Zentangle Blog | Do More Art with Zentangle

Using the Tombow Blending Palette with Zentangle Bijou tiles

The Tombow Blending Palette was a recent purchase via Amazon.com for under $10. The Tombow Blending Palette consists of the blending palette with a Tombow Dual Brush Pen color chart on the back, a water spritzer, a blending marker and brief instructions.

Read on for more! [Read more…]

Zentangle Bijou – Part 2

Zentangle Bijou Part 2 of 2

There are currently 24 Bijouisms.

Zentangle Bijou seems to be a hit! The Bijouism’s are darling! They relate to the Zentangle Method for the most part. To learn more about these, just go to Bijou’s Bijouisms page and check it out!

The list of Bijouisms so far is as follows:

1     No mistakes
2     Inspire
3     Comfort
4     Come out of your shell
5     Savor
6     Discover
7     Trust
8     Create
9     Be present
10     Enjoy
11     The string’s the thing
12     Choose your tangles
13     Appreciate
14     Deconstruct
15     Deliberate strokes
16     Beautiful and beyond
17     Admire
18     Focus
19     Reflect
20     Embellish
21     Breathe
22     Slow down
23     Enjoy the shade
24     Relax [Read more…]

Zentangle Bijou, Part 1

Zentangle Bijou Unveiled!

Zentangle Bijou was just unveiled to the public by Zentangle.com. So what is a Bijou? Bijou in French means ‘jewel.’ The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Bijou as a small dainty usually ornamental piece of delicate workmanship, and as something elegant, or highly prized. Want to know more? [Read more…]

Square One: Purely Zentangle Group

I found and joined a new Facebook Zentangle group named “Square One: Purely Zentangle” and I like it a lot. I think you will too if you’re into Zentangle, or if you are interested in creating art in the relaxing, mindful Zentangle way, read on. [Read more…]

Zentangle Tile Storage

I have been looking for products to help with Zentangle Tile storage and related documents storage so that I can easily see them. Part of the problem is that repetitively handling the tiles spreads the graphite all over, thus dulling the light areas and smearing graphite onto the back of every tile in the stack. I have recently been storing standard 3.5″ square tiles in an vintage floppy diskette holder and in the Zentangle Keepsake box. If only there was a way to put all of my Zentangle Tiles and documents together in a binder to be easily flipped through and protect them from further damage at the same time. Hmmm…I found some great solutions! [Read more…]

My first Zentangle Vessels

I had been working on my first Zentangle Vessels for some time, and I think I’ve come up with a new tangle. It is created solely with a parenthesis stroke! I did find a somewhat similar tangle in Huggy Bear, but I think Vessels is different enough to be a new tangle. Do you know this pattern by another name? Tell me what you think! Thanks for your input.

ZenCube – A Zentangle Art Project

When I saw the 3.5 inch photo cube, I got excited! What a perfect item for what I will call a ‘ZenCube’. It’s been 6 months or more since creating it, and my skills have improved substantially, but I think it is worth sharing now. I first shared it at CZT-14 in Providence, RI., where it seemed to be well received. How to make the Zentangle ZenCube Purchase an acrylic 3.5” photo cube at Michaels in the framing department. I got it for about $4.00. I notice similar cubes online are much more expensive. Get 6 blank 3.5” square Zentangle tiles and number them on the back in pencil as shown in the photo below. I found numbering the tiles extremely helpful when drawing the string and tangling the tiles, especially when matching up how the top, bottom and sides interplay with each other. The numbering was also helpful when assembling the ZenCube. (By the way, T = Top, B = Bottom in the numbering scheme.) Be sure to retain the void-fill paperboard that comes in the cube, you will need it to hold the tiles in place. The next steps are to draw your strings, then tangles using the Zentangle Method, add coloring if desired, then and shading. In the photos below, I had colored the tiles before adding shading, using Tombow dual brush tip markers that I purchased from Amazon.com. The ZenCube can be used in many ways, for example, you might want to adorn it with a hand lettered poem. I spent a little time thinking about what I wanted; an undulating band that wrapped around the cube separating the top and bottom halves, with the border just tickling the top tile. So I laid out tiles 1-4 and drew the undulating stripe’s center band. making sure it had enough space for some pea size ‘pearls’. I made a few aura lines surrounding that initial band. Some solid, some with tangles, some narrow some wide. I ended up with 5 bands on each side of the pearled stripe. It will be fun to see what you come up with. I hope you find this idea helpful! Let me know how it goes by contacting me. Here are some photos of my first ZenCube while in the process of doing it…

Pegi Schargel, Certified Zentangle Teacher

I am a Certified Zentangle Teacher. I instruct large groups, small intimate classes, and private Zentangle classes in the greater Portland, OR area. I offer both Basic and Advanced Zentangle classes. I am authorized to properly teach The Zentangle Method, and to sell Official Zentangle products. Please contact me if you have interest in classes or information not available on this website.

Certified Zentangle Teacher

This is what Rick and Maria have to say about Certified Zentangle Teachers on their website…

We encourage you to take a class from a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT). It is a special experience. Everyone on this page has been personally taught by Rick and Maria. They understand how to guide and coach you as you learn, explore and practice the Zentangle Method and Artform.

For more information on individual CZTs, click on that CZT’s name. If there is no email listed next to a CZT, that CZT is not currently available for public Zentangle workshops.

Sharing and Teaching Zentangle’s Method (The legalese of Zentangle).

Zentangle’s teaching materials are subject to copyright owned by Zentangle. We have a patent pending on our teaching method. We train and certify individuals to teach our Zentangle Method. They are called Certified Zentangle Teachers (CZT). They are trained in the background and subtleties of the Zentangle Method which are not obvious or clearly understood from free material on the web. CZTs are provided with ongoing support in furtherance of their abilities to represent and teach the Zentangle Method. CZTs are authorized resellers of Zentangle products. “Certified Zentangle Teacher” and “CZT” are our trademarks and may not be used by an individual in the context of purporting to have a specific certification, specialization or as a descriptor of a professional credential, unless that person has successfully completed one of our CZT training seminars and remains in good standing. The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. It was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. “Zentangle” is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc. Learn more at zentangle.com.

Best Zentangle Books, Supplies, and Patterns

I like to keep up with the best products, patterns, and techniques and share what I know. I am always seeking the best of the best, so here’s a place where I can share them with you in one place. Some of these, including Zentangle books and supplies, have reviews on my blog so you can see why I do (or do not) recommend certain items.

I occasionally suggest products offered for sale by others, including some great Certified Zentangle Teachers, with whom I have an affiliate relationship. This means that when you click and buy their product or service, I receive a small commission on that sale. The text and graphics are from these affiliates and represent the best of the best.

The Best Supplies

With 11-Pieces, it’s a perfect gift for a friend or for yourself!

Get a youth class going in minutes.

You can never have too many pens!
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The Best Zentangle Books

(containing great Zentangle Patterns)

The first Zentangle book I owned and still the go to resource on my bookshelf.

This Zentangle book is very helpful in learning shading and some new tangles.

Cris Letourneau knows her stuff.

There’s lots of ideas & designs in this Zentangle book that you can refer back to regularly.

Three CZTs in one Zentangle book.

eBook: The Tangled Tropical Garden

(Part 1 of a 4-part The Tangled Garden Series)

The lush, tropical foliage of Maui is the inspiration for The Tangled Tropical Garden. You’ll find step-by-step instructions for drawing a variety of leaves, flowers, and ferns using simple botanical forms and their favorite tangle patterns. This ebook is overflowing with vibrant color and verdant greens, encouraging watercolor and colored pencil enthusiasts to add a splash of visual impact to their work. Cherryl Moote is an experienced book and paper artist and author of a series of Zentangle books and DVDs known for their clear, thorough, studio-tested instruction style. Cherryl is a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT) and has reveled in the opportunity to richly illuminate this book with tangles and Zentangle inspired artwork of her own.

Basic Zentangle Classes

The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. All Zentangle classes are taught by Pegi Schargel, a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT) practicing in the greater Portland, Oregon metro area. Pegi was trained and certified by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas, the founders of Zentangle.

Pegi says, “Best of all, unlike many art forms, there is no preplanning, and there are no mistakes in Zentangle providing artistic satisfaction and an increased sense of personal well being. Zentangle is enjoyed by a wide range of skill levels and ages. Absolutely no art experience is required to succeed at Zentangle!” She suggests that students are at least 8 years old.

So do you want to try something fun and creative? The best way to get started is with a Zentangle Basics Class. You’ll walk away with a completed tile, an understanding of the Zentangle Method, the knowledge of how to create several tangles, shading techniques, all needed basic supplies and a resource list that will have you up and tangling and wanting to know more.

Zentangle Basics Class

Anyone can do this! No drawing experience or skills are needed. Really! If you can draw a line (and it doesn’t have to be a straight line), a curve, an orb and a dot with a pen, then you can create Zentangle abstract drawings! In this class, you will learn about:

Zentangle and its Characteristics
How Zentangle Got its Start
Creating in a Zentangle Way
Brief Zentangle Theory
An Overview of How Zentangle Can Be Used
Your Zentangle Mini-Kit
Tangles
Creating your first Zentangle Tile
Supplies and Resources

Available Dates & Locations: Private classes are available upon request. Classes can be given for private parties, corporations, clubs, groups, etc. at your location or I can help find a suitable location. Contact me and please include details about your group or if you just want a one-on-one class

Length: Please allow 2 – 2-1/2 hours for the class.

Cost: One-on-one classes are $75 and group rates (3 or more) are $45/person – includes supplies. Nominal travel fees to your location in the greater Portland Oregon or Vancouver Washington region.

Supplies: Everything you need for this class will be provided.

Prerequisites: A smile on your face. Arrive a few minutes early to settle in beforehand as I like to start on time.

Beyond the Basics Class

Are you an experienced tangler that wants to go further? Checkout my “Beyond the Basics” classes.