Mystery Coloring Book - Ice Age
Prismacolor Premier - Colored Pencils
Caran d'Ache Luminance
Faber-Castell - Polychromos - Colored Pencils
Tooli-Art - Acrylic Paint Markers (0,7 mm à 3 mm)Why I chose this book
Ice Age is one of those universes we have loved since childhood: Manny, Sid, Diego and of course Scrat with his eternal acorn. When I discovered there was a mystery coloring book dedicated to this franchise, I did not hesitate for a second.
This book covers all five films in the saga and even includes special Christmas and Halloween pages. A great treat for fans!
Quick book overview
Title: Coloriages Mystères - L'Age de glace (Ice Age)
Author: Jérémy Mariez
Publisher: Hachette Heroes
Number of colorings: 100
Pages: 128 (solutions included)
Double-page spreads: 21
Printing: Double-sided
Difficulty: High
Paper: Premium
What I really loved
The drawings and backgrounds are beautiful and highly detailed. You will find iconic scenes from all five films, with all the characters you love: Manny, Sid, Diego, Scrat, Ellie, Buck and many more.
The 21 double-page spreads give a truly impressive scale to the scenes. Some take up the full space and the result once colored is absolutely spectacular.
The variety of colorings is a real strength: action scenes, portraits, snowy landscapes, and a few special Christmas and Halloween pages that add an original touch.
100 colorings is very generous. Plenty to keep you busy for many long sessions!
What to know before buying
The white areas are not fully blank: thin lines run through them, which means you will need a good opaque white marker to cover them cleanly. It is not a dealbreaker, but worth keeping in mind when preparing your supplies.
This is not a beginner's book: the zones are numerous, sometimes very small, and the color palettes can be wide. You will need patience, focus and a well-stocked kit.
The color palette is generous: some colorings require many shades in the same tone family. Come prepared with a full range, especially for the blues, grays and off-whites of the icy backgrounds.
Who this book is ideal for
This book is made for Ice Age fans who want a real challenge. The colorings are extremely detailed, with many small zones requiring concentration and precision.
If you are looking for a demanding book that will keep you busy for many hours, you are in the right place. Beginners, however, may find it discouraging quite quickly.
It also makes a perfect gift for a fan of the saga who enjoys coloring: original, nostalgic and truly beautiful once finished.
What supplies to use?
Important: this book is printed on both sides of the page. Alcohol-based markers are a no-go as they bleed through and will ruin the coloring on the back.
We recommend:
- Colored pencils for small areas and subtle gradients. The Faber-Castell Polychromos and Caran d'Ache Luminance are excellent for this type of book.
- Water-based markers, double-sided safe as long as you do not oversaturate the paper.
- Acrylic markers such as Tooli-Art, double-sided safe and great for vivid colors.
- Gel pens for fine details and very small zones.
- An opaque white marker to cover the lines running through the white areas.
My final thoughts
I really enjoyed coloring this book. The color palettes are well chosen and the backgrounds are gorgeous. The double-page spreads in particular give an impressive sense of scale to the scenes. A real treat for fans of a challenge!
This is a beautiful volume for Ice Age fans who want something demanding and original. The 21 double-page spreads make the scenes even more immersive, the characters are well represented across all five films, and the book is generous enough for many long coloring sessions.
If you are looking for a detailed, generous book full of nostalgia, this is an excellent choice.