Master Class - Illuminated Letters

On our second day, we continued with our illuminated letters by adding a light watercolor wash.  Since our Zentangle paper is a print making paper, not a water color paper, Maria shared her technique for creating a delicate translucent wash.

We set up a painting station and people got to work.

Then people returned to their tables and continued as Maria walked around.

Here's a look at a couple more letters. You'll notice that the layouts all look the same. We had preprinted a classic medieval grid (13 x 22 inch sheet size) so everyone could jump right in to the fun part.

When we traveled to museums and mansions, we rented a trolley. After visiting the Museum of American Illustration we went to a beach for lunch. After a walk on the beach, we returned to IYRS.

Bette Abdu snapped this picture of us on the trolley. Think we're having fun?

Click images for larger view.

More Master Class Day 1

There are just so many pictures and stories we want to share with you. Here are few more to fill in our first day experiences.

We spent much of this day working on large illuminated letters in a Zentangle way.

We used large sheets of our Zentangle tile paper. Each person chose a letter which they painted in gold and then added their tangles. We had books of 14th and 15th century manuscripts on hand . . .

 . . . which are also a rich resource for Zentangle tangles. Check out bales on the left in this next image which is an enlargement from that "M" in the above picture.

We chose to do illuminated letters in part because when Maria was working on an illuminated manuscript, I (Rick) interupted her and in that moment the idea for Zentangle was born.

Here's a sneak peek from our last day to give you a hint of where we went with these letters. (More later!)

People traveled from near and far to get to Master Class, whether driving their motorhome from Louisiana, driving their car from the next state, or flying in from all over North America. The person who came the farthest though was Fina Man from Hong Kong who brought gifts for everyone.

Click images for larger view.

New Blogroll Entry

We're catching up with emails and to-do lists after an absolutely magical Zentangle Master Class.

On of our emails was from Sue Clark in Colorado. Sue is coming to our October CZT training and she's created a blog about Zentangle that's now part of our blogroll.

Starting tomorrow, we'll get back on our regular schedule and take a few days to share some more wonderful images of the fun and creativity on display at our Master Class.

In the meantime, we invite you to enjoy Sue's images and words from her new blog, Zentangle In Loveland and leave her a comment (or two!).

Here's a sample:

Thank you, Sue. See you in October!

Performance Art

Last night we took Zentangle to the streets of Newport!

We began work on a four foot square Zentangle creation. It's a reverse silhouette of a "Beetle Cat" - that's the boat that every first year student at IYRS restores.

When it's finished, IYRS will use it as a fundraising poster.

Wait til you see it finished - it is looking so awesome!

Got to run. We're off on a class trip to the Museum of American Illustration.

Master Class - Day 1 - Afternoon

Everyone continues to create beautiful images . . .

and enjoy the great open loading door.

In the afternoon we all got on a trolley and went to Ochre Court, one of Newports mansions and the main offices of Salve Regina University.

Christine Hendrickson of Salve gave us all a private tour.

Then we were on our own to "hunt" patterns among the amazing architectural details.

From Salve, we took the trolley back to IYRS the "long way" around Brenton Point.

Click images for larger view.

First Day - Morning

Everyone's here at the first day of Zentangle Master Class and we're having so much fun.

We'll do a few extra blogs during Master Class because there's so much going on to share.

As you know, we're at IYRS, a boat building school. There are a couple guys working on their boats at the same time and it's great to see (and occasionally hear) the two artforms - putting pen to paper and putting tools to wood.

People are collaborating . . .

Having a great time . . .

 and are focused on creating some wonderful Zentangle art.

We started out the morning working on illuminated letters. Here's an example overlayed by a 15th century manuscript detail.

Here's a peek at some works in progress . . .

The day is beautiful here. Here's a look outside the side door.

And here's a view from the restaurant next door.

More later!

Fresh Canvas

We're beginning our Master Class at IRYS in Newport, RI!

We'll fill you in as we watch what's created in this magical space.

Stay tuned!