Coastal Escapes began as a collection of quiet seaside ideas: shells, fossils, reefs, seaweed, wildlife and the curious treasures that wash ashore. Each illustration is designed in Miss Dolly Studios’ monochrome style, with bold black forms and guided areas that gradually reveal the finished image as you colour.
From seaside ideas to a collection
The collection grew from a simple fascination with the shapes and textures found around the coast. A shell, a piece of coral or a strand of seaweed can be interesting on its own, but together they create a much broader visual world. That variety became the starting point for the Coastal Escapes books.
Choosing what belongs on the page
Not every coastal subject works equally well as a colouring design. The strongest images tend to have a clear silhouette, recognisable forms and enough space for the eye to understand the subject quickly. Some illustrations focus on a single object, while others bring several smaller elements together into one balanced composition.
Designing for monochrome
Every image needs to work in black and white before anything else. Large black shapes create the structure, while the remaining white areas become the parts you gradually fill. Small hearts are added to guide those colourable spaces without overwhelming the artwork.
Simplifying the details
Coastal subjects can be naturally intricate. Coral, shells and seaweed often contain tiny textures and repeating patterns, so part of the process is deciding what to keep and what to simplify. The aim is to preserve the character of the subject without turning the page into something unnecessarily fiddly.
Testing the balance
Each illustration is reviewed at the size it will actually appear in the book. Fine details need to remain clear, larger areas need to feel comfortable to colour, and the balance between black and white should still feel strong once the design is printed.
Building the collection
As more illustrations were created, different themes began to emerge naturally. Shells and fossils, reefs, marine life, seaweed and beach treasures each developed their own character, eventually becoming separate books within the wider Coastal Escapes collection.
The finished result
The aim is not simply to create pictures of the seaside. It is to capture some of that same sense of quiet discovery — one shell, one reef, one curious coastal detail at a time — and turn it into a relaxed monochrome colouring experience.