1. Andrea Donovan Central New Brunswick Academy Andrea.Donovan@nbed.nb.ca
The Art of Zentangle
Andrea Donovan Central New Brunswick Academy

2. Origins Zentangling was first coined by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas
While drawing background patterns for a manuscript she was creating, Maria described a feeling of timelessness, freedom, well being, and complete focus on what she was doing with no worry about anything else.
Rick recognized this as a form of meditation and wondered if they could create a simple system so others could experience this as well.

3. Student Examples

4. Student Examples

5. Student Examples

6. Why Zentangle? Relaxation Journaling Insomnia Inspiration
Create beautiful art
Relieve stress
Nurture creative abilities
Increase attention span
Artistic warm up

7. Benefits in the Classroom
Promotes confidence in artistic ability
Increases concentration and focus
Reduces stress
Accessible to all skill levels
Creates moments of calm and peace
Fosters creativity and provides inspiration for other work
Students will create original work, no copying 
Mistakes don’t matter!

8. This was created by a student who “would never be able to do art”

9. Necessary Materials Fine point sharpies or other bold tip marker
Ultra find point sharpies or other suitable fine tip marker
Rulers
Paper
That’s it!
(though other items such as round objects, painting materials, etc, can help take it to the “next level”)

10. How Do I Teach This?
Start with an introduction to Zentagle, what it is, and the benefits of it
Show examples of various Zentangles
Give students 10 minutes to try it on their own
Teach “ideas” of how to fill in the space (I do 3 at a time)
Give students a chance to work on a good copy
After practice, invite them to explore various shapes or incorporations into other artwork
Consider having an “idea” board

12. General Tips
Keep work area limited or students will feel overwhelmed and/or avoid fine details I use a 10cm square to start.
Allow students to listen to music or put music on in the room (I do both). This allows students to let go and avoid over thinking. It also aids in stress reduction
Outline sections in bold marker, but use fine liner for details
Do NOT do in pencil! This creates extra work and defeats the purpose.
If using paint, apply paint first, then Zentangle.

13. Additional Resources http://www.zentangle.com/ (general)
(patterns)
(ideas for branching out)
Zentangle Basics, Suzanne McNeill. Available from Amazon.ca
One Zentangle a Day, Beckah Krahula. Available from Amazon.ca

14. Let’s Get Started!

15. Adding Zentangling to Other Art Forms

16. Watercolour and Zentangle – Grade 11 Student

17. Taking it Further Add background colour Tangle inside of shapes
Color in your tangles
Incorporate drawing, watercolour or acrylic
Be creative!

18. A few of My Pieces

21. More Student Examples

23. Ideas to Try
Apply a flat wash or use wet on wet technique with watercolour paints to make a background. When dry, Zentangle it!
Use a shape or cut out to create an image. Apply paint to the background as desired (watercolour or acrylics) and Zentangle in the image.
Draw a shape or image and Zentangle only portions of the image (like a collar on a dog, or hair on a girl)
Work with others to pass a Zentangle back and forth to make a Zentangle “quilt” or mural
Zentangle names or symbols
If a student is really keen, have them check out mandalas!

24. Let’s Do This! Choose watercolour or acrylic for your background
Choose an image from the image bank to trace, or draw an original image
Zentangle within the image
Add colour if you wish!
Hairdryers provided to reduce dry time
I always suggest the background first
Please clean and return materials when finished