I find creating Zentangle-inspired artwork and designs very therapeutic. I look forward to this beautiful creative process of putting my ideas on paper. Especially when combined with the intricate beauty of gemstones. In today’s post, let me show you how I made a turtle’s shell adorned with gemstone patterns. You will also find a few Zentangle Gem tutorials.
It took a few months to complete this one. I did one gemstone at a time. It was either at night or when I wanted to take breaks between work and all the adulting things that no one likes to do – like folding laundry.
I started with a light sketch of the turtle, and sections that will be filled with gems.
I kept the drawing simple as I wished to fill the space with intricate tangle patterns.
Within each section of the turtle’s shell, I chose to draw gems of different colors. I am still a learner when it comes to 3D art so not all gems end up looking the same.
For details, I start with basic shapes like circles, spirals, and then gradually add more complexity. The repetitive nature of these patterns creates a unique shape.
I use colored pencils and gel pens to add shading and highlights, mimicking the depth and sparkle of real gemstones. I am learning to understand the effects of light to make them look realistic. Some colors work great for me while others still need a lot of work.
I use micron fineliners to outline the drawing and fill in the rest of the space. I also use sakura gel pens to add light effect.
I hope you liked it. Let me know your thoughts.
Related Post – How to draw Zentangle 3D Gemstones
Step by step tutorial on how to draw zentangle inspired artwork
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This is so beautiful. I am going to try something like this, Raj. Thank you for inspiring me. 💛
To be honest you just don’t come across as an amateur to me. I love your gemstone artwork, I’ve said that before, I know. That said, it’s intriguing to see the various stages of the artwork, until the final image comes alive. It’s beautiful.