Coloring Diary

Zentangle Pattern Video

Creating a zentangle is fairly simple but has an unlimited number of variations, which is what allows us to make beautiful, unique pieces, without having to be an “artist”. There is a video at the bottom showing different patterns you can use.

First Step To Creating A Zentangle

The first step is to have pencil, pen, and paper. Any kind will do as this process does not need artist grade materials since it is not an effort at professional art. The first step is to create a square of 3.5 inches by 3.5 inches in pencil. While other dimensions can theoretically be used, the typical zentangle is 3.5″ by 3.5″ as the small shape tends to be less stressful than a full sheet of paper. Though most papers will work perfectly fine, colored and textured papers are a bit of a complication for creating a zentangle and should be avoided at first until one has a better grasp of the process. After that, use a pencil to draw a frame inside the square in any shape you want, which is where you will be drawing your zentangle. Use a light hand when drawing in pencil, as heavy handed marks with a pencil will be noticed when the pen is applied.

Then inside the frame inside the square (or another shape for those who wish to experiment with other shapes) draw a single line of any shape or size that bisects the internal frame of the square. This line is known as a string and should be curved or squiggled, though other styles of string may appeal to different people. Then inside the contours of the internal frame and string, draw a pattern, any pattern, inside these borders. Simple shapes and lines are preferable. Dots of any size are also more than acceptable when creating a zentangle. Don’t erase any mistakes at all, as zentangles are supposed to be meditative exercises rather than serious artworks. Once you have filled your space with pencilled-in patterns, one can go over the pattern with an ink pen to create a more stark pattern that makes the work stand out.

The intent of this process is to be much like meditation, combining an effort at reaching serenity with a quiet kind of celebratory attitude. The end result does not matter so long as one is simply drawing patterns in their zentangle that they find appealing. The process of unfocused creation is very soothing to many people, while the end result artwork is a rewarding accomplishment for many who otherwise have a hard time feeling as if meditation is bringing results. This process has been shown to help people calm down, particularly when done in a quiet, relatively stress-free place.

The patterns you create can also be used to fill in other spaces in line drawings, such as those in the picture of the hare at the top of this article. While most zentangles remain in black and white, with shading to create interesting 3d type patterns, it is also possible to color your zentangle patterns to create beautiful pictures. Zentangles can also incorporate other shapes within them, such as animals or any other shape you wish.

If you are completing a diary or a journal, why not include zentangles within them? These can help you meditate or think peacefully over the thoughts you are writing down in your diary or journal. They are simple to learn and bring peace with them.