How, then, do we manage to let those thoughts in and not let the worries take over? Zen art can be a great help here. While it is important to learn the history of the art and some of the rules that govern how it is done, you can also begin to make your own art.
The following are 10 ways that you can open up your mind and express yourself through zen art. By doing so, you will be taking an active part in developing your skill as an artist and learning to think more creatively. And it will help you focus on the positive things in life by taking your mind away from the worry about what is bothering you at any given moment.
Zen art is all about opening your mind and seeing the world in a new way. It means living in peace and harmony with yourself, others and nature. You don’t have to be an artist to draw zen art—you can do it on any surface, for instance, on concrete or walls. But it does help to be creative and free of inhibitions.
TIP: Get some supplies! There are many kinds of surfaces you can use to create your zen art. Paper is the most common, but some people use leaves and tree bark. Try out different things to find what you like best!
If you are new to Zentangle art, it can be kind of confusing. There are so many different tangle patterns to choose from, and which one is right?
The short answer is: they all are. The long answer is…well, you’ll see. Here’s the thing: Zentangle art is not about the patterns themselves. It’s about what happens when you make a pattern.
Zentangle art can be simple or complicated, bold or subtle, elaborate or simple, but what makes it zen has nothing to do with any of that. It’s about how you think about zentangling. Zen is more about thinking than about drawing.
Thing 1: If you need to know exactly what the next step is before you can move forward, zentangle art isn’t for you.
If you like rules and patterns and guides and predefined outcomes, this isn’t the place for you either. Zentangling is not a set of instructions; it’s an invitation to pay attention to your world in new ways.
Thing 2: You don’t need special paper or pens to do zentangles; just use whatever paper and pens (or pencils or crayons) are handy at the moment!
Zen art is a meditative practice, a mindful way to slow down and be present in the moment. It involves drawing simple patterns, without judgment or criticism, with the intention of clearing your mind.
Zentangle® is a trademarked method of drawing that uses patterns called tangles made up of lines and shapes. These tangles are repeated to create beautiful images with artistic value.
Tangles can be drawn freehand, with pen or pencil, on paper or even in the sand. The object is to draw each pattern as perfectly as possible while not being concerned about what you’ve done previously or what you’ll do next. All that matters is the moment, the line, the shape, and the process of creating it.
One goal of zentangle art is to improve your focus and mindfulness by giving you something to concentrate on other than whatever is troubling you at any given time. The repetitive drawing of patterns also helps develop fine motor skills and control, so it’s perfect for kids and adults alike!
The Zentangle Method is a trademarked process that involves drawing structured doodles to create “tangles”. The method was developed by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas in the early 2000s to promote relaxation, focus, and positive thinking.
The Zentangle Method requires a specific pen called the “Z-Pen” (a.k.a. “Zebra Pen”), which contains both fine and broad tips that can be used interchangeably. The tangles are created by drawing structured patterns with the pen, then filling them in with solid patches of color or shading.
How does it work? Simply stated, when you focus on making marks for their own sake and not for what they represent, you free your mind to think about other things – things like how you want to feel more relaxed, more focused, or more optimistic.
It’s as simple as sitting down and drawing zen doodles! And while it may not make tangles that look like much at first, with practice you can become very good at it. It starts with an easy-to-learn doodle technique using only two kinds of lines: straight and curvy (that’s right – only two!). Then once you’ve mastered those basic strokes, we’ll show you how
Zen art is art that is created by artists who, at the time of creating the art, are in a state of Zen meditation.
Zen art is not required to be created in a strict Zen manner. It is not required to be Japanese, or even Asian. And it doesn’t have to be “artistic” as we usually think of art.
Zen art can be produced by anyone at any time, but those who do so repeatedly will soon find themselves in a state of Zen meditation while they create it.
So with the Zentangle, you are trying to create a simple drawing of your choice. You don’t have to be an artist to do this. You can use a pencil or a pen or a crayon or even water colors if you like. The important thing is that it is something that you enjoy.
The Zentangle is not the same as drawing on paper, but it will help keep your mind from wandering and enable you to concentrate on what you are doing.
Another aspect of Zentangle is that you are supposed to doodle it in public and not feel embarrassed about it, but I think if you do this at home it will still help you stay focused. And what better time to try out a new art form than now?
