The Art of Tangling

By: Katherine Lau

Zentangle Accordian Brochure

Zentangle Accordian Brochure Illustrations by: Katherine Lau

What is Zentangle?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. Zentangle is enjoyed by a wide range of skills and ages and is used in many fields of interest.

Life is an art form and Zentangle is an elegant metaphor for deliberate

artistry in life.

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Illustration by: Katherine Lau Source (body copy): zentangle.com

Zentangle Accordian Brochure Illustrations by: Katherine Lau

Characteristics

With Zentangle, anyone can create beautiful images from repetitive patterns. through a specified set of procedures. It is both easy to do and easy to learn!

It provides a fun way to relax with mindless doodling. With a sufficient structure and organization, you can enjoy a peaceful time tangling away.

This is an unusal approach to art because you have no idea what its result will be when you begin, Your creation is not restricted by your expectations.

Not only do they support relaxation and encourage focus, Zentangle provides much discovery about one’s life through this simple act..

Zentangle allows a return to a comfort and familiarity of timeless and basic creativity without the computer technology.

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One cannot fail at Zentangling since there’s no ideal way it has to look. It is your own interpretation of patterns and whatever takes you to a zenful state of mind.

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It’s a non-verbal language of patterns and proportions which opens doors to insights which seemed locked before...

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Zentangle Accordian Brochure Illustrations by: Katherine Lau

Not only is this portable, since it can be done anywhere, alone or in groups and without any costly equipment, it is also empowering. It deliberately helps you relax and direct your attention to creating beautiful work of art.

Unlike other methods of relaxation, Zentangle yields a fruit, which is beautiful and can be appreciated, collected and reflected upon for years to come. The quality of this art technique is based upon the quality of pens and paper you choose.

Zentangle is not limited by technology. It provides a counterbalance to our increasing use of computers etc. It returns us to that fundamentally human behavior of manipulating symbols and putting marks on paper.

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Benefits

Zentangles might look difficult and complicated to draw from the beggining, but once demonstrated by others, you will see that you can do it, one simple stroke at a time. With this knowledge in mind, it transfers insight and experience of success, allowing us to apply it to any life experience.

Through deliberate strokes, we are making conscious “strokes” (thoughts, words) in our life. By taking Zentangle’s inspiration to make each stroke deliberate, you understand how those apparently small and insignifcant “strokes” of our moment to moment lives contribute to our life’s pattern.

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of Zentangle:Through deliberate focus, it is a similiar way of bringing your attention to meditation. As your eye follows your pen strokes, your attention shifts to a state that allows ffresh thoughts, new perspectives, and creative insights to flow unhindered by anxiety.

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Zentangle is Peaceful.... imaginative.....soothing..“

Zentangle Accordian Brochure Illustrations by: Katherine Lau

Unlike most art, you start outintentionally not knowing what your Zentangle will look like. It takes brainstorming to a new level by not planning ahead for an intended outcome. This method supports participants to build each new idea unconstrained.

Zentangle mimics this universe’s factal nature. Each stroke creates a tangle, which are nested within a string (our word for a line where tangles are drawn) on a tile (paper Zentangles are drawn on). These tiles can then be goruped to make a larger pattern.

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6There is no erase to like, like how there is no erase to Zentangles. However, you discover that even if you make what seems to be a mistake, you can then build on that event as a new pattern and go in unexpected and new directions.

With no correct answer, Zentangle offers both a freedom and a challenge. There is no predetermined right answer. But at the same time, the freedom allows a freeing and uplifting experience that offers ever-changing solutions.

You succeed at Zentangle by creating a pattern. It has no up or down and is not a picture of something, so you have no worries about whether you can draw a hand or a duck. You always succeed at creating a Zentangle.

Original Zentangle tiles are 3 1/2 inches square. It is designed to be completed in one sitting. You get an immediate sense of accomplishment by completing your work of art in increments. But new forms are drawn on different sizes as well.

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All my life, I have dreamed of discovery new colors....But now I found my patlette, not limited by

yellows, reds or blues....“

Zentangle Accordian Brochure Illustrations by: Katherine Lau

Zentangle’s non verbal language of patterns and proportions can open doors to insights which seemed locked before through medidational artform. When you create a Zentangle, you can enter a meditative state in which intuitive insight flows freely. Get inspirations, ideas and answers unhindered by expectations or worries.

Zentangle’s results are beautiful and inspire further self-confidence and creativity. It leaves a trail of creativity and beauty you can revisit and recapitulate whenever you want. Zentangles are like dreams that don’t fade and continue to inspire and instruct.

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11 Zentangle is small enough to be portable and fit in your pocket or purse. Zentangle tiles are even stiff enough to be held in your hand while you draw on them. In addition, Zentangle uses the best tools and materials in order to create a beautiful piece of art such as fine, individually die-cut printmaking paper and Sakura’s archival pigma micron pens.

How Others

Zentangle offers a quick way to intentionally redirect your focus and it does not require a practiced physical discipline as in yoga. It does not require a uniform, location or equipment in order to relax.

In addition, zentangle can improve hand eye coordination, creativity and personal expression, problem solving, and cross cultural understanding by using various cultural symbols such as Zuni pottery, Celtic knotting, and Indian henna.

This type of artwork is also used for those with addictions, attention deficits, self-esteem issues, anger management, stress management and also for those recovering from strokes.

use Zentangle:

This is a great way to approach envisioning life.....“

Zentangle Accordian Brochure Illustrations by: Katherine Lau

Some patterns used:

Antidots Beadlines Bluebonnets

Bubbles Ennies Flutter Pie

LilyPads Mooka Msst

Onamato Pais River

Zentangle Accordian Brochure Illustrations by: Katherine Lau

Now that you’re knowledgeable about zentangles, it’s time to explore your inner zen

and tangle away!

For zentangle patterns:

For Weekly challenges:

tanglepatterns.com

pegasuspapers.com/zentangle/zentangle-weekly-challenges

Zentangle is Yoga for your brain.“

A good approach to meditative drawing, especially for people not confident with visual expression...“