Zentangle Untangled (11 page)

TINT ON BLACK

black Zentangle® tile, Sakura Souffle pens

Black Zentangle® tiles are a relatively new product so when I bought some, I decided to test out my various pens. These are the Sakura Souffle pens and I used the
Pokeleaf
tangle so I could try a few different colors and see how they worked out. As you can see, they look fantastic; they become brighter as they dry. Watch out, black paper—I’m coming for you!

WHITE ON BLACK 2

black Zentangle® tile, Sakura Souffle pens

White gel pens are not made equal. Some look great on black paper, some not so much. So I tested the white Sakura Souffle pen on a black Zentangle® tile and it looks amazing! These take a little longer to dry than regular gel pens, but I also think the result is superior to the countless others I’ve tried.

COUNTRY TWANG

Sakura Pigma Micron pen, graphite pencil

The official tangle across the middle of this piece,
Twing
, inspired the name of this tile. My parents are big country music fans so it seemed apt, and I think the two tangles on either side complement their personalities—simple yet complicated! Love you Mum and Dad!

MOUNTAIN

Sakura Pigma Micron pen, graphite pencil

This tile started with me playing with strings, and I wanted to see how I could combine curved and straight lines into the string effectively.
Mountain
was the outcome.

GNEISS

black Zentangle® tile, white gel pen

Gneiss
is an official tangle and in this particular piece, uses a black Zentangle® tile and a white gel pen. The strength of this piece is how well the white Sakura Gelly Roll pen looks on the black tile; the effect is fantastic despite having done nothing more than reversing the coloring of a regular Zentangle (black ink on white tile).

ANGELS VS. RANGERS

Sakura Pigma Micron pen, graphite pencil

Here is a tangle that began while watching television, and obviously while I was watching baseball. Although I wasn’t consciously thinking about it, it’s interesting that the raindrop shape on top looks like angel wings ( L.A. Angels) and the tangle around the lower raindrop shape looks like a ranch fence (Texas Rangers)! Who says Zentangle doesn’t creep into our subconscious thinking?

(For the record—I’m a Yankees fan through and through.)

MUSINGS

Sakura Pigma Micron pen, graphite pencil

I wish I could tell you a story about this particular journal page, but it was one of those pages that simply happened. I sat watching television with my journal, started tangling, and this is what came out. No rhyme, no reason—but a great journal page nonetheless.

MOONSHINE

black Zentangle® tile, Sakura Souffle pens

Another black tile with white ink, but this time adding the black Souffle pen (which is more gray) for some effect without stepping away from the black-and-white premise. These Sakura pens take a little while to fully dry, but I think you’ll agree they are worth the wait!

YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE

Sakura Pigma Micron pen, graphite pencil

Quabog
is an official tangle that you don’t see used a lot, but I like to use it, especially when I am depicting the sun. The song “You Are My Sunshine” is such a sweet tune, it seemed like an appropriate title for this piece.

TODAY

Sakura Pigma Micron pen, graphite pencil

Today
is a Zentangle I must have created when I was having a chaotic day—the busy, unbalanced nature is obviously reflecting my state of mind! That’s OK, we all have days like this, and it’s definitely OK when our Zentangle art reflects that!

FALLING IN LOVE

Sakura Pigma Micron pen, graphite pencil

There’s nothing more wonderful than love, is there? I love heart shapes, and although I am not the most romantic girly-girl in the world, I am grateful for love every day. This tile is a simple one, and being about love it makes me think of my husband, Michael, who embodies unconditional love. I’m so lucky.