What do you need to practice Zentangle? Pen, pencil and paper, right? But, as Rick has been known to point out, you can also practice Zentangle with other materials that happen to be at hand including "with a stick in the sand at low tide". That idea stuck with me when I heard it during CZT training, and I knew at some point I would have to give it a try. So, with this Thursday 17th being Zentangle's tenth anniversary, this past weekend being the lowest tides for the month, and the weather forecast looking great, we took it to the sand.
It was such a big canvas, a little intimidating, but 'Anything is possible, one stroke at a time'. We started with familiar, comfortable tangles, a variation of 'Flux' and then added some 'Printemps'.
Experimented with 'Indy-rella' and Elaine added some 'Sanibelle'. Looking for a grid and some contrast we added some 'Knightsbridge' which worked really well! Grew some 'Antidots' (one of my personal favorites!) and Maryann and Carl worked on some 'IX'
What to do with the edges of the grids? Add 'Zingers'!
Getting to know our tools, we experimented with different ways to use them. This might have to be a new tangle? 'Rake Swirlz'???!
Taking photos at the end we discovered that the greatest impact came from photos taken facing towards the sun. From this position all the little shadows being cast by the raised sand lines created nice dark lines. Played around with angles and photo composition.
At the end of the day, when the adults downed tools, the children moved in to play among the tangles...
...and the seagulls arrived to see what they might find...
Thanks to fellow CZT, Elaine Huffman (to check out her website click here), for hosting us for the day. See you in the fall perhaps, or shall we plan for next summer?
