The Zentangle Theory

Dear Readers,

I love to Doodle and Draw Zentangles, but ever since I started to zentangle... I wonder what is Zentangle !? and the difference between them? 

Do you readers have the same question ?

Well, Zentangle is an easy to learn method of creating beautiful images from repetitive patterns. It is a fascinating new art form that is fun and relaxing. It increases focus and creativity. Zentangle provides artistic satisfaction and an increased sense of personal well being.

And who came up with ZENTANGLE?

Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts' Zentangles: A Worldwide Phenomenon. Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts, the inventors of Zentangle. Just nine short years ago, a new and unique art form was created right here in Central Massachusetts.

Zentangle is mindful.  The art is the byproduct of the complete mental immersion in the process of ‘tangling’. It all depends on where your mind is when you do it. If you’re in this for the art, these guidelines don’t matter one iota. Doodle/draw/sketch away. But if you’re craving a temporary, effective escape plan from pain, grief, or stress (or you just need a mental break) read on, because this information just might come in handy one day. 

Zentangles are miniature pieces of unplanned, abstract, black and white art created through a very specific Method from an ensemble of simple, structured patterns called tangles on a 3.5-inch (89 mm) square paper tile. Zentangles are not only exquisitely beautiful, they are fun and relaxing to create.

The Process of creating a Zentangle is a form of “artistic meditation” as one becomes completely engrossed in making each pattern, deliberately focusing on “one stroke at a time”. The creativity options and pattern combinations are boundless. And anyone can do it!

The Zentangle Method “increases focus and creativity, provides artistic satisfaction along with an increased sense of personal well being. The Zentangle Method is enjoyed all over this world across a wide range of skills, interests and ages.”

Understand the difference between a Zentangle and a doodle,

Many people create doodles - sometimes beautiful ones - in the margins of notebooks and on scrap paper. Doodles are usually created during times when the person making them is having trouble paying attention to something else that's going on, like a lecture or a phone call. Though the best doodles can look similar to Zentangles, they're actually very different. Here's how:

•   The Zentangle Method requires utmost focus. Unlike doodling, the person creating a Zentangle is giving it his or her full, undivided attention. A Zentangle cannot be created while on the phone or listening to a lecture, because focus is an inherent part of this art form.
•    The Zentangle Method is a ceremony. Since a Zentangle deserves the artist's utmost attention. It should be create in a quiet place where focus and reverence can be achieved. The paper and pens used should be of highest quality, since a Zentangle is a work of art that can be enjoyed for a long time to come.                          

Characteristics: 
 -IntuitiveWith the Zentangle Method, anyone can create beautiful images from repetitive patterns. It is easy to learn and easy to do.

-Fun and Relaxing

Creating Zentangle art provides a fun and lighthearted way to relax and intentionally facilitate a shift in focus and perspective.

-Unexpected Results

With our Zentangle Method we encourage you to not have a preconceived idea of your final result. Following this somewhat unusual approach, your creation is not restricted by your expectations.

-Ceremonial

Repetitive, simple steps are part of the Zentangle Method. These steps support relaxation, focus and inspiration. It can be a wonderful daily ritual.

-Timeless

Creating designs, manipulating symbols and putting pen to paper is part of our human heritage.

-Portable

Everything you need to create beautiful Zentangle art can fit in your pocket. This easy to learn method of relaxed focus can be done almost anywhere, alone or in groups, without any special abilities or costly equipment.

-Quality

methods of relaxation and focus, you not only feel good, you get a side effect of beautiful art to be appreciated, collected, chronicled and reflected upon for years to come.

-Non Technical

 It returns us to that fundamentally human behavior of manipulating symbols and putting marks on paper. Nothing is pre-programmed. Your creativity is your only limit and this Zentangle method has a way of increasing and inspiring expression of your personal creativity.

-Empowering

It is an empowering and uplifting experience to learn that you can deliberately relax and intentionally direct your attention while creating beautiful works of art .

Benefits ans Uses:

• Relaxation
• Simple and quick access to mindfulness
• Non-verbal journalling
• Insomnia (Improved sleep by creating Zentangle art before bedtime)
• Self-esteem
• Inspiration
• Panic attacks (For fear of flying, creating Zentangle art during takeoff and landing)
• Modify behavior
• Being part of a supportive and fun community
• Create beautiful works of art
• Nurture and develop creative abilities
• Relieve stress
• Improve eye/hand coordination
• Develop/rehabilitate fine motor skills
• Team building and group focus
• Therapy
• Anger management
• Addiction therapy tool
• Diet aide
• Early artist development and appreciation
• Increase attention span and ability to concentrate
• Home schooling
• Brainstorming
• Problem Solving
• Design inspiration
• Stretching and warm-up for artists

Hope you understood the concept of Zentangle! :)
If you have any questions leave a comment 

I'd be Happy to help :)

Doodle Art

Dear readers,

Let's get know what Doodle is!

Doodles are simple drawings that can have concrete representational meaning or may just be composed of random and abstract lines, generally without ever lifting the drawing device off of the paper, in which case it is usually called a "scribble".

Typical examples of doodling are found in school notebooks, often in the margins, drawn by students daydreaming or losing interest during class. Other common examples of doodling are produced during long telephone conversations if a pen and paper are available.

Popular kinds of doodles include cartoon versions of teachers or companions in a school, famous TV or comic characters, invented fictional beings, landscapes, geometric shapes, patterns and textures.

Doodle art can help you learn how to draw and make a great addition to your design portfolio – as highlighted by these brilliant examples. Combining child-like doodles with expressive illustrations, they show how doodling can be used to create beautiful and arresting designs. Who knew there were so many doodle art styles?

1.  Irvin Ranada

Student Irvin Ranada currently studies Fine Art at the Far Eastern University in the Philippines. In his spare time, he's an avid doodler and has creating numerous, intricate doodle illustrations. A master of composition, Ranada's drawings are a perfect reminder of just how special doodle art can be.

2. Lizzie Mary Cullen

Lizzie Mary Cullen is a multi award-winning artist based in London. A natural talent with pen and ink, Cullen's doodle art has attracted the attention of many leading brands, including the BBC, MTV and Harvey Nichols. This intricate depiction of Brick Lane, is just one from Cullen's brilliant series titled London psycho geographies.

3. Mike Rohde

Mike Rhode is a designer who loves to read, write and draw. For the latter, he takes a Moleskin sketchbook everywhere, keeping a visual journal of his travels. We particularly like this piece taken from Rhode's Portland sketch note travelogue, in which he records facts and thoughts with brilliant little sketches and typography.

4. Kate Bingaman-Burt

Becoming obsessed with consumerism back in 2006, illustrator Kate Bingaman-Burt decided to document her daily purchases with a doodle. Staying with the consumption theme, Kate draws her doodles on to receipts and credit card statements. What a creative and fun way to showcase your personality and your buying habits!

5. Matthieu Bessudo

Matthieu Bessudo, aka McBess, is a French illustrator living in London. With a passion for illustration and music, Bessudo always tries to mix the two in his work. A super-talent, his doodle art features a mind-blowing amount of detail.

6.  Paperchap

We don't know much about UK artist Paperchap but what we do know is that he is a commuting doodler. Every day, he travels between Shoreham By Sea and London Victoria, which leaves him with rather a lot of idle time - so her doodle all over the newspapers. Now, that's a creative commute.

7. Chris Piascik

Describing himself as an 'illustrator, formerly known as designer', Chris Piascik fast became a well-known face in the doodle art world. Based in New England and with more than eight years of professional experience, Chris embarked upon a 'daily drawing' challenge back in 2007. Once he'd done 1000, he published them in a book entitled '1000 days of drawing'. He continues to doodle to this very day.

8. Snippy Snippy Crab Kristine

After months of procrastination, the artist that goes by the name of Snippy Snippy Crab Kristine completed this completed this set of entirely random doodles. This talented artist spends much of her time creating gorgeous Manga artwork, with any spare minutes spent doodling lovely creations such as this in her skecthbook.

9.  Starchild

Starchild is an artist with a mission - to create a visual language to explain a culture which is vibrant, dark yet familiar. Using mixed media he'll "cut, paste and create from the giant pile of junk that is the Universe". Each of his pieces tells a different story and could be interpreted in hundreds of ways. We love how he has encorporated mixed media into the doodle artform.

10.  Andrea Joseph

Now this gorgeous illustration by Andrea Joseph takes us back to the days of school excercise book scribblings and random jottings. Although ours looked nowhere near as good as this! Joseph created the brilliant design using only ballpoint pens, which features a beautifully worn pair of Converse and frighteningly realistic stationary. Absolutely stunning.

11. Eklektick

We love the fun and playful mind of US-based artist Kristin Krause aka Eklektick. Both her home and studio are full of colourful artwork such as these random doodles titled 'Thought Mess'. For one month, Krause stuck sheets of paper to her walls and then wrote and sketched her thoughts on each. A brilliant idea from a very talented artist.

12.   Kim Jung Gi

This South Korean artist is the master of the doodle. Taking to blank walls when he's not capturing his improvised art in a sketchbook, Kim has become world famous for his on-the-spot epic doodle masterpieces.

In Kim's case, seeing is believing, and thankfully his YouTube channel is chock full of brain-tinglingly amazing pieces.

The artist says: "I observe things all the time. I don’t take references while I’m drawing, but I’m always collecting visual resources." Take a dip into his sketchbook!

I have a lot of fun sketching at speed. This drawing, for example, took me just 40 minutes to complete.

And that's all! :) Hope hope you get inspired and create great doodles!

Create Your Own Zentangle!

Dear Readers, 

Now that we have understood Zentangle. 

Let's Create one! =)

1.Start with the right supplies. 

• The Zentangle Method encourages using fine printmaking paper to use as a foundation for Zentangles. It should be plain white, unlined paper. Cut your paper into a 3.5" square piece.
• Handmade or textured paper is fine, as long as it doesn't have patterns.
• You can use colored paper if you want, but wouldn't be considered a true Zentangle according to the Zentangle Method.

2. Draw a border.

•  Use a pencil to draw a light square border around the edges of your paper. The pattern you make will be drawn inside the perimeters of the border. Do not use a ruler or any sort of straight edge to draw your border. Just sketch it lightly near the edges of the paper.

3.Draw a string.

•  Take your pencil and draw a "string" inside the border. According to the Zentangle Method, a string is a curved line or squiggle that will lend structure to your design. The pattern you create will emerge according to the contours of your string. It should a lightly-sketched, simple, abstract form that elegantly divides the border into sections.
• Some people find it hard to determine how to draw the string. Remember that the philosophy behind a Zentangle is that it should feel pleasurable, celebratory and natural. Draw whatever comes out when you touch your pencil to the paper - there's no wrong way to do it.

·         4.Start creating a tangle. 

• A "tangle" is a pattern drawn in pen along the contours of a string. One Zentangle may have just one tangle, or a combination of different tangles. Use your pen to begin drawing whatever pattern comes to you - again, there's no right or wrong move inside a Zentangle. As you work, keep the following in mind:
• Tangles should be composed of very simple shapes. A line, a dot, a circle, a squiggle, or an oval are all acceptable.
• Penciled shading can be added to the tangles to create more depth and visual interest. This is not mandatory, but you're free to do so if you'd like.

5.Don't erase mistakes. 

• You can't erase mistakes you make in pen. That's part of the reason tangles are created in pen, not pencil, aside from any shading you might want to add. There's no going back.

6.Keep going until you're finished. 

• You'll know when it's time to put down your pen. Keep your Zentangle in a safe place, or frame it and display it for long-term enjoyment.

Create Your Own Zentangle using the template as guide:

Zen-Mandala (Mandala with zentagle parttern design)

              Hope you have fun zentangling! :)

  

                                                                             

ART INDEX

Dear Readers,

Art is a diverse range of human activities and the products of those activities, usually involving imaginative or technical skill. In their most general form these activities include the production of works of art, the criticism of art, the study of the history of art, and the aesthetic dissemination of art.

Art and Design is the study of the various forms of visual communication. It covers the expressive arts, design and the ability to understand the work of others. It gives learners an insight into how art and design influence their lives and it gives them the skills to interact with these disciplines.

Principles and Elements of Art

The principles of art include: balance, proportion, emphasis, variety, movement, rhythm, and harmony. They are used to organize the basic elements of art (line, shape, form, value, color, space, and texture), and they are sometimes also referred to as principles of organization or design principles.

And the types of Art?

Well, some different types of art are animation, architecture, assemblage, calligraphy, ceramics, computer, Christian or religious, conceptual, artistic design, drawing, folk, graffiti, graphic, illuminated manuscript, illustration, mosaic, painting, performance,photography, sculpture, stained glass, tapestry, and video.