Same String Experiment

As I practice my Zentangle art, it has become apparent to me that the "string" is (the most)? a challenging step in the process.  But as a lady in one of my May classes said, "But it only takes a few seconds to randomly draw a string with a pencil.  I don't understand what the big deal is."

And I don't understand, either.  It often stops me in my tracks when I select a blank tile and prepare to tangle - but do I need to draw a string first?  Sometimes I am in a hurry and I want to draw a 'tangleation' that I've been thinking about - and I just want to start anywhere on the blank tile (without drawing a string).  Or I just found a new tangle on the internet and I want to sit and draw it.  But do I have to draw a string first?

In my humble opinion, the answer (for me) is "yes".  That string is an itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny step that makes tangling a much more relaxing process.


About 8 months ago, as I was contemplating the pros and cons of drawing strings, I wondered how practical it would be to draw tangles using the same string on 5 different tiles.  So I experimented.

Using the traditional Zentangle method of art, I drew a pencil string on one tile - then I drew the same string on 4 additional tiles.  Over the next few days, I tangled on each of the tiles without looking back at what I had previously done.  Wow!  I was pleasantly surprised at the outcome.  One thought that crossed my mind was, "Are these really the same strings?"  ((Oh, yes, they are.))

Here is my "Same String Experiment" of November 2010...

Same String #1 of 5

Same String - #2 of 5

Same String - #3 of 5

Same String - #4 of 5

Same String - #5 of 5

Happy tangling!
Tricia

" String Theory - Initialize " - Weekly Challenge #30

This week's challenge is from guest challenger Christine Vandervlist, CZT.  She says..."for the challenge this week I am going to ask you to bring a little of yourself into the artwork! Draw your first and last initials, overlapping, and use this as the string for your tangles. Either block letters or cursive, both work well, so use your favourite".

I had to think about this for quite some time.  I couldn't imagine how my 'stick man' initials would make for an appealing tangle.  Straight lines... no curves.  Bo-ring.  My initials, TF, had me stuck in the mud.


So, I decided to use my other initials.... "PF".  At least I now have the advantage of a curve!


And when I penciled the initials onto the paper, two tangles immediately exploded off the page:  Vergigogh tangelation and Sanibelle.  So I went with them.  Quick and easy - down and dirty - relaxed and happy.  This was a fun challenge.  Thank you, Christina!


OH, one more thing....


In order to view my ZIA in it's proper orientation, you will need to do one of two things:  either lift your computer screen and rotate it 90 degrees right, OR lay on your desk/floor.

zia on 5"x 6" bristol board; Sakura Micron #'s 005 & 01; Zig platinum for shading inside tangles; graphite shading on tangle perimeter.

 

String for Challenge #30.

Happy tangling!

Tricia (aka Patricia)

" String Theory-Creative Genesis " - Weekly Challenge #29

This week, Sue Jacobs, CZT, is the guest "challenger".  Sue's challenge is to draw a string using a piece of string (or yarn, rope, wire etc.).  Hold your piece of string/yarn above your tile and slowly drop the string onto the tile until it falls into a pleasing pattern.  Then, using a pencil, lightly trace the pattern of the string onto your tile.  Voila!!  You're ready to tangle.

For my string, I used this multi-colored cord that I received from Lois Stokes, CZT.  Lois gave a string to all the students in CZT Seminar #3 in May 2010.  (Thank you, Lois!)

String was slowly dropped onto this 3.5" square tile.  Pattern then lightly traced with a pencil.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

And here is my Creative Genesis contribution to this week's unique challenge.  This was fun.

Traditional Zentangle 3.5" square tile; Sakure Micron sizes 01 & 005; graphite for shading.

Great imagination, Sue!   What else do you have cookin' in your studio?

Happy tangling!

" Trip to Tripoli "- Weekly Challenge #28

In this week's challenge from the Diva, she says: ..."get out your pens and explore the land of Tripoli! Where will it take you?"

 I wasn't sure where to start this tangle, so I took out my circle template.  After mapping-out the route with pencil, I wandered around and found Tripoli to be a fabulously versatile pattern.  So I kept on 'penning' and became totally engrossed in these little tri-polygons.... and I couldn't stop!  Tripoli is my new best friend.

 

"Trip to Tripoli" - ZIA, 6"x6" Bristol smooth 100 lb, Sakura Microns 01 & 005; graphite for string & shading.

Instruction for Tripoli is illustrated in the Zentangle Newsletter.  

Happy tangling!
ps:  Happy Birthday, Uncle Charlie!!  love you...

" Duo-Tangle" - Weekly Challenge #27

This week's challenge is to create a zentangle or ZIA using only two tangle patterns:  Dex and Verdigogh.  Both patterns are official Zentangle tangles.

Dex?  Hmmmmmmmmmm..... What does Dex look like?  And how is it deconstructed??  I don't think I have ever had occasion to draw this tangle.  

Verdigogh is one of my favorites, so this assignment was at least half  familiar!  But the actual design was the true challenge for me.  Dex and Verdigogh are two of the most unlikely soul-mates!

"Duo Tangle" - (traditional Zentangle) 3.5" square tile; Sakura Micron black #01, #005; graphite shading.

 Happy tangling!

ps:  Happy Birthday, Uncle Charlie!!  Love you.

" Spiral Out - Keep Going " - Weekly Challenge #26

This week the challenge is to make your string a 'Spiral'!   There are all kinds of significance to the spiral - it occurs everywhere in nature and in sacred geometry.  You can build it with the golden ratio, etc., etc., etc. (The Diva)

What is a 'spiral'?  To summarize the many definitions, a spiral is a curve on a plane or in a space, which runs around a centre in a special way.

Apparently, my ZIA spiral is a 'three-dimensional conical helix' form/shape/type.  Whoever knew! 

"Spiral Out"- ZIA - 6"x6" Bristol board; double-pencil string; Sakura Micron Black 01, 005 & Brown 01; graphite shading

Happy tangling!

p.s.  Happy Birthday, Susan.  Love you.

" Zendala Magic " - Weekly Challenge #25

Pinch-hitting for the Diva this week is Genevieve Crabe, CZT guest challenger who says:   

"As some of you know, zendalas (a fusion of mandalas and Zentangle) are one of my favourite art forms. So for this week's challenge, I have created a zendala template for you to decorate.  Here is [a preview of] the image:"

Zendala template created by Gevevieve Crabe, CZT, for Weekly Challelnge #25

During the last 2 weeks, DH and I have moved to a new house.  Now the challenge is to make it our new home.  But this merry-go-round of pack-the-boxes-unpack-the-boxes has taken a serious toll on my precious Zentangle time!!!  And for a few days, my box of Zentangle materials were actually missing!  OH, NO!!  Tell me it isn't so!

But alas, my Zentangle toys were located and my world is back to normal.  (Well, almost.)  Ahhhh - such a pleasure to get back into my comfortable chair and tangle.  I really needed this tangle-time.  Thanks, Rick and Maria!

This mandala was really fun to tangle.  Thank you, Genevieve.

"Zendala Magic" - 3.5" tile, Sakura Micron#01 & #005, graphite shading

Happy tangling!
p.s.  Happy Birthday, Christopher!  Love you.

" A Little Help from a Friend " - Weekly Challenge #22

Here is the Diva's challenge for this week:  "Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to enlist the help of someone other than yourself who will draw the string on your tile or Zentangle Inspired Art."

I like this!  No stress.  String was drawn by my handsome DH of 47 years...and I relaxed into my Zentangle.  Thank you, Laura, for another fun challenge.

Traditional Zentangle using traditional supplies/tools.

...... and the string:

String for above Zentangle.

Happy tangling!

p.s.  Happy Birthday, David!  Love you.

" OoF " - Weekly Challenge # 21

This week the Diva has challenged us to create a Zentangle tile or ZIA using the new Official tangle
" Oof ".... (which was introduced in the Zentangle Newsletter).

For some reason, this pattern has me scratching my head.  I can't seem to wrap my brain around it so that it makes sense... but it sure is fun to play with.  Here, I have used it kinda-like a string.  One single little OoF. 

"OoF" - 3.5" tile; Sakura Micron black #01 & #005

Will keep practicing.....

Happy tangling!

" Royal Wedding" - Weekly Challenge #20

This week's challenge from the Diva is to take inspiration from the recent Royal Wedding and tangle a memory.

Princess Catherine's dress was lovely, and the simplicity of style with lace accent was stunning.  I love lace... and have never thought of 'drawing' or 'tangling' it.... until the Diva's challenge.

So here is my attempt at an interpretation of 'lace'. (*note: my lace is 'hand-made'.  Perhaps, someday, I'll attempt a tangle of  'machine-made'  lace.  Perhaps.)  8-)

"Lace" zia - 3.5" square white tile - Sakura Micron black #005; Sakura gel white

Happy tangling!