Learn how to create a Zentangle
What is a Zentangle? In a word, a doodle. A structured, contained doodle. The term 'Zentangle' was invented by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas when, one day, Maria described her experience, as she created her art, as feeling timeless, free and engendering a sense of deep well-being'. Rick recognised that she was in a meditative state and so Zentangles were born.
I use the technique of Zentangling in my own artwork, incorporating them into sketching, art-journalling and collage. Originally I created 'stand-alone' Zentangles, as shown on Rick and Maria's website Zentangle Homepage.
On this page, I will describe how to create a Zentangle from scratch, what materials are required and also show you how to use the techniques imaginatively in your own work.
Note: all images are copyright and must not be used without permission.
Materials required to make Zentangles
Smooth watercolor paper - I use Fabriano Artistico HPFine liner pens - My favorites are Sakura Pigma Micron, size 1 to 5
Pencil
Eraser
That's it.
Sakura Pigma Micron Pen Set 6 Per Package, Black Ink
Start your Zentangle
Begin small, work on a piece of paper approximately 3.5" (9cm) square.I am using a pen for the initial steps so it shows on the scan but you should use a pencil.
Draw a border around the square of paper, about a half inch (1cm) from the edge as shown. Do it freehand and let it be 'rough'.
Draw a 'string'
Again with a pencil draw a light random line within the border - it can be anything but keep it simple to begin with. Rick and Maria call these lines 'strings', which helps you to visualise the kind of lines that work. Experiment until you get something you are happy with.
Fill your Zentangle
Using some of the examples on this page and on the Zentangle page begin to fill the shapes made by your string. Oh... and put some soft music on and allow your mind to wander. Are you feeling relaxed?
Keep going. Don't fret over what pattern to use, you will find as you do more, that the next pattern seems to suggest itself.My example here is very rough and I seem to have misplaced the border while scanning, but I'm sure you get the idea.
As you can see, I have worked up to the border, making my Zentangle a square, however, you don't have to do that - leaving white space can work well too.
All done
Here is my rather rushed example finished.Erase all the pencil lines and use a little shading in order to make your drawing more three dimensional.
Watch the video below to see a demo of a 'Zendalla' by the artist Millande - fascinating.
Why Sakura Pigma Micron pens are the best for Zentangles
Sakura Pigma Micron Pen Set 6 Per Package, Black Ink
Amazon Price: $7.26 (as of 02/09/2010)
Colleen F says, "Couldn't do without them. I am an avid pen and pencil artist. I have tried several brands of pens, these being a "must have" for me. They last quite awhile, the point stays firm, and the ink does not "bleed". The smallest is .005, largest .08. My favorites are the .005 and .01, but I own all sizes and colors. I HIGHLY recommend this set to start with, but beware - once you try these, you will be hooked!"
Lynn Hoffman says, "The perfect feel for drawing or writing. The fiber points of these pens are just rough enough to give the user a sense of the texture of the paper. It's a bit like going back to a standard transmission after years of driving an automatic. The inks themselves are, like some modern poetry, marvellously opaque. Images drawn with them scan and copy beautifully. The very smallest sizes (.05 and .1) tend to break down with rough use, but even the slightly crushed tips give a useful line on paper. Used for writing, they encourage a light grip that makes for less fatigue and there's even something pleasant about a cap that has to be removed and replaced. --Lynn Hoffman, author of THE NEW SHORT COURSE IN WINE
How to draw a Zendala
by Milliande
Zendalas- How to Draw a Mandala Zentangle Style
http://www.milliande.ning.com HOME OF THE Milliande Art Community for Women - now also playing at http://www.facebook.com/MilliandeArtCommunity ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://www.milliande.com Art Play with Milliande ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://www.milliande.com/Zendala-How-To-Draw-A-Mandala-Zentangle-Style.html Having Playing with Mandalas and Zentangles at the Mandala Oasis Group -- the term Zendala was coined ... Playing with the idea of combining the Zentangle Drawing Style within the Circular Realm of Drawing a Mandala
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Using Zentangles in your art
When I initially discovered Zentangles, I was addicted and drew over a hundred over the course of a month or two. Eventually my enthusiasm wore off and instead I began to use the technique with other projects. I find it is very effective in my art journals. Here's an example of watercolor, collage and Zentangles combined. You can see that I used a white pen for some of the Zentangling on the man's clothes.
In this project I also decided to use Zentangles to border the facing pages.
Watercolor paper
ARCHES WATERCOLOR 300HP 22X30 5/SHEETS
Amazon Price: (as of 02/09/2010)
Inkpress Fine Art Watercolor Rag Textured Surface, 15 mil, 95% Bright, Single Sided, 4 x 6, (50 sheets)
Amazon Price: (as of 02/09/2010)
Fabriano Quadrato Artists Journal 6x6 Inch
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 02/09/2010)
Creative storage for your art
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Milliande produces a Zentangle sampler
Zendoodle Sampler Zentangle Pattern Styles Tutorial 1
♥ http://www.milliande.com/Zendoodle-Sampler-Zentangle-Pattern-Styles-Tutorial.html Zendoodle Pattern sheet Fills free to download Come play with us ♥ http://www.milliande.com/Zendoodle-Sampler-Zentangle-Pattern-Styles-Tutorial.html Zendoodle Pattern sheet Fills free to download SHARE YOUR favourite Zendoodle Patterns in our ARt GALLERY *** http://www.milliande.com/Zendoodle-Zentangle-Pattern-Gallery.html Come play with us Milliande Art Community for women free to join at ♥ http://www.milliande.ning.com Now also on Facebook ♥ http://www.facebook.com/MilliandeArtCommunity
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It's not just Zentangling that makes me happy!
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Things That Make Me Happy!
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A completely self-absorbed page about all the lovely stuff that thrills and inspires me. Join in the gorgeousness by adding your comments below. Right at the bottom of the page you'll find a list of my other Squidoo lenses where you will find e...
More Zentangles!
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How to Zentangle has been featured on the...
Abundance Blog
- Abundance Blog at Marelisa Online
- "For all those who feel stuck in the left-side of their brain, and who desperately want to create something and begin to awaken their right-brain hemisphere, below you'll find 17 resources-some free, some not-that will help get you started.">
Jan's Zentangle
My very talented, cartoonist sister-in-law had a go at creating a Zentangle and this is what she came up with. Isn't it lovely? If you want me to show off yours, feel free to use the Contact button at the top right of the page.
See more of Jan's work at The Beautiful World of Zentangles
Beez in the Belfry
Fantastic Zentangle Blog
This is a great resource for Zentanglers, Zen Doodlers, or just plain doodle enthusiasts! Sandy Bartholomew is a trained teacher of Zentangles and you will find such delights as 'Tangle of the Week' and details of Zentangle classes.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byZentangle Books
Zentangle Basics
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Doodling for Papercrafters (Leisure Arts #4313)
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The ART of Zen Dazzle Doodles
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The Doodle Formula: A Step-by-step Guide to Creating the Perfect Doodle
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Zentangle 2
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Life Imitates Doodles
Another lovely blog
Some absolutely beautiful Zentangles here!
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byI hope you enjoyed this Zentangle page.
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Going to give it a go?
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- dannystaple dannystaple Feb 7, 2010 @ 8:56 am
- I know at least a few people who will really love this page. I am going to have a go when doodling in meetings...
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- ChristiannaGarrett-Martin ChristiannaGarrett-Martin Jan 25, 2010 @ 9:11 pm
- Inspirational! I have never heard of this before. Great Lens, without being too long. I could really get into this art form.
Christianna
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- molossus molossus Jan 25, 2010 @ 8:55 pm
- Thank you for featuring my page. It's an honor to see my site listed with so many other fantastic sites.
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Reply
- Violette Violette Jan 24, 2010 @ 11:37 am
- Wow.......this is amazing.........thank you! You've inspired me to have a go at Zentangling!
Love, violette
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- theraggededge theraggededge Jan 24, 2010 @ 11:56 am
- Thanks Violette! I was wondering when your next book is out? I love Journal Bliss and neeed more!
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- AlinaWarner AlinaWarner Jan 21, 2010 @ 5:15 pm
- Favorited and 5 *****
Excellent lens.
Thank so much for sharing this information. :)
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- TanyaWhaley TanyaWhaley Jan 21, 2010 @ 6:57 am
- Very interesting information! Thanks for sharing. 5***** and Favorited.
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- Heinani Heinani Jan 18, 2010 @ 1:30 pm
- I perform art as a moving meditation. I find myself immersed in Zentangle, Cat's Cradle, Knots, Loops and Labyrinths. 5 stars to your beautiful lens.
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- Pastiche Pastiche Jan 18, 2010 @ 12:23 pm
- I've always loved this form of doodley art ... now I have name for it. Love, love, love this lens and am rolling it and featuring it on Adult Coloring! 5*
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Reply
- traciek_23 traciek_23 Jan 16, 2010 @ 11:42 am
- I used to do these types of doodles all the time when I was younger; never knew it had a name! I think it's time I get back in touch with my creative side and give it another go. Thanks for a great lens!
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Reply
- Kharadriisa Kharadriisa Jan 15, 2010 @ 11:05 am
- Wonderful lens well done. Blessed by an Angel :)
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- EdmondHoggeJr EdmondHoggeJr Jan 15, 2010 @ 12:09 am
- Very creative I love these designs I may have to try some of this hehehe =) Way to go
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- loganadrian loganadrian Jan 13, 2010 @ 10:15 pm
- Extremely cool and beautiful
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- LaraMarlow LaraMarlow Jan 13, 2010 @ 8:58 pm
- thank you!!!!
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- MaraiyaStorm MaraiyaStorm Jan 13, 2010 @ 7:41 pm
- 5***** and favorited great idea for a lens!
Happy 2010 to you.
Maraiya
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- LaraMarlow LaraMarlow Jan 13, 2010 @ 6:12 pm
- wonderful page! I think I will have to try this it sounds like a wonderful, creative, artistic wmr. I think it would be very freeing.
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- mij_fan mij_fan Jan 13, 2010 @ 5:03 pm
- Wow! Agreat lens on something I've NEVER heard of before. Beautiful work, and a nice angle on doodling.
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- kimmanleyort kimmanleyort Jan 12, 2010 @ 5:28 pm
- I loved this lens from the first moment I saw it. Congratulations on #1 in all of Squidoo!
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- GrowWear GrowWear Jan 12, 2010 @ 11:14 am
- Congratulations for #1 in all of Squidoo for Zentangle!
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- mamakat mamakat Jan 12, 2010 @ 9:49 am
- Very interesting, didn't know they had a name. I've done similar doodles for years. It started several years ago when I worked at the domestic violence shelter. Part of the job was taking hot line calls, oftentimes these women just wanted to talk, and would do so for quite a long while. So, I'd doodle on a piece of scratch paper while I listened. I'd throw them away afterward. Until some of the kids in shelter spotted them. From then on, they'd all fight over who got to keep them. My niece and I even now, once in awhile sit down and make these kinds of drawings. They're fun! (I'm not an artist at all..can't draw a straight line with a ruler, but these come out pretty nice!)
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