Colouring pages, posted regularly to keep people’s pecker up.
This project was reasonably epic. It was during the Covid 19 / Corona Virus worldwide pandemic of early 2020. The UK was in Lockdown and people were reaching out for things to occupy themselves or their kids.
I drew a couple of imaginary landcapes, posted them online and a few requests led to a few more and before I knew it, there were 39 colouring pages!
Those amongst you with a deeply critical eye may notice the quality of some of these pieces isn’t up to a publisher’s standard, but in my defense, I was drawing, inking and uploading one whenever possible, whilst homeschooling two kids, keeping sane and thinking about a new picture for the next colouring page, amongst many other issues. No digital tweaking either. Just a pencil outline, over with a Zig Mangaka Flexible (Fine) Brush pen or maybe a fineliner or a Grey Copic Ciao brush pen for shading.
Below there’s a nice slideshow, with a nice 5 second delay, so sit back, have a cuppa and enjoy all 39 drawings, perhaps let me know your favourite, or if you’re daring, print one out and colour it in! I know I haven’t.
Just kidding, I gave a few a go at the time. Enjoy! (If you don’t like slideshows, scroll past and there’s all the static pics with a little info alongside.
There’s a really mixed bag of designs, from picturesque landscapes or quaint Kentish cottages, to abstract shapes, jumbled images or famous characters. There’s even a couple of heartfelt ‘Thank You’ pieces to thank the NHS and Key Workers.
I thoroughly enjoyed creating each piece and as a whole project really. I’ll be frank, there were times when I couldn’t think of a fresh idea or find enough time to create a new idea, talking of time, there were times, because of the times, that I felt down and lost interest a little, but constant interest from some lovely followers helped me continue. Some of the ideas also came from some awesome followers, keeping me afloat, or providing ideas or inspiration!
During the project, a couple of Charity Groups (A local Art group for kids and a National Mental Health charity), contacted me to ask if they could use the pictures, I happily agreed and the feedback was lovely. Helped me keep going.
Below is an opportunity to see each picture, with a little info alongside.
Each picture, with a little info alongside:
No. 0.
The Title Page.
Knocked up quickly towards the end of the project, as a quick title page for the facebook album.
A mixture of pens and pencils in a rainbow explosion. Gets you right in the mood for the barrage of black and white images you’re about to endure.
No. 1.
The Countryside.
Totally concocted*, I doodled undulating hills, wonky farm buildings and a distant town, framed by a babbling stream by the trunk of an old oak tree.
*this place doesn’t exist.
No. 2.
The Cove.
Another invented scene that doesn’tt exist. I’m lucky to live by the sea, so it’s probably inspired by my time by the sea, whether living or holidaying by the coast of Great Britain.
No. 3.
Cartoon Legends.
I love an excuse to draw cartoon characters, so when someone asked, I jumped at the chance. How many can you spot? Some are popular, but several are my absolute childhood heroes.
No. 4.
Abstract Intricacies.
Just simply a bunch of shapes, designed to be therapeutic to colour.
No. 5.
Objective.
A collection of objects found around the kitchen.
No. 6.
Feesh.
A collection of fish, squiddling about together. Closely..
No. 7.
Boardwalk.
Another invented visage. This time of an English boardwalk in the summertime.
No. 8.
Fire.
Hot, hot, hot! But despite it’s danger, it isn’t real, it’s just ink on paper that’s fun to colour..
No. 9.
Reculver.
The first drawing of some REAL scenery. Although the clouds look suspiciously fake.
This is Reculver, in Kent. Situated in south-east England, it is steeped in history. Amazing views out to sea and a nice pub nearby too.
No. 10.
Thank You For The Music.
I’ve played side-drum, bugle, cymbal and Bass as a kid (and a bit of side drumming as an adult) and I like fiddling about digitally but I can’t read music properly and I can’t play an instrument like a proper musician, but this piece is a homage to all those that can, especially a few of my friends, who are very talented.
No. 11.
Abstract Drips.
What it says in the title really. Another joy to colour..
No. 12.
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.
A delightful story. Apprentice uses spell to take easy route when cleaning, apprentice can’t stop the spell, apprentice nearly drowns. Moral of the story? Don’t cheat.
Like I did when I rushed the size, perspective and proportions of the apprentice. The rest of the picture is better though.
No. 13.
Op-Art.
Op-Art, or Optical Illusion Art is a fascinating thing in itself, but it lends itself well to colouring pages too.
No. 14.
Full English.
Bacon, Eggs, Sausages, Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Chips, Beans, Bread (Buttered slices as well as fried slices.) Ooooh and don’t forget a splash of your favourite sauce….
Brown or Red Sauce? I don’t know, you’re the one colouring it!
No. 15.
Beware The Eyes Of March.
Aye, aye! Eye really enjoyed drawing this one. SEE what I did there? You couldn’t find a cornea joke if you tried.
I’ll stop now.
No. 16.
The Shack in the Woods.
A fictitious woods, a fictitious shack and a fictitious pathway. But phew. what a lot of real lines.
No. 17.
Happy Easter.
The timing of the posting of this drawing meant the subject matter was easily decided on. The subject matter is more of a fun slant on modern Easter silliness rather than upset anyone.
No. 18.
The Wind In The Willows.
Most people have heard of the Kenneth Grahame novel ‘The Wind in the Willows’. The adventures of the two friends, Ratty and Mole. If you don’t, look it up, it’s been adapted for TV, film, all sorts over the years.
Here are Ratty and Mole, having larks on the jolly river in their spiffing boat. Probably drinking elderflower cordial or something.
No. 19.
Little Red Riding Hood Visiting Her Isolating Grandma During The Coronavirus Pandemic.
Just a little cartoon highlighting some Covid19 restrictions to make light of a dark situation.
No. 20.
Cards.
No tracing, or gridding, just copying and a bit of ruler and compass work. That’s why it isn’t absolutely perfect. .
No. 21.
Snaked and Ladders.
Colour it! Play it! Whatever!
Seriously though, it IS a lot of fun to play and more of a laugh than the generic snakes and ladders. It has a snakepit? WHAAAA?
No. 22.
Opart – Illusionary Similarities.
More Op-Art. Lovely. Designed to be stared at.
No. 23.
Geometric Abstraction For The Void.
This abstract piece was wholly designed to be fun to colour.
No. 24.
Covidtown. .
The Pandemic and some of it’s nuances. Trapped in a town that you can play toy cars on. Vroom. What’s that? I should be locked up at home to protect the NHS? NO! It isn’t real! It’s a drawing!
Sorry, I got carried away then.
No. 25.
Postman Pat and Jess. In P.P.E.
This was a ‘Thank You’ for the work of all key workers, but especially the postal service and delivery operatives.
No. 26.
Minion Recycling.
This was a second ‘Thank You’ piece, for the work of all key workers, but especially the bin and recycling operatives.
No. 27.
Cartoon Legends 2.
This was a second grouping of some awesome cartoon heroes. It was also a request and I was happy to oblige!
No. 28.
OpArt – Wavy Spiral of Crosshatchness.
A favourite of mine.
No. 29.
Dragon’s Birthday.
Although posted the day after, (it wasn’t quite finished in time) this was a tribute to my older sister, who had suffered a heart attack and strokes despite only being in her late 40s. She’s always championed my work, even though she deserves praise for her talents artistically too! She has a regulator fitted to her heart now, so is still about to keep me smiling!
No. 30.
Love and Thanks.
A simple, heartfelt ‘Thank You’ piece, to say thank you to everyone that shared, liked or supported me up to that point.
No. 31.
Emoji Lockdown.
Emojis or emoticons or Smileys or whatever you choose to call them, are a continuing part of everyday life when communicating. THis piece covered a lot of the emotions that people were feeling during the pandemic.
No. 32.
May The Fourth Be With You.
A Star Wars tribute this time. A bit quick n dirty, but fun, nevertheless.
If my memory serves me right, I posted this publicly on The 4th of May, to some, Star Wars day.
No. 33.
Peppa and Family.
A request from a lovely follower who requested it for their grandchild, Peppa Pig has become a worldwide phenomenon, but if you’ve ever watched it, you’ll probably agree it deserves the praise, it’s very funny, despite everyones eyes being on one side of their face.
No. 34.
Flowers and Flowers.
With Hindsight, I wish I’d counted each flowers as I drew it. I doubt I’d want to count them now.
A lovely enjoyable one to colour.
No. 35.
Mill Lane, Preston.
Referenced from a photograph, but not traced. A beautiful cottage in Kent. It’s one of the prettiest I think I’ve seen. There are a few less trees nowadays, but it’s still beautiful.
No. 36.
Abstraction Of The Isolated Mind.
Cityscape or circuitboard? Neither. It’s just an abstract semi-geometric collection of carefully placed lines. On a piece of paper.
Or is it? Look again and make your own mind up.
No. 37.
45 90 20
Angular geometric shapes, most at 45°, 90° or 20°, all crying out for colour.
No. 38.
CAPITALiSm.
A collection of letters taken from the logos of several well-advertised big companies. Recognise any?
I set myself the task of not using any rulers, compasses etc, and to copy, rather than trace. I know no-one would know, but I wanted to practise my mark-making. If you zoom, you’ll see a few wobbly lines. Oops.
No. 39.
Stretchy Stretchers.
Talking of wobbly. Here’s some crazy brickwork to mess with your mind.
Just a little nod at all builders everywhere. I was a brickie back in the day, back when it took 3 and a half years to do an apprenticeship. Taught me a lot though.
This was the final in the series. I have no recollection as to why I stopped, whether things were picking up, or whether things were so bad I gave up doodling them. Perhaps I ran out of ideas or something much more important came up, It’s a mystery.
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to wander through this project and I hope you’ve seen at least one or two things that have made you smile, and/or think.
Dean Perry aka pickledpizza 