Colour with Claire
  • ~Home~
  • ~My Story~
  • ~Mental Health~
  • ~My Illustrations~
  • ~Beginner's Guide to Colouring~
  • ~Tutorials~
  • ~Colouring Book Reviews~
  • ~Product Reviews~
  • ~Arts & Crafts Reviews~
  • ~Charts~
  • ~Gallery~
  • ~Colouring Challenges~
  • ~Gemstones~
  • ~The Color Catalog~
  • ~Illustrator Interviews~
  • ~Media Appearances~
  • ~FAQ~
  • ~Contact~
  • ~Support~
  • ~Policy~

Animal Kingdom by Millie Marotta

3/5/2015

14 Comments

 
It's one of the books everyone's raving about at the moment, and I've finally got my mitts on a copy! Here's my review of Animal Kingdom by Welsh Illustrator, Millie Marotta. 
Picture
Just from flicking through this Sunday Times Bestseller, it was no surprise to me that it has been sold out time and time again recently- it is truly a beautifully illustrated piece of art. From the huge selection of land and sea animals, each made up of flowers and leaves, to the puffy trees and delicately feathered birds... it's a joy just to look at, let alone colour. I envy Millie's talent for line drawing; I can only dream of being able to create artworks like this! The lines are so fine and delicate... each illustration is just exquisite. The intricacy does mean you have to get right in there with your fineliners, but when you see the final result it's definitely worth the time taken. I'm planning on copying some of the pages onto card and framing them for the house- when finished and framed they'll look stunning. 
Picture
There are approx. 70 individual designs in the book, providing countless hours of colouring time. I am still amazed that this book is only £3.99- I'd be happy to pay treble that amount. The outer & inner cover are also colourable (is that a word?) so you can really make this book your own, with gold embellishments here and there to pick out certain details. The paper quality is good- my triplus fineliners didn't bleed at all, but TINC and Edding markers came through slightly (not enough to ruin the design behind though). The paper seemed to soak up those other markers, and I was deflated for a second thinking that it was too porous for any kind of pens- but as I say the triplus were fine, gliding across the smooth surface with ease. 

Some of the pages are captioned with hue suggestions from Millie, which is a nice touch and gives a connection between artist and colourist. At the end, a double blank page is left for you to create your own animal kingdom if you want to. It's an interesting concept; to work through a book full of illustrations by someone else, and then be encouraged to finish it off yourself. You sense that the author really wants to share this book with you, as equal contributors to its completion. 

Have a look at my finished pages- I really enjoyed this review and will come back to this book time & time again. 

Millie Marotta's Animal Kingdom can be found on Amazon here:
Millie Marotta's Animal Kingdom - A Colouring Book Adventure
Picture
14 Comments
Angela
3/5/2015 10:14:00 am

I was undecided about ordering this, mainly as it cost so little, didn't expect it be good, but think I will go ahead and order it now. Enjoyed your review, thanks

Reply
Claire
3/5/2015 11:20:34 am

I'm in disbelief that it costs so little, honestly. It's beautifully illustrated xx

Reply
MIHAELA
3/5/2015 01:31:21 pm

i am so happy about this book order 2 more and i am in paradise .

Reply
Claire Eadie
3/5/2015 02:56:38 pm

Have you ordered 2 copies Mihaela? It's a stunning book isn't it, a definite favourite xx

Reply
Ria link
4/5/2015 04:32:43 am

This was the first colouring book that I bought and I still love it as much today as the day that I bought it.

Reply
Claire Eadie
4/5/2015 05:38:29 am

It's a definite favourite xx

Reply
Kim Neville
6/5/2015 07:03:46 am

Love the designs in this one

Reply
Claire
7/5/2015 06:50:11 am

Stunning isn't it xx

Reply
Heather Reading
6/5/2015 10:51:09 am

I like the look of this one and they look amazing when done

Reply
Claire
7/5/2015 06:50:34 am

They do!

Reply
vanessa gannon
6/5/2015 02:24:35 pm

i would love this book,the pictures look amazing x

Reply
Claire
7/5/2015 06:50:50 am

It's beautiful isn't it xx

Reply
debbie
14/4/2016 08:12:47 am

Oh wow this is stunning. So beautiful and would be amazing to do

Reply
Miss Tracy Hanson
26/4/2016 06:38:50 pm

I loved this. :) Took forever to do and several messing about on bits of paper to see what colours went better together. :) Do they still do the ones where animals are doing "human" Christmas things, like decorating the tree and writing cards etc. Used to love them when I was younger. :)

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    RSS Feed

    DMCA.com Protection Status
©Claire Eadie 2015
  • ~Home~
  • ~My Story~
  • ~Mental Health~
  • ~My Illustrations~
  • ~Beginner's Guide to Colouring~
  • ~Tutorials~
  • ~Colouring Book Reviews~
  • ~Product Reviews~
  • ~Arts & Crafts Reviews~
  • ~Charts~
  • ~Gallery~
  • ~Colouring Challenges~
  • ~Gemstones~
  • ~The Color Catalog~
  • ~Illustrator Interviews~
  • ~Media Appearances~
  • ~FAQ~
  • ~Contact~
  • ~Support~
  • ~Policy~