especially if the power goes off. This time I was so engrossed with my colouring and taking progress photos, that the thunder and lightning barely registered and, by the time I had finished, the storm was over.
I made a video montage with my photos, but had to do a lot of post-processing as the light had been so challenging. I have enjoyed many more de-stressing intermissions with this book, and can happily recommend it to anyone who would like to try this direct, hands-on relaxation technique. Great for the child in all of us. |
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Colouring Pencils (NIUTOP Marco Raffiné)
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These lovely colouring pencils were sent to me for evaluation so that I could offer my personal opinion. Apparently this is the new Zen thing to do when you want to relax. I find it challenging and involving and, being a very visual person with a great appreciation for colour, I just wish I had more time to “relax” in this way!
These pencils are very good quality, not too soft but a good compromise between those hard HD things I dislike so much and overly mushy ones that lose their shape. With these, you can achieve some degree of smudging, but also keep a sharp line. You can press hard and build up the colour, or skim over and suggest a light hue. If your support will allow, you can even use a wet brush for a watercolour effect, but on thin paper this may not work well. They sharpen well and I love that the fact that they are numbered, which helps differentiate between similar shades. The cardboard box offers good protection for shipping but, once you start using the pencils, you will want to store them in a more user-friendly way. Of course, one can get by with fewer, but having 72 pencils to play with is absolutely brilliant. Each main colour is represented in many hues and intensities, encouraging more creativity and a subtler use of colour. |
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I have messed around on and off with oil colours, watercolours and acrylics for years, but had not done any colouring since I was very young. I had no idea it could be so addictive. Once I started the first image, I found that I could not stop until it was finished. My only interruptions were to take progress photos.
The drawing I used to illustrate the pencils is from an adult colouring book called Artdala, one of the best of its kind.
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