Zentangle: the art of untangling a tangled mind
“Are you stressed all the time?”
“Do you need to let the stress out and relax?”
“Is it necessary to improve eye / hand coordination?”
All this and much more can be done through the Zentangle method. The Zentangle method is an easy to learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. This method can be used by anyone who can write their name. It helps increase concentration and creativity and provides artistic satisfaction with a greater sense of personal well-being.
Zentangling is a formalized process that was created by Rick Roberts and Mary Thomas. It is a specific way of drawing pictures, most often with black pencil on white paper. The traditional practice of Zentangling is done on 3 1/2 “square tiles made of special paper, but it can be done on any paper cut into squares or larger paper as well. But it is a very simple path to relaxation and concentration. It is also called doodling with a purpose. Practitioners of this art form have provided several benefits, including calming an anxious mind, increasing self-confidence, and creating moment-to-moment awareness in a manner similar to mindfulness meditation. .
How to create a Zentangle?
To create a Zentangle, start with a pencil frame and then draw a “rope” through the frame to divide the frame into sections. In each section draw a repeating pattern, called a “tangle.” Meditation comes both in rhythmic drawing and later reflection on your work. Some of the characteristics of the Zentangle method are: Deliberate Stroke: In the manner of the Zentangle, each stroke is made consciously and deliberately. When we deliberately drew each stroke, we realized how these insignificant strokes contribute to an overall pattern.
Deliberate focus – When deliberate strokes are made, the focus is on the stroke and not on the final product to be made. So this leads to more focus on the strokes being made and not thinking about what the final pattern will look like.
Unknown results: The Zentangle method allows each person to discover new possibilities that were not anticipated when we started with art.
Summary: A Zentangle creation is intended to be unrepresentative with no top or bottom. Since it is not an image of something, creators need not worry about whether they can draw a hand or a duck. It is only the different strokes that form a pattern and finally an abstract image.
No Eraser – There is no eraser in life and there is no eraser in a Zentangle kit. However, when creating Zentangle art, one discovers that the apparent mistakes made can be the basis for new patterns and lead in new and unknown directions.
Gratitude – Gratitude is the foundation of zentangle art. Whether it is appreciating the texture of these wonderful paper tiles, becoming aware of the patterned beauty that surrounds us, or appreciating the opportunity to put the pencil on the paper, we always return to gratitude.
Inspiring: The non-verbal language of patterns and proportions of the Zentangle Method can open doors to ideas that previously seemed closed. Creating in a Zentangle way opens those doors, not because they were closed, but because those doors open on non-verbal hinges. When you create in the form of a Zentangle, you can enter a state of relaxed focus in which intuitive perceptions flow freely.
Ceremonial: As in the Japanese tea ceremony, when zentangle art is created, the person creates a personal atmosphere of peace and harmony.
Portable: A Zentangle tile has a 3 1/2 inch (89mm) square. A Zentangle tile is designed to be completed in one sitting. A tile can be finished in as little as 15 minutes. Once the mosaic is complete, there is a sense of accomplishment and more mosaics can be completed in less time.
BENEFITS OF THE ZENTANGLE METHOD:
The Zentangle method is being used by many people for different purposes. Some of the benefits that people have experienced from practicing this method are:
• Relaxation
• Simple and fast access to mindfulness
• Non-verbal journal
• Insomnia (sleep improvement by creating Zentangle art before sleeping)
• Esteem
• Inspiration
• Panic attacks
• Modify behavior
• Be part of a supportive community
• Cultivate and develop creative skills
• Relieve stress
• Improve eye / hand coordination
• Develop / rehabilitate fine motor skills
• Team building and group approach
• Therapy
• Anger control
• Addiction therapy tool
• Diet helps
• Increase attention span and ability to concentrate.
• Homeschooling
• Brainstorming
• Problem resolution
• Design inspiration
• Stretch and warm up for artists.
Personal experience of practicing Zentangle art:
My personal zentangle story began in 2015 when ankle surgery put me on bed rest for 6 weeks. As they say “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop”, bed rest and immobility caused my mind to receive unwanted thoughts that needed rest. Since I was immovable and couldn’t do much, I began to search the Internet for something I could do while on bed rest. It was then that I stumbled upon the art of Zentangle. I first started reading about it and was intrigued to give it a try. So, step by step, I started to test the tangles of the internet and felt very relaxed doing it. I got so involved with this art form and realized that even one day without doing the art made me feel like I was missing something. Even though I was out of bed rest and working alongside taking care of my family, I didn’t stop making art as it gave me peace and helped me relax and have some time to myself. Upon further investigation, I discovered that only certified teachers can teach the art. So I started looking for a certified teacher and took a class with her after a year of practicing the art form. The class was a great learning for me about the nuances of making art. It helped me better understand the art form and the benefits it can bring me.
Practicing art has helped me in the following ways:
• Relax my mind
• Anger control
• Reduce mental stress
• Live the moment
• Not thinking about what has happened or worrying about the future.