Hi and welcome back to the Chrissie Murphy Designs Blog. As we make our way through the Magnified Fragments Project, I have been trying to share about each fragment in a blog post. Today we are looking back at Fragment A7 using the Renaissance Technique as an enhancer. Let’s get into it and I’ll fill you in on all you need to know.
The Expressive Bits
What is the Magnified Fragments Project and where can I find out more about it?
Well in short, it’s the biggest zentangle project I have ever undertaken! There is greater detail about the project and what’s involved in the very first blog post for the project – Magnified Fragment A1 using Echo Lines as an Enhancer below.
We’re currently about 30% of the way through the project, being half way through the C Fragments. Most importantly though, you are still welcome to join us – you can join in and follow along using the hashtag #MagnifiedFragments at any time.
If you’d still like to learn more, check out our Magnified Fragments Gallery! It’s full of all the fragments that Expressive’s have created in the project so far. It’s absolutely amazing!!
What is Fragment A7 using the Renaissance Technique as an Enhancer?
Here is a close up of Fragment A7 that is featured in the Zentangle Collection of Reticula and Fragments book by Zentangle founders, Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas.
I have created a tile using this fragment as my string. In doing so, I effectively magnified it.
Renaissance Technique was the enhancer for this tile. The Renaissance Technique is a personal favourite of mine, being one that I return to often. Zentangle HQ describes the technique this way;
“With white tile tangling we begin with a light surface and add dark. With black tile tangling we begin with a dark surface and add light. But with Renaissance tangling we begin with a mid-tone and add both light and dark. We call it “Renaissance” because its inspiration are the sketches of the great masters of the renaissance who used this method of drawing.”
Zentangle HQ
I chose the following tangles for Fragment A7 using the Renaissance Technique as an enhancer:
- Huggins by Zentangle.
- Mooka 3D by Eni Oken CZT
- Jetties by Zentangle
- Caviar by Lori Howe
- Printemps by Zentangle
- Tipple by Zentangle
What does it mean in terms of my artistic work as a whole?
Every now and again you create a tile that just comes together perfectly. There’s great balance and harmony between tangles, colours, linework and form. The composition works and your eyes dance over the tile beautifully.
This was one of those tiles for me. And I needed it.
Here’s the thing with doing a project like the Magnified Fragments Project – it’s controlled, because there is a framework. It’s not the same as sitting down each week and creating a tile freely. The Project has controls (a fragment type, and an enhancer) so your bound by the framework of the project.
By Fragment A7, I’d come through using a few fragments I wasn’t very fond of. There’s no way I’d ever choose these fragments as strings (naturally) and I guess I was missing the freedom my normal tangling provides.
So to create something that just came together was so satisfying! I needed it, I needed the encouragement to continue with the project.
How can you take this idea and be more Expressive?
There’s a saying that says “It’s the little things in life that matter”.
At the start of this year, I had prayed and asked the Lord about doing something significant with my tangling. Long story short, I was inspired to start the Magnified Fragments Project.
What I didn’t expect was the emotions I would be dealing with by doing so. I really miss creating tiles freely. Don’t get me wrong, I still do create freely outside of the project…. but this project has a framework, and this post is about the project.
I didn’t expect that by doing the Magnified Fragments Project that I’d miss creating freely so much. This project has helped me to appreciate the little things. Having this A7 fragment come together is something I have really appreciated. It’s a little thing, but it matters.
As you express yourself each day with journalling and tangling, take notes of the times where you’re prompted to appreciate the little things. If you really look into them, you might find they are things that truly matter.
The Factual Bits
The materials used for Fragment A7 using the Renaissance Technique as an Enhancer
- Strathmore Artist Tile in Tan
- Uniball Signo Gel pens in Dark Brown, Black and White
- Grey Copic Markers in W4, W5 and W7
- Prismacolor Premier Coloured Pencils
- Distress Inks in varying colours
How big is Fragment A7 using the Renaissance Technique as an Enhancer?
It is 4 inches x 4 inches square.
Want to be more Expressive?
Join the Expressive’s List to begin to learn ways you can start to express yourself creatively. With the Lord there are no moulds or limits, just possibilities, and the promise of unearthing who you were created to be.
Expressive Subscribers receive an email each month that contains creative inspiration and ideas, links to helpful resources and a month’s worth of journal prompts to stimulate creative expression. These prompts are a great way of learning to express yourself when you’ve never really tried it before. Fill in your details below to sign up.
Until next time, listen to your heart and sharpen your coloured pencils. A masterpiece awaits!
Bless you my friend
Chrissie xx
