Advice for New Tanglers

You don’t need fancy paper or a special pen to access the beautiful contemplative space tangling invites, all you need is an intention to go there, any old pen, and any piece of paper. Grocery list? Ball point pen? An envelope, a bill, a check memo space? There are many opportunities to add art to your life and the lives of others. Be bold, share your joy with the world wherever and whenever and on whatever surface you can do so legally.

If for some reason you are forced to put your pens away, do not despair. I’ve had to stop tangling twice for extended periods of time due to serious illness. Be patient with yourself and keep abreast of what’s going on in zentangle world; realize that you are still growing inside. You might also discover that your drawing has evolved during your time-out.

I’m not a Czt, but I hear it often: “When I grow up I want to tangle like you.” That’s very kind but I have been tangling for 5 years now. Please…. be patience yourself. The process that matters, not the result – if you accept this, then your creativity is released.
Gathering your own reference materials, sketches and using your own imagination is going to help you grow as an artist far more than copying someone else’s work. “Be a voice, not an echo!” Happy tangling everyone!

You are creating art. Art should be an enjoyment. A pleasure. Don’t take anything too seriously. Especially yourself. Life is too short to let a tiny tile get you down. Just enjoy. Power to the pen!

Spend less time reading about Zentangle and more time actually doing Zentangle.

When I see Zentangle works online, I don’t compare my own to the others. My preference is for simple works which I make while relaxing. I look at others and see different ways of shading, different combinations that I hadn’t seen before, or just beautiful art that makes me happy.

When I began making jewelry years ago, I read a wonderful book called Art and Fear by Bayles & Orland. I highly recommend it!

Each person makes Zentangle their own – you can get out of it whatever you wish, and it can change from time to time. For some it is to help getting into a relaxed state, for others it is a bridge to creativity. Others use it to push their limits of creativity. I often teach mixed groups, and tell them to make it what they want it to be.

Start with one pattern on a tile, then let it grow where and how it wants. It is your art, so start with that one simple pattern and then explore, create, break the boundaries, and draw yourself happy.

Already a big theme here is learning to let go of the critical mind of comparison and judgement. I remind myself and others to go back to the very basic Zentangle method and use it as an opportunity to practice self acceptance, unattachment to outcome, quiet mindfulness, and deep breathing while allowing the process to flow through through pen to paper.

One piece of wisdom that my students have found helpful is the fact that I’m only demonstrating how to draw various tangles; everyone will interpret the shape differently. I often say, “This is just a suggestion of how to draw this tangle. Don’t worry if your’s looks different. We all have different handwriting – so our tiles will all be unique.”

I asked Rick at seminar how many tangles should we know, his response…. you could only learn 5 tangles and be happy tangling for a very long time!! So don’t be afraid to pick your favourite and keep drawing them… they will be different every time you do, they will inspire you to think in different ways and to even explore new tangles! And if your having an off day, a few strokes of your favourite tangle will get you going again!

Don’t sit down focusing on "I’m going to create a masterpiece " rather focus on the process of choosing and creating the tangles and you may find in the end you have a masterpiece.

Comparing our work to that of others is inevitable. We like to be inspired by others. However, it’s unfair to yourself to compare your work with someone else who has a lot more practice on it. I heard this from another person and thought it was brilliant: “Don’t compare your chapter one to someone else’s chapter 20.”

Put the Z in K.I.S.S.
(Keep It Simple SweetheartZ)
With the tremendous growth that Zentangle has experienced, I find it most beneficial to remember the purest form I was first introduced to and love(d). It always keeps me grounded and grateful for this simple process.

Relax and keep going. It’s a process examin what you love about your piece and do that!

Remember to breathe.

There are no mistakes so be in the moment…..if your tangle varies from the one I drew….well, then…you just designed a custom tangle of your own!

Join and become familiar with website: TanglePatterns. It is invaluable! Pick a letter at the top and find 3 or 4 tangle patterns you like and work on a tile. Fun and you become more adapt at putting patterns together.

I am not a Czt nor an expert tangled, but I have been tangling for 5 years now( my d-n-l a Czt taught me) an my advice is practice, pratice, don’t beat up on yourself, tangle something every day even if it is basic, learn from what others say/do, and remember there are never mistakes!🎨🐸

Just start, and let the process carry you onward!

So many great words of wisdom here! I’d suggest making sure that the back of the created tiles be dated – it’s amazing to see later on how much one has learned without even realizing it! Great forum here!

Shawna O, CZT 24

Try to appreciate every stroke you draw. They are unique coming from your pen. Don´t worry about the next one to come.

Believe in yourself! After teaching the Zentangle Method to almost 100 students, I have yet to find one who wasn’t able to create their own tangled tile. Even if you think you’re not artistic or claim that you can’t even draw a stick figure, I promise you that you can do this!

My advice is to keep it simple. When in doubt, ‘Aura’!! Get comfortable with a few tangles by practicing them on various random strings and just have fun.

Wow, so much great advice already! I would like to add the following; Lots of new tanglers tell me that they find it difficult to choose tangles while tangling. They spend hours to find one, which is not very zen. I tell them to take fifteen minuten to find 3-5 tangle they like and than make a few tiles with just these tangles. That way you learn new tangles in a very zenful manner.

Start with the 3.5 Zentangle tiles or drawing a frame that size. This will help with Artist Block (same as writers block) it will be less stressful than trying to fill a full size blank page. Next step is to put pen to paper with a line, a dot, or a squiggle and build your piece from there.