Monday, December 31, 2012

Zentangle in Motion 2

That's right, faithful readers, newcomers, and everyone in between: Zentangle in Motion 2 is here! I've promised here and there that it was coming, that if I had time I would do it, and I have! I absolutely love how it turned out, and I hope you enjoy it too. So without further ado, I bring to you, Zentangle in Motion 2!


If you remember the original Zentangle in Motion, you'll remember how choppy it was, especially in comparison with part 2. I sped things up to 12 frames per second, which means each second of the video is comprised of 12 individual photographs. Basically I did a lot more snapping this time around - in fact, a bit too much! On some portions (like the entire "presenting" scene, the cursive "Zentangle", and adding all the lines in Meer), I wanted it to go faster and ended up taking out some pictures to achieve that result. 

Another change between part 1 and part 2 is that I did the Zentangle in part 2 on a 5.5" x 5.5" piece of paper, rather than the standard 3.5" x 3.5" tile. I did make sure to use the same paper as the regular tiles, though. Love that paper!

I think my favorite parts of the video are when sections fill up with ink, like Beeline and Jonqal. Those sections are also among the most mind boggling to produce, since I have to fill in a small section of each shape, snap a picture, fill in a space, snap a picture. But if I wasn't paying attention I'd lose track of which sections I'd already filled in for the current frame, forcing me to look back at the camera screen. But it was worth it!
Actual frame of the finished Zentangle from the video.
Another interesting difference between 1 and 2 is how I produced it. In part 1 I started with a blank piece of paper and let whatever happened happen, true to Zentangle form. However, pausing to take a picture after every single penstroke allows way too much time to analyze and think about what to do next. It's hard to be sporadic and true to the Zentangle method. I knew something had to change for part 2, so instead of starting from scratch I decided to copy a tangle created specifically for the video. Below you can see the video version and the version I started out with:
The video version is on the left, and the one I started out with is on the right.
You can see similarities and differences. I find this very interesting: two Zentangles, utilizing the same string, tangles, even the same hand to draw them, and yet they turn out so different.

I think this method really worked. It allowed me to illustrate a spontaneously derived Zentangle but also gave the advantage of being able to plan it out a bit.

In upping the quality of the video from number 1 to number 2, I had to make a few more expenditures than I did the first time around. Paper, pens, digital storage devices, and music licenses don't cost much individually, but they do add up. So if you enjoyed the video, would you consider donating to keep things like this coming? I'd truly appreciate it! You'll find the donate button in the left hand sidebar. Also, sharing the video with friends, family, neighbors, and the occasional stranger helps bunches too! Youtube makes it really easy: if you just go to the video on Youtube, you can click the "share" button for a cornucopia of sharing options. Tweet/share/email away!

As a special thank you for reading, I'm going to throw a contest! Do you throw contests, or is throwing only for parties? I'm just in a throwing mood, so I'll throw the contest whether or not contest throwing is allowed. In any case, here's the contest:


a Rafflecopter giveaway


You'll be entering to win the ZIA that I created to base the Zentangle in Motion 2 tangle off of (the one on the right in the picture above)!


And here are the offical rules:

No purchase necessary. Entrants must be 18 years of age or older and be US residents (sorry, folks from elsewhere, but it gets problematic when dealing with other country's sweepstakes laws.) Starts on 12/31/12 12:00 AM Central Time, ends on 1/9/12 at 12:00 AM Central Time. To enter, leave a comment on this blog post with your thoughts about Zentangle in Motion 2, then complete the entry form above. The prize: the original Zentangle Inspired Artwork seen above (the one on the right). The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Winners will be selected by random drawing after contest period is over. Void where prohibited by law.

And there you have it. Zentangle in Motion 2. Once again, thanks for reading, and keep on tangling!

7 comments:

  1. OMGosh Zach. How do you find time to do stuff like this??? You are amazing. I have a technical question. On Feb 24 I am going to have a Zentangle table display at an art show. I want to hang my tiles from a mobile over a table. HOW would you (economically) do that. The mobile is probably 2 feet in total height. I want it to hang then from about 3 feet above the table. What could I jerry rig to hang the mobiles (two of them) at each end of the table? My hubby is handy and we do have clamps we could use. Help.

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    1. Hi Ginny! Thank you so much!

      As for the mobiles, I think they are a great idea! Zentangles in motion - so cool. It's hard for me to know what might work without actually seeing the venue you'll be hanging them in, but I'll give you a suggestion or two. Have you ever seen Command hooks? Depending on how heavy the mobiles are and how high the ceiling is, you might be able to stick a Command hook to the ceiling and hang the mobile from that. These hooks have adhesive backing, but they also have a tab you pull when it's time to remove them. They come off super cleanly, without damaging the surface they were stuck to. You can find them at Michael's, Hobby Lobby, and even Wal Mart! Here's what they look like: http://www.command.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/NACommand/Command/

      That's all I can think of right now, but if I come up with anything else I'll let you know!

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  2. I think I did this backwards! Great video, Zach! I haven't done any zentangling in ages, but you keep me inspired! Have a great 2013!

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  3. Really enjoyed the video. It is great to see the images emerge even when you are familiar with the tangles. Also like seeing how the spaces were filled in. Everyone has their own techniques. I must admit though that I was disappointed that your video Auraknot was different. I really liked the one in your original. Will have to look at more closely to see how you did it. Again great job. I always enjoy seeing the things that you do.

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  4. incredible - again! - zachary! i loved the intro and how you set up your tile. it was really interesting seeing how you laid out your tangles and filled them in, but the really cool part was the shading and how it all came together! (and if i should win your tile - i would be most wonderfully happy about it :))

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  5. just found you today and posted your Zentangle 1 on my blog. Thanks for doing this and for your enthusiasm! check out my blog today you are featured! http://dianemarra.typepad.com/adore_him/

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