The Beauty of Zentangle. Suzanne McNeill
Artwork
Nova by Kit Murdoch, CZT
About Zentangle® Art
If you are new to Zentangle, you might not be familiar with some of the terms used throughout this book. Just so we are all speaking the same language, it’s good to know some of the terminology used within the Zentangle community:
Tangle
Step-by-step patterns to fill Zentangle art
A tangle is a repetitious pattern that is used to fill a space in a piece of Zentangle art. Tangles can be simple two-step constructions or more complicated designs with several steps. Some tangles have little tricks to their construction—at first glance, the designs looks complicated, but when you follow the steps, creating them is actually very simple.
Dogwood tangle by Judy K. Burkett, CZT
Classic Zentangle
Black and white art on custom Zentangle tiles
A true classic Zentangle is created on a custom Zentangle die-cut paper tile, either square (3 ½" x 3 ½" [9 x 9cm]) or round (4 ½" [11.5cm] in diameter), made of Fabriano Tiepolo archival print-making paper. A graphite pencil is used to draw the string on the tile. Tangles and your signature are added in pen (a Sakura black 01 Pigma Micron pigment ink pen is recommended). The artwork is created using the Zentangle method, a series of steps developed by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas that are designed to focus your attention.
A simple ritual is part of every classic Zentangle piece:
1. Begin by making a dot in each corner of the paper tile with a pencil.
2. Connect the dots to form a border.
3. Draw guideline strings with a pencil to divide the area into sections.
4. Use a pen to draw tangles to fill each section formed by the string. It is ok to leave some areas open.
Artwork created using this method has no top or bottom, so the finished piece can be viewed from any direction.
Ribbon by Virginia Dejewska Slawson, CZT
Creative ZIA
Art incorporating tangles
ZIA refers to Zentangle-Inspired Art. This art incorporates tangles, but is not a classic Zentangle. ZIA designs often have a distinct shape. When the outline of a heart or a bird shape is filled with tangles, it is considered a ZIA. Shapes have a top and a bottom, and must be viewed from a specific direction. Adding color to Zentangle art also makes it a ZIA. You will see many color ZIAs from artists in this book. Finally, drawing tangles on larger paper or on an object also makes the finished piece a ZIA.
Seahorse by Marta Drennon, CZT
Zendala Rounds
Zentangle art on circular tiles
A Zendala is a Zentangle piece done on a circular tile. Working on these wonderful shapes can make for an especially meditative drawing process. Zen mandalas are personal interpretations that alter the size of the circle and often create images that are viewed from a specific direction.
Zendala by Sue Jacobs, CZT
Introduction:
Ignite Your Creativity with Beautiful Zentangle Art
Although it might seem simple, “the beauty of Zentangle” is a phrase encompassing many aspects of the Zentangle method and Zentangle art. Even for individuals who have never seen a Zentangle piece before, the beauty of the art is immediately apparent, whether it’s through the striking black and white patterns of a classic Zentangle, the natural symmetry of a Zendala, or the bright colors of a ZIA. Zentangle art draws on mindful patterns that can be found all around us in our daily lives, giving the art a natural feel that just seems “right.”
Beyond the beauty of the art, though, is the beauty of the Zentangle method, which has the power to transform. Thousands of individuals practice the Zentangle method with thousands of different positive results, including increased self-confidence, a new ability to focus and solve problems, and a rejuvenated sense of inspiration and creativity. Individuals have used the Zentangle method for pain management, to cope with mental illness, for meditation, and simply to take a break from a hectic life and relax. Practicing the Zentangle method is an experience that is unique to each person and their own life, and the positive results are tremendous.
Beauty by Donna Hornsby, CZT
About the Book
My own journey with Zentangle began with a chance email from a friend. The email contained a link to zentangle.com with the note, “You might be interested in this…” You may know that I love all types of handwork—painting, journaling, mixed media, sculpting, quilting, embroidery—if it is creative or made by hand, I love it. So it should not be surprising that I loved the look of what I saw on the Zentangle website and wanted to get started right away. I ordered a kit and could feel my interest in drawing tangles growing.
Soon, I saw a post on zentangle.com about a class being offered in Massachusetts. Although Massachusetts is quite far from where I live in Texas, I fly to Boston when I’m on my way to visit my daughter in Maine. I signed up right away, excited by the opportunity to take a class about an art form that was new to me and to visit my daughter. I guess I was so excited about taking the class that I didn’t read the fine print, because I didn’t realize until I arrived in Massachusetts that the class was for individuals who wanted to become a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT)!
The CZT Network
The number of CZTs (Certified Zentangle Teachers) worldwide is constantly growing. Each one has attended a four-day seminar with Zentangle method creators Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas to receive their certification. Learning directly from the creators gives these individuals the greatest understanding of the Zentangle method, making them an excellent resource if you are seeking to learn more about Zentangle.
With their vast and growing numbers, there is likely a CZT in your area. Locating a CZT is simple. The Zentangle website (zentangle.com)