[Ad-gifted] For our next book review, we feature Just Add Line by online drawing sensation Brandon Campbell for the child, teen or creative adult who loves to draw, relax and create lively reverse-colouring and unique artwork.
Known for his bright, lively online drawing demos, artist and illustrator Brandon Campbell brings his signature playful style to this reverse-colouring drawing book a fresh and fun way to make art where you add line to the colour.
Published by Rizzoli Universe, the book has over 80 pages of vibrant, full-colour artwork which will let you be creative and turn Brandon’s whimsical illustrations into your personal canvas. All you need to do is simply pick up a pen or pencil and add line, shading, texture, pattern and your own imaginative details to each colourful scene and watch your artwork come to life.
Decorate hummingbirds with dazzling wings, add stripes, zigzags and patterns to exotic fish and equip adventurous giraffes for journeys across the Savannah. There is no right or wrong just endless opportunities to explore your creativity.
The book is designed for all skill levels, this reverse colouring and drawing activity book helps you unwind, have fun and improve your drawing skills without even realizing you are practicing. So keep on reading to find out more about this book and what we thought of it.
What did we think of Just Add Line?
If you’re looking for a simple, low-pressure way to unwind and spark your imagination, Just Add Line by Brandon Campbell is a refreshing creative escape. This interactive drawing book is built on a brilliant idea as every page begins with a single line. Your job? Add to it. That’s it.
From that starting line, anything can happen. It might become a city skyline, a surreal creature, a peaceful landscape, or a completely abstract design. There are no strict instructions and there are no “right” answers and definitely no grading. The beauty of the book is in its simplicity as it removes the intimidation factor that often comes with a blank page.
I found this book perfect for my daughter as she is sitting for her GCSE this year and it has helped her relax and unwind after a long day at school or long study session. That being said, this book would also be perfect for adults who need a bit of calm in their life, as they can stop and get away from their daily responsibilities and just draw.
I found that Campbell’s approach encourages play over perfection. You don’t need to be an experienced artist to enjoy it. In fact, the book works best when you let go of expectations and allow your pen to wander as there is no right or wrong to be honest. The book also helps with mindfulness as it is about creativity. So just spending 20 minutes drawing lines can feel meditative and help refocus your mind.
So a great book which you can flip to any page and start immediately with no expectations or judgement especially when you’re creatively blocked, burned out, or simply looking for a relaxing hobby.
What did my 15-year old daughter think of Just Add Line?
I think that this book is a very imaginative book, forcing my mind to engage to come up with different styles and designs for the wide range of animals that were featured in this book. I like how there were so many different animals, and if i got bored of one animal then I could simply turn a page and go onto a different one. This book not only has animals but it also has other stuff such as people, buildings, teacups and more. I just needed to draw the outline or draw backgrounds.
One thing that I was glad that was included was the introduction at the start of the book. It was interesting to read and shows so many techniques to help me when adding the lines. It talked about things like line weight, textures, patterns and more. It gave me ideas on what I could add so some of the animals in the book. In my opinion, this was a pleasurable book to own as I liked how Brandon Campbell used his initiative to think outside of the box by adding lines instead of the usual colouring books that you see every day.
How much is Just Add Line and where can you buy it?
Just Add Line is retailing at £14.20 and will be available from Bookshop.org from 14 April. You can in the mean time pre-order a copy of the book .
About the Author
Brandon Campbell is an Atlanta-based designer and illustrator who is renowned for his fun and engaging online drawing demos and vibrant visuals. Just Add Line: Coloring in Reverse is Brandon’s debut book and, like his online content, it’s packed with drawing techniques and inky inspiration, all designed to get the creative gears turning.
About the Book
Publisher : Rizzoli International Publications
Pages : 96
Book Type : Paperback
ISBN-13 : 978-0789346247
Dimensions 254.0 X 191.0 X 0.0 mm
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* We were given a copy of the book in return for a feature. All opinions are our own.
16 comments
What a brilliant art book! I like that it shows different techniques to draw an object perfectly.
Absolutey, the instructions are minimal so you can still be as creative as you like
That is one amazing book! I need to get this. It’s a great way to keep being creative even when you’re not at certain times. Love his work, too.
I agree, and it does not matter how old you can as everyone can have a go at it
Drawing over those colorful shapes is way better than staring at a terrifying blank white page. My cousin would probably find this much more relaxing than her usual complicated sketches. It feels nice to just play around.
Agree and you could have a go at it too Kat
I like this idea of just adding a line as sometimes the hardest thing to do is start from a blank page. And while I’d love to be creative I’m not artsy x
Agree, this books allows even those who think they cannot draw to be creative
This is such a cute and fun book idea!I have not seen anything like it and will have to check it out for myself 😉
Hope you do Melissa, it is such a fun drawing book
Just Add Line sounds like a wonderful drawing-related book for kids. Thanks for the recommendation.
You are so welcome
This is such a fun and original idea for getting creative. I would enjoy doing this with my daughter.
I enjoy drawing lines on it as much as my daughter as well so I know you would love this
This is such a fantastic idea – I love the concept of reverse coloring! Thank you for sharing review.
You are so welcome Jupiter, it is a great idea indeed