Pop-Cloud is a fun tangle pattern “with a maze-like quality” from Carla du Preez of South Africa. It reminded Carla “of clouds and pop-corn, hence the name.”
“I first saw a tangle pattern on a cellphone and knew I had to see more. Once I had googled this phenomena, I was smitten. I printed out some images and used them during a Creative Movement session with a group of dancers. Then I was fortunate to have a lesson with CZT Marizaan van Beek, a most gifted teacher.” (You may recall that Marizaan recently shared her Angel Fish tangle with us.)
Carla writes that the first pattern she learned from Marizaan was Zentangle’s classic Crescent Moon tangle, which is drawn using the tangle enhancing technique called aura. Pop-Cloud was inspired by this technique as well as Zentangle’s characteristic “drawing behind”.
For my example I discovered if I drew Pop-Cloud “upside down” from Carla’s steps, it was easier for me to control the loops and their spacing. Any way you draw it, it’s a simple, fun tangle that looks especially effective with a touch of shading. Pop-Cloud looks great from all four sides and makes an excellent filler tangle.
Here are Carla’s step-by-step instructions for drawing Pop-Cloud, and her lovely shaded monotangle.
Check out the tag carladp for more of Carla’s patterns on TanglePatterns.com.
Fun! Beautifully simple, yet impressive. Thank you.
Really nice tangle, Carla–very lively and graphic. I like its dimensionality and depth. Thank you –I was looking for something like this for a Zentangle I’m drawing, even as we, um, text! Thanks!
Could we talk a little bit sometime about shading? I need some pointers in this area, love tangling! On a train trip recently a college girl leaned over and asked me what I was doing…. “well,” I said, and got out paper and pen for her and some tangle ideas. She was in heaven! Gave her the website and she was so delighted!
The best thing to do is just experiment with a well-worn lead pencil and a tortillion (blending stump). There is a page about Shading on TanglePatterns.com top menu (TIPS & TOOLS > SHADING), and I heartily recommend Sandy Bartholomew’s “Totally Tangled” for excellent lessons on shading. But, that having been said, I’ll see what else I can come up with for you on the subject … stay tuned …
Fun pattern, thank you Carla! Started drawing this one and didn’t want to stop; I ended up with a “Pop-cloud” that could have held enough rain to end ALL droughts in the world, LOL.
Linda’s right–shading is a matter of experimentation, as well as practice. I didn’t use it the first couple of ‘tangles I did, but then got up the courage to go ahead; now I can’t imagine any pattern without it!
Awesome! Love doing it!