Hello! Alexa here, wishing you a happy day wherever you are in the world! And pleased to bring you something a colleague introduced me to recently. Having sat through many a training day with me while I doodled all over my pages (and you'll remember, I'm a doodler on scrapbook pages too!), she gave me a little demonstration of Zentangling.
A Zentangle? Depending on your viewpoint, it can be anything from a meditative drawing completed at one sitting, to a quick doodle completed in five minute blocks.
Invented by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas, it's a whole artform accessible to anyone who can hold a pen. As is my wont when faced with anything new, the first thing I do is buy a book on it. Or two. I have to confess that I have not completed a whole Zentangle yet, as I am still practising little inchies of patterns, so the pictures below are from these lovely books.
Traditionally, you draw the outline of a 3.5 inch square, then divide it into sections, and draw a different pattern in each. There is a plethora of different patterns, and both books are excellent in demonstrating these. Many of the designs give a 3D effect.
Abstract creations, imaginary creatures, or beautifully detailed birds and fish ...
Zoom in for a closer look! Wouldn't these look great as an alternative (or with) patterned paper on a scrapbook page? Or as part of a birthday card, or a tag for a present?
- The books above are by Suzane McNeill and Sandy Steen Bartholemew.
- The 'official' home for Zentangle is at Zentangle.com. The gallery is lovely.
- Tanglepatterns.com has lots of patterns: click on any of the A-Z letters across the top to see one in detail. They also have some how-to-videos.
- Milliande, who calls them Zendoodles, is well worth a visit - her videos are very clear.
- And a PS. Just as I was about to post this, I saw that MaryAnne of ScrappyStickyInkyMess has also been experimenting - do go and have look at her wonderful completed tangle.
All you need is some white paper or card and a pen or two: as seasoned crafters, you'll be more than equipped! I'm off to learn some more - anyone joining me? Happy Zentangling and Zendoodling!
A friend introduced me to this when I went to the Tim Artsycrafts event. I'm still practicing and find it really relaxing.
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Lynne V | May 17, 2011 at 05:52 PM
These are fab, I keep meaning to give it a go but don't really know where to start. I must make the effort.
C
xx
Posted by: Claireliz | May 17, 2011 at 06:45 PM
Oh this looks fab, going on a list of things to try. x
Posted by: Debbie Roberts | May 17, 2011 at 06:46 PM
I'm in! I had no idea that there was a book or a website where it was all demystified, I just thought it was a lovely looking black and white effect that very arty people were born knowing how to do. Fantastic, have been practising my eye-wa and laced already (can you tell I've started with my name? lol).
Elx
Posted by: Eleanor | May 17, 2011 at 08:59 PM
Never heard of this...fascinating! Tfs,
Mandy
Posted by: Mandy | May 18, 2011 at 11:49 PM
Going to look more into this craft x tfs xx
Posted by: Jayne | May 21, 2011 at 03:04 PM