Square One: Purely Zentangle ~ Rixty

Rixty + Pokeleaf + Zinger

Square One: Purely Zentangle is a facebook group whose mission statement, so to speak, is to get back to the basics of Zentangle. Each week one pattern is chosen for us to delve into without the enhancement of color (neither paper or medium) using a 3 1/2" square tile. Simply: frame, string, draw, shadow & sign.

The pattern of the week is "Rixty". I can't say I was too crazy about this one at first but it's growing on me. This photo was gray scaled after I forgot myself and picked up my rust micron to draw Pokeleaf then continuing to go rogue with blue zingers. 

I find myself, from time to time, not knowing when to stop, but such is the beauty of the journey through Zentangle. When I think about it, I'll stop, take picture, send it to my computer and take another look and carry on (or not) as I see fit. Then if I screw it up I've still got the previous version.

I really just wanted to focus on shadowing viney lines. I saw some really great shading on some of the submissions so far, but something is telling me to continue on with this one.
Here's some shadow practice. Practice being the definitive word.

It's a String Thing Challenge #74

Lealad, Twizted & Kiss

This was a wayward start to this weeks "It's a String Thing" challenge.
I've had all three of these patterns in my sketchbook yet I've never explored them beyond my step-out pages. I started a tile last night but I was having trouble arranging them into the string so I finally gave it a rest and went to bed.
At the cafe this morning I pulled out my sketchbook and practiced the patterns some more then I felt ready to have a go at a tile (I'd finished my first cup of coffee). I'd forgotten which challenge I was doing and forgot the string. It's a little overworked in places and I wasn't very happy with it at first but it's sort of grown on me.
Then this came about...

 "It's a String Thing~Challenge #74: string 74 with Lealad, Twizted & Kiss

I recently unearthed a set of Rapidiograph technical pens I've had since grad school. I got one working and I find the larger nib sizes to be great for nice solid fills but the ink needs a minute to dry. I ended up with an ink blob in the middle of everything, hence the dark shadow as my attempt to hide it. It's all part of the journey.