Creative Tangle: Creating Your Own Patterns for Zen-Inspired Art

by Trish Reinhart

Create your own original Zentangle patterns!Many an artistic soul has fallen in love with the beautiful, meditative art of Zentangle, an easy-to-learn way of creating pleasing images using repeating patterns. For enthusiasts ready to take it to the next level, Creative Tangle is the first book to show how to invent your own original patterns inspired by everyday items--rugs, pottery, scrapbook paper, fabrics in your clothes closet, a vine in your garden...virtually everywhere you look are shapes and patterns just waiting to be tangled! Turn to the fresh ideas in this book for showcasing your one-of-a-kind designs on a range of pretty, practical items. You will unleash your creativity and look at your world in a whole new, wonderfully tangled way!What's    • A fun and simple 3-step process for designing your own tangles   • 24 fantastic off-the-tile projects, from name signs, wine glasses and decorative wrappings to pendants, zendalas and tangled pet portraits!   • Expert tips for embellishing preexisting patterns, creating themes, and adding color to your tangles   • Inspiration photos, new patterns and templates

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction

130 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 30, 2014

Reviews

[Mila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first grader's copy of Monet's Water Lily Pond. We just need to learn to break art down to elements like we did when we were children.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Some have complained that the author is not a CZT. While true, all the usual info about the origins of the practice of Zentangle is present here and there is frequent talk of CZTs as a source for more information so I really don't feel the author's lack of CZT training is relevant to the quality of the information contained in the book.

Given that the author is not a CZT, this book is not written for beginning tanglers. While some official Zentangle patterns are shown in the book the only step outs are illustrating original patterns designed by Reinhart. Instead, this title is really meant for those who are looking to expand their repertoire of tangle patterns by developing their own from inspiration around them. It is likely most helpful to those without any prior art background. There is guidance on how to find inspiration for your new patterns as well as instruction on breaking down complex patterns to a manageable set of strokes. There are also the usual ZIA projects and a gallery for inspiration.

This title is very different from other Zentangle books I've seen so far. I'd recommend it for a well-rounded Zentangle library of intermediate to advanced tanglers.

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading many a Zentangle book, finally one is found that does more than showcase finished designs! Reinhart's book provides instruction for readers on applying Zentangle drawings into popular craft projects. She also gives insight into the technique and necessary supplies. The only area I felt was missing was a detailed section illustrating the classic Zentangle patterns (Reinhart's section explains Zentangle patterns inspired by things in our everyday environment).

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun way to look at zentangle and doodling, the author shows great step by steps and encourages you to look around you to find stuff to tangle from. This is good if you like to depart from the norm and are good at seeing patterns in things around you and want to interpret that into your own tangle.

[Georgina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. This should have been listed as a book for Tweens.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

ideas for projects using zentangle and ideas for creating your own tangle designs. Includes multiple examples of how to transfer an idea into a tangle pattern.

[Ann Addley · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the more useful doodle books iv'e come across. Lots of ideas for projects and inspiration.