Tangled Pit Bull

I've been working on a ZIA project lately of a Pit Bull dog.  I know most people are afraid of this breed of dogs but I do know one that is very sweet, this picture is of her.  If you look very carefully this rescue dog's name is tangled into her right shoulder.

This is my process after outlining my subject, then dividing the animal into sections to be tangled.

It's not a difficult technique even though it looks that way.  It is divided out into small areas that take about 10 minutes or so to tangle.  The tangles can be repeated.  Practicing Zentangle is a great way to warm up artistically each day and the end results can be quite amazing.  Here's my VIDA link if you're interested in seeing my Pit Bull design on a couple of accessories:  http://bit.ly/2BngetO, just type in my name to see my collection.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hope you're having a wonderful day.  Hugs ~ Renee

Zentangled Cat

"In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this."  ~ Terry Pratchett

I'm on a Zentangle kick again.  Today I'm sharing my latest project, a Zentangled Cat.  Very briefly here is my process.

I started with a sketch of a Siamese cat inspired by the design found in the book TangleEasy Lovable Pets by Ben Kwok transferred onto a piece of  gessoed 11" by 14" watercolor paper.

The design is lightly sectioned off with pencil and then the tangles are added with Black Micron pens.  I use the Apprentice Pigma pen 05 and the usual Black Micron 01, 03 .  I try to use light and dark patterns to keep it balanced.  I generally work on projects like this first thing in the morning while drinking coffee and searching Pinterest for tangle patterns.  I know it looks complicated and time consuming but it really isn't, I find it relaxing and centering.

Normally I would do some shading with a pencil but since I want to use this as a coloring page I'll hold off on that until later.  At this point I will photocopy the cat onto heavy card stock and color in the eyes with watercolors later.  It will make a great page to share with people for a coloring book party!

Thanks so much for stopping by, I would love to read any comments you might want to share.  Don't forget about the drawing for a free copy of the newest issue of Somerset Studio Gallery magazine.  The rules are here,  any follower of my blog in the U.S. is eligible to enter, the magazine will be mailed directly from Stampington.  The winner will be announced tomorrow.

Take care ~ Hugs ~ Renee

Got your coloring book? Now what......

Once you purchase a coloring book you may wonder....now what do I do with it?  Why, color in the pages, of course!  What can you color it with?  Anything you've got on hand.  I started coloring in some of the pages in my copy of The Coloring Studio, it took longer than I expected.  Each page is unique in its representation of the artist who created it.  It is more like a workbook to me since there are so many instructions and hints throughout the entire book.  I started with one of my favorites, Mou Saha, on page 100.  I used Pan Pastels, Memento Markers, gesso, stencils, Micron pens and an irRESISTible Pico Embellisher.  It was a meditative, fun, relaxing experience.  You are not facing a blank page and have the liberty to do whatever floats your boat.  This is what my first page looks like now.

Next I thought it only fair that I color my own design on page 60.  The beauty of the book is that you can add even more doodling to the pages or add stamps, etc. to the pages.  Remember the quote that says "art is never finished, just abandoned".  Play with the pages until you feel like abandoning them.  Here's my page.

I couldn't seem to stop adding tangles, color, stamps, etc. to the page.  Finally abandoned.

Whatever coloring book you choose I hope you're having some relaxing moments with it!  Later down the road I'm sure I'll be tearing out pages and doing other projects with them but for now I'll leave them in the book.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you're having a good one.  Hugs ~ Renee