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Let's Get Your Creative Juices Flowing!!!
I have a confession to make. I have kind of a love-hate relationship with zentangling! Ok, there! I've said it!! Now, before you call the "Zentangle police" on me, let me explain.
There are aspects of Zentangling that I absolutely adore!! The intricate designs, the meditative process, the flow state it induces—pure bliss. But there are also parts of it that I struggle with. The strict rules, the insistence on a certification (in order to TEACH it), the pressure to make every piece a masterpiece with cramped, tiny patterns... it all feels a little suffocating to me!! One of the things that irks me the most is the distinction between doodling and Zentangling. According to the Zentangle Association, "doodling is mindless and haphazard," while "Zentangling is mindful and deliberate." But isn’t art subjective? Who’s to say what constitutes "mindless" or "mindful"? Nevertheless, despite my reservations, I’ve found ways to make zentangling work for me. So, for all you fellow love-hate zentanglers or wanna-be zentanglers out there who've shied away for some of the same reasons, I’ve come up with SIX TIPS to help you navigate the world of zentangling with ease, and maybe even a hint of enjoyment!
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1Draw Something Pretty FIRST
Before diving into the tangled web of Zentangle, start by drawing something that brings you joy. It could be a flower, a leaf, or even just some squiggly lines. The key is to create a foundation that you genuinely like, setting the stage for your Zentangle adventure.
In today's video, I kept things SUPER simple and linear -using only stencils and a ruler to create my drawing. 2Section it Off
Break your canvas into manageable sections that make visual sense. This not only helps in organizing your design but also adds clarity to the final piece. Don’t be afraid to introduce new elements to create additional sections and enhance the overall composition.
3Work on a Larger Scale
Bigger is easier, trust me on this one. Working on a larger scale gives you more room to breathe and allows for greater flexibility in your designs. Experiment with varying line weights to add depth and visual interest to your creations!
One of the easiest ways to change up your line weights is by using pens or markers with a variety of nib sizes! You'll get your work done faster and it looks SO cool! Plus... it's FUN!! I've always been a sharpie lover and have ALL the sizes. If you prefer a fineliner, these are my FAVES by Molotow! They're AWESOME for zen doodling and tangling!! 4Keep It Simple
Forget complex patterns and intricate designs. Stick to super easy shapes YOU ALREADY KNOW, like circles, lines, and squiggles. The goal is to enjoy the process without getting bogged down by unnecessary complexity.
Do it how YOU want to do it, not how a book or someone else is telling you how to do it (unless you want to!!). 5Embrace the Power of Black
Don’t shy away from filling in spaces with solid black. It’s a LEGIT way to add depth and contrast to your zentangle. And hey, if you’re feeling adventurous, throw in some white accents for an extra pop of contrast! You can ALSO embrace the idea of using COLORED pens and markers. Who said zentangle drawings had to be in all black and white anyway?!
6If You Hate It, Don’t Do It
This one’s a game-changer. If Zentangle isn’t bringing you joy, if it feels like a chore rather than a creative outlet, then it’s okay to walk away. Remember, art should be fun, not frustrating. Give yourself permission to explore other mediums and techniques until you find what truly lights you up.
So there you have it, my six tips for surviving—and maybe even thriving—in the world of zentangle drawing! Whether you’re a seasoned tangler or a hesitant beginner, I hope these tips inspire you to approach your art with a newfound sense of freedom and joy.
And to the Zentangle police out there... don’t come after me. I swear I’m a good person. I’m goo:) Alright, time to dive back into my tangled masterpiece. Until next time, happy tangling! Love Drawing Faces or Never Tried & Wanna Learn?You're in the RIGHT place!! If you feel like you'd really like to dive into learning how to draw faces, whimsical girls, and basically ANYTHING from scratch - check out the Fun Fab Drawing Club with me over at Awesome Art School! I've got an amazing library of online course content with online art lessons in drawing for ALL skill levels with an added curriculum just for beginners. We'd love to have you join us! Looking for Something Else?
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Today, we embark on a tranquil journey through the depths of creativity as we dive into the world of zen doodling, mermaid style!!
Similar to my recent zentangle face drawing video, today's project will unfold in real-time, accompanied by tranquil music to cultivate a sense of serenity. Whether you're a seasoned zentangler, or new to the magic of zen doodles, you're invitied to join in and just let go! If you're just learning how to draw or have never tried but always wanted to - today's zentangle drawing project is simple ENOUGH FOR BEGINNERS with no timelapse so you can easily doodle along! Together, we'll combine a few basic shapes to create a playful "baby" mermaid drawing and immerse ourselves in the rhythmic cadence of EASY zen doodle patterns - where worries dissolve and creativity can take flight! Whether you're seeking a moment to calm life's chaos, or yearn to express your inner artist, seize the moment with me, and let's embrace the meditative magic of zen doodling!!
*All product links are affiliate & for U.S. residents only.*
Supplies
I'm a huge fan of using whatever art supplies you have on hand or love most! Don't feel like you have to go out and buy what I used.
I'm just noting my supplies here in case you're interested in adding to your stash! Smooth drawing paper likebristol or cardstock Black fineliners - I love this set by Molotow with a variety of nibs to help you create gorgeous line variations!
Pencil (I love a mechanical pencil like the set I'm using in today's video, or my Blackwings)
Remember - you REALLY don't need ANY of these "fancy" art supplies to do this zen doodle - you can do the entire thing on a piece of scrap paper with a pencil or ballpoint pen! The most important thing is that YOU DRAW, not what supplies you use to create your drawing :) Loved Today's Video? Share it with a Friend!
If you LOVED today's video, SHARE IT WITH A FRIEND!
It's SO easy!! Either copy and paste this exact video link here: https://youtu.be/5eCMLpYoX1g Or if you're on your phone watching on YouTube, hopefully this will help :) Need Another EASY Zentangle Drawing Project?
I thought you'd never ask!! Check these out!
Wanna Try a QUICK & EASY Face Drawing Tutorial?This video makes learning how to draw a face SO EASY and FUN!! All you need is any old pencil, a sheet a paper and FIVE Minutes!! Ready to Take Your Drawing Skills to the Next Level?
Check out the Fun Fab Drawing Club over at Awesome Art School!! It's perfect for artists of ALL levels including beginners. We're having SO much FUN over there and would LOVE to have YOU join us!!
Feel free to check out our VISUAL INDEX of ALLLLLLL the projects :)
So FUN, right?!!
Looking for Something Else?
It's been FOREVER since I immersed myself in any zentangle drawing, so today's video on my YouTube Drawing channel is a mesmerizing zentangle face drawing set to relaxing music!
The entire process unfolds in real-time, allowing you to draw along with me if you want! I'll show you how to draw a whimsical face from scratch, then we'll bring our face drawing to life with simple zentangle patterns— easy enough for beginners!
*All product links are affiliate & for U.S. residents only.*
Not Sure How to Draw a Face?You're in the RIGHT place!! I LOVE teaching beginners!! Today's video is in real-time (no timelapse), so you can draw along with me at your own pace and pause me as much as you need to. If this project feels tricky because her face is at an angle, or if you're not sure how to draw a face and just learning, you might want to try THIS VIDEO FIRST because it shows you how to draw a face in 5 minutes using myFREE face drawing guidelines cheatsheet! Grab the cheatsheet here, or click the button below.
I'll send the guidelines straight to your inbox. Then you can join me HERE and I'll show you how to use them for free!
When you're done with your face drawing, pop back over to today's new video and zentangle her in with me :) Supplies
I'm a huge fan of using whatever art supplies you have on hand or love most! Don't feel like you have to go out and buy what I used.
I'm just noting my supplies here in case you're interested in adding to your stash! Smooth drawing paper likebristol or cardstock Black fineliners - I love this set by Molotow with a variety of nibs to help you create gorgeous line variations! Pencil (I love a mechanical pencil like the set I'm using in today's video, or my Blackwings) Remember - you REALLY don't need ANY of these "fancy" art supplies to do this zen doodle - you can do the entire thing on a piece of scrap paper with a pencil or ballpoint pen! The most important thing is that YOU DRAW, not what supplies you use to create your drawing :)
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Karen CampbellFounder of Awesome Art School. Mixed Media Artist. Author of 19 Instructional Art Books! Whose work has appeared in...Archives
May 2024
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"Karen is flipping hilarious and she's very real...I like the way she teaches in a way that really gives you confidence, whether you're a beginner or advanced there's always something new to learn!"
- Elizabeth W. |
What Fans Are SayingKaren, you are absolutely fabulous! You make me feel like I can draw anything. I have recently retired and finally have the time to do some of the art that I have loved since I was in school. I am really at the beginning of my art journey and I hope to learn as much as I can. Thank you for all you do. |
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