Coloring Animal Mandalas by Wendy Piersall and Zen Doodling Mandalas by Carolyn Scrace (reviews)

Ok, so there's a theme here...I love to color although I haven't had as much time to indulge lately as I would like, so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to review these two books.  Both are such fun!



                                               


Coloring Animal Mandalas by Wendy Piersall is a beautiful collection of drawings that can be colored. Each drawing is printed on white paper and is comprised of a multitude of repetitive shapes that combine to form all kinds of creatures, some a bit more fantastical than others. This is a great way to stimulate creative ideas in both adults and children as one can both mindlessly color in the various small sections and allow one’s mind to wander or carefully plot out a sequence of colors such as those illustrated on the front and back covers. I think that colored pencils or fine markers are the most useful for these particular drawings as some of the areas are very tiny, and there are so many permutations that can be chosen for these beautiful creatures that each drawing will be a unique work of art. This will provide hours of entertainment and allow the artist in all of us a chance to flourish.









 


Zen Doodling Mandalas by Carolyn Scrace is a wonderful and inspirational book that encourages all of us who are prone to idly scribble loops and curves and lines when we are caught on hold or stuck waiting in a place where we are unable to politely take out a book and read!  The author has beautifully illustrated pages that center around the mandala, or sacred circle.  The author indicates that Buddhist monks create intricate mandalas with sand and then destroy them to symbolize the impermanence of existence, putting the sand into water to share the blessing.  It is a remarkable application of art and the book carefully details the way to start with parts of the whole and build upon each aspect to make a masterpiece of artwork.  There are instructions on utilizing color to enhance the effects created but I actually just had a ball doodling on pieces of paper.  I can see how one can meditate and free oneself from the cares of the day by getting lost in the curves and flow of this exquisite artwork that allows even a non-talented person such as myself to create a fun and multifaceted piece of art.
 

© Night Owl Reviews 

I received a copy of these titles in return for an honest review.