[Not sure what Zentangle® is? Start here.]
All you need for Zentangle.
Zentangle enthusiasts have a tendency to get all fancy at times and our work verges into Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA). You can check out some of mine on my Zentangle Inspired Art Pinterest board.
The desire to engage in ZIA is a boon to art supply stores as we respond to the siren call of exotic papers, colored pens, colored pencils, pastels, paints, glitter, and all manner of art storage containers purchased in a futile quest to keep it all organized. This week the Zentangle Diva urged us to get back to basics, to pure Zentangle, done on a 3.5 inch off white square (tile), using a black pen, and a pencil for shading.
For my travel blogger friends, and travelers in general, you can see why Zentangle has an appeal for those who spend considerable amounts of time cooling our heels in airports, train stations, on cruise ships, and confined to metal tubes hurtling through the sky at 37,000 feet for up to 18 hours at a time (my record on a flight from Johannesburg, South Africa to JFK International Airport in New York City.) This minimum of simple equipment also makes Zentangle an attractive pastime for those destined to wait at the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles), doctors’ offices, on jury duty, and in the after school pick up line—-in other words, everybody.
“Pure” Zentangle is a meditative art form wherein decisions are kept to a bare minimum. Therefore, we always start the same way: a pencil dot in each corner of the tile connected to form a border; then a “string” (a random line drawn on the tile with pencil); and, finally, intentional simple repetitive patterns (tangles) drawn in each section — one stroke at a time. There is no eraser because there are no mistakes. (A concept that is a little hard for us closet Type As to get our heads around). In my case, the Zentangle method has enhanced my ability to be calm and present. It actually helps me engage in constructive, meaningful thought by screening out distraction.)
This week, the Zentangle Diva, Laura Harms, challenged us to get back to the basic Zentangle method. Of course, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to incorporate some of the myriad Zentangle tiles I have amassed by combining six of my specimens into a mosaic.
Zentangle tiles mosaic
{ 50 comments… read them below or add one }
Wauw, Awesome, beautiful tiles.
Lovely. What’s the top right zigzag type tangle? The one with n’zeppel on the tile too.
These are gorgeous but didn’t you need a ruler? I think I’d better start with just the coloring craze!
Nope. No ruler. The point is you’re not supposed worry about perfection.
A good post written so much better than I. All that is left to say is what wonderful tiles you have drawn. I too would like to know what that tangle pattern is called.
Since a few people have asked, the tangle in the top right tile is one I think I invented. I named it “Segundo”. http://www.boomeresque.com/boomeresques-second-tangle-invention-segundo/
And, is long as we’re talking about invented tiles, the other one I think I deconstructed is one called “Tercero”. (Do you notice a pattern here in my tangle names?
http://www.boomeresque.com/boomeresques-third-tangle-deconstruction-tercero/
Please let me know if you think I’ve reinvented the wheel with either or both of these.
I would be glad if I could explain it like you – but my English is not good enough. I totally agree to your words.
I love your tiles!
What a great idea to make a mosaic of your own tangles. Lovely selection!
I love this idea. It reminds me of the doodles I used to do when I got bored in class. Looks like something that might be fun to start doing. Doesn’t seem like there’s many “rules” and can be done with few art supplies. I see a lot of people doing “adulit” coloring and I think I’d prefer this seems like it could get very imaginative. Love your Zentangle work Suzanne!
Sue, as a traveler, Zentangle has proved to be a real boon. I “almost” look forward to having to wait for various forms of transportation. If you go back to this post, there are some (affliliate) links you can use to order some things to help you get started. http://www.boomeresque.com/what-is-zentangle-and-is-it-habit-forming/
all the tiles are nice but my favorites are the second and the thirth because I find them more special than the others
Gosh – how interesting! What a different way to de-stress and be present. I am trying the colouring books that are all the rage now and liking it – but have never heard of the Zentangle…it seems intriguing.
I have looked at your zentangle art a lot and wanted to do it but enrolled in a painting class instead. But I tell you what! I gave a basic kit to an 11-year old granddaughter as Christmas gift. I just knew she would love it. She thanked me profusely. Now I return the thanks to you for giving me the idea!
That is wonderful to hear. I hope your granddaughter enjoys it. When I attended my zentangle teacher training last year, they said that they had been quite successful teaching the method in schools.
your shading looks fantastic! Great job!
Debbie Butterfield, CZT 19
These are awesome, Suzanne!!!
I can see how this could be relaxing and meditative, yet engaging at the same time. Your work is stunning and you’ve become more sophisticated in your patterns and composition. Just beautiful!
Thanks, Betsy. The next time we’re together, I can give you a one on one Zentangle basics class.
Your drawings are beautiful. I can appreciate how Zentangle could be relaxing, but I suspect I would difficulty with the no erasers, no mistakes thing.
In its purest form, Zentangle is no erasers no mistakes. However, once you’ve verged off into “Zentangle Inspired Art”, there are no rules and no one to report you to the Zentangle police if you use an eraser or —God forbid—a ruler. 😉
Great post, I so enjoy your writing, and a most lovely mosaic of tiles. My fav is the bottom right tile, but all are lovely.
From your honorary Boomer, it appears your muse mounded a mountainess mist of magic dust on all your tiles and invited us to linger and look and love each delightful and delicate stroke. Your tiles are individually and collectively beautiful. Thank you.
Every time I look at your site I see the lovely designs and think I should take up Zentangle. But being a bit OCD I could see it becoming a bit of an obsession (and I have enough of those already!)
All of the expressing beauty through the basics. Wondeful job! I’m LOVING the last one on the right with barber pole spiraling right into the next tangle and trumpeting out!
These are absolutely gorgeous! Shows how beautiful basic can be, most always is! I love the idea of how it can be meditative, and it would seem to be so helpful in honing focus skills. Yes, I would love to try it… but wonder where I’d find the time. I don’t sit in a lot of airports anymore:) But in the days I did, I would have much preferred Zentangle to solitaire or gin rummy:)
Jacquie, as a writer, I think you’d find Zentangle to be a delightful muse. It’s amazing what ideas can come forward when you declutter your mind of distractions. Somehow, Zentangle does that.
I’ve done a few starter zentangle thingies, and found it to be mesmerizing. Not sure if it will sustain me for 12-hour layover, but I love the no-mistakes attitude of it all. Hoping I can make some tangles a little like your upper left one!
Anita, I’m glad to hear you’ve dipped a toe into Zentangle. Check out http://www.tanglepatterns.com for instructions (step outs) for myriad tangle (doodle) patterns. The next thing you know, you’ll be sorry you have to stop to board the plane, train, etc.
yeah, I’m way too Type A for this! (see colouring book comments! 😉
But I admire people who can find a relaxing way to kill time. And I’ve seen some of your designs, and they are beautiful.
I guess I’m just not good at finding the zen in my pen.
I want to try it more and more every time I see one of your designs!
I think I might like to try because I love pen and paper but it seems daunting to start without a class or coach!
I give classes, so next time you’re in Philly…….
I’m semi afraid I might like to try this. So I won’t.
Tom, I’ll trade you a Zentangle lesson for a photography lesson.
Wow! great collection of tiles. I love doing “Crescent Moon” into a wormhole like that;-) It’s one of my “mac ‘n cheese” patterns for sure. My favorite is the bottom right.
I love looking at your Zentangle tiles! I’ve never really looked into it, but I do similar sorts of doodling sometimes, particularly during meetings! I’d like to try it out next time I’m stuck on a long flight; it looks calming…
Rachel, for some reason, it is very compelling. You can get into a meditative zone—-and I say this as someone who has never been able to meditate.
Love them all, especially top right and middle left! Wonderful 🙂
I like all of your works, but this time, I like your text more…..even a long text for me is still difficult to read, but I tried my best to understand. I think your points is totally the reasons with them I fell in love with Zentangle. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Beautiful work, Suzanne! Love them all!
All are beautiful! Especially I like the last one with its wonderful movement!
Nice Mosaic. I like Segunda. Before I read the comments I was going to mention I was not familiar with this one. Now I know why. ‘Nzeppel is one of my favorite tangles also as well as Shattuck. Had to chuckle when I read your comments on my tile. I would not have questioned if you had imbibed. I do not spend a lot of time thinking about messages with my tiles. I kind of look at it and then I just go with the thought.
Seems a great way to UNTANGLE my brain. Very meditative and ZEN…..I would try it.
I love seeing your Zentangle work posted in Facebook, but I’m a crossword puzzle-at-airports woman. I think this would make me a bit insane. It’s great to find something that works for you and becomes a passion.
yes! this is why zentangle is my primary hobby: Ease of transport, and the minimalist supplies. Your post has inspired me to make a regular zentangle tile, using the classic zentangle approach, every day. Meditative. Calming. Lovely tiles you’ve created, btw. Good work!
I love seeing all your Zentangle work — the patterns are beautiful. I could never do this — my artistic abilities are more in line with whimsical watercolor painting, which is probably opposite. Looks a productive way to make use of time that might otherwise just be wasted waiting for transportation and other delays.
Suzanne, as always, both your words and your tangles are inspiring. There are a few blogs that I especially love to read and just devour the words….yours is one of them. Your basic Zentangle tiles are very well done and draw the eye in to see every stroke. Nicely done, as always!
You are the only one I know involved in Zentangle. I love seeing your work and couldn’t believe how many books were on the shelves of Barnes and Noble regarding the subject. It is beautiful to look at and must really take you to another place when you are working on one. I love the way my eye moves with each piece.
I’d actually hang that on my wall. They are unusual, beautiful – and some just make you dizzy to look at them! I love your art.
Saw somebody zentangling on my last flight from San Francisco to Philadelphia and thought of you. She looked peaceful and absorbed.
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