Monday 4 April 2016

Diva Challenge #262

I have had a lovely week with my Zentangle® Primer Vol 1. Maria and Rick say they called it a Primer "because it has all you need to enjoy the Zentangle Method" and also "because they enjoyed the 19th century feel of the word" :-) As I started to work my way through it I could imagine Victorian children having a book like this to refer to for their lettering.

We probably think we know the basics of the Zentangle Method, but the introduction has a lot of additional interesting information about it. There are Zentangle official step outs to many tangles that we know and love, but just to warn you there are no new tangles in the book. Nevertheless it is interesting going over the fundamentals of those I knew with official Step Outs by Maria. The Diva's Challenge each week, and other challenges on the Internet, have already made me think about drawing variations of tangle patterns, but somehow I had not thought of doing that with basic tangles such as crescent moon, hollibaugh, Florz etc. In the first two chapters you are taught some of these basic tangles but instantly you are led on to the possibilities of the endless variations. Another chapter is all about strings, something I was very grateful to read about and also a chapter about the Zentangle® way of shading. 

Of course there is much more, but that is as far as I have got and I have had a whole week to explore it, so that shows you how much information there is to digest. There are exercises to do if you wish, at the end of each chapter. It has been fun to go back to basics and I have really enjoyed completing some of the first exercises. If you have the new Zentangle Mosaic App there are hashtags for each exercise so that you can see the tiles others have done for these exercises. Here is a Mosaic of my exercise tiles - did you know a Mosaic is a set of tiles laid side by side and an Ensemble is a set of tiles laid side by side with a common string drawn across them? I didn't know this difference. 
I certainly haven't been disappointed with this book as I have with some others previously. I have learnt so much and I still haven't got to the chapter about the new reticula and fragments yet! Of course I couldn't resist a peek at that chapter and the ideas look amazing, but I stopped at just a peek because it was obvious that I was going to have to sit down and study it closely to undertand it properly. I will wait until I have worked my way through to that chapter.

As you can see from the previous photo, I have also been experimenting with my initials. I don't really like the one I use and I can't find an elegant way to sign Y T that doesn't take up space. I have ended going back to my usual one, so any suggestions will be gratefully received. I have even tried drawing a tiny tortoise instead but that didn't work either.

The Diva has challenged us to use the tangle pattern Fassett this week. I have just drawn a basic Z string tile. The latest tip from Zentangle HQ is that Graphite is the New Black and so I coloured the top left corner with graphite before tangling over it. I also drew Fassett in the other sections with graphite and ended with a Fassett dripping out of it. That bit hasn't worked so well, it may end up with a Bronx Cheer on it in the future :-) 
I prefer this globe:-


17 comments:

  1. Hello Tortoise from Yorkshire. I absolutely adore your mosaic! Really inspired - and your 'review' or enthusiasm about the Zentangle Primer has whetted my appetite. I might have to have a copy for myself!
    Lovely drippy Fassett although I have yet to discover this new graphite trend...note to self, read more!
    Axxx

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  2. Your mosaic looks beautiful and the challenge tiles are great. I especially like the globe. I have always had a hard time with initials since D and M don't monogram well together so I feel your pain. Although I like the way you sign now ;)

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  3. I really enjoy your writing style and your tangling style. Thanks for sharing your experience with the new Zentangle Primer book; it is a fascinating book that gives us a deeper look at the craft. Your mosaic and your Fassett tile are inspiring.

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  4. You're always up for an adventure in Zentangle. I love the two ways you went with the tangle Fassett. Each one special. Sarah.

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  5. All of your tiles are lovely! The Zen is evident because they're so cleanly done and beautifully balanced. Thanks for sharing your experience with the new book. I look forward to hearing more;-)

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  6. All lovely, the globe is my favorite.

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  7. Lovely Mosaic! Your globe is looking good too :-)

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  8. Your Zendala with Fasset is great, al the others are also beautiful!

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  9. Lovely ideas and lovely finished products - win/win. Will you please STOP telling me about the wretched book? I have enough STUFF already and every time you mention it I want to buy one. And my tablet won't download the app so I'm already in a sulk. Come on, we Yorkshire girls should stick together and you're just putting temptation in my way!

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    1. Ha, ha, ha, I am picturing you all green with envy ;-)

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  10. Fun to hear about the new primer. I haven't ordered my copy yet. Your tiles are all great!

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  11. What a great post! I too have been going through my Z Primer book with great interest. But wow, you actually, like...did the homework!! :-) Your mosaic of tiles looks wonderful. It's like one flower looks nice but two dozen look impressive! I'm with you, too, on the Fassett - I love the globe one. Beautiful!

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  12. Excellent work on the mosaic - I feel like such a slacker looking at how much the Primer has inspired you to do. I'm slowly working my way through it, absorbing all of the concepts, but I haven't actually produced anything from my reading!. I think your drippy Fassett is very interesting, but I love the effect of the globe - well done!

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  13. Hi, Can you please tell met about the Zentangle HQ information regarding "graphite is the new black". I've asked my CZT but she does not know about this. Regards

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  14. Hi, Can you please tell met about the Zentangle HQ information regarding "graphite is the new black". I've asked my CZT but she does not know about this. Regards

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