Diva #266, MBJ #111, Square One:Ruutz & #IAST 143

Diva Challenge #266

Use My Tangle-Crux by Henrike Bratz

It's UMT Monday at the Diva's Weekly Challenge, where she uses patterns submitted by other CZT's and Zentangle enthusiasts. I'm trying to embrace grid patterns in an effort to gain a bit more control over my precision. This is not easy for me. I look at the work of others out there and I'm amazed at the steady hands. I marvel at the composition and contrast that can be achieved by really taking ones time to execute precise and  deliberate strokes. I've done it and I can do it and I enjoy doing it but, it is so far out of my comfort zone. Clearly, I didn't do it here. I fell back on my "wonky grid net".

Made by Joey #111

Roman Numeral String Series: XI

patterns: Zippa, Susa. Vache 1 and Shons

Joey's challenge was a challenge this week. She gave us 4 patterns. Zippa (bottom right corner) and Susa (at the top) are two patterns by Neil Burley. I love his work. His patterns are so architectural and lovely, but many of them are extremely high focus, which I find to be the best kind of challenge. The biggest challenge was getting these patterns to work within the small segments of the string. I bring my own challenge to this by using an ATC rather than a standard tile size AND though it's not required, I use all of the patterns;-p  I used a previously made watercolor ATC in Springy pinks and peach tones and started the initial line work with a traditional calligraphy pen and brown ink (very reddish). Shons is the middle pattern. It wasn't until I was finished and started turning the tile around that I realized it reminded me of some tribal art I saw recently at the museum here.

.

Square One: Purely Zentangle-Eni Oken's "Ruutz"

with "Mak-Rah-Mee" and a little Tipple fade out.

I've been meaning to try this pattern ever since Eni introduced on her Facebook group Shading Zentangle. This is right up my organic alley. Actually as I look at this now (and I realize the scan doesn't really do the shading justice) I could go in and deepen the shadows more. Lately, many Facebook posters have been utilizing graphite technique from a new instructional book called 14 Shades of Grey. I've not seen the book and I can only guess that it references the variation of graphite lead weight. I believe Zentangle HQ recently coined the phrase "Graphite is the New Black". I love it because it really does add a whole new layer to traditional black and white tiles. 

It's a String Thing Challenge #143

patterns: Sandswirl, Swarm, 'nzeppel and Tipple

Tan tile using a black Rapidograph technical pen, sepia and brown microns,

graphite, white Prismacolor pencil and white gel pen

This week Adele provided a string inspired by the entry to an art gallery building where she lives (It's also the header on her blog). I loved the Art Deco style lines of the string so I decided to embrace the string rather than make it disappear. These patterns are all known faves for me so this was kind of a no brainer. Though not terribly creative, it was thoroughly Zen.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Your thoughtful and generous comments delight and inspire me.