Zentangle Tutorial

1.For the base of my zentangle, I roll out a sheet of scrap clay on the #4 setting of my Atlas pasta machine, then trim the sheet to a 3 ½”/8.8cm square. This square is placed on a tile so I won’t have to move it when it comes time to put it in the oven.

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I score lines with a needle tool to make the sections of my zentangle. These serve as a general guide, and I may make changes as I add the patterned sheets.

3. Pattern #1: White Polka Dots on Black BackgroundI condition approximately 1oz/28.5g of white clay and 2oz/56g . I roll the white clay into a log about ½”/13mm in diameter and 1”/2.5cm in length.

4.I wrap several sheets of black clay around the white center (#3 thickness) until the log measures about 1 ½”/3.8cm in diameter

5.I trim the excess black clay from the sides with a stiff clay blade to form a square. I cut carefully to ensure that the cuts are straight and the white circle is centered inside the square.

6.This cane is reduced until it is about 4”/10cm in length and approximately ½’/13mm square.

7.The cane is cut into 4 equal pieces and reassembled as shown above to form a 1”/2.5cm square approximately 1”/2.5cm in length.

8.This ‘4-dot cane’ is reduced until it is a ½”/13mm square about 4 ½-5”/11.5-13cm in length. I trim the distorted ends before proceeding further.

9.The cane is reduced again until it is a ¼”-3/8” (6.3-10mm) square approximately 4 ½”/11cm long, approximately. Trim the distorted ends. Now it’s time to make the patterned sheet.

10.

For the base of my patterned sheet, I have rolled out a thin sheet (#6 setting) approximately 2”x2 ½” (5x6.3cm) of black clay. I then cut very thin slices of my polka dot cane, and place them next to each other. I use the tip of my clay blade to pick up and move the slices on the black sheet until the entire sheet is covered.

11I use my acrylic roller to smooth and even out the cane slices. I don’t press too hard, because I will be peeling the sheet off my work surface to roll it through my pasta machine.

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Here the sheet has been rolled through the pasta machine. I started with the #4 setting, then turned the sheet 90 ° and rolled it at the #5 setting. I again turned the sheet 90 °, and rolled it one last time at the #6 setting. The first patterned sheet is done. Now it’s on to patterned sheet #2.

13. Pattern #2: Simplified Flower on White Background

For the flower center, I roll a log of black clay approximately ¼”/6.4mm in diameter and about 1 ½”/3.8xm in length. I then wrap the black log with a sheet of white clay which has been rolled at the #4 setting on my Atlas Pasta Machine to form a bullseye. I set this aside to work on the petal cane.

14.For the petals, I make a white log of clay approximately 1”/2.5cm in diameter and 1 ½”/3.8cm in length. I wrap the log with a sheet of black clay rolled at the #4 setting.

15.I use the round handle of a needle tool-it’s about ¼”/6.4mm in diameter- to form a deep groove in the cane.

16.I remove the needle tool and squeeze the sides together so the black clay fills in the groove. I then proceed to reduce this cane to a diameter of about ¼”/6.4mm and approximately 12-14” /30.5-36cm in length.

17.Here’s the reduced petal cane. This cane will be cut into 6 equal pieces-these should be the same length as the flower center piece-to form the 6-petaled flower.

18.The petals are arranged around the center as shown above. Now I will pack the spaces between the petals with white clay. I am using white clay to match the background color of my patterned sheet, but could have also used translucent if I wanted to use the flower on different colored backgrounds. As you will see, I will have quite a bit of flower cane left after reducing !

19I make small triangles to fit the spaces between the petals, and trim them with my clay blade so the are the same ‘height’ as the petals.

20.I wrap 2 sheets (each rolled at #3 thickness) of white clay around the packed cane. It is now ready to be reduced !

21I reduce the cane until it is ¾”/19mm in diameter (pictured at far left in photo). I cut the cane in half, set one piece aside, and reduce the other half until it is about ½”/13mm. I cut this cane in half, set one half aside, and reduce the other half to a diameter of ¼”/6.4mm. Finally, I cut the ¼” cane in half, save one half, and reduce the other half to 1/8”(about 3.5 mm). I will use this smallest cane (shown on far right) to make my patterned sheet.

22Here’s the completed patterned sheet. I used white clay for the background instead of scrap clay. I use the same procedure as in the polka dot pattern (as shown in slides 10,11, and 12) the only difference is that because this is a round cane, the background is visible between the slices. Which is why I used a white background ! On to pattern #3………

24. Pattern #3: Linoleum Floor Tile Print

I call this my ‘linoleum tile print’ because it reminds me of the flooring that was once very common in kitchens, bathrooms, and finished basements. This is a very easy cane to make, no precise measuring and construction needed. This cane starts with scrap pieces of predominantly gray and white clay, with a bit of black.

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I chop up the pieces with my clay blade, then compress and shape the pieces to form a square log. This log is 2”/5cm in length, and 1”/2.5cm square.

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I lay the log on my work surface and cut it lengthwise into 4 pieces.

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I now proceed to turn every other piece over so the bottom is now on top, then I press the pieces back together.

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I then rotate the reassembled log one turn so the uncut side is facing up, and make the same lengthwise cuts, flipping every other piece over as shown in the previous photo.

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I turn the cane again and repeat the same ‘cut-slip-compress’ procedure 2 or 3 more times. The face of the cane looks like this when I am finished.

29I use the same procedure for making a patterned sheet as I did with the previous two patterns. On to the fourth and final pattern !

30 Pattern # 4: The Checkerboard !This is one of the most popular canes of all time, so I’m assuming that everyone knows how to make a checkerboard. I reduced my checkerboard to a very small size (1/4”/6.4mm), so it was rather tedious placing all those tiny checkerboard cane slices on the sheet. As you can see, the checks turned out a bit irregular after I rolled the sheet through the pasta machine!

31. Assembling the ZentangleNow that my patterned sheets are completed, it is time to apply the patterns to my zentangle base. I will be cutting up the sheets to fit into the sections.

33.I assign each pattern a number, then indicate on my base where each pattern will be placed. I do this to avoid putting the same pattern next to itself, and to distribute the dark and light patterns evenly.

33 I cut and trim the pieces using an X-Acto knife. I press each piece very gently over the area where it will be placed. This makes a very light impression on the reverse side that serves as a guide for cutting.

34All the pieces are in place ! Finally !

35I stretch a piece of clear plastic wrap over the completed zentangle, and burnish it with my fingers to smooth the surface and close some of the gaps between the pieces.

36The zentangle has been baked, sanded, and polished. Time for lunch and a nap !!