Shading Rules???



Sometimes when I get done with a piece I'm so excited to get started on the shading!!  It's like putting the frosting on the cake!!  Some people shade as they go - which I do sometimes, and others wait until they finish.  I usually like to look at the entire piece when I finish and try to get the feel of it.  For me, it makes a difference on my shading.  Other times I like how a pattern turns out and I can't wait to shade it and see how it looks completed.  I can't believe even with all of the tangles I make, I still get excited about them.   In case you have forgotten, I love, love, LOVE Zentangles!!  I don't think there's a right or wrong way (after all it's still Zentangling) but to be honest I haven't seen alot of dark shading on a lot of tangle tiles.  Of course I have to admit that I'm not a CZT and I haven't had any formal training so I really don't know what they teach you about shading (if anything) during the class.  I would love to take the class but circumstances won't allow it right now.  Maybe sometime down the road.  Hope you do something that YOU totally love, love, LOVE today!!

Growing and changing

You would think that Zentangles was something that I found yesterday the way I tend to go on and on about them.  I am not a CZT but trust me when I said that I love, love LOVE them, I wasn't kidding.  I'm finding that the more I pay attention to Zentangles (the patterns, the options, the color, the shading), experience the pieces of art that others' produce, and experiment with different techniques, I find that the end result of my pieces is constantly changing and I love doing them more and more everyday. Now I have been accused of being a little over the top (or obsessive) about this, but since I'm enjoying it then I keep plugging along.  I do have to say that if it wasn't for the encouragement of my Flickr and Blog friends that I could have easily put this away months ago. Of course Mr. Thisorthat and my family have been a huge support too.  I feel like I'm doing something I was always meant to do and exploring all that is involved with tangling is not only the challenge but the reward.  My wish for you on this Saturday is that whatever it is you're doing, thoroughly enjoy it!!

Whats in a mirror?

Mirror mirror on the wall???  Isn't that what we grew up with?  Hopeing the mirror would say we were the fairest one of all???  I think even though we would all like to be as totally selfless as Snow White was, there is a little bit of the Step-mother in us too.  After all who doesn't want to be the best at something???  I think we all have attributes that in our way, make us the fairest one of all.  Whether its our smile, our eyes, or the way we make our family feel special, or the favorite cookies our kids cheer for when we make them - we all have SOMETHING that makes us the fairest in the land.  I think that's what draws me to Zentangles.  I look at some tangles and think I could NEVER do something that detailed and then someone will comment on something I've done and say its wonderful (which of course I never feel like - but I'm learning to).  We can all learn from each other (in Zentangles AND in life) and isn't that really what its all about???  Sharing our experiences and helping one another grow???  Do something that makes you feel good about yourself today!!

Hearts, Ribbons, and Flowers

How can you go wrong with hearts, ribbons, and flowers?  Those are some of my most favorite things.  Of course if you visit my blog very often you probably have figured it out already.  I love finding new ways to do the ribbons without always putting a pattern on them.  The flowers will probably end up in color (then I'll post it again for you) but there's something about the black and white (or gray scale) look that really appeals to me.  It looks....natural????  Well as natural as you can get when you're just using a pen and pencil.  I think the greatest (or one of the greatest anyway) about Zentangles is that each tangle is your own.  It reflects what you're feeling, where you are in your head, and what comes out on the paper is all yours.  Even if you're using a pattern from someone else, no one else is combining the same patterns in the same way.  It's your own masterpiece.  Take ownership of your work and be proud of it, it's all you and it's fabulous!!!