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Back to Basics - The Eight Steps of the Zentangle Method

Back to Basics - The Eight Steps of the Zentangle Method

Molly writes...

When we talk about the Eight Steps of the Zentangle Method we often talk about the concept of The Elegance of Limits. This concept was integral in the development of the method and its eight steps. It was important to Rick and Maria to create a structure that nurtured and guided creativity with subtle suggestion, but also allowed room for artistic exploration. The Zentangle Primer Vol 1 describes “the elegance of limits” as a supportive matrix that paradoxically inspires creativity with gentle boundaries and limited options. Let’s take a closer look at the Eight Steps; how they offer us an “elegance of limits” in creativity.

 

  1. Gratitude and Appreciation: Get comfortable. Take a deep breath. Honor a moment for gratitude and appreciation. For the time, for the ability, for the materials, for yourself, for others, for art or for anything else. This step is one that can easily be forgotten, but one that we also encourage folks make time for. Even the briefest pause to acknowledge gratitude can completely shift the energy for the time ahead. Gratitude fuels a positive outlook and allows us to feel more confident in ourselves. Shifting our focus to what we are grateful for in our lives, shifts the focus to seeing the beauty in our world. Some might say you find what you are looking for.

 

  1. Corner Dots: With your pencil, lightly draw a dot in each of the four corners of your tile. This step may seem like a minor role in the greater scheme, but it’s actually a bold and courageous step for the artist behind the experience. Putting down that first mark can be intimidating. Easing into it this way can take away any hesitation or doubt about how to begin.

 

  1. Border: With your pencil, lightly draw a line that connects the four dots to create a border. This step allows you to continue on immediately. Knowing the next step and being able to focus in on that step only. This step brings visual structure to your work. You have something to build on.

 

  1. String: With your pencil, lightly draw a line or lines that divides the tile into sections. The string could win coach of the year, best director, unsung hero and most inspirational speaker. Strings set the stage. They surround, support, and hold your tangles as they grow into an artistic composition. We often say that the string in Zentangle is a suggestion not a demand. It is also a mentor, a cheerleader, and a support team. Your string will guide you and inform you, and it will also offer options. You don’t have to think or plan. You can simply focus on tangling.

 

  1. Tangle: With your pen, draw “tangles” in the sections created by your string. As you begin your journey with ink, you only have to focus on one tangle at a time. And once you decide what tangle, you only have to focus on one stroke of that tangle. Let each stroke be your focus and then allow it to guide and direct your next stroke. Breathe and take your time as you draw.

 

  1. Shade: With your pencil and tortillon, add shades of gray to create dimension and depth. Shading is time for finish work. A time to revisit all of the inked lines you put down and to bring it all to life. Shading can completely change the work by sculpting and fine tuning the art.

 

  1. Initial and Sign: With your pen, put your initials on the front of your tile and sign and date the back of your tile. Confidently connecting the artist to the art is so important. Be proud of the artist within you!

 

  1. Appreciate: Take a moment to admire your work. Turn your tile this way and that. Reflect on the opportunity. If you are creating along with others, put your tiles together and appreciate the mosaic which they form. Finishing your practice, the way you began brings beautiful symmetry to the experience. Taking a moment to appreciate the work you have created, and perhaps the others you are with, is powerful. Acknowledging gratitude for the time and the opportunity empowers you and your art.

 

I love that over time artists of our amazing community have contributed to growing and evolving this art form we call the Zentangle Method. However, we have continued to embrace and honor these Eight Steps as an important part of our roots. As we sit back and watch the beauty of so many artists spreading their wings and exploring life and art in a creative way, we know that these simple eight steps played a role in the beginning of so many Zentangle journeys. We encourage you too to spread your wings, but know that these eight basic steps are always there when you need them.

 

With Gratitude and Appreciation,
Molly

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Thank you to everyone who shared what the Zentangle Method has taught them in our last blog. We have randomly selected Carol Johns to receive a very special Zentangle surprise!

Tell us in the comments below what your favorite step of the Zentangle Method is and we will pick another commenter at random to receive a Zentangle surprise (not yet available in the Zentangle store!).

Molly Hollibaugh

72 comments

  • L étape que je préfère, je crois, est celle de la connection des 4 points entre eux. C est le moment où je commence à savourer le plus, où l espace commence à prendre vie, pour recevoir ce qui n est pas encore là, ce qui n existe pas encore mais prendra bientôt vie sous mes yeux 💖 merci 🙏

    Anouck ROUSSARIE on

  • My favorite Zentangle step? Step One, for sure, because it’s so easy to forget about Gratitude and Appreciation in this crazy world. Pausing for a moment to acknowledge where we are and what we have is an amazing way to begin any project. It’s part of the wisdom of Zentangle to incorporate this simple act into the process of creating our work.

    Susan Lysik on

  • I enjoy all the steps, but must say I think the Border, step #3 is the most invigorating. It says to me “good, you have a place to start. You are going to do this”. Even if I choose not to have a border, but dec ide to go straight to the string, this step #3 has empowered me with a Decision, focus, and path forward to enjoying all the other steps.

    Fran Sparks on

  • I have found shading to be my favorite step at the moment. All the pressures of design are past and the tile is ready for the final finesse! Shading has rescued many a tile that looked pretty blah.

    Kendra Page on

  • My favorite is the tangle, I love to learn how artists have created tanglations of the simplest basic strokes. It reminds me that anything is possible if you just try.

    CYNTHIA T TOLAND on

  • My ongoing tangle group of neighbors finally got to meet again last week and the step that stands out most to me from that meeting is Step 1, Gratitude and Appreciation. It’s easy to skip over this step in our rush to put pen to paper but it’s especially important to me in tangle gatherings. We had so much to appreciate last week after being apart for well over a year. We celebrated our health, our presence there, our supplies, and the opportunity to make beautiful Zentangle art together. Great blog, Molly. Thanks to all at Zentangle, Inc. for bringing this art form to the world.

    Sandy Kelley-Jones on

  • The Zentangle method has grown so much over time with different colors, mediums, styles being combined with the techniques of the Zentangle drawing; but, the traditional Black & White with 8 steps is what I keep coming back to!! It always comforts me…. It brings calmness to a chaotic mind. My favourite step is “SHADE”

    Love this Back to Basics series, much needed in these anxious times!!

    Vandana Krishna on

  • Appreciation and Gratitude – I really encourage that in my practice and in my teaching. I have become confident enough in my tangling – most of the time anyway – to not always “need” the corner dots/border/string aspect – but appreciate I can always jump back into them when I need them. But I always try to focus on being deliberate; breathing; holding the tile at arms length to appreciate it; and finding something to be grateful for. Always the paper and pens. Huge gratitude to Rick and Maria and the team at ZHQ.

    Deborah Bowyer on

  • I think my favorite is the first step. I love that like minded people can get together and let their creativity soar together.

    Cindy on

  • Thank you for the reminder to start with gratitude. I get so excited to draw that I miss this step. I can see how it sets the mood and opens channels to creativity.

    Linda Mensching on

  • My favorite step is to appreciate. It starts with appreciating what you have before you in time and supplies then it ends with appreciating a beautiful piece of art that you created, it’s such a wonderful process!

    Paula Breaux on

  • My favorite step is number 8. Eight is traditionally the number for transformation. After finishing a tile, my life has been transformed once again, just a little bit, in creating yet another tile. It is uniquely different from any other one I, or anyone else, have done. The appreciation for having the time and tools to create yet another expression from within, is not lost on me.

    Ginger White CZT34 on

  • I recently shared the 8 steps with a group on elderly men (89’ and 90’s) who are vintage car buffs. As the lesson proceeded we managed to rename many of the steps to correspond with automotive terms … It was a so much fun! And they were so proud of their tiles. Following the 8 steps gives purpose and structure to the sessions that I really appreciate.

    Ann Baum on

  • Appreciate! This step is the gift that keeps on giving as long as the tile exists. It may be framed on a wall in my home or in a box tucked away in a closet. It may be in a book as a bookmark or just about anywhere mostly unnoticed. Then in that unexpected moment you see it and are surprised and somewhat overwhelmed that you created it because it is beautiful!

    Jackie Saunders on

  • For me the most valuable step is the last APPRECIATE. It allows me to take ownership. Of the tile, the tangles and the process. Above the table where I usually tangle is a board where I display my most recent tiles I look up and see all I have accomplished. Some of which I had previously thought to be out of my range of ability. I see new friends and old friends and look forward to my next tangling session

    Jan Mustain on

  • I think creating the string to define the space is my favorite. It helps me focus and prepare my mind to be creative with what i have by acknowledging the limits of this particular piece. It keeps me from jumping ahead in my mind. Then i can proceed with one stroke at a time.

    Judy Alexander on

  • Molly,

    Thank you for reminding us of the Eight Steps. They are invaluable in creating Zentangle.

    Sandra Ariatti on

  • Life is Recursive…and we find ourselves back at the beginning with fresh starts…if we let go of all the baggage. With Gratitude!

    Mary Ellen Ziegler CZT33 on

  • My favourite step is the often-forgotten 8th step. That sense of appreciation can last a lot longer than the rest of the steps. When your artwork pops up as a memory on social media and you think “I did that?!”, and when people other people see and comment, it brings a feeling of joy or comfort. Learning that 8th step also extends out into the rest of your life if you let it!

    Catherine Gisby on

  • My favorite step is number one. I use it to ground me, slow down the world and come into the space to draw. This year I taught to some classes in my school. The kids are a challenging bunch with life experiences most of us would be debilitated to have experienced and they are thick into trauma, poverty and missing social emotional skills. I use Zentangle to bring us all together and the first step calms a group of otherwise busy and low focus 10 year olds so they are ready to draw. Once we are in and going it is SHOCKING to have the room silent with all of them, yes even that one kid, engaged in the drawing part. I love them all and am honored to be able to bring them this experience !:).

    Gretchen Carter on

  • My favourite step is to draw the string, I love that we can be as creative as we want!

    Suchitra Komandur on

  • My favorite step is the last one appreciate the tile I created and being grateful for it.

    Mari-José McMillian-Alcala on

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