Tutorial for Blending Coloured Pencil with Zest It

 As promised - here is my tutorial on how to use Zest It to blend with coloured pencil - Zentangle style!

Start with a drawing ... of course I couldn't go past Mooka Pods.   You will see that I have only done the line drawings with the Pigma pen - no patterns inside yet.

 Lay your colour onto the drawing.   I have used Prismacolor Verithin pencils here.

You can see you only need a light covering.

 Next colour - pink

 Add some green into the stems

 Darker green into the stems and the frills on the pods.

None of these have been "blended" yet.

With a paper stump, dip it into the Zest-It and use small circular motions to blend coloured pencil.  Starting from the lighter colours first, then into the darker ones.

See the second pod from the left, I have blended that with a paper stump and some Zest It.  Be sure to add only enough Zest It to dampen your stump, don't have it dripping wet.

The difference in colour is quite pronounced and you can see that the colour is blended quite smoothly.

.

 Next I have done the green frill in the centre of the same pod (second from left)

 I have started the main pod here ... can you see where I have blended so far?

 The purple of the largest pod is now blended.

 Here I have blended all the pods and their green centres as well as all the stems and little mooka pods.

 Next I add in more inkwork with the Pigma Micron pen.

 I decided to colour the "peas" in the pods and have blended them as well.

 Don't forget to sign and date your art.

 Finished piece ... I have laid a light colouring of purple over the background but have not blended it with the Zest It.

This is the Blending Kit I sell in my store - janemonkstudio.com

The kit contains a 125ml bottle of Zest It Pencil Blend, a Micron 01 Pigma pen in black, a double ended paper stump, 5 Zentangle tiles and a kneadable eraser - all for $28.00

You can also use the Zest It Pencil Blend with Derwent Inktense pencils for a wonderful effect, as well as your normal watercolour pencils.

Have fun Tangling some Colour ... Jane x

Added Note:  To those of you who want to purchase Zest It outside Australia ... it is a product from the UK ... this may assist in your finding it online.  And Lori has added a link in the comments to help - thanks Lori.

I would also like to add that if you are a serious pencil artist or want to pursue more detailed pencil work,  you can use the Zest It Pencil Blend to smooth out your under layer of colour pencil and add more details on top when this has dried ... very much like using a liquid marker ... a great way to get colour backgrounds for Zentangle Inspired Art.  I hope this helps and I would love to see your pencil coloured art if you would share it with me here at Jane Monk Studio!   Cheers for now, Jane x

More on the Letter "R"

I know this is not a great photograph ... I took it tonight as I thought I would share the progress with you all.

I still have quite a way to go on this ... but it is looking pretty good and that "Mooka" pattern is creeping in everywhere ... also my Mooka Pods with a twist - I have made the pods look like the "Finery" pattern - I love it.

I have also used a pale gray ink to draw more tangle patterns in the background. Lots of shading to go yet.

Enjoy ... Jane x

My Mooka Pod & some inspiration

 Please ... a drumroll for Mooka Pod!

I have been very inspired by Rick & Maria's Mooka pattern and have come up with this variation I call Mooka Pod.   There is no shading on this yet, but it is only a little piece of art - not even as long as a Micron pen.

 It started out like this ... playing around with Mooka ... I really really like this - did I say that already  - lol!

 Last week was AGFEST here in Tasmania ... a very very large (by Australian standards) Agricultural show.  I couldn't resist snapping a shot of these ferns ... do they look a bit Mookerish to you?

 And for my inspiration ... this is my weekend view sometimes ...heaven!

 The kitties like it too.

They always want to go outside ... and spend quite a bit of time out on their harness and leads.

And yesterday it snowed - on Mother's Day no less!  What a perfect ending to a lovely day.

Happy Tangling for now everyone ... Jane x