Zentangle

Today, I discovered the art of Zentangle (thank you, Lunch Lady Jan!) – the art of Glorified Doodling. I have spent some time watching Youtube videos tonight, and decided to have a go.

I have also started my new Art Journal tonight – an old notebook I’ve had for ages, nothing posh, but with reasonable (although not specifically art) paper, which I think will take a bit of punishment!

Here are my first attempts.

The first two were done more or less following a Youtube video, but with my own take, and the third one is mine from start to finish.

Not everyone seems to add shading, but I think this really helps give the pictures dimension. I used an old black crayon for this, and for the actual drawings, two different thicknesses of permanent black pen.

Also, I think it is better not to fill in absolutely every section – a bit of white space left adds contrast and dimension to the piece.

There are no rules, although the purists would probably say you’ve got to stick within Zentangle principles and use only those patterns laid down, but basically, you just draw a basic outline shape, pick up your pens and away you go, adding different fills to your heart’s content!

This is definitely something I can do while sitting on the settee with my feet up if I don’t feel up to being in my ARTHaven. There’s also my knitting and crochet, so I’m not going to be idle!

This is SUCH FUN!!!!!!