Zentangles

Zentangles are something that I came across a few years ago.  

If you have never heard of them, the website describes them as "an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns.

Almost anyone can use it to create beautiful images. It increases focus and creativity, provides artistic satisfaction along with an increased sense of personal well being."

They are basically a drawing that uses various intricate patterns.  They are usually quite small in size.  Mine are often done on a 5" x 5" piece of hot pressed watercolour paper.  I sometimes will add colour using ink pens.  

The thing about them is that you can do them anywhere.  All you need is a small piece of paper and a fine-tipped ink pen.  At first, I didn't really plan them, but as I did more and more of them, I decided on themes for doing a set of them which often incorporate a common element in each of them.  Once you get started, you just go with the flow of the piece.  You can't erase anything, so there are no mistakes.

Check out the website, zentangle.com for some basic instructions and even ordering supplies.  They have a newsletter that they email that contains new patterns with sample designs.  I recommend signing up for those as they have lots of examples and show how to do their new designs.

Here is a slideshow of my zentangles.  

Liquitex Pouring Medium

I came across the Liquitex Pouring Medium when I was doing some research on acrylic mediums.  I decided to give it a try.

(picture taken from the Liquitex website)

I found some squeeze bottles with a small nozzle that I could use to mix the paint as well as pour it out.  These bottles were actually meant for ketchup and mustard, but they worked great and were really cheap.  They were a translucent white so I could see what was inside.  An opaque wouldn't be easy to see what the colour was.  I think I paid $1 per bottle.

I poured in about 2 oz. of the pouring medium and then acrylic inks.  I decided to use the inks because I had them and the colours are bold.  I kept adding the paint until I got the colour I wanted.  Then, I had to shake it really well to make sure that everything was well mixed up.  I left it overnight to make sure that all the bubbles worked their way out.

I used a small 8"x 8" canvas.  I knew that it had to be perfectly level to dry, so I found a large tinfoil tray that I would place my canvas in and made sure that it was level.  I used popsicle sticks to act as shims.  If it isn't level, the paint will run off.

I started pouring and covered the canvas with different colours.  I picked up the canvas and moved it around to mix the colours until I got something I liked.  I set it down and let it dry.

The next day, I poured more and found that the poured paint was transparent so that you could see the first coat underneath it.  It allowed me to increase the intensity of colour in certain areas.  When doing this, I totally covered the canvas again with poured paint so that I wouldn't get a ridge.

I did this on another canvas once I felt a little more comfortable with the medium.  I also tried it on a wooden panel that had a frame around it that allowed me to pour without it running down the sides.  Both worked really well.

After using this, I would certainly use it again.  Maybe next time, I'll try it on a canvas over regular acrylic paint...just to see what it looks like.

Some hints:
     *Make sure that you have some sort of tray to have your canvas in when pouring as it gets
       everywhere.  If you pick up your canvas to tilt it, it will drip down and onto your work table.  You
       don't want it on something good as getting it off is a problem.
     *Wear gloves.  The first time I poured, I didn't and had sticky hands for quite a while.  Even after
       washing them multiple times, the stickiness would remain.  Perhaps nail polish remover might
       have helped.
     *Make sure the room that you put the piece in to dry is free of floating dust motes.  If they land
       on the paint, they will stick and be impossible to remove.
     *It does recommend spritzing the piece with alcohol to remove any bubbles that appear.  I didn't
       do that with mine, but I didn't see any bubbles when it was wet.  I did have some after it dried
       which were covered when I poured another layer over it.

Here are 2 of the pieces I did.

This was the one on the wooden panel.  I call it "Desert Landscape".

This one is on a canvas.  It really shows the transparent layers.  

I call it "On Fire".

Tablet Use --Photoshop versus ArtRage

This past year, I got a Wacom tablet.  I've been using the ArtRage software that came with it to create paintings.  I have also used Photoshop, but I do prefer ArtRage for a number of reasons.
1.  ArtRage is extremely user-friendly.  It doesn't require hours of reading and practising  
     before a person can use it effectively.  
2.  It provides numerous pens, markers, brushes, and canvas/papers in which to create 
     your piece.
3.  The blending on it gives a smooth finish.
4.  Using the tablet pen gives a "real brush" feel when working with ArtRage.
5.  I find that ArtRage allows me to work on painting ideas prior to actually painting 
     them.  I can decide on a colour palette, what I want to add/subtract to the 
     foreground, and try new ideas.
6.  It gives a "realistic" painting when I'm done.

I still find that Photoshop is still the best when working with photographs. 
1.  I often use it to see what mat board colours look best with my watercolour paintings.  
     It has saved me lots of cutting time and mat board because I often change my mind 
     when I see how colours change the feel of the painting.  I often check with family 
     members what their preferences are when I do this.  It's a great help and time saver.
2.  I use it to put things into grey scale to check for values.
3.  I use it to crop images, cut out and paste images, and adjust the image to improve the reference photograph.

Here are some samples of my tablet paintings using ArtRage.

 

 
 

The above images are under copywrite and can only be used with my permission.

Art Supply Web Sites

Here are some Canadian sites that I have used to order art supplies from.  They often have free shipping and they send orders out quickly.

Currys (based out of Mississauga)

Delta Art (based out of Edmonton)

Lee Valley (based out of Ottawa)

If you have other companies that you have ordered form, please let me know and I'll add it to the list.

Intro Post

This is the first post of my blog, Draw Paint Create. 
I am an amateur artist who is constantly learning and trying new techniques.
On this blog, I hope to provide information and samples of various types of art that I'm creating.  
If you wish to visit my webpage, you can find it at
Jans Pen and Brush