I’ve not really ‘done’ a Zentangle before. I’ve dabbled and kind of began drawing one, but begin is as far as it ever got. Words were said, such as: “I can’t quite understand the joy of this…” and …. “.. it’s pretty … but … I’m not sure I’m cut out for it.”. And that’s as far as my venture into this unknown thing got.
So when I was trying to think of something to draw for a daily drawing #InkTober2017 and Zentangling popped into my head, I should have wondered why.
What was I thinking? I know that a Zentangle looks like a quick bit of doodling, but I’m here to tell all those of you who haven’t tried their hand at this form of artwork, that it’s anything but quick. Of course, it would have been a couple of hours shorter had I not began by measuring it out, cutting the right size of paper and got to the drawing of ‘V’ (I’d already drawn and coloured L and O – I didn’t want to lean on any artwork and dirty it, so thought I’d colour it in one letter at a time) … and it was after I began to draw the letter V that a slow dawning realisation came about that although I’d measured out correctly the size of the letters, I’d forgotten to add in the space between the letters which I’d require, so I had to start aaalllll over AGAIN! Grrrr!
To be honest I’m not sure if it’s the planning and sketching out which takes the time, or the then drawing and colouring, but the whole lot adds up to a lot of work. It’s harder than it looks and I now have a new-found respect for anyone who does this as their chosen form of art. Seriously so.
Anyhoo … I didn’t get to post a photo yesterday for Inktober 5th so I’m missing a day, but I’m sure I won’t be expelled for it. So this colourful bit of Zentangled Art is my #InkTober 6th inking.
When I look at it, now that it’s done, I can’t help feeling that maybe this type of Artwork is this modern ages version of Illuminated Manuscript.
I kind of planned it out in pencil before hand, but then added the loops and coils and danglings and curly bits, twirly bits, hearts, dots etc etc, as I inked the words using a Zig Memory System Ink Pen by Kuretake. Everything was drawn out in that pen. From thin to thick lines – all the black you see is that one pen.
All the colour on the other hand comes from ‘Kuretake Clean Color, Real Brush’ Ink Pens. Try as I might I cannot find a better pen than these to colour with ink. They blend so, so beautifully, and with so little effort on my part. And clean up is so easy. If you (for example) use a bright yellow pen against a deep red one and get a dirty brush (nib) you simply do a tiny scribble on a scrap of paper and the pen is clean again. VOILA!
Well … that’s my #InkTober 6th offering which was missing.
Now the observant among you will notice that there was something missing from today. I’ll give the unobservant a clue: Today is Friday.
Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding.
Yup … there was no Friday Post. There is a very good reason for that. A very good reason indeed. And when I think of it I’ll let you know.
No … actually, to be serious. The truth is … [hangs head, looks down at toes and kicks imaginary dirt around with the toe of her shoes] . . . I er, umm … well … it’s like this … . . . . I [cough] … I fell asleep in the chair and when I woke up I went straight to bed and forgot that I had a date with you. I’m sorry. I shall feel guilty for ages about it. Well … for a moment or two anyway. I shall make up for it by inviting you all round for coffee and cakes next week.
Until then …
Have a truly wonderful weekend. May you find something to smile about; find something to do which you enjoy; and …. don’t forget to put your feet up at some stage and just watch what’s going on outside … even if nothing appears to be going on outside. Just keep watching. Something is bound to happen – even if it’s just a bird flying past; a squirrel running up a tree or a cloud floating by.
Sending love ~
You are so right. This tangle thing is a lot harder than any one who doesn’t do it would understand. You have gotten of on a really good foot and should keep it up. Starting withe the LOVE word is smart but of course you knew that.
Good thoughts please as I go into uncharted waters tomorrow morning at the open house. Our storm looks like it will delay until evening which is good since paper and water don’t mix. XOXO
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Ohhh have you tried Zentangle Art Bev?
It’s lovely, when you finish … but boy oh boy is it time consuming.
The word ‘LOVE’ I chose because it touched all of us in some way, and I thought people could related to such a positive word. I also think it’s what the World needs more of right now.
Ohhh, by the time you read this the much worried about ‘Do on the Day’ will be over. I missed giving you a pep talk and telling you that you’ll perfectly.
How can you not??? You’re YOU. People love you.
I wish I could be there. I would have met you there and sat, looking after the sale of your cards while you taught.
Aw, I know everything is going to go fine. And … I hope that you continue to do these Bev. The more you do them, the easier they’ll become and the more your name and face will become known. This could be just the start of something fabulous in your life!
BIG squidges ~ Cobs. xxx
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You aren’t going to blieve this. I have been sick all night and just emailed Treelady that I could not possible be there. Car is packed and every thing prepped. Some body some where doesn’t want me over there today. I am doubly sick that I am letting her donw but my better judgement say stay put.( close to the bathroom.)
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Ohhhhh Beverly … after all your hard work in getting everything ready too.
I wonder … could it be nervous tummy?
Well .. when you’re feeling better, you’ll just have to plan another day. Not necessarily with Treelady – not if she doesn’t have anything already planned. Try other places nearby. See if anyone else has anything you’d like to go to.
Get well soon Beverly.
Don’t do too much missy!! ~ Cobs. xxx
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Oh I adore this one Cobs, love your letters!!! Zentangles are just that, zen – tangles. I have done a few of them on the small side, they have the coaster size pieces of paper for zentangles here and that is what I used. I had fun. They are time consuming, but they are supposed to be, to relax, to do this so you don’t fret about anything else 🙂 They work. Lovely post this time around and I would say you need to try another. 🙂
Thank you for this one Cobs, have a lovely weekend.
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Cooo, you clever thing! I’m not certain that I could do a whole Zentangle on a tiny coaster sized piece of paper. I think I’d get frustrated by the lack of space to plan within, pencil and draw out all the lines, then ink it all then colouring up. I like to blend the colours into each other, and I somehow think I’d get it all muddy on a tiny piece. Kudos to you Soozy for being able to do it all on a small space.
Do you think you do buy some paper and make larger ones? You could frame them and hang them on your wall …. or even sell them! People might even ask if you could do them a special commission – for perhaps their childs name, or the date of their wedding etc.
You could turn it into quite a lucrative business!
Aww would you look at me .. setting you up in business! LOL. I’ll be drawing business cards for you next! LOLOL
I’m just thrilled to pieces that you like this bit of artwork Soozy.
Thank you so much for coming and for the beautiful comment.
Sending squidges ~ Cobs. xxx
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Love that zentangling!!! Not sure I spelled that right….And yep I was wrapping my brain around the no friday thing…..it is really okay as I am too tired from taping in my closet to absorb a good joke or learn a lot of new information!
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I KNEW that I’d forgot fora reason. . . I was protecting your brain power! LOL
Thrilled you like the Zentangling …. (yeah you got it right on the money!) I can see myself doing it again … but not yet. I need to forget all the planning, pencilling, inking, colouring and all time that went into it. Then I’ll just remember the end result and I’ll do it again!
(can you say glutton for punishment?) lol
Sending big squidges and a bucket of love ~ Cobs. xxx
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omgosh…..your Zentangle is so beautiful. I agree it does look super hard and detailed. I think you did an amazing job on it though. The colors are spectacular. Beautiful eye candy. Very nicely done!!!…. ❤ ppstt we all deserve a break now and then!!! I will be here next week for coffee =) xoxoxoxox my friend. Have a lovely weekend!
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Awwww thank you Tam. I feel less guilty now. But oh my gosh, when I realised it was Friday and I’d forgotten!! EEEeeek!
I’m SO happy that you like this bit of Zentangle Art. It’s very much a time gobbler, but it does relax you and you don’t seem to notice the time passing. The world continues to turn and yet, in my craft room, time no longer existed.
(I was glad to finish it though I will admit)
Thanks SO much for coming and having a coffee moment with me Tam. I LOVE to see you.
Have a truly blessed Saturday.
love ~ Cobs. xxx
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anytime! you have the BEST coffee =) ❤ and the company is fantastic!
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It’s a date! C. xxx 💚 💙 💜
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It sure is!!! =)
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Love, love, love this (and I’m not trying to be clever with the use of the word ‘Love’!) This is gorgeous. The lettering is so pretty and detailed and whimsical – all nestled under the pretty arch. I have tried Zentangle -it’s hard! I think you should write your own manuscript using font like this – ‘The World According To Cobs’ or some such thing – it would be amazing!
I’ve wanted those clean colour pens for the longest time. I think Santa may have to bring some for me. Hxx
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YES!! Write to Father Christmas Hannah. Mine were a slightly late Birthday Present… and ony slightly late because there wasn’t anything I was hankering after come my Birthday in August, so I waited until something happened to make me fall in love so much that I wanted it… and these pens were the magic. I really love them Hannah. I know that they’re a considered purchase – so not something that one can suddenly splash out on, but Chistmas and Birthdays … well the ‘guilt’ doesn’t play too heavily as … well, a gift is such a nice thing – especially when it’s something you really wish for.
Just be a good girl .. ’cause he has a list, and he checks it twice! 😉
THRILLED to bits that you like the Tangle. Aww I’m just wriggling with joy that you do.
Sending HUGE buckets of love and squidges ~ Cobs. xxx 🍂 🍁🍂 🍁
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Love your Zentangle Inktober! It sure is a great piece of art! I have a couple books on the Zentangle’s I have had them a few years! It’s is enjoyable when there is no pressure 🙂 Have a Blessed and wonderful weekend! XX
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Yes, I’ve got a book which I think I bought from a charity shop about 4 or 5 years ago, so after I (finally!) found it, I was really glad of it for the inspiration for doing this as I’d only played around before and never done anything seriously.
Although it’s hard work, and not something I think I’d do everyday, I did enjoy it and loved the way it turned out. I definitely think I’ll give it another go, obviously in something else but not just yet.
Thank you for visiting Ruthie, and for leaving a footprint behind.
Wishing you the weekend you wish for yourself. – Cobs. 😙
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I hope your dreams were sweet-that work of art is beautiful-but I know it was a mathematical nightmare to draw! You pulled it off though!! love Michele
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Aww thank you Rabbit. I like the way it eventually turned out, once I’d measured it correctly. 😉
love ~ Cobs xxx
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I LOVE your LOVE. That is awesome artwork – the time and energy you spent was well worth it. I don’t know of this art form, but then again, I’m not an artist. So, I’m off to look at your other offerings from this past week so I can “ooh” and “ahh” and wish I had your talent.
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Talent? Me? aw nooo, I tend to think of it as ‘luck of the day!’ LOL
Thank you Mary. I’m just so thankful that you like it. Bless your beautiful heart.
Thank you for visiting and for the lovely comment.
Sending squidges ~ Cobs. xxx ❤
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Well, darn, I forgot to give you Squidges. Lots of squidges. 🙂
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LOLOL… right back at you Mary, in buckets filled to the top! ❤ ~ Cobs. xxx
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Well done, Cobs – the final result is beautiful! I had no idea how this Zentangling thing works … sounds a bit too complicated for me. Good for you for sticking with it.
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I think it’s more time consuming than complicated. Once you get into the swing of it the actual decorating and twiddly bits, twists and dangles are just things you do by eye and what you feel you want to dangle… but the planning, sketching out, inking, colouring … it’s just SO time consuming. And yet, when you look at it, it simply looks like a bit of fancy doodling which you did while you were on the phone. (well … at least mine does, to me). lol
Give it a go Gillyflower… one evening when you have nothing to do and are a little bored of books and TV. You never know …. you could be a Zentangle star!
Sending squidges ~ Cobs. xxx
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Oh I have tried the Zentangle….it is very time consuming to me! LOL! I think I’ll stick to coloring, for now anyway! And yes, I did miss the “Friday Post” and the bits of knowledge that you share on Fridays! But, you are forgiven, as you did post today, and you did pass on some knowledge…so I guess that will do for this week. Anyway, I still have a ton more emails to get through and blog posts to visit to catch up from being on “vacation” the last 10 days! LOL!
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Know the feeling Nancee. It seems never ending. Awful game ‘Catch Up’.
Plough on. You’ll win in the end.
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Oh Cobs, I didn’t know you were supposed to plan Zentangles. I have tried a few and really enjoyed them, but I never coloured them. To my mind yours is more than a Zentangle, you planned it out after all, that puts it in a completely higher category altogether I think. It’s lovely anyway and I hope you do more.
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I’m not sure if you’re supposed to plan them – I just thought that I’d better plan better, because the first time I made a mistake and didn’t want to do that again! But all the dangly bits, twirly, wiggly, hearts, squares, beads, dots, etc etc .. I just ‘hung’ those where ever I felt I wanted them to be.
Probably those who zentangle all the time don’t plan,and will be laughing at me for being OCD LOL.
Thank you for coming and for the lovely comment Barbara. Bless you.
~ Cobs. x
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FABULOUS! I would have your wonderful design printed on a t-shirt and wear it to Woodstock…
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OOoo – printed on a T-shirt! I can see that in my minds eye. Cooooo, I’d like one of those too!
I’d wear it all the time, just for the bragging rights – “Yes …. this is my own design. Yes, I drew that. Yes you can buy one … for a price.”
lol ~ C. xxx
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