Kalysky Watercolor Coloring Books, 160 GSM Paper

When you want to try watercolor but don’t want to draw every subject from scratch, this set gives you finished grayscale illustrations to color. It includes three themed books—birds, animals, and nature landscapes—with 12 pages in each, so you can choose a subject and get started. The pages are printed on one side and use 160 GSM cold-pressed paper, with a lightly textured surface intended for watercolor and other wet or dry media. It’s a guided alternative to a blank watercolor pad, though the paper weight may matter if you prefer generous washes or repeated wet layers.

What to know

The grayscale line art varies in thickness and is designed to guide color placement without the stark look of heavy outlines. That can be helpful for beginners who want a little structure, while still leaving room to choose their own colors and shading. The illustrations are already on the page, so there’s no need to sketch a composition before painting.

Each book measures 8.5 x 11 inches and contains 12 illustrations. Printing on one side leaves the reverse blank, which is useful if you want to avoid working directly behind another image. The top-glued binding is made for easy page removal, and the book can lie flat on a desk or easel. The paper is described as acid-free and cold-pressed, with a textured finish intended to support blending and light layering. Acrylic and colored pencils are also listed as compatible media.

How to use it

Choose a page and test your colors with a light first pass before adding more pigment. The printed grayscale can help you read the shapes as you work, but it doesn’t dictate a palette or provide step-by-step painting instructions. Keep in mind that 160 GSM paper is a specific weight, not a guarantee that every technique or amount of water will behave the same way, for very wet washes, a dedicated heavier watercolor sheet may suit your approach better.

Practical tips

For a relaxed session, pick one of the bird illustrations, set out a small palette, and build color gradually across the feathers and background. A lighter first layer makes it easier to adjust the result than starting with saturated color everywhere. Since the pages are single-sided and can be torn out, you can separate a finished illustration for display without removing other pages from the book.

This format makes more sense than loose, unprinted paper when you want a ready-made subject and a bit of visual guidance. In return, you get less freedom over the original drawing, and the set doesn’t provide brushes, paints, or instructions in the supplied details. It makes sense if you want several nature themes in one purchase and prefer coloring a prepared design. Not the best choice if your priority is blank paper for original compositions or a heavier surface for extensive wet-on-wet work.

Practical doubts

How many pages are included? There are three books with 12 pages each, covering birds, animals, and nature landscapes.

Can I use colored pencils instead of watercolor? Yes. Colored pencils are listed alongside watercolor and acrylic as suitable media.

Can I remove a page to display it? The top-glued binding is designed to let pages tear out, and the book is described as lying flat for desk or easel use.

Should you buy it?

Choose this set if ready-drawn grayscale subjects will help you spend more time coloring and less time planning a composition. The three themes give you variety, and the single-sided pages are practical when you want to keep a finished piece separate. If your main goal is detailed watercolor practice with substantial water or repeated washes, compare the stated 160 GSM weight with the paper you normally prefer before choosing. The appeal here is convenience and guided subject matter, not a blank or especially heavy watercolor surface.