Summer Memories: July Art Guide
Capturing the Season Through Pattern and Color
Introduction
Welcome to July's creative adventure, where we'll capture and celebrate our summer experiences through a blend of zentangle techniques and mixed media exploration. This month bridges the meditative pattern-making of June with the return to colorful mixed media work as I settle back into my home studio.
The first two weeks continue our portable zentangle approach (perfect for those still on summer adventures!), while the latter half introduces mixed media techniques as we explore bubbles, textures, and geometric patterns that speak to summer's diverse experiences.
Each project this month is designed to evoke a different aspect of summer memory-making, from the flowing elegance of golden hour patterns to the playful energy of pool parties and the geometric satisfaction of completing summer projects.
Materials
Weeks 1-2 (Portable Zentangle Focus):
Fine liner pens in black and brown
Gel pens in gold, yellow, and warm colors
Colored pencils for subtle backgrounds
Mixed media paper or sketchbook
Magazines with text pages
Scissors and glue stick
Weeks 3-5 (Mixed Media Addition):
All supplies from weeks 1-2, plus:
Acrylic paint or ink in summer palette
Watercolor paints
Round brushes (various sizes)
Sponges for texture
White gel pen for highlights
Paper punches (optional - all shapes achievable with scissors)
Amazon Storefront Note: I've updated my dedicated board on Amazon Storefront with all the materials for both halves of July, making it easy to find supplies whether you're creating on-the-go or in your home studio!
Summer Memory Palette
Colors that evoke the golden warmth and refreshing coolness of summer experiences:
Golden Yellow (#FFD700) - Warm summer sunshine and golden hour magic
Burnt Orange (#CC5500) - Summer sunset hues and warm earth
Cool Blue (#87CEEB) - Refreshing water and clear summer skies
Mint Green (#98FB98) - Cool shade and refreshing moments
Coral Pink (#FF7F50) - Summer flowers and sunset clouds
Deep Teal (#008080) - Swimming pool depths and cool shadows
Warm Brown (#A0522D) - Earth tones and natural summer textures
Crisp White (#FFFFFF) - Pure highlights and summer clarity
Weekly Projects
Week 1: "Golden Hour Patterns"
Elegant flowing zentangles inspired by summer's most magical time of day
Inspiration: Capture the flowing, elegant energy of golden hour—when light becomes liquid and everything feels touched by magic. Based on sophisticated flowing patterns with warm accent colors.
Approach:
Create flowing, curved division lines across your page suggesting light rays
Fill sections with different zentangle patterns of varying complexity
Use gold and yellow gel pens to highlight certain pattern elements
Add small pieces of magazine text as grounding elements
Focus on elegant, sophisticated patterns that feel timeless
Include warm brown fine liner work for depth and richness
Let some areas be very detailed, others more spacious for visual breathing
Zentangle Patterns to Explore:
Flowing ribbon-like patterns with intricate borders
Circular and spiral motifs suggesting sun and light
Detailed linear patterns that create rhythm and movement
Organic shapes filled with geometric details
Layered patterns that create depth and sophistication
Week 2: "Summer Radiance"
Radiating patterns celebrating summer's energy and warmth
Inspiration: Create a composition that radiates outward from central focal points, celebrating the energy and abundance of summer. Based on intricate mandala-like patterns with warm, golden tones.
Approach:
Begin with one or more circular central elements
Create radiating patterns that extend outward like sunshine
Use warm colors (golds, oranges, warm browns) for accent details
Fill radiating sections with varied zentangle patterns
Include small magazine text elements integrated into the design
Build complexity gradually from center outward
Balance highly detailed areas with simpler connecting elements
Zentangle Patterns to Explore:
Petal and leaf-like radiating forms
Concentric circles with different pattern fills
Fan-shaped patterns extending from central points
Interlocking geometric shapes that create flow
Detailed border patterns that define sections
Week 3: "Pool Party Patterns"
Circular patterns and geometric shapes celebrating summer gatherings
Inspiration: Channel the playful energy of summer pool parties through circular patterns and geometric shapes, using both zentangle techniques and mixed media color work.
Approach:
Create overlapping circular and geometric sections across your page
Use paper punches or scissors to create circular magazine cutouts
Fill some circles with detailed zentangle patterns
Add watercolor or acrylic washes in blues, teals, and bright summer colors
Create dotted patterns suggesting bubbles or water droplets
Balance structured geometric elements with organic flowing details
Use white gel pen for highlights and water-like effects
Mixed Media Elements:
Light blue watercolor washes suggesting water
Circular cutouts from magazines arranged in bubble-like clusters
Bright accent colors in small, strategic areas
White highlights creating depth and dimension
Textural elements created with sponges or stamps
Week 4: "Summer Structures"
Geometric patterns and textures celebrating the satisfaction of summer accomplishments
Inspiration: Create a composition of geometric patterns, varied textures, and structured elements that celebrate the satisfaction of completing summer projects and goals.
Approach:
Divide your page into different geometric sections (squares, rectangles, triangles)
Fill each section with different zentangle patterns and textures
Use mixed media techniques to create varied surface textures
Include small magazine elements integrated into the geometric structure
Employ a mix of cool and warm colors strategically
Create some sections with tight, detailed patterns, others with broader, more textural approaches
Use white highlights to unify and add dimension
Mixed Media Elements:
Textured backgrounds created with sponges and paint
Layered patterns combining pen work with subtle color washes
Geometric magazine cutouts integrated into the design
Varied surface treatments (smooth, rough, layered)
Strategic color placement that enhances the geometric structure
Week 5: "Concentric Summer"
Circular zentangle patterns celebrating summer's endless rhythms
Inspiration: Create a composition focused on concentric circles and radiating patterns that celebrate the cyclical, rhythmic nature of summer days. Based on your beautiful circular zentangle work with varied pattern fills.
Approach:
Begin with several large circular forms across your page
Divide each circle into concentric rings of different widths
Fill each ring with a different zentangle pattern
Use both black pen work and subtle mixed media accents
Create visual connections between circles through shared patterns or colors
Include small magazine text elements that echo the circular themes
Balance highly detailed rings with simpler, more restful pattern areas
Use your full range of supplies to create rich, layered circular compositions
Mixed Media Elements:
Subtle color washes within some rings
Textural elements that enhance the circular forms
Strategic use of white highlights to create depth
Small pops of summer colors in accent areas
Magazine cutouts integrated into the circular structure
Zentangle Patterns to Explore:
Different linear patterns within each concentric ring
Dotted and stippled textures
Geometric patterns that follow the circular structure
Organic patterns that contrast with the geometric foundation
Varied line weights and pattern densities to create rhythm
This final project brings together all the techniques from our July journey—the meditative quality of zentangles, the richness of mixed media, and the satisfaction of completing complex, structured compositions that celebrate summer's beautiful repetitions and cycles.
Final Thoughts
July offers us the perfect opportunity to document our summer experiences through art. Whether you're creating detailed patterns by a pool, sketching radiating designs during golden hour, or building complex geometric compositions in your studio, each mark becomes part of your personal summer story.
The combination of meditative zentangle work with expressive mixed media techniques allows us to capture both the peaceful and energetic aspects of summer. Some memories are quiet and contemplative, others are bright and celebratory—this month's projects honor both.
As we move from portable creativity back to studio exploration, notice how each approach offers different gifts. The simplicity of pen and paper allows for immediate, intimate expression, while mixed media techniques can amplify and enhance our emotional connections to the work.
Travel Note: Since I'm returning home mid-month, you'll see the evolution from travel-friendly to studio-based techniques in real time. This transition mirrors how many of us experience summer—moving between adventures and home base, capturing memories along the way.
I'd love to see your summer memory creations!
Happy summer creating.
Next month: August "Late Summer Textures" - exploring the rich, layered feeling of summer's golden finale through tactile artistic techniques.
