From Sandy to Thanksgiving

When hurricane Sandy hit New York this past October, I was stuck indoors for days (lucky for me I had electricity). I got out a new watercolor sketch book and began a series of ZIA's (*Zentangle inspired art)
It turned into a book of drawings that I worked on for several weeks and finished on Thanksgiving Day 2012.

*Zentangle is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Maria Thomas & Rick Roberts are the founders of Zentangle.
I became a CZT, Certified Zentangle Teacher, last summer)

Step 1: Supplies

Moleskin watercolor book
sakura markers (assorted sizes)
watercolors
brushes pencil
and any other marker making tools that you might enjoy working with such as other types of markers, color pencils, white out..etc.

Step 2: Draw

Begin your drawing lightly with a pencil.

Step 3: Begin Inking

using the sakura markers begin to add detail. I use Sakura markers because they are a waterproof pigment ink and eventually when watercolor is used the ink from this marker will not bleed. Later in my work I often choose to use water base markers that will bleed because it can create an effect that i want. But to begin I use waterproof lines.

Step 4: More Ink

keep drawing

Step 5: More Detail

add more detail (I like to create mostly double page spreads.)

Step 6: Adding the Zentangles

The 3.5X3.5 areas in my drawing will become the area that I make zentangles, all the other areas are the ZIA's

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Step 9: Finish Ink

Step 10: Finish Inking

Step 11: Begin Painting

I say painting because I am going to start to add color using watercolor, which as everyone knows is paint.  However, I think of my way of using watercolor as drawing with paint.

Step 12: Watercolors

Step 13: Birds

I continue to paint while leaving the 3.5X3.5 areas B&W

Step 14: Finish

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Step 16: Other Pages

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Comments

[NotTheNorm]

Truly inspiring. I have learned something new today. I love your work.

[craftyv]

This is wonderful. Iv'e heard of this before and will get onto it today. I draw "stuff" and if you look at some of my drawings they are very geometrical . This is so whimsical and charming. Very well done. Craftyv

[Susan Cirigliano]

Thank you...I looked at your drawings and yes they do lend themselves to zentangle. If you look at the pattern on the round cushion the redheaded woman is lying on in my drawing it reminds me of those spiral patterns you drew.

[craftyv]

I appreciate your reply and now want to add that the water colours are very well done and cheerful. I could live with them on my walls. Thank's again.

[bajablue]

So charming and whimsical! You do beautiful work!!!

[poofrabbit]

Susan I just love these! The birds might be my fave but they are all stunning!

[Susan Cirigliano]

Thanks, I had a wonderful time doing this book. I just finished teaching a Zentangle unit to my third graders, OMG the work they did was just awesome!

[poofrabbit]

I've looked briefly at Zentangle and wondered how young kiddo's would do with it, clearly I must look into it more. :D