Zentangles-Part 2

Here's a Zentangle design that was built around a stamped image (empty jar). Even if you don't know how to draw, with a little assistance, you can still create a great design. All you need is imagination. One of the great things about Zentangles is there are no mistakes. If you draw something you don't like, you just keep adding to the design until you like it better.

Here are a few other things you'll need:

1. A Pencil--to draw a string or a basic design--to start off your design.

2. Micron Archival Ink Pens (can be bought at an art/crafts store for about $1.99 each) Start with and 01 pen and then pick up a 03 and 08 for filling in the solid areas. There is also a 005 size, which has the thinnest point. The larger the number, the thicker the pen point. Try different point sized markers and then decide which one you like the best.

3. A Kneaded Eraser. (about $1.00) These erasers don't leave crumbs and can be cleaned by just pulling them and "kneading" them.

4. Spiral Bound Drawing Pad(s)- Spiral bound so you can open it all the way to make it easier to hold while you're drawing. The best paper to use is watercolor, cold-pressed, about 100-140 lb. weight. These pads come in a lot of different sizes, so you can buy any size you like--or buy several different sizes. I keep a small pad in my car so if I have to wait for something or someone, I can pass the time Zentangling. (Makes sure you keep an extra pen with it!) Think about what you plan to do with your completed design, and then use the right pad size for the project. Keep in mind that if you purchase larger paper you can always cut it down to smaller sizes.

5. (Optional) A set of 8 Prismacolor Fine Line Markers. (About $21.00--but you get them cheaper with a coupon.) These are fun to have when you want to jazz up your designs with a little color.

6. (Optional) Colored Pencils, Blending Sticks and Gamsol. Use colored pencils for larger colored areas. (i.e.: the January Zentangle in Part 1) The Gamsol is a blending agent that makes the color smooth and removes all the pencil lines.

7. (Optional) Shadow Pencil/Graphite Pencil--used for making shadows on some of the tangles to create depth. (Examples of these designs will be posted in future articles.)

8. (Optional) Rubber Stamps or Templates for specific designs to fill in with Zentangles. (More examples of these designs will be posted in future articles.)

9. (Optional) A Box or Plastic Receptacle to keep all your supplies in one place.

10. (Optional) A Scanner. I scan all my designs into jpg image files and save them in my computer. This way they won't get lost or destroyed; I can send them in an email if I wanted to; I can change their size to fit the project I want to use it for; and so I can duplicate the design if I want to make greeting cards or other projects.

For this design I used an 01 black pen -- and 005 purple and red Prismacolor fine line markers. The colored markers and the Micron pens don't bleed through the paper like regular permanent markers do.

I stamped the jar on the paper first and then zentangled around it. After I finished the design, I used the colored pens to add a bit of color in just a few places.

That will give you a good start... Have fun.