For Christmas my brother gave me Beckah Krahula’s book, One Zentangle a Day: A 6-Week Course in Creative Drawing for Relaxation, Inspiration, and Fun. I’d been wanting to learn how to draw Zentangles for a while. After the bustle of the holiday season, I started the course, making videos and posting them to my YouTube channel. It took me a little longer than 42 days, but I learned how to Zentangle and de-stress at the same time. (And that’s no small feat for someone trucking through life with a brain tumor!) The book not only taught me how to draw more than 50 easy Zentangle patterns, but how to turn them into art.
I highly recommend Beckah Krahula’s book. Whether you’re a beginner learning how to Zentangle for the first time or an accomplished artist looking to get back to the basics, I think you’ll find Zentangling–as the book title suggests–a relaxing, inspiring, and fun activity.
Learning How to Draw Zentangles is Easy
My videos aren’t a replacement for the book, but they do give you a preview of its contents and a place to start–you know, in case you are impatiently waiting for Amazon Prime to deliver your copy. You can tangle along one day at a time starting with Day 1, pick a random day and try out the patterns, or browse until you come across a Zentangle pattern you just have to try. (I’m confident you’ll find at least one.)
Of course there are many supplies you could buy to take your Zentangles to the next level, but all it really takes to get started is something to write with and something to write on.
Day 9: White and Black Zentangle Tiles
Zentangle tiles come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. In this video I use white ink on a black background.
Day 11: Zentangle Auras and Rounding
Auras and rounding can be used to enhance Zentangle patterns and change their light and dark values.
Day 14: How to Draw Zentangle Patterns
- Dyon
- Chainging
- Keeko
Day 15: How to Draw Zentangle Patterns
- Yincut
- Locar
- Verdigogh
Day 16: How to Draw Zentangle Patterns
- Pepper
- Ynix
- Squid
Day 17: How to Draw Zentangle Patterns
- Vitruvius
- Courant
- Sedgling
Day 18: How to Draw Zentangle Patterns
- Gneiss
- Cadent
- Huggins
Day 19: How to Draw Zentangle Patterns
- Rain
- Cubine
- Beeline
Day 20: How to Draw Zentangle Patterns
- Jetties
- Sampson
- ‘Nzeppel
Day 21: How to Draw Zentangle Patterns
- Rick’s Paradox
- B’Tweed
Day 22: How to Draw Zentangle Patterns
- Tagh
- Tat
Day 29: Zentangle Pattern Transformation
Patterns can be drawn within different shapes, in this case familiar patterns are used to create a Zentangle feather.
Day 30: How to Create Your Own Zentangle Patterns
To keep patterns interesting, look for pattern inspiration in the everyday objects you find at home or in nature.
Day 31: How to Draw Zentangles with Flair
Personalizing Zentangles with your own flair keeps the daily practice interesting and makes your art unique.
Day 32: Creating Zentangle Inspired Art
Using neat lines, borders, and broken boundaries can make a Zentangle more visually pleasing.
Day 34: Drawing and Coloring a Zendala
Using a Zendala template with straight lines creates a geometric design.
Day 38: Zentangle Brain Dump
Sometimes the most therapeutic way to Zentangle is to stop thinking about it too much and just draw.
Day 39: How to Draw Zentangle Patterns with Texture
Texture is used by Zentangle artists to create interest.
Day 40: Letters as Zentangle Strings
Zentangles can be used with Calligraphy to turn letters and words into Zentangle inspired art.
As you are learning how to draw Zentangles, don’t forget to show the world your work. If you’re on Twitter or Instagram, say hi so I can follow you back. Find me @EmilySuess on both social media platforms. I can’t wait to see what you’re creating.
