For work, I was visiting some schools to look at the work they do across the artforms. At one junior school I was given a few sketches some 8 year olds had done. I was staggered. The intricate, complicated, beautiful patterns they had managed to create was way beyond any expectations for their years, probably even for a 15 or 16 year old they would have been impressive. It wasn't a fluke, there was page after page after page, from every child in the class. Something staggering was going on.
It turned out the children had been using something called Zentangle. The name implies some of the qualities of the technique which blends a kind of meditative calm with the doodling of 'tangles'. Curious, I looked it up and ordered a kit. It's actually a very simple method, not a million miles from my own natural doodling style, but as a method it just provides a bit of structure, some starting points and new ideas for pattern, and the rest is up to you.
Here's the thing. I am that person who says "I can't draw". I imagine at least 50-60% of that class would have said the same. But, it seems, when it comes to pattern, I can (that's my first attempt above, not too terrible for someone who can't draw). I would really recommend having a go if you either feel you can't draw, you have a naturally obsessive love of pattern, you're a teacher or run any kind of group of people who would benefit from losing themselves in the moment for a while (community groups, patients etc) or could make use of a technique which moves your brain into a different place for a while.
The kit I bought was unecessarily over priced. Yes it was beautifully packaged and had some sumptuous materials, but all you really need is the technique - the rest you really conjour up for yourself. If you want to treat yourself do buy the full kit (see below) and treasure it for life; otherwise try Zentangle Untangled
(comes out in July but you can pre-order now) or for a real budget version (it's very thin but does cover the basics) Zentangle Basics
. You can see more examples of Zentangles *here*.
Here's the thing. I am that person who says "I can't draw". I imagine at least 50-60% of that class would have said the same. But, it seems, when it comes to pattern, I can (that's my first attempt above, not too terrible for someone who can't draw). I would really recommend having a go if you either feel you can't draw, you have a naturally obsessive love of pattern, you're a teacher or run any kind of group of people who would benefit from losing themselves in the moment for a while (community groups, patients etc) or could make use of a technique which moves your brain into a different place for a while.
The kit I bought was unecessarily over priced. Yes it was beautifully packaged and had some sumptuous materials, but all you really need is the technique - the rest you really conjour up for yourself. If you want to treat yourself do buy the full kit (see below) and treasure it for life; otherwise try Zentangle Untangled
(comes out in July but you can pre-order now) or for a real budget version (it's very thin but does cover the basics) Zentangle Basics. You can see more examples of Zentangles *here*.
