New ZIA and Give Away

This is the first post I’ve made that wasn’t a response to either a challenge or a dare.  I’m working on my blog to make it compatible with advertising classes and events now that I’m a CZT.  For this first post, I’m going to shamelessly try to increase readership of my blog by offering a bribe – uh, I mean, “giveaway”.  More later in the post for how that will work.  This is the first time I’ve tried something like this.  What I’m trying to get out of it is increased readership and opinions about a series of ZIA’s based on a single original.  I’m going to frame one of them, and I can’t decide which one.  I have solicited opinions from my family already, and no two of them agree, lol.  So let’s get to it.  I’ve numbered each version to make it easier to tell me which one you would pick.

Version 1

Tangles: Ragz, Veezley, Shattuck and a var., Hollibaugh, Zander, Meer, Nzeppel, Betweed, Ixorus, Umble, Buttercup

This is the original I drew and shaded.  All other versions will start with a copy of this ZIA, which measures 8.5″ x 11″ and is drawn on 140# watercolor paper.  Tangles used are shown just below the original.  If I add tangles to other versions, I’ll mention in there.

Version 1A

Just for fun, I turned the drawing into a negative in Photoshop.

Version 2

On this version I printed the original shaded ZIA (version 1) onto a sponged and watercolored background I had previously done and saved but made no other changes.

Version 3

I converted the shaded black and white version to a .png, and copied it on top of a scrapbook paper.  Then I added a bit of blue and green color inside the drawing with prismacolor pencils.

Version 4

For this one, I again used the shaded original, and copied it onto a mottled grey card stock.  I added some pearlz  in one of the sections, and white highlights with a chalk pencil.

Version 5

I finally started adding more color.  I took an unshaded copy of the original and colored it with prismacolor pencils on 140# watercolor paper.

Version 5A

Again just for fun, I added a black background in photoshop.

Version 6

And finally, I went back to the colored copy and tangled the rest of the page.  Tangles on the outside are: Z-trek, Cornerz, Zoya, Twile (also named Stoic by ZT), Neuron, Lucky, Hollibaugh, Knightsbridge, and River rock.  In the “Lucky” section I also added a few little drawings I’m working on.

I hope I haven’t left any of the tangles out of my descriptions, and you enjoyed seeing them.  This project provided me with a number of hours of fun and relaxation.

Now on to the give-away.  I have an extra set of Zakura 01 colored pens, shown below.  To get in the random drawing (once I figure out how to do that), all you need to do is leave me a comment and tell me which one of the examples you like best.  One of them is going to end up being framed and hung on my wall, but I need some help in deciding which one that will be.

Comments are always welcome and appreciated, but to be included in the drawing, please comment on or before Saturday, April 6.  The winner will be announced on April 7.  Please be sure to let me know how to get in touch with you so I can get your mailing address.  Or you can stop back by on the 7th when I announce the winner, and if it’s you, send me an email at sqlinda@comcast.net.

Thanks for stopping by, Happy Easter to each and every one of you, and keep tangling!

Hugs,

Linda

Weekly Challenge #111: “More-Mooka-Madness Monotangle-Mania”

What a great challenge!  Mooka was the second tangle I learned in April last year when I first discovered Zentangle.com.  I was totally new, and I watched the Betweed video and learned that one, and went on to the only other video at the time, Mooka!  I loved the organic smooth look of mooka immediately.  However, it didn’t always love me back.  I’ve always had trouble with the really smooth lines that are close together, parallel, and equidistant.  However, that has never stopped me from using Mooka, although, I don’t think I had ever done a monotangle of Mooka before.  So here goes:

Both of these are done on a single 3.5″ x 7″ scrap of watercolor paper.  For the zendala I used a wine glass to draw a circle before I filled it with wine.  I roughly divided it into eighths and then drew a mooka in each section.  It is  shaded with graphite.  The second was drawn as a border with black fill around the edge, graphite and prismacolor shading.   Those two went very quickly, so I decided to do another one.

I’m taking Genevieve Crabe’s class on hand drawn mandalas.  So I used some tips she teaches to draw the next drawing by hand.

This one is approximately 8″ round.  I’m not sure it actually qualifies as a monotangle, since I used some tipple fill in the mookas in the border.  This one took a while to shade and fill, and my Graphic 1 pen ran dry, and I had to finish with an 05 Sakura.  I also used a white Sharpie paint pen for the dots around the center.  Time consuming, but I’m happy with the outcome.  I’d love to hear your opinions if you have time.  But whether you have time for that or not, don’t forget to go to the Diva Challenge website (link on the right) to see all the gorgeous eye candy.

Until next time, Happy Tangling!

Hugs,

Linda

Weekly Challenge #110: “Get rid of the box”

I have missed so many challenges I was determined not to miss this one.  The Diva challenged us this week to “Get Rid of the Box”.   The intent was to do something we have never, or seldom done.  I tried several things on paper first; but I had to admit that I wasn’t really even out of the box with those, since I’ve tried so many different papers, colors, sizes, etc.  I did start one that I didn’t finish, that had a bunch of kind of eerie creatures on it, but wasn’t exactly thrilled with the way it was coming out.  I put it aside and then came up with an “aha” moment.

I had asked for a pair of canvas sneakers for Christmas that I wanted to tangle.  My sister couldn’t find canvas, so she got me Keds, and while I’m sure they aren’t leather, they have a smooth leather-like surface.  That qualified for getting rid of the box for me.  I only have one shoe done so far, and here it is with it’s mate.

I used a .4mm Sakura Pigma Sensei pen to do the tangles, and then  green and pink Copics alcohol markers to color everything.  My little attempt doesn’t even begin to rival the gorgeous ones I’ve seen online at etsy shops, but it will have to do for my first one.  I’m not sure the pen I used is the best for this project but it was what I had.

The wrinkled white fabric the shoes are sitting on will be my next “get rid of the box” project, although it won’t get done in time for this challenge.  It is a huge white apron I bought at Joann’s some time ago with the plan of  painting it.

I just love the Diva challenges, and the different things that artists come up with is always amazing.  Be sure to stop by the Diva’s website (grab the link on the right) and look at all the great submissions.  That’s where I’m headed.  Thanks for stopping by, and if you leave a comment, I would love it.  Happy tangling, everybody.