Zentangle – inspired hand – Free e-book

Zentangle – inspired hand – Free e-book www.engagedinart.com © Lesley Smitheringale 2014


STEN

The Zentangle® Method is an easy-to-learn,relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images bydrawing structured patterns. It was created by RickRoberts and Maria Thomas. "Zentangle" is aregistered trademark of Zentangle, Inc.

True Zentangles are not supposed to representanything. They are abstract, unplanned, black andwhite patterned drawings which can be viewedfrom any angle with no right or wrong way ofdrawing or looking at them.

The original Zentangle artworks are small tiles,measuring only 3.5² inches. The focus involvedwhile working on these tangled drawings can bevery meditative.

Creating a Zentangle is known as tangling.

The activity in this e-book is not a traditionalZentangle artwork but is Zentangle-inspired as itrepresents a hand.

what’s in this issue?1. brief introduction about Zentangles2. step-by-step tutorial for drawing a

Zentangle-inspired hand3. materials & equipment required and

where to purchase them4. ideas for repeat patterns

www.engagedinart.comzentangle –

by Lesley Smitheringale

SO WHAT IS AZENTANGLE?

Founder andcreator of Engaged in Art

inspiredhand

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materials andequipment

It’s best to use permanent markers fortangled drawings.

Sharpies can be used which come in differentthicknesses but the ink in your drawings willturn brown over time. Sharpies are readilyavailable and you can buy them inNewsagents, Office Works, Kmart, BigW etc.

For the best results such as a wider range ofnib thicknesses and longevity it’s best to usewater and fade proof pigment ink pens orarchival micron pens. These usually come insets.

Artline has a range called “drawing system”.

Uni Pin has a range called “Fine Line”available from Office Works.

White Pigment Ink Pens such as Signo byUni-Ball which can be used on top of filled inblack sections. Available from Office Works.


ZENTANGLE -INSPIRED HAND

This is an example above of afinished Zentangle – inspired hand.

The hand can be sub-divided in lotsof different ways with an infinitenumber of repeat patterns applied sothat no two Zentangle – inspiredhands will ever be the same.

You could even include your forearmin the drawing and fill this withpatterns too rather than just doingyour hand.

MATERIALS REQUIRED

white paper (not too thin) or thepens will bleed through

pencil eraser white gel or pigment ink pen a range of thicknesses of "Sharpie"

pens or Micron permanentwaterproof pens (these come insets with pens of variousthicknesses)


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1. Trace round your handPlace your hand, palm facing down, flat onto apiece of white paper which should be largerthan the size of your hand. Choose how youwish to arrange your fingers before tracing.

Using a pencil to begin with, carefully tracearound your hand and part of your wrist.

2. Subdivide yourhand drawing intosectionsStart to think of ways to subdividethe hand drawing as in theexample to the left. For instance,the fingers and finger nails couldbe separate shapes. Be as creativeas you can and have as many sub-divisions as you wish.

Go over all of your final outlines ina medium thick pen.



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3. Let’s startpracticing patternsBefore you start decorating yourhand drawing you will most certainlywant to practice drawing repeatpatterns and coming up with avariety of lines and shapes.

Try repeating lines such as straight,curved, thick and thin, zigzag, wavy,hatched, cross-hatched, spirals.

Try doing repeated shapes such assmall dots, circles, hearts, squares,rectangles, triangles, diamonds, etc.

Look at natural patterns such as theveins on leaves, scales on a fish,tiger and zebra stripes, feathers on abird, a spider’s web, and flowerpetals, etc.

Think about man-made, geometricpatterns such as a checkerboard,bricks on a wall.

Fill some shapes in solid black andleave some shapes white.

TIP: Try filling a solidshape with black thendoing a pattern on topusing a fine white pen.


More inspiration for Zentangle patterns can be found on the Engagedin Art Pinterest boards. Visit http://www.pinterest.com/engagedinartand look for the Zentangle-inspired patterns board.


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4. Start adding patternsYou want a variety of patterns to make thisdrawing work and aim for a balance of black andwhite in the whole drawing.


5. The Finished Hand

TEACHERS:

YOU COULD JOIN ALL OF THE HANDSTOGETHER AND PLACE THEM ROUNDTHE WALL OF YOUR CLASSROOM


Founder andcreator of Engaged in Art

The Engaged in Art Community would love to see the Zentangle-inspired artworks your children create. You may send any photosto [email protected] and we will pop them up in ourgalleries and Pinterest boards.

http://www.engagedinart.com

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.engagedinart.com

Documents

Zentangle – inspired hand – Free e-book