This post features gifted product & contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Colouring books for adults have been a bit of a “thing” for a while now. I totally get the appeal of sitting down and zoning out on real life whilst concentrating on choosing pretty colours and keeping within the lines. For someone like me who loves the idea of being creative but actually finds it quite frustrating because I’m not remotely artistic, colouring means I get to create a pretty picture without having to draw it myself. However, I’ve said before that whilst I do really love a bit of colouring in – either sat with the kids or for work (being a teacher has it’s perks) – it’s not something I could see myself making time for of an evening.
I’ve recently been sent a copy of “Querkles Masterpieces” along with a set of 30 fineliner pens. Nope, not sharing those beauties with the kids thanks very much! Querkles Masterpieces are made up of overlapping circles which, as you colour them, reveal iconic works of art.
Now aside from being a seriously cumbersome book, this is basically a really fancy “colouring by numbers” – except the numbers don’t relate to specific colours. The instructions state that each of the numbers represents a tone -with #1 being the darkest tone and #5 the lightest. You can colour with one colour or a range or even experiment with a mixture of pens, pencils and paint. My head was already beginning to explode just reading this.
The tips section suggests colouring in one number at a time which I must admit was my first thought. The idea of shading and cross-hatching for someone so rubbish at arty stuff wasn’t very appealing but having been sent such a varied pack of pens with the book I was able to pick out a selection of shades to work with instead.
As I mentioned, the book is enormous so you do need quite a bit of space to work on and I would suggest you need to be able to move the book around so you can get to all the sections. I found that it was actually easier to take the sheet out of the book to work on it (the pages are perforated). The book takes a lot of concentration (which is clearly great if you’re looking to spend some time emptying your mind) and all the circles made my eyes go a bit funny but it was great watching your masterpiece emerge as you colour.
At first I wasn’t convinced by the whole colouring in different shades of the same colour but, as I worked, I realised it was actually really effective. It also meant that I didn’t have to think too much about the creative side of what I was doing, it was already done for me – I just needed to follow the instructions and colour! I was pleased to notice that as I coloured, the numbers were no longer visible. I discovered that rather than colouring each individual section, it was easier to draw around the edges of a cluster of sections that were the same number and colour them all at once.
Now as I mentioned at the start of the review, I’ve never been convinced that colouring was for me – however Querkles are fairly addictive and not only did I spend a full Saturday night colouring in this one (in part as I really wanted to show you a photograph of the completed image) but Dave decided he quite fancied having a go too!
I’m really impressed with the overall effect and I’m definitely going to have a go at doing another one!
*I was sent the Querkles Masterpieces book and pens free of charge for the purposes of review however all thoughts and opinions remain my own*
I colour or do cross-stitch, sewing or felting. I love my crafts!
I read my kindle or watch a film, I'm liking the colour by numbers craft it looks good fun & relaxing 🙂
A cup of tea and a book!
Ashleigh
catch up on my fave tv
Reading is my favourite way to relax
Sitting down with a good book and cup of tea
I love to do a spot of adult colouring to unwind. I also like a good jigsaw!
A good movie glass of wine and a packet of nut
a glass or two of wine
Crosswords and Puzzles
Claire D
Have a nice bath
Colour in. Read. Have a nice cup of tea. Etc.
Rachel Craig
Usually watch some TV.
Listen to music
Snuggled up on the sofa watching tv or reading a book. Love the idea of this colouring book, I really want to have a go.
Feet up with my kindle and a coffee and bar of chocolate.
a hot bath! 🙂
I listen to my favourite music
spend time with my family and relax CHERYL HADFIELD
Have a nice bath and a cuppa.
Cross-stitch, knitting, reading, coloring, dot to dot, sudoku, or chilling out on the computer. Depends on my mood that day.
I craft – everything from crochet to colouring.
A soak in the bath with a book and strong cup of tea x
there are a couple of things I do. I like to listen to music, colour in, read and enter competitions
I write in my journal
A long hot bath and a glass of wine, if the kids let me 🙂
Colouring or jigsaws – recently got into completing my bullet journal and making it all pretty too
In a nice long bubble bath, not that it happens very often
Listen to music and read.
Entering comps online while listening to music
This is so cool! I love to read – or sleep! 🙂
I like a soak in the hot bath with a good book, if my 3 year old son lets me bath in peace ?
I actually love colouring to unwind!! That and reading #triedtested
I love gardening 🙂
#triedtested
I got into the whole adult colouring last year on holiday, I thought it would be a good way to help me relax and unwind in the evening. I love the look of this one colouring by numbers, something new to try. The end result looks fab X
I love colouring books! There are some great ones around and this one looks a lot of fun
This looks fab – and very relaxing – I love colouring – I am working my way through a harry potter colouring book at the min
Wow, it's a pretty good look. The ease of not having to work out my own colours appeals to me too. I do have a couple of colouring books, but I've not opened them yet. Just have too much others stuff I'd rather do at the moment
I love the end result! Not sure I have the patience #triedtested
What a clever idea and so effective too, everyone can be an artist with this! #TriedTested
I like a long soak in the bath 😀 x
This looks brilliant! A clever idea and something quite different, too
I blog to unwind! What a cool colouring book! #triedtested
Love your picture,looks great. I haven't tried the whole adult colouring book craze yer but think I'll give it a go!Maybe I'll start with an easier book though xx #TriedTested
I got into adult colouring last year when I went on holiday, I thought it would help me relax and unwind. I like the look of this one with numbers, I end result looks fab X
I love how effective the finished pic is! I must say I have never wanted to try this out however I can see the appeal now as it would definitely play to my OCD and make me sit down and relax of an evening 🙂
#TriedTested
when i have the time i love to read xx
#triedtested
i've recently discovered adult colouring books so have taken to curling up with one to relax
Wow that turned out really well. I love how unique this is, I bet I could spend hours colouring in one of these #TriedTested
Wow, this looks so relaxing and the picture turned out wonderfully. Love it x #TriedTested
Wow that looks awesome! I don't think I'd have the patience for it, though.
What a clever idea – I get a bit fed up adult colouring books usually becasue they are so intricate to colour but this looks like you can kind of zone out without really having to decide which colour you want to use
This looks pretty cool! I like to read and watch TV. #TriedTested
I go for long solitary walks along the beach
Wow that looks fab 🙂 I love the idea of this but I always feel like I never have time, there's always something else that needs doing. #TriedTested
I love a bit of colouring in, and as a fellow teacher it definitely has its perks! x
That looks amazing although don't think I'd find time to colour #TriedTested
that looks amazing, I bought a set like this for a friend recently to help calm her mind when she was stressed!
read a good book, especially sitting outdoors in the sun
A bit of sewing
I just love to sit quietly and read a book.
Hot bubble bath
I like to go for a long walk, it always clears my head. Thanks for the lovely giveaway.
I'm actually a big fan of colouring in, but I haven't seen these before. Fingers crossed I win!
I have found great relaxation in colouring books
I love to do Yoga if I have the time and space, otherwise I like puzzles or colouring in.
I have a cup of tea and read a book 🙂
Adult colouring, a good old box set binge or a bubble bath with pampering treats.
oh wow that looks really awesome! I'd like a go on one of those!
#triedtested
I relax with a glass of wine and a good film
Play a game on my phone or catch up with my favourite tv programmes
I love to read a good book. This looks fab!
Oh I love this. It looks something that I could do when I want to relaxed for a little bit. I loved how it looked after colouring it! Great book! Thanks for sharing and hosting, 🙂 x #triedtested
I make bobbin lace
I love to read outside when it's nice and sunny
Cross stitching – another 'arty' thing you can do with little artistic talent!
I relax by going for a long walk
Draw cartoons
Drink wine!
Depends on the season- cold, wet weather I snuggle up and read or do jigsaws or knit, but in good weather I love to grab a coffee and my book and relax on the lounger in the garden
I love a good book 🙂
Cuppa tea and read a book in a bubble bath
A Caramel Latte, a good book and a comfy sofa – perfect!
long, hot bath with good book.
Read a book in bed
I listen to music and draw
Cuppa tea in my Christmas jumper!
jig saw puzzles
A nice walk with my dog, a glass of wine and a good book
With a cup of tea & a book 🙂
A long hot bubble bath with a good book
Read in the bath!