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Create Beautiful: A Chic Coloring and Artist-Inspiration Book
From the talented artist behind the art and lifestyle brand The Oliver Gal Artist Co. comes this gorgeous creativity workbook with 50 glam mixed-media projects, including coloring pages and step-by-step technique projects, to get your creative juices flowing. For instant glamour, it includes a finished artwork to frame.
In Create Beautiful, Oliver Gal's unique aesthetic is made accessible to everyone, with projects incorporating the themes that keep their fans coming back for more, including:
Fashion
Florals
Abstracts
Inspirational Sayings
Patterns
For beginner and advanced artists alike, this inspiring workbook includes stunning photos, clear instructions, tips and tricks, and information on tools and color palettes, along with project pages printed on thick, high-quality paper to handle a variety of media.
Add a pop of color, a dash of sparkle, and lots of inspiration to your life and home with Create Beautiful.
In Create Beautiful, Oliver Gal's unique aesthetic is made accessible to everyone, with projects incorporating the themes that keep their fans coming back for more, including:
Fashion
Florals
Abstracts
Inspirational Sayings
Patterns
For beginner and advanced artists alike, this inspiring workbook includes stunning photos, clear instructions, tips and tricks, and information on tools and color palettes, along with project pages printed on thick, high-quality paper to handle a variety of media.
Add a pop of color, a dash of sparkle, and lots of inspiration to your life and home with Create Beautiful.
144 pages, Paperback
Published August 24, 2021
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 1, 2021
This would be a good instruction book for people who do not consider themselves creative or artistic but want to create art for their walls. It's literally a step-by-step guide to reproducing their simple art pieces. You often need to spend a fair amount on supplies. The styles of art were not really my thing -- very glittery, pastel, gold, pop kind of stuff. Younger audiences are likely to find it inspiring and the start of it has good basic art supply information.
I read a digital ARC of this book for review.
I read a digital ARC of this book for review.
July 24, 2021
You have GOT to be kidding me. This book goes from the ridiculous to the … insulting. I’m not sure who the intended audience is, but it seems to children under the age of five, and fortunately they won’t be able to read the puerile instructions. I’m being generous by awarding it a full star.
One of the projects is literally drawing a sun - just like the ones kids in kindergarten draw. But wait! You use gold paint here! Ohhh!!
Another is creating a “fashion collage” … by cutting pictures out of magazines and gluing them on paper. But, at least there’s a “tip”: glue down pictures first and then the words. Seriously.
Another helpful tip: if you don’t like the picture provided, cover the whole thing with black paint and “let the paint completely dry, then add a colorful design. We suggest try painting a lightning bolt across it.” I kid you not.
Other projects include preprinted pictures where you are instructed to glue on rhinestones or cover the whole thing with glue and pour glitter on top.
Yes, the photos are great and it’s very colorful. And the Modern Vintage project is a cool idea - with horrible execution. Now, I’ve said something nice.
One of the projects is literally drawing a sun - just like the ones kids in kindergarten draw. But wait! You use gold paint here! Ohhh!!
Another is creating a “fashion collage” … by cutting pictures out of magazines and gluing them on paper. But, at least there’s a “tip”: glue down pictures first and then the words. Seriously.
Another helpful tip: if you don’t like the picture provided, cover the whole thing with black paint and “let the paint completely dry, then add a colorful design. We suggest try painting a lightning bolt across it.” I kid you not.
Other projects include preprinted pictures where you are instructed to glue on rhinestones or cover the whole thing with glue and pour glitter on top.
Yes, the photos are great and it’s very colorful. And the Modern Vintage project is a cool idea - with horrible execution. Now, I’ve said something nice.
April 27, 2025
⫷ The ARC copy of this book was provided by NetGalley in exchange of an honest review ⫸
There were four sections I think - Introduction, Create, Color and Templates.
In Introduction, I personally liked the paint and paper types only. Because I think there are some types of brushes and embellishments that should've been added in this book as well.
In Create section, I loved the Abstract Alcohol Ink one, Glitter Ombre, Color Palette Stripes, Elevated Abstract, Marble Pouring and Gold Leaf Wings. Others? Not so much.
In Color section, it was just bunch of drawings for coloring.
In Templates section, it was just the design used in the create section.
I think what the creators tried to do was amazing but the end result was not really satisfactory. Because it could've been a lot better. I was excited but ended up being a bit disappointed. But it might be helpful for the beginners. Like who's really new to all these things. As for me, I kinda already knew these stuff.
There were four sections I think - Introduction, Create, Color and Templates.
In Introduction, I personally liked the paint and paper types only. Because I think there are some types of brushes and embellishments that should've been added in this book as well.
In Create section, I loved the Abstract Alcohol Ink one, Glitter Ombre, Color Palette Stripes, Elevated Abstract, Marble Pouring and Gold Leaf Wings. Others? Not so much.
In Color section, it was just bunch of drawings for coloring.
In Templates section, it was just the design used in the create section.
I think what the creators tried to do was amazing but the end result was not really satisfactory. Because it could've been a lot better. I was excited but ended up being a bit disappointed. But it might be helpful for the beginners. Like who's really new to all these things. As for me, I kinda already knew these stuff.
August 15, 2021
While the initial idea intrigued me, I was left with a feeling of disappointment at the end of it all.
I found the first part of the book to be really informative as it discussed all the different mediums and techniques. The colour palettes were especially lovely to look at and I’m sure will inspire future projects.
Unfortunately while the actual projects looked aesthetically appealing, they didn’t manage to engage me as much as the first part of the book.
I was hoping to finish the book and be compelled to paint or create something, but am left empty of inspiration.
That being said, I do still think this is a nice book, but perhaps more suitable for a younger female. I could see myself purchasing it as a gift for a friend or family member.
Disclaimer: I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I found the first part of the book to be really informative as it discussed all the different mediums and techniques. The colour palettes were especially lovely to look at and I’m sure will inspire future projects.
Unfortunately while the actual projects looked aesthetically appealing, they didn’t manage to engage me as much as the first part of the book.
I was hoping to finish the book and be compelled to paint or create something, but am left empty of inspiration.
That being said, I do still think this is a nice book, but perhaps more suitable for a younger female. I could see myself purchasing it as a gift for a friend or family member.
Disclaimer: I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 7, 2021
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Create Beautiful is a pretty tutorial and inspiration guide by Lola Sanchez Herrero & Ana Sanchez-Gal. Due out 24th Aug 2021 from Quarto on their Rock Point imprint, it's 144 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.
This is a tutorial book full of whimsy which includes projects in a broad range of different media with which readers can experiment and learn techniques such as ink pouring, collage, painting, drawing, and coloring. Many of the projects are quite simple and are suited to beginners as well as more experienced students. Some of them would make good warming up exercises to get the paint and creativity flowing.
The introduction covers basics: tools, paints, papers, and other media. The authors have also included a short primer on setting up workspace and some process tips.
The tutorials themselves range from ultra simple to slightly more involved. Each tutorial includes an introduction, bullet list of tools and supplies, and step-by-step instructions. All of the tutorials include several process photos and a finished/framed photo of the project. The second part of the book contains a number of coloring pages with suggested color palettes. The book is stylish with a modern decor aesthetic. There's a lot of emphasis on bright colors which *pop* alongside the metallic/sheen inks and paints.
Three and a half stars. This might be a good choice for folks decorating on a budget or for creativity inspiration workshops, maker's groups, beginning artists looking for prompts to get ink flowing, and similar activities.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Create Beautiful is a pretty tutorial and inspiration guide by Lola Sanchez Herrero & Ana Sanchez-Gal. Due out 24th Aug 2021 from Quarto on their Rock Point imprint, it's 144 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.
This is a tutorial book full of whimsy which includes projects in a broad range of different media with which readers can experiment and learn techniques such as ink pouring, collage, painting, drawing, and coloring. Many of the projects are quite simple and are suited to beginners as well as more experienced students. Some of them would make good warming up exercises to get the paint and creativity flowing.
The introduction covers basics: tools, paints, papers, and other media. The authors have also included a short primer on setting up workspace and some process tips.
The tutorials themselves range from ultra simple to slightly more involved. Each tutorial includes an introduction, bullet list of tools and supplies, and step-by-step instructions. All of the tutorials include several process photos and a finished/framed photo of the project. The second part of the book contains a number of coloring pages with suggested color palettes. The book is stylish with a modern decor aesthetic. There's a lot of emphasis on bright colors which *pop* alongside the metallic/sheen inks and paints.
Three and a half stars. This might be a good choice for folks decorating on a budget or for creativity inspiration workshops, maker's groups, beginning artists looking for prompts to get ink flowing, and similar activities.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
August 11, 2021
I was admittedly drawn to this book because of the cover. I adore the mix of pinks and teals and gold. It's not really a how-to book, though it does have various projects inside. I see them as more useful as a jumping off point than projects to stick to though. I did get several ideas while flipping through it.
I love the unique mix of inspiration from fashion and color palettes. And glitz. The resultant pieces are glamorous and appealing to me.
My favorite part is the color palettes. They're a gorgeous selection and give me so many ideas to start my own paintings. Also the idea of adding glitter to a painting. I love glitter, so this sparked a number of ideas.
I also really liked the example abstract pieces at the end. They use those color palettes to create some really beautiful pieces. I will be going back to those for sure.
I would have loved more example projects, as it's a rather short book, but as an idea generator it's quite useful and I'd recommend it if the colors on the front cover appeal to you.
*Thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Rock Point for providing an e-arc for review.
I love the unique mix of inspiration from fashion and color palettes. And glitz. The resultant pieces are glamorous and appealing to me.
My favorite part is the color palettes. They're a gorgeous selection and give me so many ideas to start my own paintings. Also the idea of adding glitter to a painting. I love glitter, so this sparked a number of ideas.
I also really liked the example abstract pieces at the end. They use those color palettes to create some really beautiful pieces. I will be going back to those for sure.
I would have loved more example projects, as it's a rather short book, but as an idea generator it's quite useful and I'd recommend it if the colors on the front cover appeal to you.
*Thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Rock Point for providing an e-arc for review.
September 9, 2021
What a beautiful and inspiring book! I was immediately drawn in by the gorgeous cover and love the overall style and colour palette of the book. As someone fairly new to mixed media, this gave me some great new ideas to try. I loved the illustrated introduction to the different types of paint and examples of colour palettes that work well together. I have already tried the Rising Sun exercise and next on the list is the Single Line Portrait. My 7 year old daughter decided she wanted to copy one of the Parisian themed illustrations herself so it’s fair to say the exercises in this book extend across all age ranges! I was less keen on the more glitter themed projects (but that’s more my own personal style/choice). I would say this is the perfect book for someone who loves art but maybe hasn’t done it for a while and is looking for some new inspiration. Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC - I have really enjoyed reading and experimenting with the exercises.
August 8, 2021
2.5 stars rounded up
In my opinion, this book's audience is a beginner crafter who loves gold and glam. The first half of the book has several projects that are really, really simple and also look elegant. Then there are some coloring pages and finally some collage/template pages at the end. If you're brand new to most of this and the authors' style really resonates with you I think you will enjoy the projects and really appreciate the beginning section with an explanation of a wide range of supplies.
If you are a crafter already, I don't think this book has much to offer you. For me, there was nothing new here at all. I still enjoyed looking through it but didn't learn anything.
with gratitude to edelweiss and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
In my opinion, this book's audience is a beginner crafter who loves gold and glam. The first half of the book has several projects that are really, really simple and also look elegant. Then there are some coloring pages and finally some collage/template pages at the end. If you're brand new to most of this and the authors' style really resonates with you I think you will enjoy the projects and really appreciate the beginning section with an explanation of a wide range of supplies.
If you are a crafter already, I don't think this book has much to offer you. For me, there was nothing new here at all. I still enjoyed looking through it but didn't learn anything.
with gratitude to edelweiss and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 3, 2021
I was drawn to the cover and the use of colour in this book and was intrigued to see what it contained. Not being very confident with creating my own art and knowing where to start this was a very good resource. It had some pretty pictures and inspiring projects. More so suited as a gentle guidance for someone wanting to start a project and learning about the different mediums and materials then an experienced person. The colour mixing was great and offered many different ideas and the projects were easy enough to follow and re-create or build upon. It was such a pleasure to look through this and take in all the vibrancy and colours and I often find myself flipping through for colour inspiration and the enjoyment of looking at pretty things.
Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.
Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.
November 4, 2023
"Create Beautiful: A Chic Coloring and Artist-Inspiration Book" by Lola Sánchez Herrero and Ana Sanchez-Gal is a delightful coloring book that invites artists of all levels to unleash their creativity. The intricate designs and artist-inspired pages provide a canvas for personal expression. With a chic and stylish aesthetic, this book offers a unique coloring experience that's both relaxing and inspiring. It's a perfect companion for anyone seeking to add a touch of elegance to their creative pursuits.
I was provided an advanced copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was provided an advanced copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 21, 2021
This book is beautiful and has very aesthetically pleasing photographs throughout, however, I didn't love it as much as I had expected. Some of the projects just didn't appeal and some jumped around or didn't have enough details for me to feel like I could complete it to my liking, mainly the more abstract ones that cannot be copied verbatim. There are step by step pictures and instructions, so most of them are simple enough and contain enough visuals that most people would have no trouble following, if the project appeals to them.
July 29, 2021
This resourceful book shows you how to create fun works of art you can proudly display in your house or give as a gift. Easy-to-read instructions and colorful illustrations make it easy for any beginner to follow. As a calligrapher, I especially like the section on the gold leaf wings as it is one I plan on incorporating for a memorial piece.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lola Sanchez Herrero, Ana Sanchez-Gal, and the publisher for this advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lola Sanchez Herrero, Ana Sanchez-Gal, and the publisher for this advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 23, 2022
I would say this is 3.5 stars, but rounding up to 4. It's a lovely layout with some nice projects. The projects are quite simple, which is very nice especially for beginners. Plus, even experienced artists don't always want complicated projects, so it's nice to get ideas for different things you can do. If you like glittery, glitzy art, then you will really like this.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2021
"I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
This book is gorgeous. I love the project ideas and the tips and advice for creating art.
This book is gorgeous. I love the project ideas and the tips and advice for creating art.
July 28, 2021
Easy to follow and experiment with.
Cute templates included.
DIY art that can fit with any decor style.
The perfect gift for your lady friends who dabble in art or are interested. Or you can gift it to yourself and create wonderful artwork for your home and friends.
Cute templates included.
DIY art that can fit with any decor style.
The perfect gift for your lady friends who dabble in art or are interested. Or you can gift it to yourself and create wonderful artwork for your home and friends.
August 12, 2021
Perfect projects for real beginners, they are colorful and cute, full of sparkles. If you are very new to diy art then this book is for you. They are pretty and easy to achieve.
*Received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review*
*Received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review*
October 27, 2022
This is the perfect book to help get your creative juices flowing. It is full of creative projects for you to attempt and put your own spin on.
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January 6, 20248000844
bibliophile
January 6, 20248000844
July 22, 2022
Thank you to Edelweiss for this DRC. Really extremely basic, and doesn't feel like it teaches anything new. Most projects at the skill level of a school-going child.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews