Thursday 14 November 2013

Diva Challenge 144 - A Bug's Life

When I saw this challenge from Laura on I am the Diva, I thought it wasn't for me. I did my first Zendala challenge that Erin put out and it felt quite comfortable...and challenging. But drawing bugs...I didn't quite get it. The only bug I like is a ladybird and several people had already done wonderful things with them. When I stopped to think about it, I could see the appeal of lacy-winged types, like dragonflies...but I felt overly challenged by getting the shape of it all right.

So I did something very obvious...a spider web, just to see how it turned out. I actually felt a bit silly - a grown...nay, middle-aged woman, sitting at the dinner table drawing a spider's web but once I got into it, I really enjoyed it. Couple of silly mistakes for you to find if you feel like it...but hopefully, you'll feel 'drawn' in to my spider's inventive little efforts. Great fun! And yes, it took quite a long time but I was enjoying Mary Beard's 'Meet the Romans' series as I worked. And I decided to give colour a miss - it didn't seem necessary to this drawing and would probably have detracted from it. (I just didn't know where to start with colour!)




Thank you Laura - I enjoyed this one very much in the end and my spider isn't too preditory, honest!

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22 comments:

  1. Carol Graham15 November 2013 at 00:03

    Wow . . . I totally LOVE this!

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    1. ArtyZen15 November 2013 at 03:35

      Too kind, Carol - thank you for popping by and leaving me this encouragement! Axxx

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  2. Annette P.-L. 15 November 2013 at 00:27

    This is really fantastic! Wonderful depth and contrast!

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    1. ArtyZen15 November 2013 at 03:36

      Thank you Lonetta! It really was great fun to do. Axxx

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  3. Daniele OBrien Design, CZT15 November 2013 at 03:25

    No color necessary, this is wonderful. I can tell how much you got into your fabulous tangled web. Love the touches of rivets and metal!

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    1. ArtyZen15 November 2013 at 03:39

      I did enjoy it, Daniele - and glad you like the rivets and metal...I added those right at the very end and I do believe it was just a little moment of pure inspiration.. Axxx

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  4. Janice15 November 2013 at 04:01

    It is beautiful....please design a door size one for me to hang up to keep the bugs out. I too love the industrial elements...great stuff. Jxxx

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    1. ArtyZen15 November 2013 at 04:47

      Oh what an excellent idea, Janice...if only it would work! Glad you like it. Axxx

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  5. Chrissie15 November 2013 at 04:14

    This is super and I like the way it is so different to the other entries.

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    1. ArtyZen15 November 2013 at 04:48

      Thank you so much, Chrissie. I wonder whether it's because I'm not so well up on Zentangle that it's different...I hope it doesn't really matter....Axxx

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  6. Anonymous15 November 2013 at 06:10

    This is just a stellar piece. Beautifully done!

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    1. ArtyZen15 November 2013 at 06:35

      Thank you so much. I love meeting new people and their work this way. Axxx

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  7. Jenna Wheatman15 November 2013 at 13:29

    As i am finding, there seems to be no rules with zentangle you just go with an idea and see how it turns out. Your work is amazing, great 3d effect. I think you may be right about not adding colour. This was first my challenge to try colour and i just dived straight in and probably went over board. Maybe scan it and print it, colour it in and see what it looks like?

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    1. ArtyZen15 November 2013 at 13:32

      Hi Jenna....thank you so much for your kind comments. You're right, there are no rules and that's partly why I like it so much, but what others do is always an inspiration. I can't find a link to your work but I'm sure you will have just as much fun as I did! Maybe I will try some colour....
      Axxx

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  8. Anne's tangle blog15 November 2013 at 23:42

    Quite original and very well done!

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    1. ArtyZen16 November 2013 at 07:01

      Thanks Annie...I did make a couple of mistakes which are all I see! Axxx

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  9. Anonymous16 November 2013 at 05:59

    so clever and stunning! I laughed, all I could think of was a lady bug too!

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    1. ArtyZen16 November 2013 at 07:05

      Love the name of your blog! Nice of you to comment here - and thank you! I thought your ladybug was lovely! Axxx

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  10. Michelle16 November 2013 at 16:08

    This is overall my favorite tangle of all that I've seen that I really like. Very cool!

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    1. ArtyZen17 November 2013 at 01:34

      Well, Michelle, you have made my day! Thank you...but keep on looking, there are some incredible artists out there who can do things with tangles that I could only dream about! Axxx

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  11. jeanchaneyaz18 November 2013 at 06:46

    I like how you used each section as a playground for tangles. Your spider looks quite realistic too. I used a lady bug because it is one of the few bugs I can tolerate looking at. Not a bug person LOL!

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    1. ArtyZen18 November 2013 at 07:26

      Me neither, Jean - and I have plenty of opportunity to see them close up as I live out in the countryside and they enter my house whenever they feel like it!
      Glad you like my spider tangle...not difficult but I'm pleased with the effect. Axxx

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I read everyone's comments and am delighted that you took the time to share your views. Thank you! Ax

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