Monday, June 16, 2014

Auraknot / Mooka duotangle

That's this week's challenge from the Diva, who will soon be flying off to Providence RI USA for the next CZT seminar. :)

I took to Auraknot when it was first presented (and here), but Mooka has always been a bit of a nemesis. I like seeing it in others' work, but almost never like it when I did it. The ends always look blobby.

I admit it. I tore up the first tile I started. Mooka looked blobby again, and it wasn't working with Auraknot. I glanced at my desk and spotted some tan tiles and thought, "The tan tiles usually end up looking pretty terrific. Maybe I can scare a good Mooka out of a tan tile." Here's my second tile, on tan (Renaissance) paper, and I love it! I think I'm on to something to remedy the blobbiness!  More on that later.

I decided to try another on a black tile. I don't use those very often but I guess I was spurred on by success.
So, my little epiphany about how to avoid blobbiness? I realized that I hadn't been curling the top of the frond enough before adding the blob. When it curls more it actually looks rather elegant. It needs to curl way around, almost back to the original long line. There is a space between the blob and the stem and it's almost the same shape as the blob itself. See the difference:
TA-DA!!! Maybe now I can do a decent Mooka!
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42 comments:

  1. lilystanglesJune 16, 2014 at 10:03 PM

    Both are really wonderful but the first one absolutely stunning. Elegant and the colors are fantastic. :)

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  2. Jenna WheatmanJune 17, 2014 at 12:59 AM

    Both tiles look great, I know what you mean about mooka looking like blobs and my remedy was the same as yours. I love your shading and highlighting.

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  3. Jennifer HohensteinerJune 17, 2014 at 3:19 AM

    Wow. That tan tile is so beautiful! I don't know if it's the stunning composition, the beautifully drawn tangles, or the delicious color! It must be the combination of all three. The black tile is also great. And thanks for sharing what you learned about the "blobs".

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    1. Margaret Bremner, ArtistJune 17, 2014 at 2:13 PM

      Thanks Jennifer. I agree, I think it's a combination of things that all came together nicely. I really like that tile too!

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    2. UnknownJune 20, 2014 at 3:49 PM

      Actually, there is nothing 'wrong' with your 'blobs'. They are just a different rendition of the mooka and have many DIFFERENT applications. For instance, they lend themselves very well to an interweaving of the the frond stems if you exaggerate the thinness of the stems. They also work wonderfully if you are going to "aura-knot" three or more mookas together. Please visit http://mookamaven.blogspot.com for some ideas and clues to draw the Mooka. The first 7 posts are about the evolution of my love affair with the Mooka from, "Why can't I do that?" to status of most beloved tangle. As in Zentangle, there are no errors with mookas, only ways you haven't discovered how to use that variation, yet. .

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  4. JakkiJune 17, 2014 at 4:36 AM

    Thank you for sharing your Mooka solution! I think it is going to solve my continuing problem with the pattern. The nicest thing you could say about my Mookas is that they are uninspired tangleations! Perhaps I'll actually do a real Mooka now!
    Your tiles are lovely. I haven't used the tan tiles yet, though I do have them. Must stop being intimidated!

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  5. AnonymousJune 17, 2014 at 6:18 AM

    Both are great tiles but I love the one on the tan! Thanks also for the hint, on Mooka... that is so simple but makes such a difference!

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  6. AnonymousJune 17, 2014 at 6:25 AM

    I am so glad that you get to take off to Providence! I so missed meeting you at Tangle U! If you are ever flying through Minneapolis again, and have the time look me up! :)

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    1. Margaret Bremner, ArtistJune 17, 2014 at 2:12 PM

      Unfortunately for me, it's Laura Harms who will be going to Providence!

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  7. Debra CastaldiJune 17, 2014 at 6:35 AM

    The first one is my favorite! I do not use the black tiles as often as I should even to get the practice. I just love those "aha!" moments. Magnificent.

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  8. Caren MlotJune 17, 2014 at 7:30 AM

    Both are beautiful tiles, but the tan one is stunning!

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  9. ArtyZenJune 17, 2014 at 7:50 AM

    I love both but am always drawn to the soft colours of the Renaissance tiles - love this one. It's Auraknot I have the problem with .....any advice on that? Axxx

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  10. Sue ClarkJune 17, 2014 at 7:53 AM

    Your tan tile is stunning! I love the colors! I don't use the black tiles much either, but love you covered most of it in white for a really nice look. I always hear people saying they have problems with Mooka, so hopefully your "aha moment" will help everyone.

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  11. David HunterJune 17, 2014 at 8:15 AM

    You have difinately cracked the Mooka Code. Both of your tiles are Beautiful. Thanks for sharing you solution. Enjoy Providence.

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    1. Margaret Bremner, ArtistJune 17, 2014 at 2:11 PM

      Thanks David. Unfortunately for me, it's Laura Harms who will be going to Providence!

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  12. jeanchaneyazJune 17, 2014 at 8:46 AM

    I used to have issues with Mooka too. One day I just decided to do billions (okay, maybe not billions) of them until they became a friend of mine. I appreciate you sharing your discovery too. I hadn't really thought about it that way. Yours are truly beautiful.

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    1. Margaret Bremner, ArtistJune 19, 2014 at 8:08 AM

      Thanks Jean. Sometimes there's a tangle that we like enough it's just worth a lot of tries to get a handle on it.

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  13. Ragged RayJune 17, 2014 at 8:49 AM

    Your tiles are both stunning. The colouring on the first tile is so edible! Chocolate and coffee and cream. And on both the lines are so smooth and tactile. Really wonderful tiles!

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  14. UnknownJune 17, 2014 at 9:00 AM

    The tan tile is absolutely stunning. Great colours and great Mooka.

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  15. Lara WilliamsJune 17, 2014 at 9:12 AM

    Love the tan tile! Your mooka is spectacular!

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    1. Margaret Bremner, ArtistJune 17, 2014 at 2:16 PM

      Thanks Lara. I think I've figured out how to make it work for me!

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  16. Melinda9June 17, 2014 at 10:59 AM

    Love both of the tiles and your Mooka tip. What I've usually been doing was curve them a little less than you did and touch them together (layer them) to try to add interest. I actually love drawing that tangle, but it doesn't always come out the way I want.

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  17. JulesJune 17, 2014 at 12:07 PM

    Both tiles are good but I love the colours on the tan one

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  18. Tinkered ArtJune 17, 2014 at 2:22 PM

    Both tiles are stunning - aaah the mysteries of mooka - I too had a strong case of the blobs so tended to avoid mooka. Set out to practice it for this weeks challenge and not sure why but like you for the first time I noticed the curve what an AHA moment. Still have to work at it as the blobs can still appear but just awhile ago I stumbled across Adele Bruno's short video http://tinyurl.com/nf455wu and somehow drawing it this way has also made a difference. Maybe the goddess of Mooka was looking out for all of us this week.

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  19. Katie CJune 17, 2014 at 4:31 PM

    Absolutely gorgeous tiles -- I just want to sink into them and rest. Thanks for your illustration on making Mooka more interesting. I find that when I start to curl in, a little voice says "ARGH! TOO close! Too close!" But it usually works out fine. It's a tangle that can really go out of control--or stay too IN control.

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  20. Shelly BeauchJune 17, 2014 at 5:23 PM

    Smooth tangling Margaret! You have done good!!

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  21. Carol GrahamJune 18, 2014 at 8:40 AM

    That's brilliant Margaret! Thanks for sharing.
    Would you also share what you have used for shading on your Renaissance Tile - the depth you've created is fantastic...I love it!

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    1. Margaret Bremner, ArtistJune 18, 2014 at 10:51 AM

      Thanks Carol, it did feel as if a little light had gone on! The shading started with an Inktense pencil (Baked Earth, very orangey) softened with water. Then two colors of brown Prismacolor pencils. The white is a charcoal pencil, blended.

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    2. Carol GrahamJune 18, 2014 at 3:26 PM

      Thanks, that colour is PERFECT with the Brown Micron!

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  22. Anne's tangle blogJune 18, 2014 at 12:26 PM

    Very beautiful, especially the first one, I love the colors.

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  23. OmerJune 18, 2014 at 1:09 PM

    To call your mooka "decent" is simply an understatement. They are beautiful.
    The coloring and shading on the first tile is beautiful. The black tile looks so natural. Very interesting effect.

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    1. Margaret Bremner, ArtistJune 18, 2014 at 3:43 PM

      Thanks Omer. This is the first time I feel as if I've really 'got it'. :)

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  24. DidischJune 18, 2014 at 1:27 PM

    Absolutely stunning that tan tile. I agree with all of them above, the combination of layout, color and shading/higlighting makes your tile so BEAUTIFUL!

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  25. CrisJune 19, 2014 at 5:54 AM

    I am so going to start using brown for shading on my tan tiles. I always complaint that I don't like gray pencil with the brown pen, but never did anything about it. Now I am inspired. Have a great time in Providence. I thought you were going to go this week with me. So disappointed to miss you again.

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    1. Margaret Bremner, ArtistJune 19, 2014 at 8:07 AM

      Yes, I never use regular gray to shade anything but black; always a color that matches the ink. And, no, I'm not going to Providence. It's Laura Harms who will be there this time (lucky lady!). I was supposed to go to the previous one (mid-June) but after the fiasco trying to get to Tangle Ui didn't even try.

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  26. Tangles and MoreJune 19, 2014 at 6:42 AM

    I would agree that you found something that works. The Renaissance tile is amazing. The color and highlighting are gorgeous. I like the negative effect on the black tile.

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  27. art4u2cJune 19, 2014 at 8:20 AM

    I like the way these tiles turned out. You're evidently onto something with your Mooka discovery. I think the second tile looks like it could be an actual ceramic tile used for an accent in a backsplash or in a border around a pool.

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  28. UnknownJune 19, 2014 at 8:45 AM

    so peaceful and the coloured one is great to look at

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  29. BrendaJune 19, 2014 at 10:05 PM

    Oh yes! That Renaissance tile is out of this world!

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  30. MartaJune 21, 2014 at 11:08 AM

    I absolutely love the first tile! It's gorgeous!!

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