From the Zentangle Primer: Lesson 3, page 55, Exercise #9. We are instructed to let our tangles extend beyond the border.
In my tile, above, I decided to extend Braze all the way to the very edge of the tile. It looks as if it was dropped onto the drawing. I made the border very definite by turning it into a tangled frame all around the center of the tile. Florz made a nice, simple background that didn’t distract from the tangles sitting on top of it!
From the Zentangle Primer: Lesson 3, page 55, Exercise #8. For this string exercise we were to go “beyond the string,” and push past boundaries.
I think Amanda did a fantastic job, compared to her original string, which you can see below! I love the way her Pokeleaf meandered around part of the string and then went up and joined into the Verdigogh at the upper right!
Amanda’s talent and distinctive style is slowly emerging with each exercise that she does!
From the Zentangle Primer: Lesson 3, page 55, Exercise #8.
For this string exercise we were to go “beyond the string,” and push past boundaries.
I used the string as more of a comfort zone than as an actual string. I created the big Verdigogh “leaf” first, placing the central rib along a curved line that was part of my string. But I extended it past the outer bounding box. Next, I added the sprinkling of Printemps here and there, just at random, having nothing at all to do with the original string. The Poke Leaf sections were then added to approximately opposite corners and finally the Florz section was used to ad a bit of geometric precision to an other-wise free-flowing design.
From the Zentangle Primer: Lesson 2, page 45, Exercise 4.
For this exercise, we were to use all the same tangles: Shattuck, Jetties and Bales, but use different shading.
I think Amanda (above) did a fantastic job with this tile! I love that she used several tanglations: Bales, Hollibaugh, Florz, and Jetties! My favorite is her version of Bales. It has so much depth to it now!
My artwork is above. I mixed Bales and Florz togther for my background, and pillow-shaded each floret in the design. I had a lot of fun with Jetties. I decided to treat them more like beads, and made each one different, although a few original Jetties snuck in on their own. I’ve drawn Shattuck many times, this is the first time I’ve added perfs to them.
From the Zentangle Primer: Exercise 1, page 33.
For this exercise, we each had to create a Zentangle using the same tangles as the first. However, we were to shade them differently.
Amanda’s artwork is above. You can see how she shaded around the outside of the central bobble which makes it appear more like it is floating above the tile. She also altered Printemps from her original style. This version gives it a lot more drama and depth.
From the Zentangle Primer: Exercise 1, page 33.
For this exercise, we were to create another Zentangle, using the same four tangles as the first tile. However, this time, we were instructed to shade each tangle differently.
In addition to changing the shading, I also changed the style of each of the tangles. I chose to wrap Florz around a bobble and give it more of a 3D, or dimensional feel. I took a lot of creative license with Cresent Moon, adding more details and treating it more like ruffles. I normally draw Printemps fairly small, but here, I tried to make it much larger than I normally do. And for Hollibaugh, I rounded out the areas where the strips ran into the border.
The Zentangle Primer.
Our group has changed books. We originally wanted to use the Zentangle Primer , but we had to wait because Amanda did not have a copy. So, while we were waiting for hers to arrive, we have been using the One Zentangle a Day book. Amanda received her Primer on Saturday, so we have both been reading/rereading the Primer. Today’s post is from the Primer, Lesson 1, Your First Tile.
Growth.
At the center of it all, there has been a seed planted. And now the growth begins. The living towers still stood, although the lace dress and pearls were sold long ago. But the new growth was hope, renewed.
Zentangle drawn on Strathmore Vellum Bristol using a black, Micron pen. Shading done with graphite pencil.
Tangles: Avreal Courant Florz Jay Six Muchin Pokeleaf Y-ful Power
Afterwards.
The party is over. They have all gone home. I think I’ll clean up the mess in the morning.
To me, this tile looks like party favors or decorations left on the floor when the celebration is long over. The Cruffles look a bit like carpeting and Florz actually looks like tile.
Zentangle drawn on Strathmore Vellum Bristol using a black, Micron pen. Shading done with graphite pencil.
Leftie-Louie.
This tile was done entirely with my non-dominant hand. That includes the shading and even the date and signature on the back. I was actually surprised at how well it turned out!
Zentangle drawn on Official Zentangle tile using a black, Micron pen.
Tangles: Crescent Moon Echoism Fescu Florz Nzeppel Pokeleaf Tipple
Old fashioned.
This tile has several tangles that I haven‘t drawn in some time. And the style is more like what I did years ago than what has evolved since then. Every so often, I think it‘s a good idea to reflect on the past.
Zentangle drawn on Strathmore Bristol Vellum using a black Micron pen.
Tangles: Echoism Emingle Finery Florz Inapod Quandry Sedgling Static Stiritup
It‘s complicated.
When I‘m stressed, taking time to tangle becomes even more important. It allows me to decompress and step away from the chaos. However, my tile often reflects what‘s going on around me. This tile is a case in point. I‘m not feeling good, and there is a lot of “stuff” going on that has me not following my “normal” routine.
Zentangle drawn on Strathmore Bristol Vellum using a black Micron pen.
Butterfly bones.
Every time I look at this tile, I feel like it‘s a drawing of the remains of a butterfly or a moth.
This tile includes one of my original tangles: Barbd.
Zentangle drawn on Strathmore Bristol Vellum using a black Micron pen.
Tangles: Barbd Black Box Bridgen Carrés Caterpillar Cheesecloth Circfleur Five Oh Florz Keeko Locar
Symmetry.
Not really, but this string gives you an illusion of symmetry because of the repetition of patterns on each side of the tile.
Zentangle drawn on Official Zentangle tile using a black, Micron pen.
Tangles: Centipede Florz Kule Meer Scallops Shard Tink
Rotation.
It‘s interesting the way the design feels like everything is wrapped around the Bunzo as if it‘s surrounded by a mini cyclone of patterns.
Zentangle drawn on Strathmore Bristol Vellum using a black Micron pen.
Tangles: Ambler Bunzo Ennies Florz Indy-Rella Jetties Knase Purk
Ca-Ray-Zee!
Ok, this is old, and I don‘t remember what I was trying here, other than to try tangling on a colored background with a different colored pen. This tile has no shading, and frankly, I don‘t think adding it would help at all. It looks like the string had lots of curves, but who knows how it all began!
Zentangle drawn on colored card stock using a sepia Micron pen.
Release.
We cast the net into the sea, tying it down with ribbons to the world above. The new spores floated away to start their transformation.
Zentangle drawn on Strathmore Bristol Vellum using a black Micron pen.
Tangles: Florz Quib Rixty
Back to the future.
Last Friday, a book I ordered recently arrived. It is the Zentangle Primer. Vol 1, by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. This book represents the beginning instructions for the Zentangle method.
I have never taken a class from a CZT, (Certified Zentangle Teacher,) so I was really looking forward to reading this book. I‘ve wanted it for some time, but the price is pretty steep. I have to say, so far, I am not disappointed. Even though it covers things that I already know, the book is still quite useful and informative.
Simplicity.
I decided, for this tile, to return to the very roots of tangling. This string and these patterns are often used by CZTs when teaching the first Zentangle class.
Zentangle drawn on Strathmore Vellum Bristol with a black, Micron pen.
Tangles: Crescent Moon Florz Static Tipple
What do you see?
I love this tile. I‘ve had a blast asking people what they see when they look at it. I‘ve gotten a lot of different answers. What makes this tile work so well is all the contrasting areas that are well balanced across the tile. The patterns are all fairly bold, and have areas of dark and light.
Zentangle drawing done with Micron pen on Strathmore Vellum Bristol .
Tangles: A-Dalfa Carrés Diva Dance Florz Footprints Sabi Twiggy