Zentangle Shading
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Enhance Zentangles, Zendoodles and Zendalas with Shading
If you are unsure about how to add shade to Zentangles this page will show you how easy it is.
PS The terms 'Zentangle', Zendoodle and Zendala are used interchangeably. However, 'Zentangle' is a registered trademark and really applies to pieces created using the Zentangle method.
The Zentangle® art form and method was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. Zentangle® is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc. Learn more at zentangle.com.
Contents at a Glance
Start from the Beginning
Zentangle Workshop
Unshaded Zendoodle
Zentangle with no Shading
So here is my drawing, finished but with no shading. I quite like it but it looks bare and there seems to be something lacking. Adding just a small amount of shadow will improve it dramatically.Often people get a little hung-up about shading but there is nothing too difficult about it. I hope this little tutorial will help.
I recommend you use an HB or B grade pencil. If you use anything heavier it will overwhelm the delicacy of your Zentangle.
Graphite Pencils
Determine the Direction of Light
Where is the Light Source?
The main thing to remember when adding shade to any drawing or painting, that there must be a source of light. In a landscape the light source will be the sun. In a still-life, the light source will come from a window or artificial light.Determine from which direction the light is coming in your Zendoodle. I usually have mine coming from the top left or top right of the drawing.
Add Shading to the 'Undersides'
Add Shadows to the Zentangle
In this close-up you can see that I have decided that the light is coming from the top left, therefore my shading is going to placed on the bottom right of the tangle element. The 'cherries' have their shading around their bottoms and the leafy tangle is sort of angled so the shade will be on the underside of the topmost portion. Does that make sense?The shading is not done precisely and even looks a little ragged. That will be resolved in the next step.
Zentangle Books
Zentangle Books in the UK
Soften the Shading
The Fun Part
Use your finger, a tightly rolled up piece of watercolor paper or a tortillion to soften the shading. I love this part as you can intensify shadow or lighten it. You can also use the 'dirty' end of the tortillion to add very light shadow in places.Tip: By leaving a gap between the object and the shadow, you can make the object appear to float. I will add another image later on which demonstrates what I mean more clearly.
Zentangle/Zendoodle Before Shading
Zendoodle/Zentangle After Shading
More Zentangle Pages
Floating Shadow
Making Zendoodle Tangles Float
If you look very carefully at the Zendoodle above and right, you can see that there is 'light' under the black and white 'snake'. It is simply a line of unshaded drawing. It makes certain elements like this appear to float. You can use this technique in any drawing or painting. Lightly Pencil in Your Thoughts
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jmurphy
Mar 7, 2011 @ 7:51 am | delete
- Just discovered zentangle recently - can't wait to get started. Thanks for the interesting lenses on this subject
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Betsi_Goutal
Feb 14, 2011 @ 12:46 pm | delete
- Brilliant! Thanks so much for this page, shading is one of my biggest struggles with zentangles. This puts in terms that are very easy to understand.
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prosperity66
Feb 7, 2011 @ 2:16 pm | delete
- Once again, it's an excellent page related to Zentangle art and you definitely become the master zentangler out there! I couldn't imagine to be able to produce such a piece of artwork but would really like to have one like this hanged on the wall!
How to shade Zentangle drawing is well explained and very clear! I just need to buy a right hand (I'm two lefthanded, you know) so that one day, I can make my first drawing!
High marks for this page, Bev!
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