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.

All Tangled Up - image 1 - student project All Tangled Up - image 2 - student project

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

All Tangled Up - image 3 - student project

All Tangled Up - image 4 - student project

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.

All Tangled Up - image 5 - student project

All Tangled Up - image 6 - student project

All Tangled Up - image 7 - student project

All Tangled Up - image 8 - student project

All Tangled Up - image 9 - student project

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.

All Tangled Up - image 10 - student project

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

All Tangled Up - image 11 - student project

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

All Tangled Up - image 12 - student project

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!

Christina Carroll

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