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InspirationIllustration

Artist invents giant colouring-in for grownups with completely customisable canvases

Looking for something a little different yet creative for your upcoming event, party or festival? Artist Maria Leyden could have the answer. Jumping on the global 'colouring-in for grownups' trend, she launched her own business, Fancy Features in 2008, to cater for such an appetite.

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All images courtesy of Maria Leyden

All images courtesy of Maria Leyden

Creating bespoke colouring prints and posters, Leyden also offers giant colouring-in canvases, completely customisable to your brand or needs. As you can imagine, her idea has really taken off and she has already worked with global brands such as Fred Perry and Absolut Vodka, UK charities like the Alzheimer's Society and Mencap, and big festivals like Shambala and Secret Garden Party.

Leyden hand illustrates the giant canvasses, working from your ideas to create a picture that captures your story ready for colouring in. "You can ask me to put anything you like into your picture," she explains. "Then I'll email you a draft design sketched on paper, you can make amendments if you like then I'll hand illustrate it onto a canvas, as big as you like. It's a really simple concept that lets loads of people create art together."

Person colouring in a large black-and-white illustrated canvas featuring detailed buildings and architectural elements with coloured pencils
Two people colouring in giant customisable canvases featuring Robinsons brand designs on dark green walls
Woman in white t-shirt colouring in a large canvas featuring a tree, buildings and colourful flowers designed by Maria Leyden
Child's hands holding red and blue markers while colouring in a large canvas illustration with green and white sections
Person viewing a large hand-illustrated colourful canvas featuring a vibrant cityscape with buildings and street scenes ready for colouring in
Young person colouring in a vibrant illustration of London landmarks including the London Eye, Big Ben and colourful stylised trees and buildings by Maria Leyden
Two people colour in a giant customisable canvas with felt-tip pens at an event
Group of people colouring in a large hand-illustrated canvas suspended under a blue canopy at an outdoor event
A man views a large hand-illustrated canvas featuring a vibrant tiger head surrounded by intricate patterned wings and decorative elements in bold colours and black outlines
Person colouring in a large hand-illustrated canvas featuring intricate patterns, flowers and decorative designs in vibrant colours
A person colours in a vibrant hand-illustrated giant canvas featuring a colourful cityscape with buildings and sky by artist Maria Leyden
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