Art trends are so interesting and along with the Adult Coloring Book Craze This Doodle idea has also become ridiculously popular but what do they all mean. It sort of sounds like a new language and it kinda is.
What is Zentangle?
Zentangle is an official trademarked name for specific “Tangles” that the creators and official CZT’s (Certified Zentangle Teachers) have created. You will see the name of the CZT or Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas the couple who are the creators of this new art trend. I really am attracted to these very detailed and organized designs but the whole idea behind Zentangle is the “ZEN” part of it.. to be able to relax and create something quickly and inexpensively that turns into a piece of art.
What I don’t like about it is all the RULES that seem to follow this trendy hobby. You are almost mandated that you really aren’t doing REAL Zentangle until you take a class from a CZT. You have to use a micron pen from Sakura, and you MUST purchase the official Zentangle tiles. The Zentangle “Kit” is $49 and contains 34 3.5 x 3.5 tiles, 2 Sakura pens, 2 pencils and a sharpener, a DVD and a card with several tiny patterns on it. You can buy just the official Zentangle tiles but those are .52 each plus shipping. That is pretty pricy since all you really need is a writing utensil and any blank piece of paper. Suggesting all these rules to be an official Zentangle rubs me the wrong way. There are several private groups on Facebook and many of them are delightful with lots of ideas and encouraging members to do their own thing and create, but others demand you only use official tangles on the 3.5 x 3.5 cards to be able to post there and no questions are to be asked or answered about the art. There is also a do not erase rule, a only black and white rule and you can only use official Zentangle patterns.
Zentangle terminology is also very important to the strict CZT’s so you don’t call it doodling if you are using Zentangle Patterns, that’s Tangling. If you are using any thing other than the official tile s and black pen and shading with a pencil then what you are creating is call Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA) Rules are not where I find MY Zen. My suggestion is to hit Youtube for FREE and learn from the wonderful and talented CZT’s and non-CZT’s that are sharing how to do tangles.
Favorite YouTube Zentangle Resources
Ellen Wolten’s Video’s are really great and easy to follow.
Here is Heartrope which I was having a hard time figuring out.
A Little Lime is another favorite and you get to hear her Aussie accent (We Americans love that)
Maria is an excellent instructor on these videos but there are only these 3 “OFFICIAL” ones.
Zentangle Mooka Video
The TanglePatterns.com page is a must-visit as it has over 500 tangles with links to the “Step-Outs” for each Zentangle. A Step Out includes the step by step method to create a complex looking pattern. It’s comprehensive and very organized. Make sure you have an hour or two to browse. Linda Farmer, CZT has spent many hours linking up all this information.
Non-Official “Official” Zentangle Supplies
If you want to check out a few of the Zentangle tiles you can get this little starter pack sold by Sakura that has 5 tiles, 5 Microns, a Pencil. I’ve seen this at Hobby Lobby for $19.99 so if you use your 40% off coupon that’s about the same price. CLICK HERE TO BUY
The Apprentice-sized Zentangle tiles which measure 4.5 x 4.5 on the Official site are $50 for 140 tiles on Amazon is less. Be warned though that these aren’t the exact same paper as the official 3.5 x 3.5 tiles AND they have writing on the back so if you like to tangle on both sides then you aren’t going to be able to. CLICK HERE TO BUY
You can also buy the Apprentice Kit for CZT’s to teach a class on Amazon for about half the price of the official website. Zentangle.com has it for $108.90 + shipping. Amazon has the same exact kit which includes: 1 instructional DVD, 26 Pigma pens, 26 pencils and 140 Zentangle tiles on Amazon. CLICK HERE TO BUY
Tools I have purchased and loved to be ZEN with my Zentangle Art
Micron Pens from Sakura. I do LOVE these pens and have been using them since the 80’s when archival scrapbooking was first a “Thing”. They are relatively inexpensive with this 3 pack of Micron Pigma pens from Sakura. CLICK HERE TO BUY
For Paper it’s perfectly fine to use any paper you have on hand. If you want to get a similar feel to the official paper then chose a watercolor paper. If you want to tangle on the 3.5 x 3.5 cards simply cut them yourself for a much more economical way to tangle on tiles. Personally, I decided to tangle in a mixed media journaling type of art paper book. They even come in tan or grey paper or even black paper where you use white or gel pens to tangle with (again this is a no-no to official Zentanglers but it’s really gorgeous! Check out my latest Zentangle Pinterest Board.
Follow Chrissy Morin’s board Zentangle in Color on Pinterest.
