In the groove. Sometimes when you‘re drawing, things just kind of flow, without you really thinking or planning it. That, to me, is the Zen of Zentangle. This drawing just came together like magic, and I really like it. There‘s just something about the way the tangles complement and contrast and the way the space is divided that really appealed to me when it was finished. Zentangle drawing done with Micron pen on Strathmore Vellum Bristol.

It‘s time for wind, and leaves, frost and flurries. But that depends on where you live. In the desert, cooler weather often brings new growth on plants and sometimes even fall blossoms, now that the sun isn‘t baking everything to a crisp. I used tangles that seemed to suit the time of year: Gust for the winds that change direction here in the fall, Bucky reminds me of frost on the windows, Static is the fall storms that bring us a bit of rain, Frondous for the plants that perk up in the cooler weather, and Fife and Well for their spikes and flower-like designs.

Monopoly. This is a monotangle, meaning only one pattern was used on the entire tile. I did it about 1 am, so I didn‘t want to do anything very complicated. This is a strong, powerful tangle when used like this. The shadowing is just the icing on the cake and creates a finished design. Zentangle drawing done with Micron pen on Strathmore Vellum Bristol. Tangles: Striping

Happy Thanksgiving from me to you! One of the things I love to do is use tangles to illustrate a message. This time, I‘ve used food themed patterns, and one that is actually named for the holiday! Zentangle drawing done with Micron pen on Strathmore Vellum Bristol. Tangles: Berries & Leaves Caviar Gourdgeous Trelina Roxi2 Thanksgiving

Symmetry can work, if it‘s not. This tile is kind of unusual for me in several ways. It is basically symmetrical, but not perfectly so. I started with the large Ellish in the center of the tile and then added the other patterns in each related section. I think the Aquafleurs anchor the design nicely. I like this! Zentangle drawing done with Micron pen on Strathmore Vellum Bristol.

I needed a way to both practice and to have some kind of encyclopedia of the tangles that I use. So now, I use these tangle trading cards. I‘m not sure exactly where this design came from, but I‘m sure if you look on the internet you can find something that will work for you. These are set up on an 8-1⁄2″ by 11″ format, 9 cards to the page, in a .

Rhodochrosite. I have always been fascinated with beautiful stones. But it never occurred to me to draw them until recently. Now, I‘ve become obsessed with them, so I plan on challenging myself to draw and color more of them in the future! Zentangle drawing done with Micron pen, Faber-Castel Polychromos Artist‘s pencils and Derwent Paint pen on Strathmore Vellum Bristol. Tangles: Ambler Bucky Chillon Diva Dance Dribbetz Knase Knightsbridge Pinch BTW, if you are enjoying seeing these daily drawings, please consider liking my Facebook page!

It all adds up. Sometimes I create a tile with a lot of patterns, and it just doesn‘t work. This one has a lot of patterns, and I think it does work! It‘s kind of fun to discover all the different designs in this one. Zentangle drawing done with Micron pen on Zentangle™ Tile. Tangles: Drack D‘Rua Hypnotic Ibex Knase Stature Stonework Web  

No borders. By now I‘m sure you‘ve noticed that I usually draw a border around the edge of my tiles. I‘ll admit, I‘m trying to contain my drawing and keep it under control. Having that border does that for me. But every so often, I have to escape and live life on the edge. My art will often reflect that. Zentangle drawing done with Micron pen on Strathmore Vellum Bristol.

Zentangle drawing done with Micron pen on Strathmore Vellum Bristol. Tangles: Tink Paradox Printemps W-2 Yincut

Simplicity. Sometimes I just like simple, bold designs. This tile is a good example. I wanted to play with a few tangles and some deep shadowing. I think the effect would have been lost in a more complicated drawing. Zentangle drawing done with Micron pen on Strathmore Vellum Bristol. Tangles: Appearance Frondous Magma Trigue Vega

It‘s a party… In outer space Every time I look at this tile, the central motif reminds me of one of those crepe paper party poppers. You know the kind where you pull the central handle and it “pops” and then confetti comes out? They often have a small toy and a party hat inside the central tube. The other thing that comes to mind is some kind of weird alien swimming through space.

Supermoon

  drawing moon tile zentangle

Supermoon. Tonight‘s full moon will be the closest to earth since 1948. Take some time and go out an actually look at it in person. Think about how vast and amazing the universe is. I decided to draw this to experiment with some new tools for drawing on black backgrounds. I‘ve had this card stock for years. I bought a ream of it over 20 years ago, and at this point, I have no idea which company it came from.

Sometimes you just need a little color in your life! I recently got a set of Faber-Castel Polychromos Artist‘s Pencils. I‘ve always used Prismacolor pencils, but over the last few years the quality of the pencils themselves has gone down hill. So I was looking around to see if there was anything better and found the Polychromos. For starters, they are oil-based, instead of wax-based. That means the pencil lead is harder, and puts down a more vibrant layer very quickly.

Daily Zen 2016102802

It doesn‘t happen very often, but once in a while I create a tile I don‘t like. This is one of those. I feel like I should have just skipped the Henna Drum design below the Voxter medallion. And, for that matter, the medallion is almost centered, which also bothers me. I finished it anyway, and it‘s in my book, but it‘s definitely not a favorite. Zentangle drawing done with Micron pen on Strathmore Vellum Bristol.