ZenTangles

What is a zentangle?


In a word, a doodle.A structured, contained doodle. The term 'Zentangle' was coined by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. A zentangle is an abstract drawing created using repetitive patterns. It is usually structured within a certain shape. Drawing a zentangle is entertaining, relaxing, and a great way to express yourself creatively.

Objectives:

By the end of this unit, you will be able to…

…draw a zentangle using the four zentangle steps.

…design complex zentangle patterns.

…create a zentangle alphabet.

…combine the art of zentangle and sculpture to create a final artwork.

Name: ______

Characteristics of Zentangle

Intuitive Artform

With Zentangle, anyone can create beautiful images from repetitive patterns. This method is easy to learn and easy to do. And even though it is a specified series of steps, it results in a creative expression that transcends its own rules.

Fun and Relaxing

Zentangle provides a fun and lighthearted way to relax and intentionally facilitate a shift in focus and perspective. Zentangle is unencumbered by dogma and cost which can weigh on other approaches. Nevertheless, Zentangle is sufficiently structured and organized so you can enjoy and benefit from an activity that otherwise might be considered whimsical.

Abstract

You cannot fail to create a Zentangle. That is because a Zentangle is meant to look like a Zentangle. It does not need to look like anything else and has no up or down.

Unexpected Results

Zentangle is an unusual approach to art because you have no idea what its result will be when you begin. Your creation is not restricted by your expectations.

Zentangle vocabulary:

  1. Zentangle: ______
  2. Pattern: ______
  3. Tile: ______
  4. Border: ______
  5. String: ______
  6. Composition: ______
  7. Elements of Art: these are the building blocks of a piece of artwork
  1. ______
  2. ______
  3. ______
  4. ______
  5. ______
  6. ______
  7. ______
  1. Principles of Art: an artist uses the principles to organize the elements of art to create an interesting composition.
  1. ______
  2. ______
  3. ______
  4. ______
  5. ______
  6. ______
  7. ______
  8. ______
  1. Value: ______
  1. Hatching
  2. Cross-Hatching
  3. Stippling
  4. Blending

How to Draw a Zentangle:

1. Draw a border outlining the shape of your zentangle. Create a light dot about ¼” from the corners of your tile. Draw a line from dot to dot. They do not need to be perfectly straight lines! It is very common to use a square shape, but a zentangle border can be any shape you want.

2. Draw strings. Strings are lines that divide the shape into individual sections. Use a variety of lines to separate your sections.

3. Fill one section with a repetitive pattern. Don't spend too much time planning the pattern, just draw. Use the patterns on the next page or the designs or stylization packets for inspiration.

4. Repeat with each section. Change the pattern with each section. Fill each space.

5. Add color and value.

Draw some practice zentangles below:

AftergloAhh Arrowheads Ambler Bales Beelight

Beeline Black box Black eyed peas Blooming-butter Bowties BtlJoos

Bucky Bulb Lantern Cadent Centrifuge ChardChemystery

Corner Box Cubine Cyme DaggerlyDex Labyrinth

DL SunrayDrupe Efilys EnniesEye-Wa Fans

Feathers Fescu Finery FlorzFlukesFlutter Tile

Hybrid Hollibaugh Huggins HurikanHurry Inapod

Jonqal Kandysnake Keeko KnittingLaced Lightning Bolt

LinkedMSST Munchin NzeppelNetting Onomato

OpusPaneParadox Pina Pokeleaf Pokeroot

Puf Punch Rain Raindotty Rosewood Scrumble

SEZ Shattuck Squares Squid Stacks Striping

Strirples Swarm Swirls TaghTipple Twisted Rope

Unyun Up and Across Verdigogh Vortex Vorter Weave 2

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