Sunday, December 15, 2013

Renaissance tiles

In the beginning there were white tiles with black ink and shading. Several years later along came black tiles with white ink and highlighting. And recently on the Zentangle scene, Renaissance tiles: beige, with brown ink. A few weeks ago I was given three to try, which was much appreciated as I had yet to order any for myself.

This was something a bit new so I went to some tried and true, favorite tangles. I used brown, dark brown (Sakura's sepia), and white inks. For shading and highlighting I tried a brown Verithin colored pencil and a Zenstone.
Tangles: Crescent Moon, Paisley Boa, Paradox, Phuds, Zedbra
Opting once again for the tried and true, I did some little wonky houses using the same materials as above and adding various brown Prismacolor colored pencils.
Tangles: Crezn't, Dust Bunny, Flux, Knase, Knightsbridge,
Palrevo, Pearlz, Printemps, Tagh, Tidings, Tipple, Wud

I wanted to try doing a wash on the paper before tangling it. Not a good idea. The paper quickly begins to rub off and the water seems to leave the paper more porous so the ink bleeds somewhat. I didn't get the nice clean lines I like. I left an area blank so you could see some of the wash.

I finally tried Aquafleur (love it) and experimented with a square grid tangle I'm working on. I used some regular Prismacolor pencils for shading. They go on better but their waxiness makes them look a little grainy and it can't be softened with a tortillion (blending stick).
Tangles: Aquafleur, Aura, Black Pearlz, Knightsbridge, Pearlz,
an unintended variation of Boo-kee,

and a square grid tangle I'm working on.

There is a slight greenishness to this paper that I don't really like, but once the brown ink is on, the green diminishes a lot. Don't try putting a wash on this paper, and I'd advise against hard lead pencils such as Verithin.

Working on toned paper is a bit of a challenge and great fun. I think I'll dig out some gray paper and try that.

19 comments:

  1. Your work is awesome! Truly! I love it, and thank you for sharing your techniques!

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  2. gorgeous work as always, Margaret! I don't really care for the tan color, either... I'm hoping there will be gray next.

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  3. Beautiful tiles! There are definite pluses and minuses with the Renaissance tiles, but they sure offer a great unique look.

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  4. Margaret, your houses always make me smile. I found the tan tiles are fun to do with the added dimensions but mine didn't scan as well as the white ones.

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    1. These did scan really nicely, Shelly. I usually have to make a few adjustments to exposure, tint, etc. on my computer.

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  5. I like them a lot, but then I always like and am in awe of your work. I want to make art like yours when i grow up!

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  6. I like your tiles and really like the information you give in regards to washing the tile with color. Your houses are so cute.

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  7. Margaret, I love the boldness this tile is sending out to me. I have to know, which tangle is the Aquafleur? I want to play with this. Please.
    duanerson@gmail.com

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  8. So beautiful! I just received mine in the mail, and I can't wait to tangle on them!

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  9. Your tiles are beautiful, Margaret. I find the tan tiles to be a bit more fragile than the white or black tiles and don't hold up to shading as well. I particularly like your houses, but maybe that's because I live on Tangle Street :)

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  10. Right, I have been trying "toned" paper too.
    I use Canson 140# Montval paper for my tiles and I think that this takes the watercolor beautiful, dries clear and transparent and I am leaning toward WAMER tones (see my Dec 16 post). I love that you are using brown pencil for shading...I have not tried that! GREAT idea.

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  11. Your art is always amazing to me! I think you did a super job w/the colors. I'm a little intimidated to try the browns and blacks!

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  12. Margaret, I love your tiles and yes, having tried the Renaissance tiles, I find them very easy to mark unintentionally. What I mean is that just by holding your tile down in order to tangle, you leave your fingerprints on the tile. And, you have to be very careful while using the tortillion or the paper pills. Having said that, I am enjoying the challenge. White is beautiful on this paper! You have done a beautiful job! Thanks for sharing these.

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  13. Oh, I forgot something I wanted to ask, you mention white inks with your first tile. Would you be able to be more specific with that? I'm so curious... and do you not like the white gelly rolls with these? Thanks

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    1. Angela, the white ink I used is the Sakura white Gelly Roll pen. Generally I quite like it although I find it occasionally skips.

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  14. All are absolutely amazing! The first one is my favorite :)

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