I was thinking the other day about all the different art forms I have explored. A few years ago I happened upon a book about Zentangle®. I was curious so I flipped through the pages of this book and what I discovered opened my eyes to another world of linear design. Doodling can be very relaxing. It is merely putting pencil or pen to paper and letting the mind go. When you doodle your focus and attention are directed to the drawing. All anxieties and wandering thoughts melt away and bring you back to center. There is no right or wrong way to doodle.
Also, I thought to myself since we’re bringing art to our daily lives we should visit the doodle. There are all kinds of examples of doodling, for instance, adult coloring books, zendoodles, and traditional Zentangles®. So if it’s so easy, why doesn’t everyone do it? Well, you can. I think the reason people think they cannot draw or doodle is simply because they come to the table with the notion that they cannot draw or are afraid of what others might say about their work. You are not being graded on your doodles nor are you going to hang your doodle in the Louvre. Just enjoy the process and relax. I know the hardest part of any journey is getting started. Have you ever just stared at a blank piece of paper and thought what am I going to write about or draw? How am I ever going to fill this blank space? Sometimes, you just gotta go for it. Guess what, there is a technique for that!
So without further ado let’s take a look at how to start a Zentangle…
Materials List
- Smooth Bristol paper (or any kind of paper)
- Pens, pigment ink preferably (they don’t smudge) but any pen will work
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Color pencils, markers other mediums to color with (optional)
- And a whole lotta creativity
Zentangle® is an art form in its own right. Check out this book called Joy of Zentangle, you can go to their website or purchase it on Amazon. This book shows you how to get started and has a ton of patterns to try out. So go on try some doodling, get in the moment and put some art in your life.
I just wanted to share this type of doodling because it helped me get through some rough times. It also was a great tool and technique that got me over a creative plateau, kinda like writer’s block. These drawings I did for me, it was my kind of art therapy and if you are looking for a medium that you can chill out with, I suggest trying your own zendoodles, doodles or zentangles®
As always thanks for reading. Please like and share. If you have any comments or question feel free to contact me. Don’t forget I’d love to see samples of your work!
Artfully yours,
Andi
Artful-Living 