03 January,2017 10:12 AM IST | | Joanna Lobo
Two Mumbai illustrators are on a mission to expand your colouring horizon, from paper to plushies, wall hangings and soon, sofas
Pranita Kocharekar and Ankita Shinde
Use fabric markers or fabric paint to colour
Illustrators Ankita Shinde and Pranita Kocharekar love to dabble with colour. The artists, who are also good friends and often collaborate for projects, wanted to create a personality development colouring book for children.
"We didn't want to make just another adult colouring book. While discussing this plan, we got excited about colouring, and decided to make a brand dedicated to just this," says Shinde, 26, founder of Another Day Another Colour Studio and co-founder of Not Just Colouring (NJC).
A Wall Hanging
The duo discovered that beyond colouring their own sketches and using adult colouring books, there weren't enough options for colouring on different materials. Thus began NJC, their mission to spread the joy of colouring by providing a diverse canvas.
A pizza slice plushie
You can choose from plushies (stuffed toys) in the shape of watermelon slices or pizza slices or a wall hanging depicting a window scene. These are made of 100 per cent polyester and are washable. To colour, you can choose from fabric markers or just fabric paint; wait 24 hours for the colour to dry before washing them. "During our testing stages, everyone we showed the products to asked us what to use to colour in them. Eventually, we will start selling colours with the products," says Shinde.
A watermelon slice plushie
The duo gets their cloth products stitched by a tailor. Shinde narrates that the first time they approached the tailor, she was surprised at their request. "She asked us what it was for and who would use such things. Later, her daughter came up and immediately pointed at the watermelon plushie and said she wanted it. I guess that answered her questions," laughs Shinde.
Pranita Kocharekar and Ankita Shinde
If you still prefer paper, NJC also has postcards, invitation cards, motivational cards and posters. "We started with products that are easy to make and manufacture and wouldn't cost us as much. Once we gather enough funds, we want to go big," says Shinde.
In the coming months, you could find yourself a sofa, wallpaper, a swing set or even shoes that you can colour in.
