Creating Coloring Books One Step at a Time

Almost exactly a year ago, I began creating my first coloring books. It was a series of three pocket sized coloring book journals with a 12 step, recovery theme.

Why three at once? With all of the information and art I wanted to include, I thought one would be too long and I felt like the content split naturally into three distinct segments. It was kind of fun to work on them together, as I learned the process of self- publishing.

I now have 13 published coloring book journals with one more in the works. My themes include inspiration, self-love, jewelry, travel, gratitude, recovery, mandalas and even my cats. The book I am currently working on is a large format coloring book with an assorted theme.

So, how did I do it? See my steps below.

Sure this is a super abbreviated list but I think it will give you an idea of the main steps I take when creating one of my coloring book journals on the self publishing platform "CreateSpace". They have all been pretty much the same process.

I am happy to answer any questions. You can see all of my books on my website www.pamvale.com

Until next week,

Pam

1. I pick a theme, topic or category for my book. For me, I stick to things that interest me or have special meaning in my life.

2. I research my subject and compile a long, loose list of drawing ideas. I try not to be too limiting in my list and include ANYTHING that might go with my theme, no matter how random it may seem. I would rather end up with too many ideas, than not enough.

3. I decide on the particulars for the project,  like the finished book size, number of pages and any added features like journal pages or dedications. This will tell me how many main images I will need to create and also any other smaller art for things like title pages.

4. I create simple pencil sketches for each page to layout my design and adjust proportions. This is loose but clean, so that I can see the balance and tell where more or less detail is needed.

5. I tape tracing paper over the pencil sketches and "ink" the final drawings using the pencil sketch as a guide. Sometimes I slip a blank white sheet of paper in between the pencil sketch and the tracing paper to see where I may need to add more details.

6. I remove the tracing paper and add any additional details or patterns. At this stage, I am looking to make sure there is an assortment of difficulties and a mix of shapes.

7. I scan the inked images into my computer at a high resolution and save them in my "Dropbox". I started using Dropbox as a main storage area for current work about 6 months ago (along with other methods of back-up) and I have really liked having access to my current work across all of my devices.

8. I open each image in Photoshop where I clean up any rogue marks, adjust the size, add borders, correct components and save as a finished piece of art. I save the finished art in both a layered Photoshop file and as a JPG file.

9. I download a formatted interior book template from CreateSpace for the size book I am creating and fill it with my art. It is then saved as a PDF.

10. I upload the complete document to CreateSpace and follow the simple, step by step directions on the CreateSpace site to finished the project. This includes setting a price, listing keyword tags and choosing distribution channels.

How to Select and Use Color. Part 4 in a 4 Part Color Series

So, you have a project and you are ready to go but you can't decide on a color palette. What do you do?

Do you surf online? Do you stroll through shops and look at existing merchandise? Do you look at past work, magazines, watch TV?

Color can be wonderful and overwhelming at the same time.

Here are 5 go-to tips and tools for selecting and combining colors. See if any of them can help you.

1. The Voice of Color® Color Game offers you your own personal set of colors for all the design elements in your room or space. All you do is answer a few questions and select images that resonate with you.This is geared more towards interior colors you personally might like to be surrounded by but I figure if they are colors you like, you will enjoy creating with them. I played the game a few times and it was very accurate for my personal color preferences. CLICK HERE to try The Voice of Color® ColorGame.

2.Adobe has a really useful online tool called Adobe Kuler Color selector. You can create color schemes with the color wheel or browse thousands of color combinations from the Kuler community. It is set up to automatically create combinations based on your selection of a color rule. That way you don't even have to know color theory! It does it for you. CLICK HERE to try Adobe Kuler. 

3. Coolors was a fun, free color palette generator that I enjoyed using and will incorporate into my design arsenal. It has a quick tutorial that explains how to use all of the features and save your combinations. I really liked the over sized color swatches. I was able to easily and quickly generate some color combinations that excited me. They also have a page with existing color combinations from other users. CLICK HERE to try Coolors.

4. Pinterest is a great place to discover and save new color combinations. There is a never ending supply of inspirational color palettes for all of your creative, design projects. Just search keywords (like seasonal, feminine, vibrant, neutral) along with the words "color palettes" and see what you discover. It's also a great place to create color stories and inspiration boards. I can spend way too much time on there! To see some of my favorite color combinations, CLICK HERE to follow me on Pinterest.

5. Lastly, a great option is taking a course in the study of color theory. There are many online workshops or you can check your local community college if you prefer to learn in person. A little basic knowledge can really help build your confidence where color combining is concerned. There are also books and color wheel tools that you can find at your local art and craft store.

Do you have tools or tips on creating color palettes?

Until next week,

Pam

CLICK HERE to read part 1 in the color series

CLICK HERE to read part 2 in the color series

CLICK HERE to read part 3 in the color series

Ever Wonder Where Color Trends Begin? Part 3 in a 4 Part Color Series

There is a great scene in the movie The Devil Wears Prada where the character Miranda Priestly schools her new assistant on the lineage of color trends. It's a classic scene and really gives a peek into the truth about color trends in the fashion industry. CLICK HERE to see this entertaining video clip. 

In most industries, color trends are selected by a group of people.

I recently read about one such group where they explained their in depth process of selecting their paint color forecast for the year. They also introduced some of the members of their international group. I would love to be a fly on the wall during one of these sessions!

CLICK HERE to see a really interesting behind-the-scenes look at exactly how they created the PPG The Voice of Color® 2017 Color Trends.

For designers, the name PANTONE® is known worldwide as the standard language for color communication. Each year they release their color of the year with much fanfare.

CLICK HERE to visit their site. There is a wealth of information along with tools and training, all related to color. 

While these colors trends don't necessarily need to be followed exactly, they can serve as great  inspiration for your own color palettes. They will also give you an idea of what you might be seeing in stores in the future.

Until next week,

Pam

CLICK HERE to read part 1 in the color series

CLICK HERE to read part 2 in the color series

What's in a (Color) Name? Part 2 in a 4 Part Color Series

There is a funny graphic circulating social media right now that shows two people standing facing each other, separated by a vertical line of stacked multicolored dots.

On top of the person on the right it says "Normal People". On top of the person on the left it says "Artist". The "normal person" is pointing to the colors and lists the most obvious 7 colors…like red, purple, pink. The "artist" is pointing to the same multicolored dots and lists 29 colors…like maraschino, cayenne, maroon, plum, eggplant, grape, orchid…get the point? As the artist, I think it's very clever and true!

This brings me to color names and how they influence our preferences consciously or subconsciously.

Think about how different your gut reaction might be to the color

"pea green" as opposed to "spring meadow ",  just because of the name.

Would you get as excited over "dirt brown" (yes, this is an actual paint color name) as opposed to "toasty" or "down home" or "hickory" or "brunette"?

We are emotional beings and words and names can trigger memories or experiences. A simple word can conjure up a reaction and manufacturers know this.

Did you know that for some, this is their actual job? That’s what the do, they create the most fabulous and marketable names for colors. That goes for all industries from wall paint to nail polish.

I read an article that said when they started, OPI nail polish decided to go against the norm of other companies that named their colors in a more utilitarian way like red #37 and maroon #5. They chose instead, to take a more fun approach and name their polish colors after destinations they traveled to and landmarks they visited. Which would you choose…pink #27 or "Barefoot in Barcelona"?

Successful names spark a connection. It could be to a location, a time period, a feeling, a desire, etc. Whether the consumer realizes it or not, that connection can ultimately cause someone to make a choice between two or more items. 

Have you been drawn to a color simply because of a great, descriptive name?

Until next week,

Pam
CLICK HERE to read part 1 in the color series

The Personal Connection to Color, Part 1 in a 4 Part Color Series

Do you have a favorite color?  What is it about that color or color family that draws you to it? Is it a feeling or a memory? Is it just a gut reaction? Is it based on tradition or history?

On the flip side, do you have a color that you really dislike? Do you have a specific incident, thought or item connected to it that makes you dislike it? Or again, is it a gut reaction?

Color is so personal and the reality is that we all see colors differently based on our physiology and experiences. What might look like one color to you might be described in a completely different way by someone else.

There is also a Psychology to color. We see color based on our experiences and surroundings. When you grew up, where you live, what you eat and wear, it all influences the way you process color.

Below is an example of how color is used in marketing and company branding. It is a strong science and there is a lot of importance placed on finding just the right color combinations based on the action or response the business wants.

Colors are chosen deliberately to cause a reaction…usually for you to make a purchase and specific colors are very important for brand recognition.

Do you find yourself thinking of certain businesses based on color combinations?

It's funny because it seems like ice cream shops use a lot of pastel colors in their branding…and in particular pink. Where I live, there is a local business that uses that iconic pastel pink in their branding but instead of selling ice cream and sherbet, they clean and service porta-potties! A VERY different business and yet every time I see their sign I think of ice cream!

Do you agree with the emotional link to the colors in the image below?

You can CLICK HERE to visit the blog post that this image came from. They provide a simple but comprehensive look into the psychology of colors.

I think it's kind of fun to notice my reaction to color throughout the day. I am organically drawn towards all shades of orange and tend to see those items first. For some reason I seem to see items in shades of blue, last.

Pay attention to what you are naturally drawn to. You might be surprised how often you automatically pass over certain colors. Sometimes I have to force myself to "see" specific colors so that I can step out of my comfort zone and expand my color palette.

Until next week,

Pam

Musicals Fuel my Creativity

Last week I discovered a new-to-me musical.

I usually listen to music when I paint and draw. TV or movies can be too distracting and I find myself looking away from my work too often, causing me to loose concentration.

For me, music fills the background and sometimes inspires part of the creation. I like many genres but seem to gravitate towards easy listening, the great American standards and musicals.

I really like using Pandora because of it's ease of use and variety. I have discovered many new singers and songs that way.

Last Friday I was listening to our "Broadway Musicals" station and heard a very clever song. I wrote it down to share with my son later that day and looked up the play. It looked awesome and I proceeded to google all of the songs. It is filled with hidden and not so hidden references to a lot of other shows so, which I thought was really fun.

Unexpectedly, the show had just started its national tour and the first stop was about an hour away from us in Boston. It was running through the weekend...what timing! We got tickets and went that night.

All three of us LOVED everything about it....the music, the performers and the story. If you like campy, fun, upbeat musicals, I highly recommend you see it if it comes to your area. It was described as a cross between The Book of Mormon, Spamalot, The Producers and The Drowsy Chaperone and it totally lived up to that description.

The venue added to our overall experience. It was at The Boston Opera House. It's a grand, historic, showplace that has been renovated and restored to its spectacular, original glory.

I get so much inspiration and artistic motivation from visiting places like this. Sometimes the details are a little overwhelming for me to take in, so having pictures helps me process all of it. Everywhere I looked there was another amazing trim, finish or accessory.

Here is a link to the shows website and to the YouTube video of the song that started it all for us.

The show is called "Something Rotten".

See what you think!

Click here to visit their website
Click here to see the song "A Musical" performed

Until next week,
Pam

Bonus - Click here to read my past post on music to work by

Being an "Artist" is a Great Excuse!

Do what you like.

Wear what you like.

Decorate with what you like.

Just tell people you're an artist!

As I was packing up our holiday decorations, I decided that I wasn't ready to say goodbye to all of them.

I began thinking how a potential buyer would feel walking through our house and I wondered if they would think it was weird that I left some of my favorite decorations up all year.

But then I pictured the agent being able to say "well an artist lives here" and instantly my eclectic decorations, color choices and details would all be acceptable and make sense somehow.

As a child growing up with a parent in the entertainment industry, there was always a "certain way" to act and "appropriate" behavior for all situations. Maybe my art (as I call it) was my way to have control over my self expression.

Under the umbrella of being an "artist", I could do pretty much anything. There was a freedom in having that creative outlet.

Being an artist came with different rules and expectations. It gave me permission to express myself in personal ways and at the same time it put things in context for others to understand me.

It was almost as if with that title, you were put in a separate category. One that didn't have strict boundaries and one, that I found out much later, other's secretly wished they were in.

It never really felt like an option or choice for me. At the time, I didn't know any different. It was just who I was. But now, I see the reaction some of my choices receive and the reaction people have to other artists as well. I feel like we are seen through a filter.

Do you have something odd you want to wear? Do you have a vibrant color you want to use in your house? Do you like to collect items from past? DO IT! Don't wait for approval from anyone. If you like it, that's enough. 

Tell yourself you're an artist!

I believe we are all artists in our own way.

When you think of artists, do you have a more open, freethinking, expressive, personality in mind and do you feel like you would give an "artist" more leeway as far as what they choose to wear or surround themselves with?

Until next week,

Pam