![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff4764475-66ac-4f74-86b6-e183e5b17fd1_1200x1517.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F12b02564-5cd2-47d7-bf23-ddff1c2feeec_960x1280.jpeg)
Creating our coloring book celebrating soft masculinity has been a labor of love, creativity, and community. Here's a look behind the scenes at how this project came to life, from initial submissions to finalizing the print.
Submission Intake Process
Our journey began with a call for submissions on Instagram. We posted seeing if anyone wanted to be apart of this project, expecting we would just get a few submissions, but that the book would be mostly drawn from Olive’s previous artwork. However, were overwhelmed by the support and sheer volume of photo submissions we received! The enthusiasm from our community was heartwarming, and it was clear that many people resonated with the theme of soft masculinity. The diversity and creativity of the submissions were truly inspiring, and they set the tone for the inclusive and expressive nature of our coloring book. The pressure was on to create a coloring book that would make our community feel seen, celebrated, and loved!
Re-drawing Previous Designs
First, Olive revisited some of their previous designs, re-imagining them as line art suitable for coloring. This process was both nostalgic and exciting for Olive, as they saw familiar designs take on new life. Transforming these artworks into simple yet engaging line drawings required a careful balance of retaining their original charm while ensuring they were fun and accessible for coloring.
Drawing People's Submissions
One of the most rewarding parts of this project was interpreting and drawing the submissions we received. Each piece told a unique story about the people who submitted. Olive especially loved illustrating everyone’s beautiful tattoos and body hair. All the intricate details really made these pieces stand out.
Test Printing
The moment our illustrations came to life on paper was when the project felt truly real. We undertook several test prints to ensure each illustration was properly sized and formatted. It was crucial that the artwork looked good in print, with clear lines and ample space for coloring. This phase involved meticulous attention to detail, but seeing the printed pages was incredibly satisfying.
Making the Coloring Zine
To thank the wonderful people who submitted their artwork, we created a free coloring zine. This smaller, initial version of our coloring book was a way to show our appreciation and gather feedback. We also began selling our first few copies at vending events, eager to see how people reacted to the work. The positive reception and constructive feedback we received were incredibly helpful to us.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5fe3cd29-f265-4d21-9ffe-647c8d62408f_960x1280.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdf535aa6-fc82-4e47-84f8-d684e0b383e0_960x1280.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F736ad350-72b4-47d0-aab8-3852ed87f05b_768x1024.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F51f72a25-919c-49f2-be0b-fb8ac543817f_960x1280.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2632ee5-d7dd-49df-bfcf-29c5d7bbe7b7_960x1280.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F31dbda3c-42e9-4aa7-b7b4-8b94af1f1982_960x1280.jpeg)
Feedback and Adjustments
One consistent piece of feedback was the desire for larger pages. Many people wanted more space to fully engage with the illustrations. This was perfect timing, as we had already planned to expand the final coloring book to 8.5x11” pages. This feedback reaffirmed our decision and helped guide the final stages of our project.
Formatting and Finalizing
We are now in the process of formatting the pages for the full-size coloring book. We want to ensure that each illustration is perfectly placed and that the layout is visually appealing. We’re also finalizing our info pages, which outline our intentions behind the project and provide information about our illustrator Olive and all of their wonderful work.
Conclusion
Creating this coloring book has been an incredible journey, enriched by the support and creativity of our community. Celebrating soft masculinity through art has brought together a diverse range of voices and stories, and we can't wait to see how people engage with our book. Thank you to everyone who contributed and supported us along the way – this project wouldn't be the same without you. Stay tuned for the official release, and happy coloring!