2021: FAVORITE MONTHLY DRAWINGS
I draw a lot and I love going through my social media feed and also through all the paper tiles. Each drawing reminds me of a phase in life or creative journey. I thought that it might be interesting to collect my favorite monthly Zentangle inspired drawings. A mosaic of 9 photos sounded like a reasonable idea. I’ll briefly reflect on what was the inspiration, which supplies were used etc.
DECEMBER 2021
NOVEMBER 2021
OCTOBER 2021
SEPTEMBER 2021
AUGUST 2021
JULY 2021
JUNE 2021
MAY 2021
APRIL 2021
MARCH 2021
FEBRUARY 2021
JANUARY 2021
DECEMBER 2021
A collection of monthly Zentangle inspired drawings
There was a lot of excitement in the final month of the year, but drawing remains at the top of my priority list so it was a very creative month, too.
A drawing that I did on an inked background which I demonstrated in a free video.
A part of the Project Pack 16 by Zentangle Inc. – a stunning 3D piece, to which I added some subtle colors.
This colorful and bold tangled abstract project is the one that I demonstrate in my video class.
Another fabulous idea from Zentangle’s Project Pack 16, which I took into another creative direction.
A part of my Christmas tangles series, with an attempt to create a 3D visual effect of the tree components.
One of the last pieces of 2022 – started a bit earlier in the month and finished on the last day of the year.
A combination of the white triskele-shaped tile that is glued on a black round tile. Very detailed and ornamental.
The project that I presented on an online Christmas-themed event and in a video-on-demand class.
The third drawing developed from Zentangle’s idea, presented as a part of the Project Pack 16.
NOVEMBER 2021
As winter approaches and the days get shorter and darker, more time is spent at home at the drawing table. Additionally, it’s time to slowly get into festive mood.
This one is done on the back of a Phi tile as I enjoyed coffee while visiting my daughter in Vilnius.
I know that it’s not December yet but I’m slowly getting into the Christmas spirit with these tangled ornaments.
I’ve been working on these tangled abstract pieces for months and finally I published a new video class.
It’s always nice to come back to tranzending, especially on tan tiles, combined with the burgundy color.
An ornamental design that reminds of a rich rug – turquoise is a perfect match to warm colors.
My first drawing with new PanPastel pastel colors in the background. Look forward to using them more.
Tangles that radiate from central zengems, black drama and vibrant accents – a recipe for success.
Return to the method that I taught in a Christmas themed class Festive Banner – this time on a Phi tile.
A classical back and white drawing, following the eight steps of the Zentangle method – the best way to relax.
OCTOBER 2021
The beginning of the last trimester always seems to be the busiest time of the year and 2021 was no different. My biggerst project yet, Inktober Tangles, required 31 daily videos to be created and uploaded, but that was just one part of my activities.
Zenith was never one of my go-to tangles but after drawing it for Inktober, I decided to create a 3D version and I loved it.
On of my series of the Frames and Florals drawings – this one is from the video on demand class.
I am so proud and happy to have finished the Inktober Tangles challenge and I love the outcome, too.
Two examples of the Tangled Dreamcatcher video class, one that I really enjoyed creating.
One more colorful drawing in the Tangled Abstracts series – this one was a gift to a dear friend of mine.
A detailed and interesting steampunk bee, created in a class by my dear friend Annie Taylor CZT.
A detail from my Inktober Tangles project, with a wonderful tangle C-knots in the focal part.
Another drawing from the Frames and Florals series. Colors look awesome on this kind of design.
An elaborate drawing, featuring 10 steps of the Zentangle method, that I created for a dear friend of mine.
SEPTEMBER 2021
Such a productive month, with new classes and creative ideas bursting!
I started playing with an idea for a future class – Frames and Florals. I love the elegance of this design.
Just some intertwined ribbon tangles, placed in a Heartrope string – so much fun and relaxing time!
Another design done for my class From Reticula and Fragments to Mandalas. I love this 3D concept!
This is another mandala, this time on a hexagon tile, with reticula and fragments concept applied.
A mosaic composed of a single photo of a square tile design, rotated and flipped four times. It’s simpler than it looks. 🙂
Some watercolor botanical leaf shapes combined with tangles – quite simple but very eye-catching!
Another idea for the future class – Frames and Florals. This one is a bit more complex but it starts from the same premise.
I’m still working on a concept of joining together abstract art and Zentangle and it’s such an enjoyable process.
A design that starts off with the same idea – how to combine abstract art with Zentangle. This time on a phi tile.
AUGUST 2021
I’ve spent a warm summer night at home but the heat hasn’t stopped me from creating. In fact, I was enjoying several projects, as well as some preparations for a future class.
A comeback to the Glow on Black technique, this time on a dark blue background.
This was a different and fun way to explore maptangling (tangling on stained background).
Inspired by wonderful Margaret Bremner, I tried combining contemporary abstract art with Zentangle. Enjoyed it!
Romantic tangling on a Renaissance tile – that is how I see this combo. Soft, delicate, feminine.
A second edition of the pre-strung challenge, hosted by Debbie, Jem and me. I oved playing with pre-strung tiles again.
Project pack 15 by Zentangle Inc. featured a combo between calligraphy and Zentangle. This was my favorite project.
Another version of abstract & Zentangle concept, this time a with bolder color scheme and geometrical tangles.
I revisited the Tranzending technique with this colorful and floral design. So many intricate details to look at.
I kept exploring the topic of my newest class, to be released in September – From Reticula and Fragments to Mandalas.
JULY 2021
Even thought I haven’t published any classes in July, I found it to be very productive. I was exploring some new concepts. preparing the fall / winter curriculum. There is a lot to do in August but my head was buzzing with ideas.
This is a model for the From Reticula an Fragments to Mandalas classes, maybe even a masterclass.
I was inspired to draw some kind of a whimsical architecture, inspired by details from the Alhambra palace.
Another Alhambra-inspired drawing (Islamic geometry), done with the Glow on Black technique.
A color combo that I fell in love with – warm gold looks like it was meant to be paired with cold grey.
Zentangle’s Project Pack 14 featured a Dingsplatz concept in one of the videos and I felt inspired to create these.
Another ribbon-stye Dingsplatz, created in Zenbossing style, with the ribbon seemingly rising up from the background.
Whenever I feel less than inspired, taking a Zentangle’s pre-strung tile is the perfect solution to getting started.
Did I mention how much I love gold on grey? 😀 Another creation that left my heart full of gratitude.
My answer to the “tried and true” challenge from the Square One: Purely Zentangle group. It’s always Mooka!
JUNE 2021
June was a slower month for me. The one dedicated to the vacation, some introspection and strategic planning. At the beginning of June I released my Introduction to Zentangle class but the rest of the month was dedicated to drawing and thinking. 🙂
Looking back at this collection, it’s clear how much has the seaside inspired me to create in June.
One of my contributions to the Pre-strung Fun challenge, hosted by Jem Miller, Debbie Huntington and me.
One of the drawings that I created for the To You Tangle challenge, hosted by Japanese CZTs.
This drawing was dedicated to my work on the Introduction to Zentangle class, that took a lot of time to create.
One of the three projects taught in video lessons in my Introduction to Zentangle class.
This drawing was created for the To You Tangle challenge and it was dedicated to music.
A fun drawing fiished with some help by the Alhambra-inspired stencil by CZT Marieke Sanchez.
I love to use different supplies and for this drawing I used the 3D Varnish to create the orbs.
A new Dingsplatz design, inspired by Zentangle’s Project Pack 14.
MAY 2021
I would say that May 2021 was mostly marked by using my new-found favorite paper – 100% cotton, hand-made Khadi paper. I love its rough texture and I’ve used it for most drawings (including the sketchbook that you can see below).
This style of using the blue color for coloring and shading reminds me of my early days of tangling.
Another sea-themed stained glass technique drawing. The combo of blue and orange seems to be the perfect one.
One daily prompt, featuring Dingsplatz, from new Zentangle’s Project Pack 14. There were many beautiful proposals.
One of the pages of my Khadi sketchbook. I decided to dedicate this sketchbook to exploring Zentangle’s original tangles.
The vibrant magenta details bring out the best in this olive green color. Such amazing contrasts.
My take on maptangling technique – tangling on a colored stain. Black ink on the stain, grey on white paper.
I was really enjoying Well explorations. This play with shadows and lights was the one I really liked.
Three drawings I prepared for the live online stained glass technique class. Love these color combos.
Blue shading on a grey tile is something I did a lot when I first started adding color to my drawings.
APRIL 2021
April 2021 was a month with a special dedication to my new free class and to the stained glass tangling. But of course there were other interesting drawings sessions. Check out the selected drawings below.
Stained glass technique seems to be a perfect fit with these small 3Z tiles by Zentangle.
After Zentangle’s Project Pack #13 I really felt inspired to use the Gelly Roll Glaze pen.
Ludmila Katz is my regular tangle-buddy and we had a great time drawing this project that she proposed.
This is a variation of my special Easter-themed project. It features a cute combo of illustration and Zentangle inspired art.
It seems that with the stained glass technique I feel much more freedom with color choices. Namely, my usual color schemes are not this bold.
A combo of a colored rim with some more traditional tangling in the center really appealed to me.
This was actually my first stained glass technique piece I created. It evolved from my love of adding roundings to all shapes and tangles.
This was created during a lovely meetup led by a friend Karin Mavridis CZT. It featured a “zenbossed” central part.
This is one of the pieces inspired by the Project Pack #13 by Zentangle. I followed Rick’s drawing but added some personal touches to it.
MARCH 2021
March 2021 was a month of big projects – just look at the examples of monthly Zentangle Inspired drawings below. Mostly I’ve been creating some new Glow on Black pieces but, no matter how focused I am on a certain technique, I have a need to use different supplies to break the routine.
This color combo is so not typical for me but I just loved it. Another piece done on a black paper tile, with the Glow on Black technique.
I participated in a class led by my dear friend and fellow CZT Maria Tovar. We used the Alhambra-inspired stencil by CZT Marieke Sanchez.
I loved the glow that I achieved in this drawing that combines classical tangling with the Glow on Black technique. The gold is divine!
I just love the sea and usually during winter we don’t visit it. This one was a result of my longing to see the seaside.
Another big project of the month – 8 square tiles that form this shape, all created with the Glow on Black technique.
My third big project was drawing on 9 tiles to create the “8 steps of Zentangle” drawings. You can see them all here.
I was a guest teacher in a class by CZT Anna-Maria Meinhardt. We played with the Zenbossing technique (faux-embossing).
Another one from the class by CZT Maria Tovar, using the Alhambra-inspired stencil by CZT Marieke Sanchez (on a big, Opus-size tile).
Another one of the pieces inspired by the Project Pack #13 by Zentangle. Simple black and white look so beautiful on this blue paper.
FEBRUARY 2021
I was really productive in February – busy with my own Glow on Black creations and participating in other challenges and projects.
An SF-looking piece on a 3Z tile, that was a part of the Valentangle challenge, prepared and inspired by Marguerite Samama CZT.
One more piece on a black tile, using the Glow on Black technique. Each of these shiny pieces really amazed me!
Some of the Glow on Black pieces were created in a way that they can form mosaics by using phone apps. This is one of them.
This Glow on Black piece was created on the back of a Zentangle paper tile. It was where my idea about a new free class occurred.
A mosaic that was created from one Glow on Black drawings – one single photo is rotated and flipped in an app to form a mosaic.
Another drawing that was inspired by the Valentangle challenge by Marguerite Samama CZT.
I was obsessed with drawing these Glow on Black drawings that I later used for creating colorful mosaics.
This Glow on Black drawing was created on a white paper – a big part of the paper was colored black after drawings some tangles.
The third drawing that was inspired by the Valentangle challenge. Going big with shades and highlights.
JANUARY 2021
Looking back on the drawings from January, it seems to me that it was not as productive as some of the months that followed. However, there are some drawings that bring out fond memories.
A classical black and white Zentangle drawing, starring a new tangle by a friend, Tomas Padros CZT.
This is one of my favorite Glow on Black drawings – an inspiration behind one of the video classes.
A gift for a lovely girl, made with the Tangled Monograms technique, from one of my classes.
One of the tangles that I deconstructed. This one was inspired by an Alhambra detail.
A Glow on Black mosaic from one of the video classes that were launched in January.
A drawing in which I used mostly the tangles that I deconstructed.
Another piece from the Glow on Black series. This one features the Tranzending on Black technique.
A simple but effective (hello dramatic shades!) drawing that featured a new tangle launched by Zentangle, Narfello.
One of the examples from the Tangled Monograms series. This color combo was very unusual for me.
Written by Anica Gabrovec CZT
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Another fabulous idea from Zentangle’s Project Pack 16, which I took into another creative direction.