Hebrew Illuminations: A Coloring Journey Through the Jewish Holy Days

The media could not be loaded.  This is a beautiful coloring book of designs by Adam Rhine. The artwork I have seen by Mr. Rhine are exquisite watercolors. The designs in this book have been derived from those designs and are presented as black line drawings on medium weight paper.These designs are a rendering of the Jewish Holy Days. The designs are printed on the right hand side of the page and, except for the first design which has its explanation directly on the design page, there is a bit of information about the Holy day on the left hand side of the page. The name of the day is written in English and Hebrew (using the English alphabet) and has an excerpt from various sources such as the Torah, Psalms, Proverbs, prayers, etc.The designs are beautiful to look at as well as to color. There is a lovely level of detail that provides a nice challenge in coloring each one. There is a quote from the artist in the book that I really appreciate and agree with: “The act of creation brings us closer to God in ways unique to each of us.” What a beautiful way of expressing the joy and inner peace that can be found in creating something such as coloring a beautiful design.While I am not Jewish, I really appreciate this coloring book as a guide through the Jewish Holy days. I've learned about a few of them in Bible studies throughout my life and am very interested to learn about more of them. A small group of family and friends will be using this book as a integral part of our study in the coming weeks and months.This is what I discovered while coloring in this book:38 Intricate full page Judaic motifs about the Jewish Holy DaysDesigns are printed on one side of the page while information is printed on the opposite side of the page.Paper is heavy weight, white, lightly smooth, and non-perforatedGlue BoundDesigns do not merge into the bindingAlcohol and water-based markers seep through the paper to varying degreesIndia ink pens leave colorful shadows on the back of the pageGel pens do not seep through the paperColored pencils work well with this paper. I was able to get good color, blend and layer well with hard and soft core pencils whether they were oil or wax based.I was provided a free sample of this book for test and review purposes. I have since bought multiple copies for family and friends to use as noted above.

The pictures are very nice and I've found using the Hebrew words or phrases as a mantra while coloring helps make the activity a meditation. My problem with the book is that the artist was more interested in making his art than in making a coloring tool. Very often, there are open ends or spirals that are just individual lines, not objects that can be colored in. And often those elements are large portions of a segment.

Each page of this beautiful coloring book has a Hebrew prayer and a gorgeous drawing on its opposite page. It’s a prayer-filled way to think of each prayer and enjoy completing the coloring. It’s intricate and for adults.

Came in great condition, it has a table of contents which is great, and I love the descriptions and verses.

This coloring book is very nice. Pictures are clear and fin to color in.

This book takes adult coloring to a new level for me. The designs are gorgeous, some quite intricate and for colorists more advanced than I am. I still enjoy working with it. Each page also has a short prayer or blessing on the back, so I am even learning a little something. Designs printed on one side only and on good quality paper, but I always slip a page from a magazine behind my coloring page in case of bleed-through.

Years ago my sister-inn-law gave me a Hebrew calendar. When I ordered this coloring book, it reminded me of the calendar which I still have because the pictures were so beautiful. When my coloring book came, I realized that the creator of the book and the calendar were the same and couldn't be happier. I hope that Adam Rhine makes more Hebrew illumination coloring books with the verses and prayers. The pictures are beautiful and I enjoy learning about the Jewish religion.

I'm learning my alef-beys and thought this would be a nice way to focus on a few words at a time to increase my comfort level. Indeed, it seems to be doing the trick, and helping with vocabulary too. The designs are very detailed and each one will keep you busy until the next holiday.

My daughter loves it.