Did you notice that I skipped a number in this series of ATC cards? While this one was actually the sixth one I did, I saved it for the last because of the way it came out.
Ok. I had this idea about using Paradox to make a symmetrical design. I think it sort of worked… but not at all what I imagined it would look like!
ATC #6. Project done!
Sometimes the simplest tangles can have a powerful impact. It depends on how you treat them.
Here, I used Hollibaugh, but gave it a bit of a curve. Then I made it holey!
And a little touch of blue just makes it magical.
ATC #11
Zentangle drawn on a cut down, grey, Official Zentangle tile using a blue, Micron pen, cobolt, Copic Multiliner, and white Gelly Roll. Shading done with graphite, Copic marker and colored pencil.
“Fishy, fishy in the brook, Daddy catch him on a hook, Mommy fry him in a pan, Johnny eat him like a man.”
– Unknown
Looking for a simple tangle that can be use in a variety of ways? Take Indy-Rella out for a spin!
Depending on how you draw it, you can suggest flames, or fish. You can add them to the ends of Fescu, turning them into some kind of plant, or follow various contours to create a nice, organic fill.
Diva Dance is such a fun tangle. Although the concept is very simple, it can morph to fit almost any shape. Or, it can take on a life of it’s own, depending on the variation.
Here, it has been wrapped around itself in a spiraled style that gives the appearance of full-blown blossoms.
ATC #9.
Zentangle drawn on sahara, Fabriano Tiziano using a black and tan, Micron pens and white Gelly Roll. Shading done with graphite pencil.
Aquafleur, the tangle used on the heart-shaped string was one that I didn’t understand well for a long time. I tried it, as it was shown to me, and I just couldn’t figure out how those ribbons wrapped a given string.
Finally, one day, I just sat and played with it in my sketch book. And all of a sudden, it just “clicked” for me.
Here, it is used in an elegant, but simplified version. It’s easier to understand when wrapped around a single, simple shape.
Printemps is one of my favorite tangles.
It can be made large, with a heavier hand and used as central motifs. It can be drawn small and numerous to fill in a background.
You can completely cover an area with it, overlapping where needed, or you can leave negative space around and between each fragment.
No matter the over-all concept, it’s a wonderful tangle to draw for the Zen flow!
Ruutz, a tangle created by Eni Oken, is a wonderful subject for tangle fractalization. I chose, in this example, to use a different color ink for each iteration. My hope was that the designs would appear to fade out going into the background.
If you want more information about this tangle technique, check out Eni Oken's Fractalized Tangles Lesson Bundle !
ATC number three… done!
Zentangle drawn on Strathmore Vellum Bristol using a black, Micron pen and a brown and grey Copic Multiliner. Shading done with graphite pencil.
Most of the time, now days, I draw the “crazy” version of Nzeppel, rather than the “grid” version. So I thought I would do this for a change of pace.
I decided to add an internal aura to each bubble, just to provide some interest. That lead me to making the colored border.
Zentangle drawn on an Original, Zentangle Bijou tile using a black and a brown, Micron pen. Shading done with colored pencil. Border colored with Copic marker.
I liked yesterday's grid tangle tile so much, I decided to do it again!
I love the way Dex creates the illusion of depth in the paper. It’s as if you could enter one of the fragments and set up a room to sit and relax in.
Zentangle drawn on an Official, Zentangle Bijou tile using a black, Micron pen. Shading done with graphite pencil.
Tangles: Dex
It’s interesting how, as your Zentangle practice evolves, you sometimes veer away from grid-based tangles, preferring flowing, organic, individual elements.
Every so often, I feel an urge to return to those structured reticula, filled with repeated fragments. There’s something soothing about drawing them that fills you with peace and zen-flow.
For this small, Bijou tile, I chose Yincut. It is actually one of my favorites because of the overall look of the finished piece. It reminds me of an old-fashioned, lithographic print.
It’s interesting, when you create a monotangle, what meta patterns appear over the tile.
Here, because the basic tangle was executed across a triangular grid, circular, flower-like designs end up in the corners and sunken, shield-type shapes are offset across the tile!
I chose to add the lines to give the impression of screws in each small circle because I thought it would be more interesting and help break up the design a bit.
I am not sure what I think about this. It didn’t come out like the picture I had in my mind when I started. On the other hand, I kind of like it. I may try this again, but slightly differently, or with a different tangle.
Zentangle drawn on an Official Zentangle Renaisannce tile using black, sepia and brown Micron pens and a white Gelly Roll pen. Shading done with graphite and colored pencils.
Sometimes, we look at a tangle and think “that’s too simple” or “what a boring tangle”. But you shouldn’t take a tangle for granted, just because of it’s simplicity!
Munchin is one of those tangles. I specifically chose it for this monotangle to highlight it’s amazing depth and beauty when done large. Just a little subtle shading and highlighting make it pop right off the tile.
Your challenge, today, is to use Munchin with other tangles on your tile in a way that highlights this simple tangle!
I did a grey and pink tile using Indy-Rella a while back, where I used them as fish-like shapes.
Here, I wanted to create the feeling of flames, using metallic markers and going from bright silver to red.
It reminds me of a camp fire, so I think it is a success!
Zentangle drawn on Strathmore, black, ArtRage paper various, metallic, gel pens. Shading done with colored pencil and Copic marker. Highlights created with General’s White Charcoal pencil.
I don’t draw this tangle often enough! I picked it for this 3Z because I woke up thinking about it in the morning. So, I took that as a sign to create this tile.
So, have you been wondering why I’ve created so many 3Z tiles? Stay tuned!
Zentangle drawn on Strathmore Vellum Bristol using a black, Micron pen. Shading done with graphite pencil. Highlights created with white colored pencil.
I call this my “Ode to Frida” monotangle. That’s becauseit reminds me of those large flowers that she often wore in her hair, like a crown.
This version of Diva Dance produces strong, graphic, circular elements. So I chose to draw them in three different colors. I like the contrast between the brown, black and white inks.
I also chose not to add any graphite or other shading. I feel that this is one of the few cases where it could detract from the over-all design.
I’ve posted Zentangles with a design similar to this tile before, here and here .
In addition, the other two examples have no shading or highlights. So I needed and example that included these additions.
I’m doing it again because I’m using it on a class project and I wanted it on a 3Z for my students to observe and discuss.
Zentangle drawn on black, Strathmore, Artagain paper using a white, Sakura, gel pen. Shading done with Copic Markers and black colored pencil. Highlighting done with General’s Charcoal White.
For me, this is the traditional way of drawing Shattuck. As an alternative, it could be done with straight lines, instead of curved. I do it both ways, depending on what I am working on.
Zentangle drawn on black, Strathmore, Artagain paper using a white, Sakura, gel pen. Shading done with Copic Markers and black colored pencil. Highlighting done with General’s Charcoal White.
Tangles: Shattuck
One of the things that I love about the “Crazy” versions of various tangles is how forgiving they are for those who struggle with perfection. Crazy ‘Nzeppel is a perfect example. Because each section ends up being a different, and some times surprising shape, each squished bubble doesn’t have to match any other!
Zentangle drawn on black, Strathmore, Artagain paper using a white, Sakura, gel pen. Shading done with Copic Markers and black colored pencil. Highlighting done with General’s Charcoal White.
Huggins is a favorite tangle for many, many people. Here, I’ve chosen to create it in a traditional manner, with added auras inside each shape.
When this was first drawn, it really didn’t look like much. But the addition of shading and highlighting brings it to life!
Zentangle drawn on black, Strathmore, Artagain paper using a white, Sakura, gel pen. Shading done with Copic Markers and black colored pencil. Highlighting done with General’s Charcoal White.