One Zentangle a Day

drawn straight or with a slight curve.
    Turning the tile when drawing Dyon helps keep the rings on the pattern even. When drawing Keeko, start with the horizontal lines on each row first and then connect with the vertical lines.
    Create a white Zentangle tile using the eleven-step process and today’s tangles. You can use any of the patterns or a Tangleation on previously learned patterns.
    Notice that rounding the lines on Keeko helps develop the dimension of the shape.
    DECORATIVE VALUE WORKS WELL with tangles on black tiles. The contrast between the black paper and white ink pops the tonal values of each pattern. On a black tile, use a white pen to create a Zentangle using decorative value. Use the tonal value of the patterns to decide where they are placed on the string. The lightest should be on the front focal point. As shapes get farther from the focal point, their tonal values slightly darken.

    Because we are limited to graduated highlights and no shading when drawing on black tiles, the shallowness of decorative value works to create depth and the eye moving and focused. Too many layers on the black tiles can easily create a cluttered puzzle of planes that all read the same.

CHAPTER 3: GEOMETRIC AND ORGANIC PATTERNS

    THE ART DRAWN on a Zentangle tile is a combination of tangles and shapes that can be broken down into geometric or organic styles or a combination of the two. Geometric shapes are precise, orderly, often sharply defined, or appear mechanical in nature. They can be characterized as curvilinear, made with curved lines like circles or ovals, or rectilinear, shapes made from straight lines. Printemps is an example of a curvilinear pattern. Hollibaugh and Rick’s Paradox are great examples of rectilinear patterns. Organic, or biomorphic style, as it is also termed, has curved, free-formed lines. They may have edges that can be rounded or undulating, and they have a natural look and feel. Flux and Fescu exemplify the organic style.
    In the Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA) section of this chapter, we will begin to explore color as we keep our drawing tools in the achromatic scale but use colored papers on which to create our art pieces.
    As we view an abstract drawing, the patterns and shapes leave an impression in our minds. Squares express symmetry, perfection, stability, organization, self-reliance, or confinement. Circles can represent independence, completion, and containment. Ovals relate to fruitfulness, creation, and abundance, while stars symbolize being the best, reaching upward or outward. Shapes are common and many have a similar meaning to society. A drawing containing jagged or angular shapes all pointing at one another can suggest anger or turmoil. Soft, free-form curving patterns interacting together give the feeling of harmony and coexistence. Our reactions can change by how the shape interacts with the other shapes. Configurations of a pattern or shape also affect how the composition is interpreted.
    Each viewer’s emotional response will differ because it is also affected by the viewer’s past experiences. This is one of the reasons tangled tiles make a great outlet for visual journaling. Visual journaling is expressing one’s self through imagery rather than words. There are times in life when we have no words to deal with daily life, or the feelings inside are not ready to be categorized or have not yet surfaced. Visual journaling offers a more private release of thoughts. With no words to give our thoughts away to others, visual journaling is a very personal and freeing form of self-expression.
    Although the focal points are abstract, they still convey a message. The first tile’s graphics are calming and peaceful. The second is edgy and creates feelings of caution, turmoil, or hazard.

DAY 15 ORGANIC LINEAR PATTERNS
    MATERIALS
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Micron 01 pen
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pencil
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sketchbook
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white tile
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parent sheet of Lokta paper

Daily Tangles
    Try these three tangles. Yincut can really come alive with sparkles and shading. For success with Locar, pencil in a string stem to build the spiny leaves on. Locar is the perfect introduction to Verdigõgh. Verdigõgh’s needles are more free-form and cross in several directions. Practice these patterns in your sketchbook until they feel comfortable. Turn the sketchbook as you work to the correct angle for ease and accuracy.
    Use a white tile to create today’s Zentangle tile using the three new patterns and any previously learned