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The Art of Zentangle: 50 inspiring drawings, designs & ideas for the meditative artist
Zentangle® is a meditative process of creating art, wherein simple shapes and lines combine to make a complicated and interesting final piece of artwork. The focus of Zentangle is on the process of creation, rather than the end result. The beauty of Zentangle is that there is no right way or wrong way. If you can draw a line and a circle (perfectly or not), you can Zentangle. Zentangle is an art concept that is engaging, approachable, and fun enough for someone who has never picked up any art tools or created a piece of art, yet is still meditative, productive, and creative enough for an advanced artist to enjoy. While many popular Zentangle books share tips, inspiration, and final artwork, there are few that break down Zentangle into a step-by-step process. Structured to be part instruction, part inspiration, and part doodling, The Art of Zentangle will first demonstrate how to create Zentangle art by showing intricate patterns broken out into several steps. After artists have warmed up and are ready to give it a try on their own, they’ll be invited to practice creating their own Zentangle designs on the beautifully designed blank pages of this inspirational sketch journal. A short gallery of final artwork and several inspirational prompts are included in this comprehensive introduction to the new, inspirational world of Zentangle.
144 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2013
15 people are currently reading
255 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 14, 2014
This was fun to check out and get into. I am not very good at drawing. Ask to to draw a person, animal, a scene, etc and forget it. This starts you off with simple lines that you can grow with at your own skill level and imagination. This book teaches you to start with a basic concept and to just keep growing until you are satisfied. This really is stress free. This book is great for beginners and even has more advanced art like drawing a fairy and all the extras she comes with. Animals, squares and more. This book can really get you going.
On the down side, the style to these zentangles seems the same. Not a lot of variety. It can get old quick for simply learning basic moves. It really does force you into a more freelance mode and I am a more structured personality type when learning. The book also has too many blank pages. While the workbook feel can be nice, whole plank pages is overkill. Grab a notebook! This also give you the space to do the same thing over and over again until you are satisfied.
Great way to focus some energy, relax your mind or even just doodle. When I am on the phone, I tend to draw random scribbles. Now I can draw these tangles. It does not require focus and looks prettier when I am done!
On the down side, the style to these zentangles seems the same. Not a lot of variety. It can get old quick for simply learning basic moves. It really does force you into a more freelance mode and I am a more structured personality type when learning. The book also has too many blank pages. While the workbook feel can be nice, whole plank pages is overkill. Grab a notebook! This also give you the space to do the same thing over and over again until you are satisfied.
Great way to focus some energy, relax your mind or even just doodle. When I am on the phone, I tend to draw random scribbles. Now I can draw these tangles. It does not require focus and looks prettier when I am done!
January 12, 2015
3.5 stars
I'm not quite certain who the target audience is for this title. There is plenty of great eye candy, but the selection of information presented confuses me a bit. The book is organized into 4 sections, each being written by a different CZT (certified zentangle teacher) who has her own take and style. That part I like! Most of the content however is ZIA (zentangle inspired art) which is not apparent from the title of the book. Each section has several projects that often have a dozen or more step-outs, yet there are very few zentangle pattern step-outs (the section with the most of those is oddly the 4th section). There is also a lot of space dedicated to "practice" making it more of a workbook than a reference title.
This makes me think they are targeting the intermediate zentangler who has no prior art experience wishing to branch out of the confines of true zentangles, yet the introduction to the book makes it sound like the book is for everyone, including beginners. New zentanglers need pattern step outs and anyone with a bit of art experience does not need the number of step outs for the projects that were presented. I think this could have been a really great book if the authors/editors/designers had focused more on their intended audience.
I'm not quite certain who the target audience is for this title. There is plenty of great eye candy, but the selection of information presented confuses me a bit. The book is organized into 4 sections, each being written by a different CZT (certified zentangle teacher) who has her own take and style. That part I like! Most of the content however is ZIA (zentangle inspired art) which is not apparent from the title of the book. Each section has several projects that often have a dozen or more step-outs, yet there are very few zentangle pattern step-outs (the section with the most of those is oddly the 4th section). There is also a lot of space dedicated to "practice" making it more of a workbook than a reference title.
This makes me think they are targeting the intermediate zentangler who has no prior art experience wishing to branch out of the confines of true zentangles, yet the introduction to the book makes it sound like the book is for everyone, including beginners. New zentanglers need pattern step outs and anyone with a bit of art experience does not need the number of step outs for the projects that were presented. I think this could have been a really great book if the authors/editors/designers had focused more on their intended audience.
September 14, 2013
Very basic. Some ideas but doesn't really bring anything new to the table. I would go for another Zentangle book if you've been tangling a little on your own or have discovered tanglepatterns.com. It's a pretty, colourful book, but it's not comprehensive enough for it to be a go-to book, plus the 'blank' pages for you to practice on are so large (full pages) that they take up too much page real estate. IMO they could've provided smaller areas for practice and instead recommend you keep a notepad/drawing pad nearby for doodling on.
February 8, 2015
I've tried several zentangle or zendoodle books, this one was the most useful to me. I was able to draw many types of things and expand my abilities. I loved the steps and the suggestions. It was helpful that this book does not have one author but four, all offer a different perspective.
Update: In the end I went back and purchased this book and one other over all the books I looked at, this offered me the most variety.
Update: In the end I went back and purchased this book and one other over all the books I looked at, this offered me the most variety.
October 23, 2013
I had so much fun with this book! I have zero artistic talent, but even I could do this! It had step by step directions for what look like complicated designs, but a very doable when broken down. The repetitive patterns really do inspire peace of mind and I ended up with some neat little creations. This book has definitely inspired me to look more into this subject and learn more techniques.
July 1, 2013
Best Zentangle book I've seen. It gives step by step instructions, plus shows inspirational uses. By far my favorite zentangle book.
March 25, 2020
Mixed feelings about this Zentangle book. There are a lot of patterns included, but I feel like there were some patterns, or the way some patterns were done, that were missing steps.
There were some interesting project ideas, but some project ideas (like the faries) were lacking the templates to expand on it, or else assume that the reader is an artist.
It was okay, there are some tangles I would want to learn from, but it is simply adequate.
There were some interesting project ideas, but some project ideas (like the faries) were lacking the templates to expand on it, or else assume that the reader is an artist.
It was okay, there are some tangles I would want to learn from, but it is simply adequate.
August 26, 2018
I like the workbook style
January 6, 2021
The has beautiful tangles but not much how to do them. I
August 25, 2024
Great for getting back in the flow of doodling to get your creative juices flowing.
January 10, 2025
Not enough guidance in instruction, and too non abstract in artwork. Not meditative.
June 3, 2015
I had this book from the library and it's really set up to be a book you own. It has empty spaces set up to be able to practice making tangle designs. While there are instructions for some basic tangles the ideas in this book are geared towards ways to incorporate zentangle into your other art. My favorite section is the one about using zentangle to create mandalas.
February 22, 2015
I loved this book! This is great for those who use art as therapy and meditation. If you're a doodler or like contrasting patterns (such as I), then check this book out. I recommend it to teens too!
March 31, 2015
Not my favorite Zentangle book but this had some great ideas and suggestions. Very good information for the non-artistic. I liked that the book encourages you to try certain exercises. A good Zentangle starter book.
July 5, 2013
Great fun! This is just what I needed at this particular time. It gives you the perfect way to merge your creative self with your meditative self.
December 30, 2013
Tangles have a East Indian style to them.
March 5, 2014
a good intro to zentangles, geared more towards students because it's more like a workbook.
May 17, 2015
such a fun book to read and participate in!
if you get bored easily and love doodling then this is the book for you.
love that you can practice in the book.
great examples
if you get bored easily and love doodling then this is the book for you.
love that you can practice in the book.
great examples
February 22, 2015
Best used as a workbook, nice instructions and variations.
June 23, 2016
Fun. Stuff I did back in the 60s and called it doodling.
July 19, 2017
The faeries are the best part. Only a few new ideas.
January 1, 2018
Excellent book for beginners wanting to learn zentangle. Large size with room for trying out the different patterns. Easy to follow instructions and great illustrations. Will come in very handy.
August 28, 2014
Perhaps I'm just over zentangle, not impressed by any of these books.
May 27, 2015
Awesome images to practice drawing. Want to read again to practice what I missed.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews