Zentangle Basic

The last time I did a Zentangle, I think, was in 2018. I have a very nice book by Rick and Maria**, the Zentangle Founders that I bought at the class I took with my mom.

Zentangle May 2024
Zentangle May 2024

I was out of town last week and desperate for some creativity work, so I pulled out my Zentangle supplies and did one.

I followed the instructions in the book, because I have forgotten most of what I learned in the class. I didn’t do any shading, but can go back and do some later. You can see how the shading changes the look in one of the previous tiles I made.

I don’t really need the tile, but I have it so I’ll figure out something to do with it.

My doctor wants me to do things to reduce stress. This might be a good activity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

**N. B. : Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this blog.

Mom’s Mermaid

My mom is doing Inktober. Inktober is a project where everyone participating is encouraged to do a  drawing following the prompts. Inktober was created in 2009 by Mr. Jake Parker. He created it “as a challenge to improve [his] inking skills and develop positive drawing habits. It has since grown into a worldwide endeavor with thousands of artists taking on the challenge every year.” In order to participate, pick up a pen and start drawing. No special tools are required. However, if you want supplies, Mr. Parker provides a page with his favorites.

Mom's Mermaid
Mom’s Mermaid

Mom posts her drawings on to FB. I really like this one. The prompt was ‘bait’.

Also, today is mom’s birthday! Happy birthday to the best mom ever!

Zentangles Again

In Portland a couple of weekends ago, I drew a couple of Zentangle tiles. I haven’t made it to the truly meditative stage of ‘tangling’, but I enjoyed myself.

Zentangle n.8
Zentangle n.8

I tried branching out to new motifs, but didn’t like the outcome that much. Although the designs are not symmetrical, I liked them individually. I thought the combination, though, had too much white space.

I tried those motifs by skipping ahead in the book. After I finished this tangling exercise, I went back to my bookmark.

Zentangle n.9
Zentangle n.9

I tried again with the same basic motifs I learned on. These are just like the first card, but I can do it and it gave me confidence.

Gift Post #5: Zentangle

I took a class at A Work of Heart Studio in San Jose last week. My mom has been talking about learning the Zentangle technique, so I took her as a Christmas gift.

First two Zentangle tiles
First two Zentangle tiles

The class was 2 hours and we drew two tiles (3.5″ x 3.5″ squares of rag paper). In the course of the class we learned several patterns. The technique is a lot simpler than the finished product looks and I don’t think you need special powers to make a tile like I have drawn above. I followed the directions and piece by piece the finished tile evolved.

I went to Dick Blick with my mom and Lil Sissy (they both had gift cards)  and bought some Illustration Board ATCs. I have been drawing some more Zentangle patterns on those. I drew the first sets of patterns over and then started trying a new one.

This method reminds me of the type of drawing and materials I  used when I did the Creative Prompt Project Responses.

Sketching #219

Creative Prompt Response #219: Bow
Creative Prompt Response #219: Bow

Here is another Blast from the Past! I decided since posting seems to be a problem this week that I would post a #CPP Response and try, once again, to encourage you to take five minutes for creativity.

I was also thinking that my routine for doing these prompts has been interrupted now that the YM is off at college. I’ll have to see about rearranging my schedule to find a comfortable time to do the responses.

Will you do a response? The original prompt can still be found and is waiting for you!

Sketching #218

Creative Prompt Response #218: Milkshake
Creative Prompt Response #218: Milkshake

Milkshake? Really?

Yes. And I felt stupid posting that prompt, but thinking about milkshakes and what the word meant to me was awesome. This response was inspired by, not only milkshakes, but also prompt #208. Sadly, that is one of the lost boys and you can’t go back to see the response. Yet. Again, librarian drama.

I like this response. I was finally getting my drawing groove on. It is more complicated than the other prompts drawn in the same session.

How about you? Want to join in the fun? Don’t copy! Draw, color, paint, dance or sing your own response. Take a look at the original prompt to be inspired.

Then, post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) in the comments area of this post. I would really like to keep all the artwork together and provide a way for others to see your work and/or your blog.

We are also talking about this on Twitter. Use the hashtag #CPP

The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, which you can join to  post your responses. I created this spot so those of you without blogs and websites would have a place to post your responses.

Sketching #216

Creative Prompt Response #216: River
Creative Prompt Response #216: River

I did four drawings in one hour. Four responses in one hour. Even in that short amount of time I saw progress and I felt more confidence the more I drew. The first one I drew and the last one posted is very simple, but I found that it got my feet wet.

I also got inspiration, and continued a series of sorts, by looking back at my previous drawings. My confidence was better, but I also penciled in some of the major lines just to get the proportions, mostly, correct.

Take a look at the original prompt.

Draw, color, paint, dance or sing your own response. Take a look at the original prompt to be inspired.

Then, post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) in the comments area of this post. I would really like to keep all the artwork together and provide a way for others to see your work and/or your blog.

We are also talking about this on Twitter. Use the hashtag #CPP

The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, which you can join to  post your responses. I created this spot so those of you without blogs and websites would have a place to post your responses.

Sketching #215

There is good and bad with the posting of, finally, another prompt response.

The Good: I am drawing again. I am responding to prompts again. I am enjoying responding to the prompts. I am enjoying using my pens and paper. I did draw a response (and post it) in 2014!

The Bad: This one isn’t that good and pretty basic. I haven’t posted a response since April of last year.

What is making me a little crazy is that the last one I posted was #204 and this one is #215. There are 11 I didn’t post and now the posts will be out of order. I may add the posts later in order. This is librarian drama.

Still, a person has to start somewhere. I am pleased to say that I am taking my own advice and I only spent about 5 minutes on the drawing.

Creative Prompt Response #215: Plate
Creative Prompt Response #215: Plate

I don’t hate it, but it does need something. If I add it, I’ll post again.

Have you seen the original prompt? Take a look at it and draw, color, paint, knit, sew, dance or sing your own response.

Then, post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) in the comments area of this post. I would really like to keep all the artwork together and provide a way for others to see your work and/or your blog.

We are also talking about this on Twitter. Use the hashtag #CPP

The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, which you can join to post your responses. I created this spot so those of you without blogs and websites would have a place to post your responses.

Sketching #204

Creative Prompt Response #204: Laughing
Creative Prompt Response #204: Laughing

This was a difficult prompt. Somehow I got the idea to show someone making people laugh. The walrus comedian is a poor rendition of a character the Young Man draws. I drew my version as a way to make him laugh, but he just snorted and said that my walrus was not right.

I like it. I think it is entertaining. I also had fun drawing the response.

Draw, color, paint, dance or sing your own response. Take a look at the original prompt to be inspired.

Then, post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) in the comments area of this post. I would really like to keep all the artwork together and provide a way for others to see your work and/or your blog.

We are also talking about this on Twitter. Use the hashtag #CPP

The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, which you can join to  post your responses. I created this spot so those of you without blogs and websites would have a place to post your responses.

Sketching #203

Creative Prompt Response #203: Kick
Creative Prompt Response #203: Kick

I was think of “…getting a kick out of you…” and the kind of kicking that kickers in football do.

Have you looked at the original prompt? I bet an image would come to your mind and you could create something wonderful!

Post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) in the comments area of this post. I would really like to keep all the artwork together and provide a way for others to see your work and/or your blog.

We are also talking about this on Twitter. Use the hashtag #CPP

The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, which you can join to  post your responses. I created this spot so those of you without blogs and websites would have a place to post your responses.

Sketching #202 v.2

Creative Prompt Response #202: Iris
Creative Prompt Response #202: Iris

I did these responses a long time ago, but I want to get back on the saddle, so I am starting to catch up on posting my responses. I did a response to the Iris prompt out of order,but I could help doing another one with a different kind of iris. I am still paying homage to the iris flower with the purple. Find the original prompt and do your own response. C’mon, it’s fun!

Post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) in the comments area of this post. I would really like to keep all the artwork together and provide a way for others to see your work and/or your blog.

We are also talking about this on Twitter. Use the hashtag #CPP

The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, which you can join to  post your responses. I created this spot so those of you without blogs and websites would have a place to post your responses.

Sketching #201

CPP Response #201: Blood Orange
CPP Response #201: Blood Orange

The blood oranges in this response came out purple. I am not sure why, but they are clearly a kind of purple. I know the center is at least partially purple, but the outside is orange and I did not show that at all. I could do this response over, but I probably won’t.

If you have not done a response, you can be inspired by the original prompt.

What did you think when you saw the prompt?

I hope you have done a response. If you have, please post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) to the comments area of this post. I would really like to keep all the artwork together and provide a way for others to see your work and/or your blog.

We are also talking about the Creative Prompt Project on Twitter. Use the hashtag #CPP

Sketching #200

CPP Response #200: Sunset
CPP Response #200: Sunset

I am behind, but I have been doing responses. I had so much to say about quiltmaking that I haven’t been posting the responses.

I hope you have done a response. If not, you can see the original prompt to be inspired.  If you have, please post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) to the comments area of this post. I would really like to keep all the artwork together and provide a way for others to see your work and/or your blog.

We are also talking about the Creative Prompt Project on Twitter. Use the hashtag #CPP

Sketching #199

CPP Response #199: touch
CPP Response #199: touch

You are probably wondering why this is on yellow paper. Well, I am almost at the end of my drawing book and in the back they have “conveniently” placed different types of paper. There is a sheet of lined paper, there are some other sheets and this piece of yellow paper. I was drawing at Starbuck’s and the lighting wasn’t good, so I didn’t realize the paper was yellow until I had started. I actually realized that the pens weren’t dealing well with the paper before I noticed the color. Derrrr, as the Young Man would say.

I was thinking Touchdown for this response.

What did you think when you saw the prompt?

I hope you have done a response. If you have, please post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) to the comments area of this post. I would really like to keep all the artwork together and provide a way for others to see your work and/or your blog.

We are also talking about the Creative Prompt Project on Twitter. Use the hashtag #CPP