Gradient Jigsaw Puzzle 
by Guest Writer Roberta Shore

We invite you to read Roberta Shore's review on the following jigsaw puzzle. Since she has discovered the advantages of jigsaw puzzling, she has reviewed/journaled several that will be available on this website.  

You may like to try the following Rainbow puzzle By Galison Amazon link 

Gradient puzzle Master Pieces Random Cut 1000 Pieces Finished Dimensions: 19.25” x 26.75”

Gradient Jigsaw Puzzle - Roberta's Review

Roberta-Profile
Gradient puzzle Master Pieces Random Cut 1000 Pieces Finished Dimensions: 19.25” x 26.75”

Gradient puzzle

Master Pieces

Random Cut

1000 Pieces
Finished Dimensions: 19.25” x 26.75”

My Confident Newbie Difficulty rating: Medium to Hard

I love pure gradient puzzles like this; not so much this one. One quality issue was particularly annoying. I also like random cut, sometimes they even seem easier to me; again, not so much this one. These pieces were totally crazy cut!

Quality: It was actually pretty nice except for the backing layer which didn’t get cut through enough. No pieces were still stuck together, but way too many had hanging pieces of backing paper - annoying! Otherwise, the sturdy box was small, square and very attractive, top and sides wrapped with a portion of the gradient and little signage. Inside was a sealed bag of pieces and a good size full illustration poster. Color match to pieces was very good. There was no puzzle dust to note. Even piece fit was just a bit loose — with care I could pick up the finished puzzle with only a little damage. The very low sheen pieces are solid, and none were missing. I would not discount the brand because of a possible manufacturing problem.

Getting started: Find edge pieces and sort by color. Even though I seem to have been blessed with excellent color vision, I did do an exacting sort: lights and darks of each color, each transition color (yellow to green, pink to purple, etc.), and a tray with the very lightest pieces from each color.

Construction: I built the frame first — it offered so much color information. The left hand side through to the light center went comparatively quickly. I actually built this piece by piece instead of building sections. That possibly could have made the build go faster, but, after finally adjusting to the crazy shapes, I was having fun finding each crazy piece to match the color hue I knew was next. This certainly was a great exercise for the visual part of my brain. I assessed at first glance of the illustration, that the right half would be, if not more difficult, at least more time consuming. I was indeed correct, there were many trays of yellow pieces, and that was the last area that got completed.

3-Gradients-puzzle

Final thoughts: If you are new to gradients, I would suggest choosing one that has broader changes of color and hues. The first one is called “Pure” from Clementoni. The second one is called “1000 Colours” From the Play Group. In that one, the full color spectrum is truly represented, and each piece is a totally individual color. Why did I say medium to difficult? In total, a gradient puzzle is not necessarily easy, although once a color is pieced that’s it, and you can go on to the next color. I’ve heard other puzzlers consider gradients easier than other puzzles for that reason. Other “gradient” puzzles that have design overlays, like the third example (Clementoni, “Mosaic”) or some other “feature” like made out of flowers, will be much more difficult. In any case, I believe the level of challenge and your desire to do another will depend on your color perception.

My grades: Quality A-, Fun Factor A

There's More To Jigsaw Puzzles Than Pieces Book by Linda Richard. A compilation of 50+ jigsaw puzzle related topics, tips and tricks written in conversational format for easy, light reading.There's More To Jigsaw Puzzles Than Pieces Book by Linda Richard. A compilation of 50+ jigsaw puzzle related topics, tips and tricks written in conversational format for easy, light reading. Click Here
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About Rainbow Jigsaw Puzzles

Exploring the Vibrant World of Rainbow Jigsaw Puzzles

Introduction: Rainbows have long captivated our imagination with their breathtaking display of vibrant colors. The beauty and symbolism of rainbows have found their way into various forms of art, including jigsaw puzzles. In this article, we will delve into the enchanting world of rainbow jigsaw puzzles, exploring the Cobble Hill Rainbow Series by Shelley Davies and the diverse styles and images used to create these captivating puzzles.

The Cobble Hill Rainbow Series: A Kaleidoscope of Colors: The Cobble Hill Rainbow Series, designed by Shelley Davies, celebrates the magnificent array of colors found in rainbows. This series features a collection of jigsaw puzzles where each puzzle is dedicated to a specific color of the rainbow. From vivid reds and oranges to soothing blues and purples, these puzzles invite puzzlers to immerse themselves in the mesmerizing world of colors.

Styles of Rainbow Colors: Rainbow jigsaw puzzles can be created using various styles of rainbow colors, each offering a unique visual experience. Some common styles include:

  1. Pixels: Pixelated rainbow puzzles use small square tiles to create the overall image, with each tile representing a specific color of the rainbow. As the pieces come together, the image gradually reveals itself, showcasing the brilliance of rainbow hues.
  2. Gradients: Gradient rainbow puzzles feature smooth transitions between colors, creating a seamless spectrum. The colors blend harmoniously, offering a soothing and visually pleasing puzzle-solving experience.
  3. Graduated Color Blends: In graduated color blend puzzles, the colors gradually change from one hue to another, creating a stunning visual effect. These puzzles often showcase the subtle nuances and intricate transitions within the rainbow spectrum.

Using Different Images to Create Rainbow Colors: Rainbow jigsaw puzzles incorporate a wide range of images to create the vibrant spectrum of colors. Various objects and subjects are used to represent different colors of the rainbow, allowing for a diverse and visually captivating puzzle-solving experience. Some popular choices include:

  1. Flowers: Rainbow puzzles featuring images of blooming flowers showcase the diverse range of colors found in nature. From vibrant tulips and daisies to exotic orchids and roses, these puzzles showcase the rich hues that make up the rainbow.
  2. Marbles: Marbles offer a unique and mesmerizing way to represent rainbow colors in puzzles. Each marble represents a specific color, and as the pieces come together, the puzzle reveals a beautiful array of colors resembling a collection of glistening marbles.
  3. Produce: Fruits and vegetables can be used to create rainbow puzzles, with each fruit or vegetable representing a different color. From red apples and orange carrots to yellow bananas and green grapes, these puzzles celebrate the vivid colors found in the natural world.
  4. Bottles: Rainbow puzzles featuring bottles filled with colored liquids offer a visually striking representation of the rainbow spectrum. Each bottle represents a different color, creating a puzzle that is both aesthetically pleasing and engaging.
  5. Birds: Rainbow puzzles featuring images of colorful birds, such as parrots and hummingbirds, showcase the vibrant plumage found in nature. These puzzles bring together the beauty of birds and the captivating hues of the rainbow.
  6. Patterns: Pattern-based rainbow puzzles incorporate intricate designs and geometric shapes to represent the spectrum of colors. These puzzles often feature symmetrical patterns and tessellations, offering a visually stimulating and challenging puzzle-solving experience.

Conclusion: Rainbow jigsaw puzzles transport us into a world of vibrant colors and captivating imagery. Whether it's the Cobble Hill Rainbow Series by Shelley Davies or other rainbow-themed puzzles, these puzzles celebrate the beauty and symbolism of rainbows through their diverse styles and imaginative use of images. From pixels and gradients to graduated color blends, these puzzles offer a wide range of visual experiences.

By incorporating various objects and subjects such as flowers, marbles, produce, bottles, birds, and patterns, rainbow puzzles showcase the stunning diversity and rich colors found in our world. So, grab a rainbow puzzle, embark on a colorful journey, and immerse yourself in the joy of solving puzzles that celebrate the brilliance of the rainbow spectrum.

(ChatGPT, personal communication, June 20, 2023)