Adult coloring books

[mservant]

 
I do have the Prismacolor Premier sharpener. That one gray pencil just breaks 

Maybe it's just a defective one.

I've got one in my Prismacolor box that's been broken since I got it and I got the sharpener at the same time as the pencils.   Now the wood on that pencil is cracked down the pencil too but as it's sharpened down so much I figured there wasn't much point in trying to get a replacement.   I did read somewhere recently that if you place the pencil somewhere reasonably warm the wax softens and the breaks can fuse.  That might be worth trying?

The specialist sharpeners definitely make a difference I think.  I get a much finer, stronger point for the Prismacolor pencils with the short tip option, and the wood shaves much more finely with the really sharp blades. I also have a Derwent sharpener now and that works similarly well but was much cheaper.

 

[stewball]

I do have the Prismacolor Premier sharpener. That one gray pencil just breaks  Maybe it's just a defective one.

Thelead is probably broken right the way through. Did it fall? I hate it when that happens.

 

[LTS3]

Thelead is probably broken right the way through. Did it fall? I hate it when that happens.

No, it was like that when I got it

I used it once and the lead broke. I tried to sharpen it but the lead just kept breaking in the sharpener. It's just one pencil out of the entire set so it doesn't matter.

 

[rpandcat]

Wow! I hadn't see this thread before now, and I'm glad I did!

This may be a good gift for my step-father. He's retiring soon, and as he's always been the kind of guy who's always working, he hasn't had much in the way of hobbies. I'll bet he'd like something like this ...

When I saw "Adult" coloring books, I was thinking something else.

@Fyllis -- I saw the images you posted where the "image" was the same, but the colors were different. It really shows how color affects the feeling of anything, and has it's own message.

 

[caesar]

I've always loved to color and have children's coloring books that I have completed over the years. When I found out a few months a go that they have adult ones, i was so happy. I have three different ones now and just live coloring after a stressful day at work.

 

[LTS3]

Here's a quickie that I did today:

IMG_4175.jpg

• LTS3
• Jan 4, 2016

 
When I saw "Adult" coloring books, I was thinking something else.

None of that here

"Coloring for adults" may be a better subject for this thread. There are coloring books with very adult themes for those who are into that sort of thing.

 

[fyllis]

OK, so I see some of you are having issues with the 'lead' in your colored pencils breaking. Since the 'lead' isn't actually lead, but a wax base colored with pigment, it is MUCH softer and , therefore, MUCH easier to break. 

The first thing you need to do is have a good sharpener and there are many out there on the market. I learned a long time ago from my art instructor to use a cosmetic sharpener (for eyebrow and lip color pencils) because they are designed to sharpen a softer pencil material. They come with two openings - one for smaller pencils and one for larger pencils. I use the larger hole becaise it applies less pressure on the pencil. You will end up with a wider angle on your pencil and less of a point, but that helps deter the point from breaking.

The key to using a hand-held sharpener is holding the pencil stationary while twisting the sharpener; if you twist the pencil, you can apply too much pressure. To be sure your sharpener is sharp, check the length of the pencil shaving. If you can produce one long pencil shaving, the blade is good; if the shaving is small and comes off in bits and pieces, the blade is dull and you need a new one. When you buy a sharpener, look closely at the blade and make sure there aren't any 'dings' or blemishes on the blade - that will result in a crappy, and usually, broken or lop-sided point. If you get a build-up of wax on the blade or in the sharpener, put it in the freezer and let the wax harden, then tap it gently on a hard surface to dislodge the wax. I also use a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol to wipe the blade before I sharpen to make sure there isn't any build up which can result in a bad tip to your pencil. 

Place your pencils in the freezer for 10-15 minutes right before sharpening them. This will harden the wax and you will end up with a better point and lose less wax in the process. 

So, what do you do if your lead breaks within the pencil? (this happens when the pencil is dropped or jostled around a lot). Don't panic, it can be repaired! As I said above, the 'lead' is actually a wax base... so, turn your oven on. This will heat up the top surface of your stove. Lay your pencil(s) on a sheet of aluminum foil and lay them on TOP of your stove (between the burners) and let them lay there for 15-20 minutes. The wax inside will soften and fuse back together. Allow them to cool completely before using them! (lay them in the freezer for a few minutes if you need them right away). NEVER microwave your pencils. You will have wax dripping out both ends and the wood will most likely split. Not to mention the paint on the outside of the pencil will combust into flames (often times the color name is imprinted with a metallic paint).

If the wood is split down the side of your pencil, lay the pencil on a small sheet of foil and run a thin line of super glue down the crack, then apply a paper clamp or two to press it together until the glue dries. To secure the mend, I wrap the pencil with masking tape. 

Keep your pencils sharpened. Don't allow the tip to be used completely. When the tip is about half worn down, it's time to sharpen again. 

Hint: If you want a pointy tip on your pencil for intricate work, but also need a more blunt tip for shading, utilize both the large and small holes on your cosmetic sharpener and sharpen both ends of your pencil - one end in the small hole for a fine point, and the larger hole on the other end for a shorter and broader, blunt tip. 

I hope this helps and you get a lot of use from your pencils!

 

[mservant]

 

[fyllis]

 

You're welcome. And be careful... allow the wax to cool after you let the stove cool off. The wax will be very soft and the pencils could be pretty warm to touch (especially where the metallic lettering is). They just need to be slightly warmed for bit, not 'heated' to the point of liquifying the wax.You might also want to hold the pencil carefully with a pliers when applying the super glue to a cracked pencil. It's pretty much 'common sense' but...just saying as a reminder. Take your time. 

Keep us posted and let us know how it worked for you.

 

[mservant]

 
You're welcome. And be careful... allow the wax to cool after you let the stove cool off. The wax will be very soft and the pencils could be pretty warm to touch (especially where the metallic lettering is). They just need to be slightly warmed for bit, not 'heated' to the point of liquifying the wax.You might also want to hold the pencil carefully with a pliers when applying the super glue to a cracked pencil. It's pretty much 'common sense' but...just saying as a reminder. Take your time. 

Keep us posted and let us know how it worked for you.

 

   Yes, plyers might be a good idea - I know I enjoy colouring but having a pencil permenantly attached 'Edward Scissor Hands' style would not be good!

 

[LTS3]

 

 

   Yes, plyers might be a good idea - I know I enjoy colouring but having a pencil permenantly attached 'Edward Scissor Hands' style would not be good!

 

[zenciljim]

I adore coloring books!

 

[pompy]

My sister bought me one of these after I saw her colouring one in. I like colouring books, but the ones for children are a little...simplistic, I guess? I like the very intricate designs on the adult colouring books. It's a nice way to decompress and pass some time, especially with some nice music playing in the background.

 

[auntiev]

Hello all!

 I just recently started my own line of coloring books for adults...  I found this board and joined in order to meet people who are actively participating in the coloring revolution.  I'd like to get to know what people are looking for that isn't available on the market today so that I can publish as relevant (and marketable) content as possible in hopes of delivering a coloring book that will be that will be enjoyed by many and for years to come.  Though honestly, I haven't colored much, I am an artist and I have found that I totally enjoy creating art that people can color and make their own.  

A little history.  I found out that coloring was becoming a thing and decided to check into it.  When I saw what was on the top of the best seller list, and after subsequent research, I realized that there may be a need that isn't being filled.  That need is for easier coloring spaces.  While many experts claim that adults require more detailed designs for coloring, I personally find that when I have tried to color these types of patterns, I actually get stressed out because for one, my sight isn't what it used to be and secondly, I have the need to be more in control of the colors by having more options of what I color.  Also, I feel 'confined' by the tiny spaces that are repetitious in most designs available.  I've since found several others who would like a more 'relaxed'  (a new phrase I coined...lol)pattern  like the ones I am coming up with for the same and other reasons.  Still, I realize that some people really  get into the small stuff so my books have both styles.  So that is where I'm at as far as what ends up in my books, at least for mnow..  I plan to continually work on developing a unique coloring experience and can use all the help with feedback and ideas that I can get. 
So that's my story so far 

uma.jpg

• auntiev
• Jan 23, 2016

shoe.jpg

• auntiev
• Jan 23, 2016

 

[Freedom]

Thought I'd share this:  If you know of anyone heading in for a total knee replacement, Amazon has a coloring book specifically for them!  Wish I'd known BEFORE my surgery.  That's ok, I have to get the other knee done, so I have time.  I DID take my books and colored pencils with me to inpatient rehab.   I could tell when I was feeling better because I started coloring!  First I could just do it for about 15 minutes, but as my week progressed I was able to keep at it longer.

coloring book.jpg

• Freedom
• Mar 2, 2016

 

[artiemom]

Love it!!

My cousin's wife is having her knee replaced at the end of this month...she is really into crafting, but anti-coloring.. I may have to pick this up for her along with a small pack of pencils... LOL

 

[Freedom]

From what I've heard, it will make her smile, at the least!

Just Google it, comes right up.  Or go to Amazon and search it, same thing, pops right up.

Search: color laugh knee

 

[LTS3]

It's been quiet on this thread. Hope eeryone is still coloring

I've slacked off on coloring but am going to try to pick it up again soon. Just don't have the energy to color during the dark winter months

For Harry Potter fans, there's a series of four adult coloring books

Target thas he third book available this Tuesday as well as a separate poster book. The first book come out late last year and the second in January.

 

[Margret]

A very long time ago, I discovered that I could make my own adult coloring patterns with a compass and straightedge.  These are strictly geometric patterns, not the really elaborate cats and nature pictures and such that I've seen in stores, but they have two advantages.

1. They're cheap.
2. If you use removable tape and place them on some kind of transparent or translucent clipboard (to let light through) and then use more removable tape to hold tracing paper on top, you can pick and choose the shapes you want to emphasize.  You're just coloring in the shapes that are underneath, so the lines you're using to guide you don't actually show up on your finished work unless you feel like tracing them.

If anyone wants some of these, send me a PM with your email address and I'll be happy to send you .pdfs of them.

Also, someone here mentioned that they had found a bunch of coloring pages on Pinterest.  How does Pinterest work?  I've never signed up for it.  Is it like Facebook where you basically have to sign over all privacy rights?

Margret

 

[raysmyheart]

I work in a store that has recently begun selling adult coloring books and we can't keep them in stock, they are selling so quickly!