The visuals become easier to look at if you use a super easy-on-the-eyes theme like winter. I did like the trick though. It surprisingly wasn't that hard to find.
I solved it in one session. I thought I would take longer, especially with a puzzle like this which is effectively two different puzzles that use the same blocks in the same 6 by 7 area. But nope, just several minutes later, then I got it... Great puzzle!