Snow and Sun and Sanibelle...and a Super Sale Alert!

Today has been an interesting mix: snow showers and sunshine! Both of them intermittently. Not enough snow to accumulate, but still pretty to watch it fall and flurry.

The Diva's non-dominant hand challenge (#57) has me wanting to extend beyond my creative comfort zone and push myself to experiment more. I am really wanting to add Sanibelle to my list of "comfort tangles" so I created another tile for this week's challenge...this time utilizing a selection from my grand art supply collection that I haven't used in years: my glass pens. They are elegant instruments that need to be dipped in ink like a quill or traditional calligraphy pen. The tip of a glass pen has swirled grooves that hold the ink. I scribbled out a practice page to re-aquaint myself with the pen, as I never really felt like I had any mastery with it. I think it is more a lovely, nostalgic novelty item than a fine art supply. In fact, the reason I remembered that I have glass pens is that I saw a glass pen in the Victoria Trading Company catalog. As soon as I saw it, I thought, "Oh yeah--I really ought to get out my glass pens and try tangling with them!"

Featuring Sanibelle, Fengle, and some paisleys.

So, here's my tile:

I completed all the tangles with glass pen and turquoise ink. I smeared it a bit, too, as I was working. Whoops! Don't give up; use more tangles to draw attention away from the smears! By the time I finished the line work, it looked way too busy. I wasn't loving it, so I was determined to salvage it with some shading.

I used 3 different watersoluable pencils: Albrecht DürerWatercolour Pencils by Faber-Castell in Bluish-Turquise (8200-149) and Light Cobalt Turquoise (8200-154) and a Derwent Inktense in Sea Blue (1200). Then I went in with one of my tiny brushes to smooth it all out.

I'm not sure I am done shading Sanibelle; I may go in and rework it. I love my tiny brushes; I can spread ink and watercolor with such precision! I've just got to let you know about these brushes! Which brings me to the Super Sale Alert....

I purchased this wonderful brush set on sale over the holidays at Jerry's Art-a-Rama...it is a set of micro-mini taklon brushes that are perfect for enhancing Zentangle designs! I just checked the website to see where I could send you to get your own set, if you are interested, and discovered that the sale price is still in effect. I might have to go back and buy a few more sets before the sale ends (aaack! tomorrow!) because when they are not on sale, they are rather pricey. Jerry's everyday discount price is $29.99, but this sale features them for $18.99--which is 73% off the retail price of $69.95!

If you're interested, act fast! The sale ends TOMORROW (Sunday, February 12).

 

Also, here are my glass pens, if you're curious. I think I bought one set at a paper store on Hilton Head Island (South Carolina) and probably the other at a paper store in Fredericksburg, Virginia, but it was years ago. Or maybe I bought one of the sets in Occoquan, Virginia...I have a hazy recollection that makes me think that's also possible. I know it was a long time ago if I don't remember--I usually recall clearly where I obtain distinctive items for my grand art supply collection!

If you are seeking a hand-blown glass pen of your own, here's a link to the one offered by the Victorian Trading Comany.

And while you're there, check out the items from Miss Ellie Mathias Designs. My talented sister-in-law is Miss Ellie, herself!

Well, that's it for this post! Thank you for sticking with me if you made it this far!