Tuesday 13 October 2015

Munchin In Black

I have got Big News. On Saturday I attended a real live proper Zentangle® Workshop!! I was so excited the night before I couldn't sleep. Here in Ireland there is only one CZT - Peter Connolly. I have been unable to attend a workshop before as they are only occasionally held in Dublin in the evening, and due to a lack of trains and buses at night I would have been unable to get home.

Finally one was posted as happening on a Saturday morning and I requested a place like a shot :-) It was listed as a beginners class, but I was very happy with that. I wanted to make sure I hadn't missed out on the basics and was doing the Zentangle® Method properly. Anyway I was really going in order to meet other RL people that shared my passion for Zentangle®.

We were taught Crescent Moon, W2, and Nipa. The tutor taught Nipa a slightly different way to the way I had learned it and I found it so much easier. I learnt it in the order of draw your orbs, then draw a curvy line between the orbs, then continue auraing the curvy line. I had always struggled with Nipa as I found it difficult to keep the auras curvy. They tended to flatten out. Peter taught it in the order of draw your orbs then connect your orbs with a wavy line before continuing with the line auras. Such a relief to finally draw it with ease.

Here is the completed tile, which of course was drawn on a proper Zentangle® Tile - heaven!

Well, on to the Diva's Challenge. Munchin on Black. There is something about the challenges this week which is making me get carried away and producing more than one tile for them - or perhaps it was that Zentangle Workshop ;-)

Anyway I have to say I quite agree with the Diva, I am not really keen on drawing on black tiles either. I love to see them, some people can make them look fantastic, just not me. It is not the feel of the pen with me, it is just mine turn out very basic and it is hard to do strings, shading and shadows without a zen stone or white charcoal or something.

I did order some Sakura Gelly Roll pens, which I got at great expense, but I can't seem to get the white one to work. It lays down a transparent fluid with a milky look in parts of it, but that disappears and I am left with no white line. The other colours are much the same, a little more colour but mostly this transparent fluid. So, when I want to draw on a black tile, I currently use my white Derwent Coloursoft Coloured Pencil. In fact the pens which I find work the best are a cheap large set of rollerball pens which I bought from the local supermarket - Lidl. They were a set divided between fluorescent colours, metallic colours and glitter colours, so you can see how cheap they were and we would not normally have thought of them for art.

This is my first black tile, done with Coloursoft White Coloured Pencil, which I thought turned out looking rather like an origami type swan.
Then I wanted to try some variations. I tried blocking in alternate lines in alternate triangles, this one rather reminded me of badgers peeking out.

Next came curvy lines, and I attempted to add a little weight to the starting points with the crayon. I quite liked the way this turned out, sort of floaty.
The cheap metallic pens produced this S shape. The copper and the green goes well together doesn't it.
Lastly, back to my Proper Zentangle Workshop and Proper Zentangle Tiles. We were allowed to bring home the tiles we drew of course, and they are so precious I am determined not to waste any space on them, so rather than Munchin on black this is Munchin on the back :-)



23 comments:

  1. Of course, I pictured you living in Yorkshire. Hard to believe there's only one CZT in all of the Republic of Ireland. I see an opening there when you're ready to make the trip to Providence, Rhode Island. :) You got some nice results with your Munchin tiles. I see the swan. The badger----not so much. ;-)

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    1. Lol, I lived in my beloved Yorkshire until 3 years ago, then this Yorkshire lass retired to Ireland!

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  2. Very entertaining evolution of Munchin and I love your badgers and swans! Hope you get to Providence!

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  3. Nice work! I like all the Munchin creations :-)

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  4. Wow, you were on a roll here! I love them all.

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  5. You did a great job! I love your tiles, I can`t really believe that they are your first white on black tiles!
    I love especially the swinging Munchin!

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  6. Really great tiles! I have some trouble with gel pens not showing on the black papers I have. I think different papers absorb more than others. The pencil looks great so maybe that is the way to go!

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  7. You were really very, very busy and I do understand that because it's hard to stop with this tangle. I like your tangleations.

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  8. I had no idea you were in Ireland until the other day ... and I didn't think Ireland had a Yorkshire :) :) Now I understand and agree Ireland needs another CZT for your retirement - maybe funding your zentangle :) :)

    I can see all the things you did as Munchin and enjoyed every vision :) :) Thank you for the Nipa lesson - I have never had a zentangle class so great to get your tips :) Totally beautiful!!! :) :)

    ~ Diane Clancy
    http://www.dianeclancy.com/blog/2015/10/my-diva-munchin-play-challenge

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  9. What fun to be able to take a "real" class with Peter. Isn't it amazing how much you can learn from a CZT even if you are already well versed in tangling? I think that it was a great lesson to learn that the step outs can be changed to make things work for you. No rules, just suggestions. Anyway, I also love all the different ways you played with Munchin. I like the one on the back of the official tile :)

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  10. I was lucky enough to do a couple of classes with a CZT in Yorkshire - Wath Upon Dearne, if you know it - and yes, it's amazing how much you learn and keep on learning. Your white on black tiles are impressive, especially done in pencil. The best white pen I have tried is a Uni Ball Signo, about £2 from the Range, Hobbycraft or WHSmith. If you can't get hold of them, let me have your home address and I'll send you a couple.

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    1. That is a kind thought. We don't have the Range or hobbycraft here but we do have an easons which is similar to Smiths. I will try there first now you have told me what to look for. I do hope you get this reply as I am not sure which blog site you are in order to contact you and it was so nice of you to think of me.

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  11. Great tiles~all of them! I'm especially loving the "S" shaped Munchin;-) I struggle with the gel pens too:-(

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  12. Dear Tortoise:
    1) Peter and I were in the same CZT class (11) and I well remember him. Such a nice guy. (He won't remember me; I never introduce myself in large groups). So glad you had a chance to take the basic class from a CZT, even though your skill level is anything BUT basic!
    2) When are you coming across the Pond to get your CZT? You are a natural.
    3) Love your setup on the little easel with the pencil to show what you used, and all your tiles are so graceful. I might just love the "cheap metallic pencil" tile the best of the bunch, for its glimpse of whimsical colors.
    4) Congratulations on a terrific Nipa!

    I really enjoyed reading your post, too.

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  13. So many wonderful tiles! You are very busy and I think you had a flow with Munchin! Great variations!

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  14. Great tiles, all of them!

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  15. Oh deep envy! It was obviously a very inspirational session - your Munchin is absolutely inspired - love the curved version, what an excellent idea! So glad you enjoyed your class. Axxx

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  16. Great work on all of the tiles - I loved seeing all of the possibilities!

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  17. Lors of nice variations of Munchin.

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  18. Wonderful tiles and like your blog!

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  19. Ok, for someone who says that she doesn't like black tiles because they are too plain, I think that you are kidding yourself. I love them all and the first black tile DOES indeed look like a swan. The gel pens and the different colors you used all look terrific. I would be hard pressed to choose a favorite. I love your tile from the Workshop and I must say I'm a bit jealous because I have never attended a proper class either. You did a great job on all of them!

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