Colouring books for grownups

ndynt said:
I can totally relate, Holly and Merlin. I look at the coloring books and my mind tries to find things I can do with the wonderful designs. Why I find Zentangle more fulfilling, yet relaxing.
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I have never heard of Zentangle Nona, I will have a look for it online.
 

merlin said:
I think that's the problem Annie, my mind is ever restless and resists being focussed which is why mindfulness exercises, and meditation in general are so difficult I find.
From what I read the choice of crayons, pencils, paper and designs looks to be fascinating, my mind would love the setting and buying all the stuff, but would never actually use it :confused:
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Meditation is very good for improving concentration. I focus on the breath, counting each in and out. When thoughts come in, which they will, you notice them then put them in a balloon and watch them float away. Then go back to counting. It's difficult for everybody. The reason most people won't try it is that they think their minds must be totally silent. You must be a very advanced monk to do that!

It's easier to do mindfulness exercises. I have an app on my phone which randomly rings a bell every hour or so. You're supposed to stop and notice what you are doing, feeling, smelling, seeing, etc and notice your breathing.

I'm surprised at how well I can stop random thoughts while I am colouring. It's like when I was a kid with my colouring books and crayons.
 
merlin said:
I have never heard of Zentangle Nona, I will have a look for it online.
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Ameriscot said:
Meditation is very good for improving concentration. I focus on the breath, counting each in and out. When thoughts come in, which they will, you notice them then put them in a balloon and watch them float away. Then go back to counting. It's difficult for everybody. The reason most people won't try it is that they think their minds must be totally silent. You must be a very advanced monk to do that!

It's easier to do mindfulness exercises. I have an app on my phone which randomly rings a bell every hour or so. You're supposed to stop and notice what you are doing, feeling, smelling, seeing, etc and notice your breathing.

I'm surprised at how well I can stop random thoughts while I am colouring. It's like when I was a kid with my colouring books and crayons.
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Merlin, Zentangle is considered Yoga for the brain. An advanced form of doodling.
AM, that app sounds interesting. What is it called? Although, at one time, I taught Relaxtion Therapy and even Over Easy Yoga....meditation is very difficult for me.
Even as a child I could not color. Had to draw or paint instead.
 

ndynt said:
Merlin, Zentangle is considered Yoga for the brain. An advanced form of doodling.
AM, that app sounds interesting. What is it called? Although, at one time, I taught Relaxtion Therapy and even Over Easy Yoga....meditation is very difficult for me.
Even as a child I could not color. Had to draw or paint instead.
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Mindfulness Bell app from Plum Village - Thich Naht Hanh's sangha.

http://plumvillage.org/mindfulness-practice/bell-of-mindfulness/

I find it very difficult to consistently meditate. I thought I'd be inspired to meditate while in Thailand but I didn't. I saw people sometimes sitting on big boulders just off shore in a meditation position.
 
Cookie said:
Hi Nona, I use gel pens to adding texture on top watercolors, to use in collages, for bordering, writing, drawing, anything at all. I like white and gold and silver too. They do run out of ink fast though. I keep mine in an airtight can to prevent drying out.
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Cookie, have you seen this? I just discovered the exciting new DecoArt product....Media Fluid Acrylics Pure acrylic pigments, suspended in a glaze like medium. No fillers. So you have a transparent color, to apply on collages. With no clouding or covering of your collage pieces, without the shine of glazes.
Here is a demonstration. Ignore the beginning. She tries to sell her products initially....then goes into the impressive new medium techniques. The possibilities...it really makes things POP. Hope it unleashes your creativity, as it is mine.
 
Ameriscot said:
Mindfulness Bell app from Plum Village - Thich Naht Hanh's sangha.

http://plumvillage.org/mindfulness-practice/bell-of-mindfulness/

I find it very difficult to consistently meditate. I thought I'd be inspired to meditate while in Thailand but I didn't. I saw people sometimes sitting on big boulders just off shore in a meditation position.
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Thanks for the App idea Annie that may help, I did look up Zentangle, but not sure if I would actually use it. .................I do seem to have this inner voice that whenever I do something relaxing, I should be doing something more practical/useful, its like an old disused "Protestant Work Ethic" I harbour within me.
 
Mindfulness meditation is great, but I don't know if that's what I'm doing it, because I find I get so spaced out sometimes I just have to sit down and close my eyes and am gone for an hour or so, not sleeping or dreaming, aware of breathing and sitting. It might be the old transcendental meditation that I've done most of my life. Whatever it is, I'm refreshed and happy afterwards.

Zentangles might be a good thing for me to try. My printer is out of ink and I'm not that organized to order from Amazon to get the Mandala coloring book, unless I draw my own mandalas.

http://www.amazon.com/One-Zentangle-Day-Relaxation-Inspiration/dp/1592538118

Just picked up some new Crayola pencils and twisty crayons. Pretty good for the price $6 and $7 each. Fine for playing around with my amateur artwork. I think the twisty crayons are pretty good for filling in and doing bigger areas. Got my scanner going and here a couple of very simple pieces from last year. I like to get a deep solid effect and layer the colors.

Nona, those media fluid transparent acrylics glazes look like something I'd like to find.


PENCILCRAYON MANDALAS 5.jpgView attachment 17430
 
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Oh Merlin, the work ethic thing is so prevelent in our generation. I cannot do anything creative unless I am doing it for someone. Thankfully, my friends and family argue about who is the recipient of whatever I create. So, everything I do is directed towards a person. Thinking about them as I create. Weird or what....:dunno:
 
Cookie said:
Mindfulness meditation is great, but I don't know if that's what I'm doing it, because I find I get so spaced out sometimes I just have to sit down and close my eyes and am gone for an hour or so, not sleeping or dreaming, aware of breathing and sitting. It might be the old transcendental meditation that I've done most of my life. Whatever it is, I'm refreshed and happy afterwards.

Zentangles might be a good thing for me to try. My printer is out of ink and I'm not that organized to order from Amazon to get the Mandala coloring book, unless I draw my own mandalas.

http://www.amazon.com/One-Zentangle-Day-Relaxation-Inspiration/dp/1592538118

Just picked up some new Crayola pencils and twisty crayons. Pretty good for the price $6 and $7 each. Fine for playing around with my amateur artwork. I think the twisty crayons are pretty good for filling in and doing bigger areas. Got my scanner going and here a couple of very simple pieces from last year. I like to get a deep solid effect and layer the colors.
View attachment 17431View attachment 17430
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The book looks interesting, Cookie. Love the way you can blend with crayons. This is a interesting coloring concept....blending with Sharpies and colored pencils.
 
Cookie said:
Mindfulness meditation is great, but I don't know if that's what I'm doing it, because I find I get so spaced out sometimes I just have to sit down and close my eyes and am gone for an hour or so, not sleeping or dreaming, aware of breathing and sitting. It might be the old transcendental meditation that I've done most of my life. Whatever it is, I'm refreshed and happy afterwards.

Zentangles might be a good thing for me to try. My printer is out of ink and I'm not that organized to order from Amazon to get the Mandala coloring book, unless I draw my own mandalas.

http://www.amazon.com/One-Zentangle-Day-Relaxation-Inspiration/dp/1592538118

Just picked up some new Crayola pencils and twisty crayons. Pretty good for the price $6 and $7 each. Fine for playing around with my amateur artwork. I think the twisty crayons are pretty good for filling in and doing bigger areas. Got my scanner going and here a couple of very simple pieces from last year. I like to get a deep solid effect and layer the colors.
View attachment 17431View attachment 17430
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Very nice Cookie. I bought the Crayola twisty pencils and crayons but I need a sharp point to colour in these tiny spaces in my colouring books or mandalas. So I've given those to my grandson and am using the Faber Castell pencils and really happy with those. Though I think I will order some gel pens.
 
ndynt said:
Oh Merlin, the work ethic thing is so prevelent in our generation. I cannot do anything creative unless I am doing it for someone. Thankfully, my friends and family argue about who is the recipient of whatever I create. So, everything I do is directed towards a person. Thinking about them as I create. Weird or what....:dunno:
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Yes Nona my daughters are always saying ..............but Dad you have worked all your life, you don't have to do anything now, just enjoy being retired, ...........but it doesn't sink in. Like you I do feel better when I create anything that its for someone,
 
Annie,look at these. Even a artist's site has now has a new, great assortment of coloring books. Do not know if you can click on links from here. If not, try the web site. It will allow you to look at all the pages in each book. I find
the he animal one is really interesting

t
BE150720_1.jpg
 
ndynt said:
Annie,look at these. Even a artist's site has now has a new, great assortment of coloring books. Do not know if you can click on links from here. If not, try the web site. It will allow you to look at all the pages in each book. I find
the he animal one is really interesting

t
BE150720_1.jpg
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Those look nice! I see several that look good. I think I'm going to shop around for colouring books while I'm in Michigan. I'll be there the end of August. Maybe my granddaughters and I can colour together. I think I need a more extensive set of coloured pencils as well. I like these Faber Castell ones a lot but I need more choice of colours. It will be much cheaper to buy a bigger set over there.
 
Ameriscot said:
Those look nice! I see several that look good. I think I'm going to shop around for colouring books while I'm in Michigan. I'll be there the end of August. Maybe my granddaughters and I can colour together. I think I need a more extensive set of coloured pencils as well. I like these Faber Castell ones a lot but I need more choice of colours. It will be much cheaper to buy a bigger set over there.
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Oh yes! ... I got started doing adult coloring books when my granddaughters came over on the weekends. It is addicting for sure!
Something else I bought that is a whole lot of fun ... Dot to Dot Book - this is great fun ..(and challenging) ... it even comes spiral bound. Amazon used to carry it, but looks like they sold out.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bra...rnational-staff/1115121782?ean=9781450875752# < this particular book is the best! i wish they would print a follow-up.
 
Bonnie said:
Oh yes! ... I got started doing adult coloring books when my granddaughters came over on the weekends. It is addicting for sure!
Something else I bought that is a whole lot of fun ... Dot to Dot Book - this is great fun ..(and challenging) ... it even comes spiral bound. Amazon used to carry it, but looks like they sold out.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bra...rnational-staff/1115121782?ean=9781450875752# < this particular book is the best! i wish they would print a follow-up.
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That's interesting. I only thought of dot to dot as for kids. I'll look into that. I loved it as a child.
 
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