Colouring has in the past been mainly reserved for children, but this lovely pastime is now being recognised as more of an art form and an international trend to combat stress.
It is quite a revelation to know that as a result of its healing power, Adult colouring books are finding themselves more and more on the bestsellers’ lists throughout the world, and the therapeutic elements are a governing factor.
The explanation from the experts is simple as we are focusing on a singular activity instead of our current problems or negative thoughts. Complete concentration in a quiet space with relaxing music is advised, and without being tempted to watch TV or check your phone.
There are some good outlets to see what grabs your attention in the world of colouring like The Works, WH Smith and Waterstones, and here are some ideas to get you started.
Patterns
The first item (https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/art-for-mindfulness-vintage-fabric-patterns/9780007949236) is from WH Smith and is very interesting. Available for only £9.19, you can transport yourself to another era and re-design the looks of the fabric patterns that made the glam fashion items of the past. The second item (https://www.waterstones.com/book/spectacular-patterns-colouring-kit-with-15-pencils/9781488929441) is full of intricate patterns that are fun to colour and includes 15 colouring pencils. For only £6.52 you can start bringing colour to kaleidoscopes. This third item (https://www.waterstones.com/book/i-heart-colouring-patterns/9781780554068) is perfect for those who want to carry your colouring book around – perhaps to work on in your work break or if you are travelling. For only £5.99 you can get this pretty pocket-sized colouring book for your collection from Waterstones. This fourth item (https://www.waterstones.com/book/70s-patterns/9781910552551) is perfect for those who want to relive the days of the 1970s with these wonderfully inspired pages of patterns. Available at Waterstones at £9.99 you will soon be able to create some 1970s art of your own.
Animals
The first item (https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-menagerie/richard-merritt/claire-scully/9781910552155) is a beautiful book full of interesting animal portraits for £7.49 at Waterstones. I have personally bought this book as a gift for friends and loved ones, and they had great fun with the detailed designs and the high-quality pages. Available at WHSmith, this second item (https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/millie-marottas-wild-savannah-a-colouring-book-adventure/9781849943284) is £6.99 and is full of detail imagery reminiscent of the grasslands of the savannahs of Africa, Asia and Australia. This third item (https://www.waterstones.com/book/draw-your-way-to-a-younger-brain-cats/anastasia-catris/anastasia-catris/9781409165460) is targeted towards memory improvement and is the first I have seen of its kind. Featuring 30 intricate drawings, you will be able to colour the stress away as you strengthen your memory to keep those precious moments with you forever for only £4.99. The fourth item (https://www.waterstones.com/book/animorphia/kerby-rosanes/kerby-rosanes/9781910552070) is immediately intriguing – and after purchasing it for myself, I have enjoyed colouring in the detailed images. This unique book is full of drawings to complete, pictures to colour and treasure, and can be purchased from Waterstones for £9.99.
Novelty
The first item (https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-macmillan-alice-colouring-book/lewis-carroll/9781509813605) from Lewis Carroll’s masterpiece and includes the original illustrations from the two Alice novels and includes extra detail for more creativity. You can get it from Waterstones for £7.49. This second item (https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/the-official-a-game-of-thrones-colouring-book/9780008157906) is from the hugely successful series Game of Thrones. In this official book, you can discover beautiful exclusive drawings and re-imagine their world for only £9.19. This third item (http://www.theworks.co.uk/p/non-fiction-sets/poldark-country-colouring-book-with-36-colouring-pencils/kit20161) is full of wonderful illustrations of Cornwall, the setting of the Poldark. For £9 you get this fabulous book and a set of 36 colouring pencils. This fourth item is from Waterstones for £7.49 and is a unique colouring book, filled with 50 intricate drawings to fill. Finish the pages and discover something hidden within.
Great Offers
This last category is a small selection of great offers on colouring books. The first item (http://www.theworks.co.uk/p/crafting-books/colouring-and-craft-project-book-set/kit21073) is from The Works and is a fabulous book set of four colouring and craft books. For only £8 (£2 per a book) you get four different themed books and save a massive £31.96. The second item (http://www.theworks.co.uk/p/art-lover/day-and-night-ultimate-colouring-book-set/kit21278) is also from The Works and is an excellent set of three books and a set of 36 colouring pencils. Saving you £14.97, you can pick up this awesome product for only £12. The third item (https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/the-tattoo-colouring-book/9781780670126) is great for those who love tattoos but cannot commit to a real one. Available at WHSmith for £6.97, you can start designing you dream tattoos without the risk. The fourth item (http://www.theworks.co.uk/p/non-fiction-sets/colour-by-numbers—mindfulness-and-calm-colouring-book-with-36-colouring-pencils/kit20592) is a lovely set of two colouring books and a set of 36 colouring pencils for only £8, with savings of £8.98. These colour-by-numbers books promote calmness by allowing you a way to colour without any worry about colour matching and mixing. With these predetermined images, you can colour freely knowing the outcome.
Do you enjoy colouring and buy colouring books? Share with us your latest buys and finished pages with #GloTime #CreativeMinds on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. And if you have a favourite place to get colouring books and pages, let us know with #GloTime #CreativeMinds in the same places.
Images from http://www.theworks.co.uk/, https://www.waterstones.com/, and https://www.whsmith.co.uk/.
