Ah, how I love my crafty friends, always turning me on to something new. My friend Eva of Grand River Beads was telling me about Zentangle.com, and how she wants to apply the idea to bead embroidery.
So here’s the gist of it: I think it’s kind of like a mandala: you make a squiggle and then fill in the open areas with a motif. I’m not sure what the technique is because they want you to buy a kit for $50.00 to learn how to doodle.
The site talks about how therapeutic it is, and how you’ll get hooked, and how it promotes insight, and how it’s a form of therapy. Hmmm. Color me a bit skeptical. If it’s therapeutic, why not describe the technique? Why make someone pay the green for a kit that includes pen and paper and the how-to DVD?
So I like the idea, but just not the commercialism. My recommendation: Try a mandala first.
A mandala is a piece of art made in a circle. (Mandala means “circle” in Sanskrit.) Take a piece of paper, draw or trace a circle, and fill it in. With what? Whatever. Doodle, make images. Use pen or pencils or crayons or watercolors or pastels or markers. Just start doing. And finish when it seems done. (Or when you run out of space. Then you can fill the outside, too!)
Carl Jung used mandalas in his psychotherapy practice, feeling that the mandala art form was “representation of the unconscious self.” What I like about them is that it’s completely free-form, and you can analyze it later. Or not. You can also just let it be what it is.
They can be symmetrical, like the ones the Buddhists make, or free-form. See? No rules, just right! (Or write. Or draw. Whatever.)
Personally, being the musical Craftista that I am, I like to paint on drums. Instant mandalas!
Try it yourself. For free. Skip the $50.00 kit- for now!
- Spooky Spider Halloween Bookmark Craft - October 24, 2018
- Review and Demo of LDRS Hybrid Ink Pads - October 15, 2018
- Review and Demo of Nuvo Hybrid Inks - October 1, 2018
- Craft Studio Tour and Organization Ideas - September 20, 2018
- Wax Paper Resist Background Technique - March 20, 2018
- Comparison of Liquid Watercolor Markers/Pens - March 16, 2018
- SAI Japanese Traditional Watercolor Brush Markers- Review & Demo - February 23, 2018
- Rinea Metallic Foil Paper & Ghost Ink Review - February 21, 2018
- Jane Davenport debuts at Creativation 2018 & Watercolor Card - February 13, 2018
- Creativation 2018: New Product Showcase - January 20, 2018
Maiah says
When you paint on drums, what medium do you use & do you seal it or do something to it to protect it?
thanks in advance for you help.
peace, Maiah
Jenny says
Great question! I should begin by saying that I only paint on non-organic skins… I like to used frame drums with fixed heads by Remo. They have synthetic “fiber-skin” heads, which respond well to paint. I use an acrylic paint to paint the drums, and then add some Spray Var to protect it. Also, the painting may affect the timbre of the drum…. but they are still playable. Thanks for asking!
CS says
You don’t to buy a kit to draw zentangles. All you really need is a fineliner and paper. Than draw what your mind fancies it’s like taking a pen for a walk. Mandalas are freeform and any medium can be used like tried pasta or beads. I see a mandala in nature as well although it can’t always be easily taken home I can remember it in the mind’s eye.
With Zentangles I can’t draw more than 2 a day otherwise I feel a struggle to fill in the design like the creative energies going. They can also be done in colours as well not just a black and white line drawing. The closed to think to understand the Japanese notion of wabi sabi.
Sandy B. says
If you want to learn more about Zentangle without buying the kit, the http://www.zentangle.com website has lots of back issues of their email newsletter. Each one has instructions on how to draw a different tangle. (I have tangles on my blog too.) They aren’t trying to keep it all a secret and force you to buy a kit. It’s like learning yoga (or anything for that matter). You can buy a lovely kit with dvd, yoga mat, and personalized water bottle, you can take a trip to India and study with a master, you can read a book about it, surf the internet, or just lay a towel on your floor and make up your own poses. Lots of options – whatever works for you. 😀
Jenny says
Thanks so much for the info and the link!
Arline Schwarz says
I have the kit, but I’ve been doing this type of artwork as long as I can remember and it’s a long time. I’m 67. Meditation??? I don’t know. Relaxing??? Sometimes, depending on how involved the projet becomes. Fun and creative??? Absolutely. Applications. Endless. Mantangles. . . . .Zendalas. Call it what you may, just pick up a pen or pencil and enjoy. You will be amazed at the creativity that explodes from within you. It’s magical.