Challenge #281 - Tangle ING

ING with Knightsbridge, Zenplosion Folds, Hollibaugh and Fracus

The Diva's challenge this week revisits the tangle ING. This is an official Zentangle pattern that was introduced by Molly Hollybaugh during CZT training 15. This tangle lends itself to lot's of variations, it works well as a straight laced,  structured tangle, but also works as a loosey goosey (my fave), organic tangle.

Check out some of the other submissions for this week's Diva Challenge #281.

Here's a link to my 2014 challenge piece using ING.

Challenge #248 - Give the Gift of Zentangle

Christmas Card Design
Zenplosion Folds, some Printemps. a little Betweed star action,
Auras, and Tipples

Challenge #181 - Water

Bijou's cousins? Sanibelle, Printemps, Dansk, using the W string,
lot's of auras and swirls and Emily Dickinson poem
"I could not drink it sweet"

The Diva's challenge #181 asks us to use water as our inspiration. I chose to focus on the letter W as my string and then try and emulate the movement of water, ripples, spirals, transparencies, I added lot's of swirls in the fashion on Printemps, a Dansk variation, auras, and swirls, and the lovely colors of my Inktense watercolor pencils; blue green, purple, and a touch of burgundy.

For my background I tried resist technique using my white gel pen as a resist and layering my pencils and wash over the white pen once dry. The blogs I've read say to leave the gel pens overnight, not happening... I still like the effect. It's subtle and watery but I'm sure if I follow the longer drying time next time it will be more effective, but I'm not a patient tangler.

I added Emily Dickinsons "I could not drink it sweet", as a texture in my swirl, not well done but I love the effect of her swirling words.

Then as I was looking at all the lovely swirls and water I begin seeing Bijou's cousins appearing. Oh those little devils... little antennae peeking throughout, my oh my, that little Bijou's influence is everywhere!

Water: ING tangelation, Sanibelle, Zenplosion Folds,
White gel pen, Inktense watercolor pencils,
and lot's of shading and line work

I'm really into this water challenge so I continued my journey. My second version uses the same process of white gel background for resist, laying color over top. I let this one sit a little longer to dry and that seemed to help the batik effect I was trying to achieve.

I began using the new tangle ING through the center as a beginning, it morphed and changed and turned into a curvy durvy little cone shaped shell/coral that just screamed for some Zenplosion folds growth. Once I added the texture lines I saw beautiful shells so I decided to add the pink just like Conch and scallop shells. Sanibelle was a great enhancement and continued the water theme beautifully. I texturized my background with white gel pen and then added color to my final version.

Bijou's cousin appeared here also, after all it's water and shells what more do I need to say?

3 views, original line drawing, enhanced line and shading added,
Final version color added (which brings out the white gel pen resist in the background)

Part of a Dyptic

This is larger piece also, aproximately 5"x7". Some Knightsbridge, Diamond Pane, Mooka, Floatfest, Zenplosion Folds, and some orbs. This is going to be part of an ensemble, actually a dyptic.

CZT training is less than two weeks away, so I'm starting the big countdown! Can hardly wait to meet all you other tanglers and, of course, Rick and Maria. I'm so pleased that we will be able to experience the Oakhurst and not miss that priviledge. It should be a special event.

Zenplosion Folds Tangle Pattern

I went to the 212 Cake Eater's Group last Friday and saw some wonderful fabric art. One of the fabric artists presented some lovely felted pillows she created using old sweater pieces as her medium. The pillow centerpieces were these wonderful little textured birds, they were great. It made me want to cut up my old sweaters and try them, I don't sew. Lot's of fun creative stuff. I also got to see one of the pen's (in person) that Maria Thomas uses for the introduction to the Zentangle Mooka video. I'm sure she also used it to address my lovely CZT packet! It is sooo cool.  Seeing it on the video, I thought...  if only I had that pen, I too would be able to immediately do the wonderful letters that I've seen her create. Then, reality struck, Maria, who has been a calligrapher and artist for most of her adult life, yeah, it's just the pen... Not!

Anyway, the day began with fabric discussions and beautiful quilts and that fabulous pen, then I went to my friend Diane's home and she showed me a book she had gotten from her sister in-law. The book is 3-D Explosion: Simply FABULOUS Art Quilt Illusions - by Cara Gulati and had templates and patterns for this 3-D quilt. Cara has wonderful free patterns online for you enthusiasts at doodlepress.com. I was so impressed and inspired and I saw a lovely tangle coming to life...



Quilt patterns by Cara Gulati
for Doodle Press

I can't sew, as I've said, but I can tangle. The templates in the book were simple and beautiful. Then I looked online at Doodle Press and found these student 3-D Explosion quilts pictures for inspiration, talk about INSPIRING! Beautiful.

This tangle has a nice even flow with lovely curves. The folds are created with simple straight connector lines. I've been Mooka crazy all week, Mooka, Mooka, Mooka, I'm hooked. But  I have to say this tangle has got me now. It's Explosion Away!!!!! I've been working on it all evening, addicting also. This Zentangle stuff can be dangerous - beware - addictive tangle ahead!

The beauty of this tangle is that it can work as a tangle pattern, or a string to incorporate other tangles. It can be created in the scrolled "S" shape... or ribbon folds... or combine both.

Zenplosion Fold - S-Curve: The essence of the explosion effect is that all patterns start from one point and "explode" out. The idea of perspective and depth is a really important part of the impact of this tangle. It looks complicated but "One Stroke at a Time" and you've got it. Hope you have fun using this pattern. Please send me your links when you post your versions.

First I draw a simple light grid (lines crossed) in pencil to designate my reference center/point (start).

1. Draw a cursive scroll "S", I incorporated some light lines through the center of my "S" shape as a perspective/horizon point. I'm showing the pencil (perspective) lines a little darker here just for your drawing reference.
2. Connect the inside curve to with straight connector lines to form the folds, continue connecting points down your S-curve until folds appear. When I'm drawing these connector lines, I always reference the center point as my target when drawing the connector lines.
3. When drawing your fold make sure to turn your tile to get the correct orientation. Turning will make it easier to align your folds on the straight north/south line. Vary placement, size and orientation to form your composition. When overlapping folds the new lines go behind the previous fold creating depth. 

   

   S-Curve shown oriented on the same plane as your staring point

 Try to orient some of your folds rising up, some going downward, always beginning from the same reference point to create the "Explosion". Vary the size and orientation of each fold to add interest.

Shading: I like to add shading to increase the fold look. Just shade where you see the "material" overlapping, that's where your shadow is formed, if there is a fold there will usually be a shadow on the material behind it. Also, to give the tubular look of the folds I shade along the sides of the "cone shape" leaving the lighter highlight area in the center of the fold. Where you fold curves inward, you want to add shading to show its recessing. The curves and folds work with just the outlines but shading adds another dimension.

Zenplosion Fold - S-Curve sideways:  All the directions are the same just apply to the S-Curve with spirals drawn sideways.

S-Curve - "S" shown oriented on its side

Zenplosion Fold - Ribbon:  All the how to directions are the same just apply to the simplified ribbon curves. You can incorporate a spiral shape the ribbon shape for another variation.

Ribbon Curves Variation

Notebook Workup for Zenplosion Folds

For more How-To's, shading, and variations for Zenplosion  CLICK on My Tangle Patterns page...