As our raft came to an island in the sea, we looked up and saw how close the stars appeared, twinkling through the openings in the tops of the giant plants. Looking down, I saw the small eddies and swirls left in the sand by the waves and small creatures. I think I’ll explore this island further.
Zentangle drawn on an Official Zentangle tile using a black, Pigma Micron pen. Shading done with graphite pencil. Highlights done with white colored pencil.
We’ve traded yesterday's spacial vortex for an ocean raft which we’re riding across the waves. So many ways to travel on this journey! I wonder what we will discover on the other side?
Zentangle drawn on an Official Zentangle Tile using a black, Micron pen. Shading done with graphite pencil.
Tangles: Cadent Knight's Bridge Shattuck
I think we’ve found a special dimension that warps time and space. As we go along for the ride, the plants along the side of the path start poking through here and there to remind us of where we’re going.
Zentangle drawn on an Official Zentangle tile using a black, Micron pen. Shading done with graphite pencil. Highlights done with white colored pencil.
Tangles: Flux Striping
The second day on our path we’re walking fast… faster than I am used to. I feel like I’m running to keep up with everyone else. Kind of out of breath and unable to slip into a rhythm.
This is our second tile. I’m so excited to see the mosaic we create together!
Zentangle drawn on an Official Zentangle tile using a black, Micron PN pen. Shading done with graphite pencil.
We all came to this particular path from different directions: locations, desires, experiences, expectations, dreams…
Now, we will travel together for a while. Each doing the same thing, but each doing it their own way.
This is our first step on this journey.
My first tile from the CZT30 seminar!
Zentangle drawn on an Official Zentangle tile using a black, Micron pen. Shading done with graphite pencil.
Tangles: Crescent Moon Florz Hollibaugh Printemps
This little Bijou tile is going into my tangle index book. It shows a hybrid between Well and Florz. I like the way, when it is shaded, it looks like it is woven!
Zentangle drawn on an Official Zentangle Bijou tile using a black, Micron pen. Shading done with graphite pencil.
Tangles: florz well fwell
Unfortunately, no time for tangling yesterday. I spent the day putting together kits for teaching classes! I’m really looking forward to sharing Zentangle with new students.
Even after 8 years, teaching still excites me. I love watching the students discover that they CAN tangle and create beautiful works of art, even if they thought they couldn’t. It always surprises and delights.
One of the things I love about tan tiles is the ability to add both shades of grey and white highlights. In addition, these tiles are perfect for both brown, black and even white ink, creating lots of variety. All of these factors, added together take simple tangles to a much more sophisticated level!
Zentangle drawn on a tan Official Zentangle 3Z tile using black and brown, Pigma Micron pens. Shading done with graphite pencil. Highlights done with white charcoal pencil.
If you are in the Phoenix metro area, you can take a beginner’s Zentangle class from me!
Introduction to Zentangle Class with Tandika Star, CZT (Certified Zentangle Teacher) Zentangle is a simple-to-learn, relaxing, meditative way to create beautiful art by drawing structured patterns, one stroke at a time. Unlike other art forms, there is no preplanning, experience or mistakes in Zentangle.
In the introduction to Zentangle Class, you will learn the philosophy, method and approach to creating Zentangle art. You’ll walk away with a completed tile, an understanding of the Zentangle Method, the knowledge of how to create several tangles, shading techniques, all needed basic supplies and a resource list that will have you up and tangling and wanting to know more.
We missed celebrating Father’s Day on the actual day because we were in Providence at the CZT30 Seminar. So we celebrated yesterday. One of the things we did was to go to the Musical Instrument Museum . It is one of our favorite places to go because you learn about geography, history, music, and art all rolled into one.
While my husband was walking around looking at the instruments, I spent a lot of time taking pictures of things that resembled tangles. I deliberately tried to find ones that were simple, although I also took lots of pictures of more complex art.
Now, it’s a stroll along the path. This tile is simply Purk. It’s like finding a familiar stone along the way. Comfortable. Fun!
Zentangle drawn on an Official Zentangle Bijou tile using a black, Micron pen. Shading done with graphite pencil.
Tangles: Purk
This amazing Zenbutton was created by Amanda! I love the tangle she used around the outside edge!
Zentangle drawn on an Official Zentangle tile, using blue and black, Micron pens. Shading done with colored pencil.
Tangles: Fragment C15 Fragment L16 Fragment B11
This tile has been sitting in my drawer, partially done, for months. I found it when I was looking for unfinished tiles.
For some reason, when I first added the Squirmy tangle to a few sections, I really didn’t like it, and felt like I had ruined it.
When I pulled it out yesterday, I thought, “Why didn’t I finish this? It’s not bad!” So I added more Squirmy and finished filling in all the sections with Hypnotic. I used both Copic markers and graphite for the shading. And added a bit of white pencil highlights.
Sketchbooks.
Do you use a sketchbook? If you do, is it big? A favorite size is 9" x 12". They are great, if you generally draw in a larger format.
But I think a smaller size works much better if you regularly tangle on standard-sized tiles. The reason why is because you can turn the sketchbook easily, just like you turn your tile as you draw. I also like the smaller size because it fits in a pocket or my purse, so I always have one with me!
When you use a grid-type tangle, you don’t have to do it in a perfect grid shape! Here, I wanted to see what it would look like to use Bales, but make a fairly wonky grid, possibly with some perspective to it. So I made part of the lines curved, and varied the distance between the lines, just to see what it would look like.
This type of exercise is good to do every so often. It gives you a lot of good meditation because you don’t have to think that much about the tangle itself… it’s the same throughout the tile. It also illustrates what happens with variations of size and angle of a basic grid tangle. And the end result is an interesting tile!
This beautiful Zenbutton was created by Amanda. I really love all the different fragments that she chose. I think there’s a great balance of light and dark! She’s tried some that I haven’t been brave enough to tackle yet!
Zentangle drawn on an Official Zentangle tile, using a black, Pigma Micron pen. Shading done with graphite pencil.
Tangles: Fragment D1 Fragment K5 Fragment G7 Fragment U3
I’m building a library of tiles done with a single fragment from the Zentangle Primer. Today, I decided to tackle J15, using blue and brown ink. I love the effect this tangle produced when used en masse. The large, interlocking circles receded to stand behind the blue, web-like shapes, so I simply accented the illusion by shading with the appropriate colored pencil.
Creating tiles like this, with fragments, is kind of like discovering buried treasure. You try to visualize what they will look like, but even if you understand the pattern, actually seeing it is still surprising!
Wevuz fever.
She was tired of being grounded because of the illness. She never should have gone to the liquid planet. But watching the merfolk swim, with their beautiful coloring fascinated her. It was the height of tourist season while she was there. So many beings from so many strange places, all sharing the pathogens from their home worlds. Something was bound to happen.
Zentangle drawn on Strathmore Vellum Bristol using a black, Micron pen. Shading done with graphite pencil.