Zentangles

I'm probably last to the party, but I just recently discovered and was delighted by Zentangles. Like you (?) sometimes I doodle. Mostly my doodles are uninteresting messes. What are yours like?

Using Zentangle concepts though, doodles can become both meditation and art. Since they are pretty easy, they might make an interesting hobby for kids too.

The drawings come out looking like flat versions of Easter Eggs or henna art or quilt designs or even celtic knots.Or maybe it's the other way around: that those crafts are types of zendoodles. Some designs are simple and some are unbelievably intricate. Adding some shading can even create depth.

Strathmore

No need to be artistic or particularly creative or good a drawing. No need for a lot of expensive equipment, just pen or pencil and paper. A template might be handy, but it's all free-form: no rulers required.

The more complex designs are done step-wise, so there's no feeling of being overwhelmed at the beginning, and when the pattern has been completed, the doodler can feel a wonderful sense of accomplishment and even, might I say, joy. I think there's also ample opportunity for creativity too.

There are tons of websites and videos and even a huge Pinterest following. Unfortunately for the purpose of blogging about them, a lot of the Zentangle material is copy-writed, so while you can use the designs for your own art (not for commercial purposes), without applying for a lot of permissions which might involve lawyers,  I cannot put post pictures on this blog.

But you get the idea and maybe you'll be inspired to look it up and try it out or introduce tangling to the budding doodlers in your family.

Here are a couple links to get you started:

Zentangle (the founders of Zentangle)

Enthusiastic Artist (a Canadian site)

Tangle Patterns