Your Moment of Zentangle

(Previously published as a CIL entry). 

Thanks to Katja for the drawing pictured here!

A Zentangle is an ornate, detailed style of drawing that often resembles Mehndi or Henna temporary skin painting. I like to say that it is a fancy version of a doodle, or a super garabato. The term Zentangle is often credited to Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. Rick asked Maria how she felt as she was drawing something, and her description was quite similar to meditation. More history and information is available on their website, www.zentangle.com. 
RUBRIC COMING SOON. 

What’s nice about Zentangles is that anyone can do them, regardless of age or what people often perceive as “artistic ability.” You can start with a simple shape and fill it in with patterns, or just start drawing in ink with no guidelines. Little by little, you should find yourself concentrating more; you should clear your mind, relax, and focus on making your image. Your sense of time should diminish. You should be less aware of your surroundings. If this happens, it means you have activated the right side, or creative side of your brain. The shift over to the right side of the brain may indeed sound similar to meditation, but when you are finished you have a unique work of art to share with others.

Sakuraofamerica.com’s video gallery has some great videos explaining techniques and examples such as letters, borders, and patterns. You can use any drawing surface, although high quality drawing or printmaking paper is preferred.  I usually start with by coating my paper with a thin layer of watercolor to give the drawing more depth and texture. Then I draw directly with a permanent marker and color my work with colored pencils or shade it using a 4B woodless pencil. Any drawing media will work, though. No erasing!