One Zentangle a Day

edges of the vine creates dimension and causes the Tangleation to appear to float above the other patterns. Shading the sides of the plank-shaped objects in Hollibaugh creates depth, which further enhances every edge that comes in contact with the background pattern, Amaze. Shading on the Knights Bridge gives that area form and helps to draw the eye to the center of the piece.

CHAPTER 2: TANGLES AND VALUE PATTERNS

    THE DRAWING INSTRUCTIONS and principles of design in each chapter are to be experienced, understood, and explored. Take away from that exploration what appeals and works for you. Practice helps to absorb the lessons and make them acquired knowledge. Instinct plays a strong part in the creation of all art forms.
    Following our instinct allows the focus to remain on the evolving art piece. The focused mind sees creative options that evolve as an art piece emerges. Acknowledging instinct allows you to combine those gut feelings with experience and acquired knowledge. When you then proceed to edit options, the process is quick and you move in a direction that fits the piece. In this state, the work flows. There are no lost opportunities. Instinct saves time because it removes the obstacles of second-guessing or overthinking options. The process of creating a Zentangle tile teaches the brain to be comfortable listening to our instincts. This allows the design to emerge.
    Instinct relies not just on conscious, but also subconscious, thought. Artwork viewed from a short distance allows the tonal values throughout the piece to subconsciously lead the eye throughout it. When viewing art, few people take note of these values, but their subconscious does. The subconscious picks up the pattern of tonal values and moves the eye throughout the pattern.
    Zentangles are created from the achromatic colors white, black, and the endless range of gray that appears in the middle. Placing these values from lightest to darkest creates a tonal value scale. Create a tangle tonal scale of the tangles from chapter 1 on a sheet of Bristol vellum.
    Place the patterns in a column, starting at the upper-left, with the lightest light tone—the high-key values. Place the darker tones in the right column—the low-key values. My sample, at right, ranges from the lightest value, Knights Bridge, to the darkest pattern value, Amaze.
    A piece that uses high-key values will appear airy, inviting, or perhaps playful and energetic. A piece using mainly low-key values creates a dramatic atmosphere. Tonal mapping is a great tool to refer to when at a loss for which pattern to use next. Recognizing the tangle’s tonal value ensures the pattern will bring harmony and the desired atmosphere to the design.
    Remember to squint as you look at the tile. The tonal scale appears like a map of shaded areas across the tile. This scale is called a value pattern.
    Draw each pattern on a 1-inch (2.5 cm) square of Bristol vellum with a Micron 01 pen. Using repositionable tape, keep turning the tiles and consider the options for pattern placement.

DAY 8 FROM FLAT TO 3-D IN TWENTY MINUTES
    MATERIALS
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Micron 01 pen
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pencil
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sketchbook
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tile
    TONAL RANGES TURN A FLAT line drawing into a dimensional shape. Graduating the shadows from dark to light gives shapes volume. If the light source is from above, the light is stronger at the top of the pattern, making the shadows there lighter than those at the base of the pattern. Start the shadow in the darkest area and lighten up as you move the shadow out. Do not shade the whole area gray. The shadow has changed in tone, not size.
    Tonal ranges in the shadows should be close together and transcend softly.
    Both patterns have strong silhouettes; Vega’s is low key, and Purk’s is high key.

Daily Tangles
    Try these two tangles. Vega can create a border or be used to overlap itself with interesting textural results. Turn your tile often when drawing this pattern or any pattern that changes direction. This ensures your hand is at the correct angle to maintain control as you draw each stroke. Much of the form of the second pattern, Purk, is established in its shape. The shading on the orbs of this tangle brings out the dimension.
    Practice the new patterns in your sketchbook and when you feel familiar with them, create a Zentangle tile using Vega, Purk, and any other tangle you choose.
    The larger size and darker shading of the middle Purk make it seem closer to the viewer.
    THE POSITIVE SHAPES are the