Is there such a thing as a colouring book with beautiful and arty pictures in? (or I would even settle for not just total shite, really)

[FrannyandZooey]

I am no doubt going to get laughed out of town for this but I find the standard of the artwork in children's colouring books really depressing. It is invariable the lowest common denominator and looks like it has been dashed off in 30 secs by a GCSE student. The subjects are mournfully bad as well - animals with big eyes and eyelashes, and today (this was the last straw) a boy eating candy floss standing on a cloud, floating in space.

There must be something better than this - where is it? Is it too much to hope that we could actually colour in something that looks nice?

psml @ franny

pmsl I mean

Try art galleries, they sell them there at extortionate prices (well they do in Tate Livrpool anyway)

LOL at expectation to get 'laughed out of town'

PMSL at 'big eyes and eyelashes' .. they are so weird aren't they?

snort at "we could actually colour in"

mandala colouring books

Maybe some of these (though they might be just the sort you're not keen on)

The George Bush colouring book

Some that sound good here especially the Arthur Rackham one (probably more so if you've got a DD)

Oh, I saw someone with a very funky uncolouring type book, which the kids were meant to do interesting things in. Um, but it was at an event for DS1's new school, so I have no way of finding it ... will dig.

Californiafrau - altair designs (from memory) I think. I loved them too!

Ds1 has some anatomy colouring books, which are quite fun. (They are also on Zippitippitoes' link).

DS2 has a celtic designs colouring in, which is great: quite simple but very attractive. I've framed a couple that he did.

this is the celtic one we have but there are loads on the market.

[pokes tongue out rudely at Twig]

Well he is only 3 so if we are going to do colouring tbh I do the bulk of the work. I don't mind those ones JackieNo, and I like the Mandala ones myself zippi but think they might be better for when he is a bit older.

Ooh sorry missed loads of replies all links and replies v helpful

(sorry have ill child on my lap )

FAB

also fab dd1 loves em

We had some brilliant historical costume ones when I was a child. Ive seen something similar in Germany. Try a posh museum shop perhaps?

I have an anti colouring book at home somewhere from years ago when I was a teacher. Its supposed to inspire kids to draw/add to drawing etc etc rather than just colour in what someone else has drawn. bet its the same one you are thinking of Greeny.
I know the feeling Franny I'd prefer jsut to have plain paper rather than some of the pictures in those things.

am in shock tho at the prices of some of those books. wouldnt be letting the kids colour in them at that price Itd snuck into work nad photocopied IF I had the money to buy one in the first place that is.

Last time I was in "The Works" they had loads of different types of colouring books - some good some dreadful

bet my first link is the one you were thinking of Greeny

by the way fanjo is MY word

LOL "GreenysFanjo" is NQC in disguise

I think the uncolouring book looks wonderful. Anyone got any links to fine art colouring books?

Iused to like those "mosaic" style colouring book sthat just have shapes in & you colour in your own patterns etc. tescos do them

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