Buddhist Art Coloring Book 1: Auspicious Symbols and Mythical Motifs from the Tibetan Tradition

Good for meditation-coloring.

Robert Beer's _The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs_ and _The Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols_ are two classics of on Tibetan iconography. They feature incredibly skilled black-and-white brushwork drawings with explanatory text on their meaning in traditional art. If you've seen either of these books, you know exactly what I mean.And if you have, you're probably thrilled to have this coloring book taken from those! And they are taken directly from them - no 'dumbing-down' of the artwork, simplifying the linework, or enlarging the drawings to make them easier to "color between the lines". In fact the drawings are reduced to fit the coloring book's 8" by 10" format. What was intricate before is now doubly so.If you aren't familiar with Robert Beer's books on iconography, this is an important point. This are very tightly done drawings that are going to require more focus than many other coloring books. A few of them could be done with felt-tip pens, but most are going to require very sharp colored pencils or fine-pointed pens. Some areas are big enough for shading effects but some are going to be challenging just to manage one color in the spaces. I'm posting some photos of one of the more detailed pages so you can see what scale I'm talking about.This book is not one of those "meditative mandala" things where you put a lick or two of color before you go to bed. But you'll find the "bones" of the artwork far and beyond almost any other coloring book out there. In return for your focus and effort, you're going to be illuminating with color the drawings of a master -- probably worth framing when you're done.For ideas on color schemes, try googling for the Rubin Museum's Himalayan Art website. himalayanart dot orgor Robert Beer's website. tibetanart dot comFYI, there's a volume 2 to this book Buddhist Art Coloring Book 2: Buddhas, Deities, and Enlightened Masters from the Tibetan Tradition If you feel that this book is too complex, there is a new coloring book available from Tashi Dhargyl:  Coloring for Meditation: With Tibetan Buddhist Art  His drawings are simpler but just as authentic in terms of Tibetan iconography.

It took me awhile to approach this slim treasure. It seemed to rest in suspended animation just out of view while I paid bills near it.Once I'd cleared some space at my kitchen table I sat down in what receptivity I could muster, to page through.Living on a pond that lifts shifting continents of water lilies up out of the lively muck in rural Vermont I turned through the nicely hefted pages till I put a finger on the page full of Flower Buds and paused. I'm still not quite sure why it's so beautiful. I studied it, first assuming Mr. Beer had drawn 50 some odd flowers and then, you know, mirror-imaged them. I started blinking as I realized that in the very middle nine buds reach straight up. On each side of these nine, 47 buds that bend ever so lightly away from center, suggestive of some dance I can't quite seem to recall, are each singular in form. Echoing but not repeating. Somehow this was a bit overwhelming. Who has time to do this??? I don't know that I'll even find time to color it let alone create something like this.I turned to the back and read this line about the flower buds: "The compact grace and bulbous weight of their forms are emphasized through the subtle curves of the stems that bear them…shading emphasizes the roundness and compactness of their hidden interior petals, a darker color tone is used to indicate its secret inner density; a tear-shaped overlapping fold of petals defines this dark, womb-like interior…"Good night.The words are as mysterious with potency as the delicate art forms.If I close my eyes I am resting on a child's raft in the pond, eyes level with the surface of the water, drifting through the daydreaming buds that shift about my hair, breathing the delicate ephemeral musk of water-lilies in July.Needless to say I just bought its companion: Buddhist Art Coloring Book 2.Even if I never color them, they're mysterious company.Thank you Mr. Beer.~~ Sam.

This is a beautiful coloring book, especially cool if you are interested in Buddhism and Buddhist symbolism (but you can enjoy it without that). Each image is on a single sided page of nice smooth white paper which has a lovely abstract buddhist pattern you probably wont want to color printed on the back. The images have a lot of small detail so you'll need pencils that can color in small places. In the back is an appendiz with a minitiature of the pages describing the symbolism or buddhist folk tale behind the images and also with some description of what colors would be used in buddhist art for certain things. Of course you do't need to use these colors but in buddhist art the colors also have a lot of symbolism so if you want to color with respect for that symbolism, the guidance is there, which I really like (as well as finding that appendix really educational in other ways). I use pencils not pens to color so I don't know if pens would bleed through this paper but it feels like fairly solid paper, as coloring books go, it is more smooth tha some and sometimes that can make a difference in terms of ink bleeding out f the place where you want it--my guess is that would not be a problem here but I don't know for sure. Anyway, There's anther book by this same author I think I'll get as a gift for someone. I think these books are kind f standouts and unique in the vast realm of adult coloring books available thse days

I've owned Beer's encyclopedia for years and love his work, and was excited to be able to just work on watercolor painting using his outlines. The paper I would guess is about 65-80 lb paper that's semi-glossy, so it can hold up to light watercoloring but it's definitely not heavy watercolor paper. I don't know how it would hold up to heavy markers or other inks. So one star off. But otherwise, fantastic imagery and I like the concise explanations at the end. Thanks Mr. Beer for making these available.

Very nice book containing beautiful symbols to colour and enjoy. There are some pages with many smaller projects to enjoy when you have less time and some full-page more detailed designs as well. Some of the drawings are beautiful landscapes, and there are also symbols such as dorjes, wheels, and yantras. This is a great book with a lot of variety to choose from.

I am blown away by this book. It is truly beautiful, highly intricate which for me is music to my ears. I waited with much anticipation for this book to arrive. If you like detailed colouring in then this is the book for you. I can't wait for book 2 now. Thank you to Robert Beer for putting this out, my number one colouring book by far.

This exquisite book is yet another of Robert Beer's inspired gifts to mankind. Taking time to observe the images, before touching them with colour, quickly calms my busy mind and colouring these sacred patterns definitely requires a deep level of care-full-ness, or mindfulness. The clear and concise description of each drawing really helps me to connect to the sacred meaning of the image and makes the colouring more meaningful. For me it's a delightful working meditation and pure healing medicine for the stress and pace of daily life. Eagerly awaiting the second book from this great Buddhist scholar and artist!

This beautiful coloring book is a real joy! I constantly refer to Robert Beer's "Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs" to study his meticulous line drawings and excellent text, but now I can actually immerse myself in the mindful practice of coloring them in. A brilliant idea by a highly talented and generous artist. Thankyou Robert.

It is too beautiful to colour! The drawings are exquisite and reflect the lifetime of skill, knowledge and experience of this artist