Friday, September 4, 2020

Butterfly Zentangle









I will edit this blog as soon as I upload the video that I made on this drawing to YouTube!

Items used in this drawing:
◾️Tim Holtz Paper Distress Ink ◾️Tim Holtz Daubers ◾️DoodleStix ◾️Butterfly die-cut is retired, this one is VERY similiar to mine ◾️Sizzix Diecut Machine ◾️ My custom Amazon store with all my favorites art supplies

Sunday, July 5, 2020

I don't discriminate on paper

Sometimes paper doesn't matter


Just like most artists, of course I love good paper.   I also like to recycle, reuse, get stuff on sale too though.  I found a huge pack of pink copier paper that I forgot I had.  I decided to try drawing on it.  It worked very well!  I usually like to add some sort of wet media to my artwork, but I couldn't with this type of cheap paper.  It was a good challenge for me actually, I enjoyed it!

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Things I'm grateful for this week:


* It's been in the mid-90s here in Ohio, I am so thankful for air conditioning! It's the little things! ☺️

* I'm grateful that the arthritis in my hands is worse in my left hand this week, so I can continue to do a little bit of drawing with my right hand. lol

* I'm grateful for this delicious coffee that I'm drinking while I'm typing this. I gave up coffee for almost a month, and boy it sure tastes good today!

* I'm grateful for how large my garden is getting. We planted tomatoes, watermelon, corn, zucchini, cantaloupe, and cucumbers! I can't wait!


Monday, June 22, 2020

A tiny grey Zentangle

I like drawing on a small scale

This Zentangle drawing is only about 2 inches big.  I used a square paper punch (see my list of favorite Amazon supplies on the sidebar) and gray cardstock from Michael's.  It is very satisfying to draw on such a small scale, because I can usually finish it in one sitting. White charcoal and white gelly roll pens help make this drawing pop don't you think?


Monday, June 15, 2020

Finally a Black and White Zentangle!

A drawing mistake gone RIGHT!


I started this drawing just as a plain black and white Zentangle. Something I hardly ever do, I almost always add color to my drawings. But then I really messed up a part of the drawing, beyond going back and fixing it (That doesn't happen often and I hate when it does!!)  I wanted to salvage it, of course, so I cut it out and added it to a contrasting piece of scrapbook paper. I’ve had this paper for a long time and always liked it and didn’t know what to do with it. I love the contrast, what do you think?!

Friday, May 29, 2020

Zentangle gems and more drawing talk

I'm thinking of hosting 

a live online drawing class?

I had loads of fun drawing this one.  I never usually add more than one "zen gem" to my Zentangles, but I decided to push myself.  I have to take frequent breaks because of my arthritis, but "zen gems" are good fillers when you are on the phone absentmindedly doodling.  I like the little touches of colored ink I added to this one.  I am really digging my Faber Castell Pitt Artist pens.  I need to use them more often.

Click to go to Amazon

I have been missing doing Youtube videos.  I am thinking of hosting a live online class.  I am sort of nervous though.  I have been so busy working online I need to find some time to learn the ins and outs of either Zoom or some other format soon! Stay tuned!

Monday, May 18, 2020

A Huge Zentangle

I like drawing Zentangle on a large scale

Click on this photo to see it better
This drawing measures 10 x 17.  I noticed I enjoy drawing on a larger scale contrary to Zentangle "rules".  Large projects are easier for me because the hardest part for me sometimes is just getting started. lol 


An in-progress photo of my Zentangle

I always enjoy seeing progress photos of other artist's linework.  I actually remembered to include one this time! I used an array of supplies for this tangle.  Everything from Copic markers for shading to cheap dollar store highlighters to add color.  Nothing is off-limits to me :)

Saturday, May 2, 2020

I like this one!

A Positive Zentangle


I am always very critical of my work, but this one I actually like! I feel like I want to dive into all those beautiful colors! Most of the ink that I used are from the Jane Davenport collection. Check out my links on the Sidebar of this blog if you wanna see all my favorite art supplies.  If you want to learn to make backgrounds like this one check out my tutorial here on Etsy. 


Monday, April 20, 2020

Mandala Process Share!

Mandalas are so relaxing!

I am near 4,000 subscribers on Youtube! Woo-Hoo!  I hope you enjoy the video on how I drew this mandala.  The doo-hickey I used to make mandalas easy peasy can be found on Amazon here.


Monday, March 23, 2020

My Zentangles are getting slower and slower...

I miss Zentangling!

These colors make me happy :-)

I have started to work from home ( way before the coronavirus emerged ) and it has kept me quite busy.  I am getting ready to study for a new job and the exam is going to be a killer.  Please say a prayer for me!  I miss the time I used to have to draw!  I actually had to draw this tangle in small increments in between my work. *sigh*  I am not complaining!  I am thankful to God for my work at home opportunities (especially during these trying times).  My current job has TONS of job opportunities, if anyone is interested you can check it out here.  Most are no experience necessary.  This is legit work.  I had to learn the ropes and sift through all the internet garbage to find something that actually pays pretty well and the schedule is so flexible.

On to the Zentangle!

For the border around the tangle I used Tim Holtz's fabulous distress ink.  I use his daubers to "pounce" the ink along the edges of the paper.  Easy Peasy!  I also use watercolor pencils, white gel pens and watercolor paint.  If you wanna see my full favorite list of art supplies, click here.
click the image above for more info





Thursday, March 19, 2020

A sunny Zentangle

A cheerful Zentangle


With all of the coronavirus chaos going on, I wanted to make some art that was even more colorful and cheery than usual.  I rarely draw solely just black and white Zentangle, I love using color in my artwork.   I decided that Jane Davenport's beautiful bright's palette would be perfect for this project.  Jane's watercolors are so pigmented, they are definitely one of my favorite art supplies.  After completing this drawing I decided the perfect addition would be to add some of Tim Holtz Paper Dolls.  I just love the somberness of the antique photos paired against the bright colorful background.  

Stay close to the Lord during these times more than ever!


During this horrible pandemic, we all must remember God's promises and focus on them instead of the chaos.  This verse comes to mind:

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

More Zentangle and Frame Punch Board fun!

A Framed Zentangle



I made another frame for my Zentangle with my new favorite gadget the We are Memory Keepers Frame Punch Board.   It is a great way to use up all my scrapbook paper that I no longer have use for.  The background of the Zentangle is a gelli print.  I think this turned out so cool, I can't wait to make more.  So many crafts, so little time! lol

Sunday, February 9, 2020

Zentangle Process Share - We are Memory Keepers



Zentangle Process Share Video

This was a blast to create.  I love the We Are Memory Keepers Punch Board.  I have a million ideas swirling in my head on how to use this cool craft tool.  Not just for Zentangling either.  I do like to scrapbook a little bit and I think this neat punch board will make my photos stand out.  Please check out my video above for more tips on how I created this tangle.


Click the image above to check out the ADORABLE paper dolls I used in the video.

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Tangle Pattern - Ocean's 13

More Zentangling fun!

Today I focused on a new tangle for me.  Ocean's 13 is a fun tangle that is so easy to do!  Check it out here on Tanglepatterns.com.

Zentangle Supplies used:


I started my background with a Gelli print in my handmade art journal.  I keep the print very light so that my pens can go on top without much effort.  (Gelli printing is traditionally done with acrylic paint.) I decided to make a very lopsy uneven grid for my tile.  I think it added some whimsy to the drawing.  Lastly, I used a white gelly roll pen and gold Uniball pen for the circles in the middle.  



Excellent price for these! 
To check all my favorite art supplies click here.




Saturday, February 1, 2020

The Ragged Ray

Tangle Pattern Divi

The Ragged Ray is a wonderful Zentangle blogger!  Please check out her blog here.  She has a bunch of cool tangle patterns on her blog.  I love her beautiful artwork too, total eye-candy!  Today I worked on trying out her pattern Divi on this tile. You can check it out on tanglepatterns.com by clicking here.

Sunday, January 5, 2020

It's been over a year since I've done a Zentangle video

Zentangle Tutorial ( Time Lapse )


I took a very long hiatus from Youtube (especially Zentangle videos) - but I finally sat down and fired up the camera and did some taping.  I hope you like it!  It is a teeny tiny tangle but it's easier that way so I can get it completed in one video.  I'd love a comment on Youtube to let me know what you think.

I have so many Zentangle ideas (and so little time!) Please consider subscribing to my channel if you haven't done so already!

I'm new to Redbubble

I've been having so much fun with Redbubble!

I recently started a Redbubble page and I've been having a blast seeing my designs on all sorts of apparel.  The above tote is adorning one of my acrylic paint pour designs.  I have a playlist of tutorials on how to paint pour (with a bunch of tips and tricks) you can check out some of my Youtube tutorials here.

Here's the specific paint pour video on Youtube:


If you want to check out my Redbubble page you can visit it at http://www.mikadiaz.redbubble.com - I will be adding tons more stuff as time permits.  I encourage you, artists, to sign up for a page too, its loads of fun!

Friday, December 27, 2019

Zen gems with Prismacolor pencils

Zen gems are killer on my poor hands!

I don't draw zen gems that often because they take so long to blend which results in sore fingers!  I used Prismacolor pencils for this gem. Although, Polychromos are even better in my opinion. Polychromos colored pencils are expensive though and I tend to hoard my art supplies.  Kinda crazy I know, I should just use my art supplies. (which is already an addiction lol)

Zentangle background


If you follow my blog you will remember I made this background for this Zentangle awhile back and talked about it in this post.  I also show another finished Zentangle with the same background in that post.  I like to make a bunch of backgrounds at once so I can just pick one and I quickly have a great starting point for tangling!

Zentangle gem highlight TIP


Whenever I use red or orange or pink in my gems I notice that the color eventually seeps through the white highlight.  No matter what white pen I use, gelly roll or uniball this always happens.  I found a solution to this though.  If you take a paintbrush with teeny bristles and dip it in white acrylic paint you can "draw" the highlight that way.  And voila! It will stay perfectly white!  It always drove me crazy when my highlights would turn light pink! arg!  I really hope that helps!

Monday, December 23, 2019

I'm still working on Zentangle Project Pack 6 lol

Zentangle Project Pack No. 6

Zentangle Project Pack No. 6

How did a year go by already?  I am still in love with Zentangle Project Pack #6 which you can view this particular tutorial here.  

...but I didn't use Zentangle's Project Pack!


Instead, I used Jane Davenport's Mermaid Markers for most of the background color.  I love pink, brown and red together.  I also added little bits of orange gelly roll pens for interest.  Zentangle's Project Pack No. 7 is already on Youtube and you can check it out here. :)

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Border Designs to draw on paper | new Border Designs





Tangle Pattern Columbine




This border design video is based on the tangle pattern Columbine.  You can check out the step out here (or just watch my Zentangle inspired border design above!) :)  I'm finally back to making Youtube videos - so I hope you subscribe to my channel!

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

This post is filled with Christmas Art!

Tangle Pattern Taiga

What a fun pattern Taiga is!  This itty bitty Zentangle is only about 2 inches big.  I like practicing new tangles on small surfaces to see if I can draw them or not.  Zentangle pattern Taiga is a keeper.  You can check out Zentangle pattern Taiga here.

I'm back to drawing on Youtube!


I have been making Youtube videos on art tutorials for almost 3 years now.  I took a six-month hiatus recently.  For lots of reasons, but one of them was to focus on my own artwork a bit more.  That's why I started this blog as well.  I just really like showing how I make my artwork.  I finally got the itch to make another Youtube drawing video.  It's a Christmas themed artwork tutorial.  I really think drawing gnomes are fun, so I hope you enjoy it!