zendala

Tangle Pattern “Calibree” by Nancy Domnauer

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Click on this link to watch the #DrawWithMe video that accompanies this design.

Phew! It’s really hot again today here in the Valleys of South Wales, UK. And in many other places too. I’ve slowly been wilting through the morning. However, I was determined to get a video done and uploaded before I find somewhere cooler in my home for the rest of the day.

I had a really poor night’s sleep, and so I’m also struggling to keep awake. But keep awake I must. Delivery is due in the next three hours or so, and then I have errands to run.

So, my frazzled emotions, sleep-deprived brain and overly hot body really wanted to do some art that was soothing, comforting and simple. I knew I had this circular piece of paper already coloured with Distress Ink, so all I needed was a tangle pattern or two to add some pattern to it.

A very quick look on Tanglepatterns.com, and I saw Calibree by Nancy Domnauer CZT and thought it perfect. It’s got an uneven grid pattern, so it will deliberately turn out all lovely and wonky. I actually feel rather wonky myself today, so that fit perfectly!

I decided to stick to a monochrome colour scheme, again keeping it simple. You can see the whole process and materials I used in the video.

Although I may not have made the best choices with some of the colours, I’m fairly pleased with how it turned out. I’m also really pleased with how it picked up my mood as well.

Shade and light

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Click on this link to view today’s YouTube video tutorial.

This morning I spent over an hour adding shadows and highlights to both of these drawings and filmed them for you on my YouTube channel.

I used a paper stump (tortillon), graphite pencils and a white gel pen to cast the magic of shade and light, resulting in volume and dimension.

And I do mean magic! The drawings go from fairly ‘flat’ looking to having the illusion of dimension. That’s magical if you ask me.

Graphite is not my favourite medium. But I just couldn’t decide on how else to add shade. I’m fairly happy with the result, and that’s all that matters isn’t it?

Mandala/Zendala No.3 Part 2

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Link to the accompanying #DrawWithMe YouTube video.

Phew! It’s another scorcher already! I feel so drained, and it’s not even 11am. Mind you, I have been awake since around 5am, again.

Waking early has it’s benefits in this seriously hot weather; it’s cool enough to get some things done early on. Such as today’s video where I draw some more of this mandala.

I’m quite happy with how this mandala is taking shape. I know that shadow/highlights, and/or colour will really bring some dimension to this design. But first, I need to finish drawing it. And work out how to set my scanner up so the background colours don’t get washed out…

Today is not the day for that. It’s way too warm, and I need to retire very soon to a cooler part of the house.

#DrawWithMe – Mandala/Zendala No.3, Part 1

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Just enough time before the heat has become uncomfortable to layout a mandala grid and complete the central motif. This was a lovely way to spend a wee bit of time this morning.

The video takes you through, one step at a time, how I got this far.

Now, it’s just about time for me to move myself to a cooler part of my home for the rest of this heat-scorched day.

#DrawWithMe – A Mandala or Zendala, No 2

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Please click the ‘Watch on YouTube” button, if you’d be so kind. Cheers!

In this video, I draw a mandala (or zendala) step by step so you can join in with me.

I enjoyed creating yesterday’s mandala so much, that I thought I’d repeat the experience! I finished drawing the mandala in this video, but I’ve yet to add shadow, highlight and/or colour. I’m not quite sure how I’m going to do that, yet; but there’s no rush to get it done either.

And here’s a photo of the mandala as it is at the moment, with some of my handlettering practice in the background!

#DrawWithMe – A #Mandala or #Zendala

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Link to today’s YouTube video tutorial

In today’s YouTube video, I show how, step by step, I draw a mandala, or zendala, with traditional media. And the help of the Markus Operandus for Mandalas from Zentangle.com! A nifty printable that helps set out a mandala!

I’ve used two tangle patterns in this design – tripoli and between. I’ve taken inspiration from each to complete the outer ring.

To start with, I pre-cut a piece of ClaireFontaine Paint On mixed-media paper using an 11cm circle die, and a Sizzix Big Shot die cutting machine. In fact, I cut four at 11cm and four at 9cm in size, so I have a few that are good to go.

Next, I coloured one large and one small circle with Distress Inks. Then, I set about using the Markus Operandus to lay out the basic bones of the mandala.

Only then could I start to draw the design, though I had no idea what I was going to do.

The photo above is the final mandala. I used Arteza Everblend markers to add shadows to the zendala. A white gel pen was used to add dots of white for highlights. A silver Gelly Roll pen was used to add silver to the fine ring borders, to the circles and to the darker areas in the tripoli pattern pieces.

I’m quite happy with the outcome. More so, as it’s been a very long time since I drew a mandala without using digital tools.

Today’s video is rather long – well over an hour. It’s kind of a celebration that I’ve reached 900 subscribers on my YouTube channel! I never thought I’d get even one subscriber. So, a huge thank you to you if you’re one of my subscribers.

Creativity is…

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A little bit of wisdom on a Wednesday. A Zentangle frame and a quote. Vintage colour palette. Geometric patterns, repeating patterns, all put together to try an idea I woke with out. Whether it works or not, I don’t know. But was fun creating this little bit of art.

There are bits I’m not too happy about, the shadowing behind the humpy bumpy border around the quote itself in particular. But you have to try things out. No matter what they end up like, there’s always lessons to learn, things to store away for future use. And this, perhaps is one of those things.

Mandala Monday

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It’s Monday, so it’s time for a mandala. This one includes lots of Zentangle tangle patterns, many quite organic in nature.

I, again, chose a monochrome colour scheme, and enjoyed playing with light and shadow to add dimension to this artwork. Perhaps not quite as contrasting as I’d like, but still interesting.

Digital art – Autodesk Sketchbook Pro, Surface Slim Pen and Surface Studio.

Monday Mandala

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Today’s mandala includes a couple of Zentangle patterns – Taiga by Tomas Padros and a variation on Fescue, an original Zentangle pattern. Plus some ‘orbs’.

This was fun to do. It’s not often I use such a large area of a pattern, but Taiga is such a lovely pattern and it’s taken me a long time to work out how to do it well. I didn’t think I’d managed it this time, until I added shadow and highlight. Then, it just became so dimensional and, to use the crafty vernacular, ‘popped’.

Today, I just wanted a mossy, spring-like green. There’s still snow lying on roofs and hilltops, cars and shaded pavements. The days are noticeably growing longer, and the bright sunlight today is most welcome after the fog of yesterday.

It won’t be long until I see brave snowdrops and crocuses breaking the winter-hard ground. They herald that the return of spring is nigh!

I’ll be waiting until the snow has mostly disappeared before I go and take a walk.