Totally Tangled: Zentangle and Beyond (Design Originals) Art Therapy to Focus Your Mind, Reduce Stress, Relax, and Build Creative Confidence with Over 100 Meditative Tangles, Patterns, and Doodles

by Sandy Steen Bartholomew

Learn to focus, relax your mind, and boost your creative confidence! This inspiring book offers over 100 Zentangle designs, with versatile graphics that can be used to decorate any surface. Use Micron pens to make drawing your tangles simple and permanent. Zentangle(R) is about filling spaces using patterns that start with a simple line and become more beautiful and seemingly complex as areas are filled. The process is appealing to graphics artists as well as those just learning to draw. If you don't think you can draw at all, tangling will show you different! The Zentangle Method(R), created by artists Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas, is meditation achieved through pattern-making. A "Zentangle" is a drawing that looks complicated, but is built one line at a time. Simple tangles, or patterns, are combined in an unplanned way that grows and changes in amazing directions. With your mind engaged in drawing, your body relaxes. Anxiety and stress move to the back burner. Often, new insights are uncovered along with a sense of confidence in your creative abilities. Learn the basics of Zentangle(R), techniques to incorporate color and shading to polish your tangles, and find over 100 new tangles to try, all inside Totally Tangled !

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Drawing, Crafts, Reference

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Eyehavenofilter · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like to draw, or even if you can't but would love to learn how to create some wacky wonderful, whimsical stuff that will make almost anyone say "How did you do that?" this is the design book for you.
It will spark your creativity, even if you can't draw a stick figure or scribble you signature legibly.
In fact it may even help you tame that terrible handwriting into something that is charming and fun, and can be used to amuse and awe.
Even the best artists get 'stuck' and need some inspiration to set them off in a new direction. And even someone who would ' love to be able to draw' can take something from this fun illustration " lesson" book and feel like they can be inspired to develop their own creative confidence!
Grab a pencil, paper, and a fine line pen, dive in, and have at it.
An enthusiastic 2 thumbs up!

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book ever written about Zentangle. No, I am not impartial - but it is still a great book. :-)

[Felyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me explain why I'm about to tell you that I love this book but still rated it only 3 stars.

There are many patterns in here that aren't actually tangles.

There are a lot of books on Zentangle that were published early in its popularity, before Rick and Maria (the creators) broke down things down and explained what makes a Zentangle pattern. Much like squares and rectangles, all tangles are patterns but not all patterns are tangles. One of the biggest issues I have with these early books, and Totally Tangled is no exception, is that Zentangles are non-representational. They're not supposed to try to recreate anything, or look like anything.

So while I love this book - and all of Sandy's tangling, to tell the truth, because she's amazing! - I don't recommend it to beginner tanglers. For anyone that's moved beyond the basics, and especially for my fellow CZTs, dig in and find all kinds of inspiration in the pages! But remember your foundational lessons and don't get hung up on the non-tangle patterns and (very outdated and inaccurate) instructional info.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little more advanced than I'm currently ready for but I found the tangle patterns and the ideas for using them very interesting. This is a book that I would like to read again after I have tangled for awhile.

[Nadina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and simple with some new ideas for tangles and ways to do zentangle.
There were more tangles than steps shown, I'm thinking specifically ones shown for borders, but there are definitely enough patterns to inspire and create with.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best introductory book to Zentangle, and also the first.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never thought of art therapy
I'm not a good artist but I like adult coloring books

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short 52 page book packed with many ideas for the novice to embrace. Concise, simple diagrams illustrate a multitude of zentangles. The author also briefly describes tools, shading, and designs culled from other cultures; India and Japan for example.

Only four stars though. The author tips her hat to Rick and Maria Thomas, the 'creators' of zentangle. She goes on to advise " be sure to visit their website at zentangle.com". Thus four stars. The book in a sense is competing with a plethora of rich material found for free on the internet. I'm not sure it adequately stands apart for what can be found online for free. No regrets on the purchase. Though I doubt I'd add another volume (volumette ?) to my zentangle book collection. One should do it.

[Cataline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obviously not for the beginner unless you pick up things easily and aren't afraid to dive right into a tile. Sandy Steen definitely takes the reader from Zentangle to The Beyond by prying the imagination with great suggestions. The illustrations are easy to follow step-by-step. With the breakdown of design you can easily visualize yourself doing something that in the end will produce an intricate woven pattern you love.

If you are a traditionalist - this book is probably not the avenue you want to stroll down; then again you might want to live a little. :)

If you are open to ideas outside the box - jump in with Sandy as she talks about shading, color, different mediums and even tangling her bathroom floor!

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the coolest book to add to my growing collection of info on Zentangles and how to draw them. This book contains designs that are considerably more challenging to draw than the Zentangle Basics and Zentangle 2 books but yet are so inspiring that I'm already creating my own tangles. Super cool for someone who thought she couldn't draw AT ALL. I have proven myself wrong thanks to the art of meditative doodling. (That just makes me want to laugh.) This is a good reference book and is good-sized (50 pages) in comparison to the 20-page Zentangle books. It is also a great companion to the Zentangle books as well.

[Bette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The practice of the Zentangle method is so rewarding on multiple levels: the creation of a beautiful abstract image with pen on paper is the obvious result but this art form has so much more to offer. Many people find putting pen to paper with this process to be meditative, relaxing, a stress reliever, as a team building exercise when done in groups, introspective, creativity inducing and the list goes on.
Sandy and I became Certified Zentangle Teachers (CZT) in the first seminar offered by the founders (Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas) of this method. Taking an in-person class with a CZT is optimal but Totally Tangled is an excellent companion before, during or after.

[Georgina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do not be fooled by the thinness of this book. Sandy Steen Bartholomew has crammed tons on Tangles and examples on every page. Of all of the artists using Zentangle technique, I like her style best. It is clean and very professional without being intimidating. If you are looking to get started with Zentangle on the cheap, I recommend borrowing this book (and its excellent sequel, Yoga for Your Brain) from your local library. Then invest the money you saved in Micron pens. The results are totally worth it.

[Marie Z Johansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is from: Totally Tangled (Paperback)
I could not wait to get my hands on this book! I was not disappointed when it arrived! Sandy Steen Bartholomew is a very talented artist, terrific blogger and Tangle master. I hope that she will consider doing another book in the future.
This book for for anyone and everyone who has an interest in Tangles - if you don;t know what they are - you will when you look at this book - and you too will be hooked!

[Recynd · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic, exciting, and inspirational book! This is the guide I have been seeking--it includes so many different styles, step-by-step instructions, and tips and hints that I would have never figured out on my own.

I found Sandy Bartholomew's website and fell in love with her style right away. Imitation is surely the sincerest form of flattery, and with practice, I hope to one day be Sandy's twin!

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 4 out of 5]

My neighbour in Oliver asked if I was interested in attending a Zentangle workshop during the week we were there. I was indeed interested although I had no idea what it was. (Some people will do anything to get out of renovations you see) Then she brought this book for me to peruse the day before.
The book was a bit daunting but helped make the workshop itself much more meaningful. If I now not reading so many books, you will know I am busy tangling.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a good, brief introduction to Zentangle. I will admit, I have read through the book, but I am still too intimidated to try it. I think I need something a little bit more step-by-step, with (perhaps) a little hand-holding included. I am attracted by the art and the designs (I do a little Praying In Color, which is easier) but I don't yet feel confident that I will be a practitioner of Zentangle.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the Utah Festival of Books, the BYU Bookstore set up a table where you could try drawing a zentangle. I was hooked! This book is a great resource for ideas to try in your zentangles. I'm still a beginner, but I have loved relaxing with this book, a sketch pad, some nice pens and creating crazy art.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you discovered Zentangle.com? Get ready for a new addiction! If I'm not Zentangling I am reading about it. Amazing how easy and fun these are. I had already bought the beginner's kit. Now Totally Tangled takes me to the next level.

Though I have now read every page of the little book, not I need to try all these patterns out on my own. Tee Hee!

[Racr57 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started doodling when I was young and never considered it "worthy" of more time.

Needless to say I didn't know that I was "Zenning".

I love teaching this exercise to the Jr High students as a method to focus, release anger, and relieve stress and in doing so, create beautiful images to grace my walls.

There is so much hidden in the drawings (doodling) zentangling.

[Gardavson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book, lots of cool zentangles and nice little tips too. There comes a point where your mind starts to just swim with zentangles, which is where I find myself. This takes you thru step by step different zentangles. If it would add pages with the uses of these zentangles in pictures, the book would rate a 5. Still, nice for learning new techniques.

[Marjorie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will find everything you need to get started with Zentangle or "tangling". This is a method of drawing similiar to doodling but being mindful of what you are doing. I use zentangle to increase my concentration as well as keep my stress down. All you need is a fine tip pen and paper. Anyone can Zentangle.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. There are definitely some fun new tangles that got added to my repertoire. The main thing that I liked was the description of shading. I needed the refresher on how to make things "jump out from the page" if I wanted to. This is a purchase I'm glad I made.

[Elaine Bearden · Rating 4 out of 5]

teen and up (or kids with guidance)
This is an interesting book that seems to be from the website zentangle.com.

It gives ideas for drawing / doodling patterns. Could be fun to use as a resource for a drawing program or doodling.

[Kirstin Tesner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so much fun! Very clear illustrations and directions.

[Sue Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

great inspiration to get those creative juices going

[Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book of Tangles! Very inspiring.

[Lynne N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring! Fun tangles to learn and lots of really nice examples to examine carefully. Sandy Steen Bartholomew is one of my favorite zentanglists.

[Joanna Slan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite "go to" books on Zentangle. Bartholomew not only shows you how to tangle new patterns, she also helps you understand where patterns come from.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very thin book about zentangle. This book is something to have next
to other zentangle books on the shelve. I wouldn't recommend this book
for a zentangle starter.

[Melony · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, lots of great tangles to practice on.