Thursday, December 12, 2013

How I did it: a tangled tree

I've been a little busy lately, but mostly I've been inexplicably fatigued and not able to do all that I expect from myself. It doesn't help that I have new ideas popping into my head at a somewhat alarming rate!

I am very pleased with this piece of artwork and fortunately remembered to take a few photos as it was progressing. It was done on an 8"x10" piece of archival mat board. Here is the acrylic wash I started with, and the very first of the ink tangles, Finery.

More tangles added. I wondered if there might be two more trees in the background on the left.

Even more tangles! The tree now needs some fine-tuning including tiny branches, there's shading to add, and the background needs doing. 

The above version sat around for quite some time while I waited for inspiration for the background. I thought that tangling it would take away from the wonderful tangles in the tree, but I couldn't think what else to do. Then it struck me: stay with the soft, washy look. So I used colored pencils, added some hills, and evened out the sky a lot.
"Tangled Tree" (c) 2013 Margaret Bremner
Now I need to frame it!

Tangles that run in lines, rather than tangles that fill areas, are particularly useful for branches. Some of my favorites are Prestwood, Paisley Boa, Puffle, Coaster, Unyun, Wud, Knase, Finery, Firecracker, and striped bands. Square grid tangles can often be adapted. And of course, anything is possible, one stroke at a time!
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24 comments:

  1. Christa PorcheDecember 12, 2013 at 10:54 AM

    Inspired! The tree is sooooo alive!

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  2. Sue ClarkDecember 12, 2013 at 2:01 PM

    Gorgeous tree! Thanks so much for sharing you process.

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  3. JeannetteDecember 12, 2013 at 7:29 PM

    WOW!!!GEORGUS tree,the tree is sooo alive,beautiful,loove it!!

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  4. EdenDecember 12, 2013 at 8:19 PM

    Really wonderful! Thanks for sharing the work in progress. Hope you start to feel better, take care of yourself.

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  5. Annette P.-L. December 13, 2013 at 1:11 AM

    Fantastic artwork! Thank you for sharing your process and take care of yourself!

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  6. UnknownDecember 13, 2013 at 3:28 AM

    Wow! That is awesome! Thanx for showing how you did it!

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  7. Ginny StilesDecember 13, 2013 at 5:01 AM

    I REALLY connect with your trees. Always have loved them. I have some I have some Dr. PH Martin liquid watercolor and now I am wondering if they too would make an interesting "wash" background for tangling on. Danny Gregory uses them in his sketching and I got hooked on them. They are expensive but you use so little because they are so intense. I hope you are not coming down with something for the holidays, Margaret (being listless). Is it cold up in Canada? Are you keeping warm? Taking your Vitamin C? Honey with tea? Do take care now...the stress of the holidays can do a number on folks.

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  8. HeatherDecember 13, 2013 at 6:32 AM

    Thanks for showing the progression of photos, It really does help to see how you worked through this.

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  9. i am the divaDecember 13, 2013 at 6:50 AM

    love!

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  10. Duane Anderson, BA CZT (971-235-6672)December 13, 2013 at 11:00 AM

    Margaret, the tree idea is a great one. How interesting it is to see tangles in branch format. Neat idea.

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  11. FeliciaDecember 13, 2013 at 11:40 AM

    This is FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So much time and effort was worth it for this beautiful piece! Thanks for sharing!

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  12. Sea Dean - Paint a MasterpieceDecember 13, 2013 at 12:40 PM

    I fell to chronic fatigue (CFS) in 1995 and I've never fully recovered so I can sympathize. If it persists get it checked out. This is a gorgeous tree.

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  13. adela -looking at nowDecember 13, 2013 at 2:22 PM

    Oh, if only my shivering trees had such loveliness to adorn them as we wait, together, for the greening-time.

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  14. UnknownDecember 13, 2013 at 7:30 PM

    These are the types of designs that make me appreciate tangles! Did you have any trouble getting (I assume ink) to stick on the background color or did it dry and make it easier to work with.

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    Replies
    1. Margaret Bremner, ArtistDecember 14, 2013 at 8:35 AM

      Hi Tsutomu. Because the color is a wash rather than thicker paint the texture of the paper is still there, so no problems drawing on the paper. And the colored pencil goes on well too.

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  15. kelly wDecember 13, 2013 at 8:24 PM

    You are my HERO!

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  16. UnknownDecember 13, 2013 at 11:14 PM

    Wonderful job on the details and the shading is amazing. LOVE it!

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  17. JeanneDecember 14, 2013 at 5:33 AM

    So beautifully done! Exceptional work, thank you for sharing it.

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  18. Carole OhlDecember 14, 2013 at 10:49 AM

    Thanks for sharing! You are always an inspiration!

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  19. Angie GraceDecember 15, 2013 at 11:11 AM

    Absolutely lovely! It reminds me of my favorite old oak tree.

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  20. MunchieDecember 15, 2013 at 2:34 PM

    That is just awesome! Thank you for sharing! I might have to try my own tree tangle!

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  21. UnknownDecember 16, 2013 at 3:57 AM

    The tree would make a wonderful rubber stamp image! Then us not so talented folks could have great foundation to tangle on. Love your bog!

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  22. KathyDecember 21, 2013 at 6:34 PM

    Love it! Thank you for sharing.

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  23. Jo in NZJanuary 4, 2014 at 3:26 AM

    This is just so stunning. For those of us that really don't have a clue about water colour, any chance of a step by step on that? of your trees specifically because we all LOVE them :) (or a youtube vid!!)

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