The art of Zentangle® workshop with Jane Marbaix, hosted by Colouricious.

I came across Zentangle® whilst browsing Pintrest. I was in awe of all the amazing patterns which could be created.

I further looked up Zentangle® to see what the official deal was with it. I was amazed to find that it is a growing art form and is huge in the USA.

It was created by Rick and Maria, see here what it is all about... Zentangle®

Seminars are held throughout the year for people to become certified CZT teachers.

I want to learn!

I went about finding a CZT here in the UK, I was in luck and straight away contacted the wonderful Jane Marbaix.

She gave me a couple of options to join her at home and have a one to one or at very short notice join her at a workshop hosted by Colouricious 55mins away from my home to Amersham, Bucks. I jumped at the chance and made sure I was there on the day! Nothing was going to stop me from being there!

I was very excited to be learning from an official CZT.

Now I could have done the whole self-taught thing and spend hours scouring various blogs and Pintrest and practiced until the cows come home. BUT! Isn’t there something wonderful about socialising with like-minded individuals who also want to be taught first hand?.....

Friday 19^th July 2013……. Zentangle® day!

An early start for me, and needed to be in Amersham for 10am. I arrived in good time and was greeting by Jamie who runs Colouricious. I was in awe of her home which was full of life, colour and vibrancy! I was in India. I felt at home here being surrounded by inspiration.

There were 4 of us attending the workshop and we all got on very well, and admired each other’s work throughout the day.

Relaxing music was being played in the background and we spent the day out in Jamie’s paradise garden, under bright and decorative parasols directly from India. She also has an aviary where her parrot was happily making noises.

Let’s create!

One creates what is a called a string as a base to create the patterns.

We started off with 4 patterns, Crescent Moon, Tipple, Static, Florz. Tipple is missing as I didn't realise I needed 4 areas, but there is no wrong in Zentangle, I used tipple in a later drawing.

The second we drew Hollibough, Pokeroot and Pokeleaf, Mist and Zander. I included Tipple in this one which is sitting amongst Hollibough.

The third, Flux, Keeko, Hi Cadent, Chartz, Onomato. I did variations on the Crescent Moon pattern.

After a lunch break we went onto using stencils as a base.

I started with a butterfly which included the following patterns, left wing 'Nzepple, right wing bales. Main body Mist. Bottom wings Flux. I added in some Dangles too.

I then moved onto a jar/urn shaped stencil. I sat for a minute or two staring at it thinking how on earth do I tackle this? I then took my pencil and went with the flow and drew some lines, which then created the base for what is my favourite drawing of the day.

Patterns include, Mist, Tipple, Flux, Bales, Knightsbridge, various dangles.

Jane encouraged me to look at a book called Zenspirations, dangle designs by Joanne Fink. The book was full of colour and the style was right down my street. I used a very thin pen to be able to get all the delicate patterns in place. I am now the proud owner of the book as it arrived today!

Home time!

I left the workshop feeling very happy with my new drawing skill. Each time I drew a pattern I would sit back and look at it thinking how amazing it is. I am so happy with the results and will continue to create and learn the art of Zentangle®!