I've practiced Zentangle drawing for over 10 years now. I'm even a certified Zentangle teacher (CZT). So, this project was the perfect place to marry my love for tangling and painting.

I started out by swatching colors, tangles, and other marks in my.  sketchbook.

 

 

Once I had a few ideas about what I might like, I painted two samples in my sketchbook.

 

I still didn't feel ready to move to larger paper, so I created two pieces on 5x7 inch hot press watercolor paper by Fabriano Artistico. I love the texture of this paper...so smooth. 

 

Finally, I was ready for some larger pieces. I created to 9x12 inch pieces on Arches cold press watercolor paper. I used a brown 05 Micron pen, white Posca pen, iridescent acrylic ink, and Stardust Gelly Roll pen. I shaded with a graphite pencil and highlighted with a white charcoal pencil, each with their own dedicated tortillion.

 

The Zentangle patterns in the piece below are (from top to bottom) Florz, Shirley, Rick's Flux, Batumber,  Printemps, Diva Dance, Bunzo, and Shattuck. 

 

The Zentangle patterns in the piece below are (from top to bottom) Nzepple, Chartz, Ratoon, Purk, Pokeroot, and Bales. 

This project really made me slow down an be deliberate with my choices...a feature of Zentangle art. I was worried that the Zentangle patterns would take over, becoming the star of the show, and neglecting the beautiful watercolor stripes beneath. So, I tried to leave some watercolor sections with little to no marks. Also, if I wanted subtle but fun marks, I used a Stardust Gelly Roll pen or some iridescent paint. Look at the painting from one angle and you can't see either, but shift a little and they both shine!