Zentangles: Examples, Ideas and Materials
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More Zentangles!
Zentangles don't have to be restricted to 3.5"x3.5" squares; they can be made any size and you can add them to many different types of art. Here are some examples of larger patterns and a little more information on the best materials to use. I will also include some ideas of how add sparkle to your journals by zinging a little Zentangle in here and there.
Please be patient - there are several large images here so the page may take time to load. Go fill in a bit of your Zentangle while you wait!
Important You don't have to be good at drawing to make a great piece of artwork!
Images on this page are copyright and not to be used without permission.
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.
Tags: Zentangle, Zentangle, Zentangle patterns, Zentangle basics, Zentangle instructions, Zentangle art, Zendala, Zendoodle, Sakura Pigma Micron, zendoodle, doodle art, pen drawing, pen and ink, micron pens, monochrome design, abstract drawing.
Contents at a Glance
Rather start at the beginning?
Zentangle Workshop
Have you seen the art form of Zentangle? These doodles with a purpose just fascinate me to no end. I can sit for hours and pick out different patterns in these little pieces of art and then I'm just in awe of the people who create them.
There is another gal who is also a Bev who does remarkable work as a Zentangle artist. You might know her as TheRaggedEdge.
Read more
Learn to Create a Zentangle
If you've never tried it, start here...
But these Zentangles look way toooo complicated!
No, they're not - start small
They do look complicated and they are meant to. I love the fact that even I can keep finding new patterns in them when I look at them. However, they are made like all the other ones - mark by mark, line by line.Take your paper, preferably smooth (hot press) watercolor. Decide whether you want a margin or not. If you are planning on framing these, then it's a good idea to leave a border so that you don't lose any of the Zentangle under the mat.
For these particular ones, I have used a kind of random grid like the one in the picture. Simply draw double lines, paying attention to the way they intersect. These lines or borders will define the 'negative spaces' which you will fill with your chosen doodles. I have used a piece of scrap paper and a black pen to make sure it shows up in the scan. You use an HB pencil so that you can adjust or erase if you need to. As you develop your Zentangle sometimes it looks good to have a pattern spill over the grid and you want to be able to erase the border outline.
Getting Creative with Grids
Begin to fill your Zentangle
Put on your music or perhaps an audio book, choose a pattern and begin to fill in one of those negative spaces. Move to another and fill it with the same, similar or completely different pattern. It can look good to see a pattern continue under the grid lines.Here's a work-in-progress that I am doing right now. I never try to complete one of these in one go. I leave it next to my laptop and whenever there's a break in my work, or I need to rest or think, I just pick up one of my Pigma Micron pens and do another section. I'm convinced that it keeps me calm and serene. Possibly.
Doodling deliberately is an 'active meditation'. Try it; it's lovely.
Keep Going
This Zentangle took about a week to finish
...But that was because I was doing little itty-bits at a time.
Keep filling-in. Look around you for inspiration. See Zentangles everywhere. Trawl the web. Check out the official Zentangle website. Also subscribe to Beez in the Belfry - an excellent blog, maintained by a certified Zentangle teacher.
When you have completed your Zentangle, add a little shading here and there. It makes a huge difference. Shade near the grid lines. Try to see the light coming in at an angle across the paper and shade under opposite lines and corners. Oh... before you start shading, check out which way up your Zentangle looks the best.
The Mandala Book
The Mandala Book: Patterns of the Universe
Amazon Price: $13.77 (as of 02/16/2012)
If you are in the UK, this book is especially good value right now.
Click: The Mandala Book by Lori Bailey Cunningham.
The *Best* Pens for Zentangles
Sakura Pigma Micron
Sakura Pigma Micron pens last for ages... I think I have only discarded one or two and I have been drawing these things for two years now. I do have quite a few pens - probably about 15. They don't clog, the ink dries fast and the nibs are hard, though you have to be careful with the 005 (for very delicate lines). I am so impressed with them that I wouldn't recommend you use anything else for your Zentangle adventures.
Sakura Pigma Micron Pen Set, 6-Pack, Black Ink
Amazon Price: $4.95 (as of 02/16/2012)
Chris says:"Just received this pen set and I am very impressed. I purchased them to use in drawing and sketching--but I think they may cross-over into my scrapbooking. The tips are great, they do not soften. I am very impressed with the quality and the price."
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Straight (ish) Gridlines
The *Best* Paper for Zentangling!
5 packs of 10 Fabriano Artistico Traditional White Sheet 22"x30" 300gsm (140lb) Hot Press
Product Description
As the oldest paper mill in Europe (1624), Fabriano's master papermakers count among their achievements the development of surface sizing to protect paper and augment its archival characteristics, and the creation of the watermark, originally used as the artisanal signature of the papermaker, now used to identify the mill and sheet.
This paper features the latest innovations in sizing, and a unique bright white color that is the purest natural white available without artificial optical brighteners. Mould-made of 100% cotton, double-sized, acid-free/neutral pH, chlorine-free with two deckle edges. Four watermarked surfaces including the exclusive soft press.
Excellent for all water media, printmaking, digital printing, charcoal and drawing.
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Sunflower by KNM
"Guest Tangle"
View more of KNM's work by clicking on the image. It leads to her exciting blog: Xplore & Xpress.
Zentangles on Amazon
Doodling books are beginning to profligate now. Check out this great selection!
The *Best* Pencils for Zentangles
Faber-Castell CASTELL 9000 Artist Graphite Drawing Set Drawing Set
Amazon Price: $18.87 (as of 02/16/2012)
Product Description
Faber Castell Artist Graphite Pencil Bag Set...This is a superb set for anyone who loves to draw. It comes with 12 Castell 9000 series graphite pencils which are professional quality. (Pencils included are 8B 7B 6B 5B 4B 3B 2B B HB F H and 2H.) Also included is a white vinyl dust-free eraser and a stainless steel sharpener. To top the set off you also get an embroidered heavy duty nylon pencil bag! The bag has a zipper closure and a swivel clip. The bag is small enough to be extremely portable yet large enough for you to add more pencils. Perfect for professionals students beginners... anyone who loves to draw! It also makes a wonderful plein air set.
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Find Zentangle Resources on Amazon
Zentangles in the UK
A Really Good Zentangle Book
Zentangle Blogs Too!
Zentangle Untangled: Inspiration and Prompts for Meditative Drawing
Kass Hall
Zentangle Untangled: Inspiration and Prompts for Meditative Drawing
Amazon Price: $16.32 (as of 02/16/2012)
Incorporating Zentangles into an Art Journal
Watercolour background, loads of doodles and then write in the gaps. What a great way to spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon.
Ready for Text
Materials used on this journal page
Fabriano Artistico HP watercolor paper
Neocolor II watersoluble crayons
Soft Pastels
Sakura Pigma Micron pens
Metallic Marker (gold)
Buttons
Collage
Zentangle T-shirts
Like to Doodle?
I do hope you enjoyed this page. I will be adding to it over the next few... well, forever, probably. Please let me know you visited and if you doodle too! xox
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Wordwinder
Feb 9, 2012 @ 11:40 pm | delete
- Every time I visit one of your zentangle lenses, I am inspired to try out something new.
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naheedahsan
Feb 8, 2012 @ 12:17 pm | delete
- Zentangles are great.
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fullofshoes
Feb 6, 2012 @ 12:15 pm | delete
- I have been doodling like this since I was a child and never had a name for it. I love this lens!!
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nikyweber
Jan 23, 2012 @ 9:16 am | delete
- very interesting lens! thumbs up!
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theraggededge
Jan 9, 2012 @ 4:26 pm | delete
- Thanks to you all for the lovely comments!
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Zombieminna
Jan 9, 2012 @ 4:03 pm | delete
- I love these and just had to let you know how inspired I have been by all your works. I can't wait to begin my own "Zentangle". I have been doing these for so long and did not realize they had a name...even won an art prize in the fourth grade for one similar to yours. Thanks for sharing with all of us! Xxo
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Ginger Parker
Dec 3, 2011 @ 12:46 am | delete
- I never knew it was a name for this . I've been doing these drawings for 20 years. I have hundreds of drawings.
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Lauri in Richmond
Oct 9, 2011 @ 5:56 pm | delete
- Back in 2008, during a very stressful period of time in my life (I became medical and legal power of attorney for a friend after he suffered a major heart attack and my daughter was diagnosed as a Type 1 diabetic within the same month) I picked up a pad of paper and just started drawing and doodling. I loved the sensation of watching a design start to appear on what was a blank piece of paper. I joking referred to them as my zen doodles. I've kept drawing and have filled several sketchbooks by this point. I had no idea that zentangles existed or that other people were doing the same kind of art that I was doing. It was only 2 weeks ago that I did a google search and suddenly a whole world or doodle artists and blogs appeared. I hope one day to put some of my out there as well. Thank you for sharing your blog with me.
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scarlettohairy
Sep 12, 2011 @ 12:53 pm | delete
- Checked this out for which pens to get. Love your Zentangles. Beautiful!
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Deb Wandler
Aug 31, 2011 @ 10:53 pm | delete
- I am entangling like crazy! Love it and love the very generous sharing on sites like yours. I am using this as one of my daily mindfulness practices.
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Jewelsofawe
Aug 29, 2011 @ 3:42 pm | delete
- I love zentangles! They are cool! Blessed!
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nightcats
Aug 28, 2011 @ 6:20 pm | delete
- I have never done zentangles. I am currently involved in a mixed media art swap where we are going from A-Z with art techniques When we get to Z, I will certainly be back to study this lens VERY HARD! Thanks.
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Showpup
Aug 27, 2011 @ 11:17 pm | delete
- Love your zentangle lenses. Can't wait to try making my own. You should do a lens showcasing zentangles that your readers have done after reading your lenses. :)
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LizMac60 Aug 11, 2011 @ 4:50 am | delete
- Zentangles are great. Blessed by a squid angel.
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HeyGirlie
May 16, 2011 @ 4:15 pm | delete
- Thank you, thank you, thank youi! I'm very grateful to you for sharing your talent with us. I'm a self-taught tangler and you have inspired me immeasurably to keep stretching myself into new territory. this art form is transformative in a beautiful way. thank you!
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TheRaggedEdge
by theraggededge
I am proud to say that, with your help, these lenses (pages) of mine have now raised over $500 for the Squidoo Charity Fund and in particular, my favourite,... more »
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