Trend 2016 — growing worldwide popularity of... coloring pages for adults. They have sold millions of copies. Their authors — artists — compete in the ratings with bestselling writers. What is this new medication from stress or another toy for kidalov? The phenomenon was dealt with Ogonek
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"It's a plague! Not to come off. The Christmas holidays if it was not. All the days spent at home with the book," says the 30-year-old Alexander Bortnikov, the system administrator from St. Petersburg. A book of fifty pages of black-and-white images and the subtitle "coloring antistress" she gave at the end of the year. "My daughter took the crayons. Painted with her owls, squirrels, in General, different beasts. In each figure a plurality of fragments, all sorts of ones curls, just the color pick. And put her to bed, one sit up late, to paint,— says Alexander.— The husband looked, laughed, and then he froze. Argued, happened, to whom, what the picture will get".

Draw me a sheep
The reviewers of influential publications, among them the Guardian, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, noted in the book industry a new boom: the demand for coloring pages for adults. According to the version of the world's largest online book store Amazon, last year these coloring pages were taken from three to five positions in the top twenty bestsellers for the week or month. Peaks of sales happen during the holidays, mainly on Christmas eve and New year's. The novelty book market stimulated the expression "the Best gift is a book", but now with a clarification: this book is the coloring, and it in addition a set of colored pencils, pens or markers. And this is only the beginning of the epidemic, experts predict.

Than coloring books for adults are different from children's? The principle of one — filling in different colors of the specified pattern. The differences in form and in content. Kanon asked Joanna Basford. A young artist from Scotland, released in 2013, the first such coloring. It was called "the secret garden: a book for creativity and inspiration". Publishing in hardcover, as the most that neither is a real book, represents almost 100 pages of black-and-white illustrations. Image these complex, detailed, reminiscent all at once: script, lace, patterns, patterns which veiled the forest flora and fauna. A few months coloring Basford has sold a million copies. It was followed by the second — "the Enchanted forest". Recently released third — "the Lost ocean". In the world sold more than 10 million bedfordshi colorings. According to its publisher, "they have been translated into 28 languages. Of course, the pictures are universal, translated only the title and "the author". Coloring books for adults found admirers on both sides of the Atlantic. However, it became a craze not only in the Western world. So, according to China Daily, "the secret garden" became the best-selling book in China by the end of 2015. In China it was purchased about 3 million copies. In South Korea, half a million.

And one more news. Center for the study of the languages of Finland, which annually compiles a list of neologisms, at the end of 2015, include the word "colouring book" (aikuisten varityskirja) testified thus: the Finns hooked on this hobby.

Colour the world
Along with the commercial success of Joanna Basford appeared as imitators and followers — with its own unique artistic style. The geography of authors, as "readership", is also extensive. The Independent newspaper included in its ranking of the best coloring books for adults (which turned out to be mostly books from the UK and the USA) book of South Korean artist Daria song. Publishers publish in popular current format of coloring illustrations of famous artists and designers such as American Alexander Girard (he died in 1993). Or another option: combined under one cover elegant drawings of books on botany XVIII-XIX centuries. Russian publishers are not far behind: they began to produce popular foreign coloring licensed, some of them created their own series with coloring pages for adults from domestic authors. The price of colorings in Russia is around 300-500 rubles. But you can find cheaper and even more expensive than 1000 roubles.

Themed coloring pages for adults has reached far beyond the boundaries of nature. This geometrical, fancy patterns, and a fairly specific subjects. For example, coloring books with sketches of clothes. Another direction is the city of the world: these books are about new York, Paris, London, Moscow, Kiev. In a more complex form, this coloring guides where the image of the city's attractions are accompanied by brief information about them. Out and entertainment and education in one book. Authors and to guarantee a successful stories like seals. Special direction — coloring pages for adults 18+. These coloring pages on erotic stories are published, for example, in Brazil, USA, Portugal. And in Germany, even caught the attention of the press in connection with a recent history of attacks on women in Cologne. Publisher German coloring for men "Paint my chest," was accused of sexism.

Format coloring pages for adults has been adopted by show business. For example, in the United States published a coloring book about the singer Taylor swift, a multiple winner of the award "Grammy" in the UK — about the actor Eddie Redmayne, winner of "Oscar". The creators of the popular films and TV series make their coloring. Already there were books based on the "Sherlock Holmes" with Benedict Cumberbatch, of "Game of thrones", "Walking dead" and "Harry Potter".

Exotic on the General background look while coloring books for adults for Bible stories and illustrations from the Kama Sutra. Partly for that reason, coloring has been criticized for the secondary. Are unhappy that they are replacing "real books" in the bestseller lists. Artists are confronted with writers as at the time of physicists and poets. But fans of the first answer, that in the coloring books also tells the history of black pattern on white paper as the child is born the story, for example, like a squirrel hiding behind a branch, like a fish floating on the waves. But opponents retort: people spend hours for the colorings, and it is nothing like an escape from reality.
Pencil that heals 
Popular rumor has already cemented coloring pages for adults good fame: "help to relax", "stop worrying", "the brain is resting"... On about and the press is quick to loud statements: "the new cure for stress", "coloring instead of the antidepressant", "book-antistress"... a Phenomenon of interest to specialists: from psychologists to neuroscientists. Almost every article in a foreign publication with a reputation includes an expert review. What is a good form of entertainment, no doubt. Questions arise to the marking coloring pages for adults, often used by publishers and bookstores. The most controversial "art therapy".

Is more of a marketing ploy that works because of the low awareness of people about what actually constitutes art therapy— the Chairman of the Russian art therapy Association, Alexander Kopytin.— Art therapy is done by a specialist and has focused.

However, the expert believes, for coloring you can get some results. It is proven that coloring relieves stress. Resemblance to art therapy, give it some effects that can be achieved: to improve learning, enhance concentration, stimulate creative thinking. Positively this hobby can also affect memory.

In the United States and some European countries doctors have started to recommend coloring your patients, for example under severe stress, headaches in addition to the basic therapy. And in several American hospitals coloring began advising patients who suffered a stroke. In the target group and the elderly: the coloring they are offered as preventive measures against dementia.

Audience coloring pages for adults is often reduced to kiziltan (the so-called adults do not leave with children's Hobbies). However, a typical "rastrelivali" is more often women, younger people (20-40 years), urban residents, with a good income. In General, the colorings are addicted to completely different people. And this is evident in the communities of fans of colorings that arise in social networks. They are students, Housewives, managers, seniors... They spread their painted illustrations, comment on each other's work, choose the best in the voting, share tips and news (what brand pencils are preferable to what new products came out). Illustrations for coloring, which can be downloaded on the Network, a huge amount. And it is clear that publishers are not willing to lose profits and come up with new moves. Of the simplest: were produced from coloring books complete with crayons or markers. From tricky: started doing coloring posters which can be issued in a baguette, and coloring cards, which after the painting you can give.

Lovers of coloring books for adults are and offline. For example, in the US at libraries of any clubs where people get together, and paint pictures, then organize exhibitions. Libraries provide them a platform, but at the same time doing business. For example, the Public library of Dallas sells almost 1.5 thousand coloring pages per month.

The most controversial issue about the coloring pages for adults remains the question of authorship. Who owns the rights to the final, painted, pattern? Publishers are inexorable: the artist is the author of coloring, but the most talented "rastrelivali" disagree.

"This release from digital bondage"
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The founder of a new direction in the book industry, the author of the best selling in the world coloring pages for adults is a 32-year-old Scottish artist Johanna Basford — has shared with "the Spark" secrets of success

— How did the idea of coloring books for adults?

— In some degree accidental. By education I am a textile designer, specializing in silk screen printing. After College, I found funding for and opened a small Studio hand printing Wallpapers and fabrics to order. But the crisis of 2008 crippled my business. At that moment, I reconsidered what he was doing, and realized that most of all I like to draw. For several years I worked as a commercial Illustrator, doing projects for large companies such as Starbucks, Nike, Sony. It is interesting work, but in the first place — the client's requirements, and you're just part of the creative team. I always wanted to Express your original style, so people were talking about me: this is the girl that creates superrealistichnaya black-and-white illustrations. Besides, I "ink Evangelist": I prefer pens and pencils to pixels. For me, computer graphics is cold and heartless and drawings made by hand, which is likely small imperfections captures, it is energy and accuracy. Then I scan and process them on the computer. So, about 5 years ago I posted a free download of my illustrations in the form of a "desktop Wallpaper". Some time later I was contacted by the editor of the British publisher Laurence King, who saw the accident, and offered to make a coloring book for children. But my pictures are complex and more suitable to those who are older. The idea of coloring books for adults publisher at first were skeptical, but agreed after he watched a few trial illustrations. I wanted to share their passion for painting with others, to produce a beautiful book, I never thought that coloring would become a craze.

— So what's the reason for their popularity, in your opinion?

 Primarily they act as a digital detox. In today's world people are constantly on the Network, different gadgets are not allow for something to focus: the new email came in, hang in social networks. Coloring, at least temporarily exempt from these digital shackles. You are not distracted by the flashing screen, unable to really concentrate, to feel and enjoy the moment, so many people find coloring a calming activity. Incidentally, the close state I experience when creating the coloring: I'm holding off from the outside world and completely immersed in the process.

In addition, in each, in my opinion, have a creative spark, and coloring helps develop. For the price it is accessible to many. Someone clean slate, a blank canvas can cause confusion: where to start, what direction the story line. And the coloring breaks the ice, it is enough to choose a color palette. Do not be afraid to go with color for the outline. Coloring should not be striving for perfection. The error may be only a wrong pen where the ink "bleed" and then through the translucent paper. I confess, there are blobs, but they turn into a flower Bud, bumblebee. The main thing is to include fantasy.

Your coloring on the nature. What is the reason?

— I like the natural shape. In nature, they in excess. While it is so bizarre that attracts attention: pods, spikes, spider web... Yes, the same dung beetles! And, in addition to "genetics". My grandparents were gardeners. From them I inherited a library with reference books on botany. It is an inexhaustible source of inspiration: I take a piece of one plant, the petal of another, the third seeds, combine them into a single figure and goes amazing on a kind of Botanical hybrid. My parents are marine biologists. And the knowledge gained from them, inspired me to transform water world in my latest book "the Lost ocean". Coloring and informative at the same time awaken the imagination.

— You say that people immersed in the digital world, and coloring allow you to disconnect from it. But you have to admit that technology has played a significant role in your success and you yourself are very active in the Network: you have a website, social pages, Instagram, even YouTube channel...

— That's it. I create analogue art for a digital world. And I think that the Internet and social media in particular is a powerful tool of promotion. And in terms of attracting new customers and in terms of communicating with fans of colorings. I receive a lot of letters, people tell very personal stories. An amazing and touching. For example, an investment banker writes that the painting at lunchtime helps him relieve stress, or an elderly woman said that, when I was undergoing chemotherapy, was engaged in coloring, to lighten the mood. More people send pictures of their painted illustrations of my books. At some point, so many of them had accumulated that it was decided to place them on my website in a special section of the Gallery. It is a natural desire to show yourself, your talent.

— Coloring criticizing the infantilization of adults, because they are likely to kidalov, people with Peter pan syndrome and the like. What do you say to critics?

 Colouring books encourage adults to be a little children. And, in my opinion, it's perfect! Saw you ever the child who hesitates to hold a pencil, thinking: if I am talented enough to paint? I think not. Because children do not conceptualize the process, and instantly immersed in creativity, and it brings them joy. I don't see a problem that adults are nostalgic for the days when children were engaged in painting. In the letters that I receive, I repeatedly admitted that before the advent coloring pages for adults secretly enjoyed coloring their children after putting them to sleep. It was a way to escape from all sorts of worries: mortgages, claims the boss of world disasters... With the advent coloring pages for adults this activity has become socially acceptable. Besides adults set a good example for children, showing that it would be nice in this digital age to put aside the tablet and pick up a book with pencils. And it is just great when the painting becomes a family leisure.

— However, writers disgruntled: artists, authors colorings invaded their clearing...

— Book world have been very diverse. You may recall the comic books, graphic novels, books with recipes, art albums... categories of publications without letters or almost without them a lot. Coloring pages for adults was added to this palette.

— What are the books with the letters inspire you?

— "Alice in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll and "Purple cow" business guru Seth Godin. Recently read — "The shed that fed a million children" (translation — "the Shed that fed a million children." "On"). This is the story of the creation of the wonderful charity Mary's Meals, which is around the world raises funds for meals to schoolchildren in disadvantaged countries. She inspired me in Christmas Colours: in Christmas on my site you can download festive mini-coloring book for donation to this organization.

 Allow me another personal question. How do you handle stress?

My family lives in the countryside, in your own home. Therefore, when the head is a mess, I go and mess around in the garden or go for a walk around the neighborhood. A bit of blue sky and green fields — it always helps!