Zentangle Art

Getting Started - Here's What You Need!

Paper! Really any paper will do, but you will find tile packs at craft stores. This is thicker art paper that's pre-cut to draw tiles (that you can later turn into a mosaic!). But if you have watercolor or other quality drawing paper, you can simply cut that into squares
Pens - you can use any pens you like, but the recommended best pens are fine point Microline or Micron pens. You can find variety packs with multiple thicknesses and colors for varied looks. Fine tip Sharpies and gel pens are also great - just less versatile
Pencils and blending stumps - again, any pencils will do, but pencils that will blend well are best for shadowing. Try specialty art pencils if you can as they work best with blending stumps and tortillions for shading and adding depth to your tangles!
Also popular - colored pencils, pens, and even watercolors to enhance your art with color!

What is Zentangle Art?

The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. We call these patterns, tangles. You create tangles with combinations of dots, lines, simple curves, S-curves and orbs. These simple shapes are the "Elemental Strokes" in all Zentangle art. These patterns are drawn on small pieces of paper called "tiles." We call them tiles because you can assemble them into mosaics.

Zentangle art is non-representational and unplanned so you can focus on each stroke and not worry about the result. There is no up or down to Zentangle art. If fact, you can most easily create Zentangle art by rotating your tile as you tangle -- always keeping your hand in a relaxed position. You don't need to know what a tangle is going to look like to draw it. You just need to know the steps. The result is a delightful surprise.

As you use the Zentangle Method to create beautiful images, you likely will enjoy increased focus, creativity, self-confidence and an increased sense of well-being.