This week’s Diva Zentangle challenge is a continuation of last week’s idea of Reticula (grid) and Fragment (pattern). This week she explained a bit further about the concept and then linked to some examples of fragments.
I was drawn to the swirl so I started there… but then I remembered that she wanted us to use an asymmetrical fragment, so I switched to one that kinda looked like a flower. I got lost in my implementation and started over… this time doing a little bit in each square, rather than the whole pattern at once. I decided to color it and it took on a different look, one that I liked better (click to enlarge).
This idea of reticula and fragment is interesting, but for me, I like the free-flowing idea of zentangle… these tiles felt like I had to plan it out or it was ‘ruined’ and then I abandoned it unfinished… and I didn’t really like that feeling. I much prefer the ‘no mistakes’ philosophy where you run with it and the abstract becomes beautiful. It was fun to experiment, but it’s not going to be something I do often.
Until next time…
~nic
Photography by Nic 
Yes, it does take more concentration and isn’t quite as comfortable as letting tangles go where they wish. I suggest that you come back to the tile you started in a few weeks, throw out the idea of grids and fragments, and just complete it. I’ll bet you will be pleased with the results. When things go “wrong”, my favorite word is creativity. Ignore the rules even in a challenge 🙂
Thank you, Jean, that is very good advice. I think I over thought this weeks challenge confining myself to a ‘grid’. Looking at others’ tiles, I see that by not making a string first, just the grid, it wasn’t really my ‘style’ and I didn’t enjoy making it like I usually do.
All three are very lovely! Especially I like your tile with the H2 fragment! It looks like lace!
Oh wow, lace, that’s nice, thanks Annette. 😀
I like your tile, but I do agree with you that the ‘planning’ doesn’t feel like Zentangle at all.
Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve always preferred the flowing patterns over the grids… but others make such beautiful tiles with grids, so I keep trying. 😛
I love your H2 variation! I love the 2 different flowers that appear! 🙂
Thank you so much, Deanne! 😀