Saturday, February 11, 2012

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 DΓΌrerWatercolour 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!

8 comments:

  1. Glass pens and a wonderful explanation! What a great challenge piece!

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  2. Glass pens, wow! I love the end result! Thank you for sharing your art supply information, I would love to have those brushes!

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  3. I've never heard of a glass pen! I might have to check it out and see what it's all about! The blue looks kinda cool...but I could never do that! I just can't seem to get color to look "right" on my tangles!

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  4. Susan, I am hesitant to use color, too...but I had the turquoise ink handy, so I thought I'd try it. I enjoyed working in purple for Purple Haze and Moebius Strip challenges, so I thought it'd be interesting to try to work in color more, and push out of my comfort zone a bit more.
    To be honest, I think I'd like this design a bit more if Id done it in traditional black, white, and gray; the blue is a bit electric for me. I might have to try to modify my scan and convert it to grayscale just to see.

    The glass pen is fun...but I don't it'll replace my Microns!

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    1. Whoops--that doesn't make sense. It was supposed to say "I don't think it'll replace my Microns!"

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  5. Beautiful tile - feels very ocean-y.

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  6. This is just beautiful. I feel the same as you and Susan about using color. After seeing this I think I'll keep trying, though.
    Barbara

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  7. Your work is always so beautiful, Amy, you're going to get sick of me saying that but it's true! This piece is absolutely wonderful.

    I love color and have tons of colored inks, pencils, markers, even water-soluble crayons but adding color to my tangles just scares me to death! As soon as I start I think I've messed the whole thing up. I keep trying though.

    I want the brushes, oh boy do I ever want the brushes but I think I'm going to have to wait a while after all my pen purchases in the last couple of weeks or I'll never hear the end of it!

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