One Zentangle a Day

the pattern name for later reference. Each tangle is given a name when created. This makes them identifiable and easy to reference.
    Think of the sketchbook as a workbook to use to become familiar and experiment with the tangles. It is also a source for quick reference to remind you how a pattern is drawn, what has worked for you, and what has not. Being familiar does not mean you have to have the patterns memorized; it just means you have tried them out, paid attention to how they are created, and worked out any kinks you came across as you learned the pattern. It is okay to refer back to the diagrams at any time.
    Create the daily Zentangle on a 3 1/2 × 3 1/2-inch (8.9 × 8.9 cm) tile. There will also be an additional project each day to introduce you to new techniques or ways to include Zentangle when creating art. Some of these projects are done in the sketchbook while other techniques will use tiles, drawing paper, or watercolor paper. These projects will include Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA) and Zendalas, which are a form of a mandala. Mandalas are steeped in meaning from the colors to the patterns used. They are circular art forms often created in a meditative fashion. A Zendala does not contain meanings in the patterns or colors, but is a meditative art form. Zendalas are created using the same tangles as the Zentangle tile.
    Crescent Moon
    There are no mistakes in Zentangle, no need for erasers.

DAY 1 GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH YOUR TOOLS
    MATERIALS
    • Micron 01 pen
    • pencil
    • sketchbook
    • tile
    THE FIRST PROJECT is designed to give you the opportunity to become acquainted with the use and feel of the Micron pen while creating the mark that identifies a completed tile as your own. When a Zentangle tile has been completed, the creator first signs the front of the piece with his or her initials in ink, which becomes the signature on the front of the tile. Small, uniquely stylized, and individual, the signature represents the unique artist. Each Zentangle artist is encouraged to spend time creating this signature. Turn to the first unused page in your sketchbook and practice using the Micron 01 pen as you create a stylized signature from your initials. Remember to use light hand pressure when using the Micron pens, as heavy pressure will destroy the tip of the pen. You will have better control if you pull the pen toward yourself as you create the pattern strokes.

Daily Tangles
    Try these three tangles. The Static tangle is an easy tangle to start with, but try to keep the spacing between the lines even. For the Tipple, do not worry about creating the circles all the same size. To produce nice round orbs, slow down and focus on the stroke. When creating the Crescent Moon, even spacing on the half-moons helps create a feeling of balance.
    Have fun with this exercise—be spontaneous and experiment with the types of marks the pen can make.
    Practice these tangles in your sketchbook.

    Sample of Zentangle using Crescent Moon, Tipple, and Static
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DAY 2 PATTERN AS TONAL VALUE
    MATERIALS
    • Micron 01 pen
    • pencil
    • sketchbook
    • tile
    EACH TANGLE HAS a tonal value. Tangle patterns can be mixed together on a tile to create a variety of interesting values. Values, for our purposes, are the shades of black, white, and gray that each tangle contains. The intensity or amount of light or dark a value has is referred to as
tone
. Tonal values are created or changed by altering the amount of white space versus dark space in a tangle. Placing the pattern closer together along the edges creates a darker value on the edge. Opening the center of the same pattern adds to the illusion of form and helps create depth. The altering of a tangle creates the illusion of different tones on a Zentangle tile. It creates form, shape, highlights and/or shadows, and interest, and it helps to move the eye through the piece.
    This is a great technique for adding form and creating shape.
    Sample of Knights Bridge
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Light and Dark Pattern
    Placing a light and airy tangle in between two denser, closely drawn, darker patterns is a great way to see how the airy atmosphere of the lighter tangle lifts the atmosphere created by the darker patterns.

Daily Tangles
    Try these three tangles. Knights Bridge Tangle can be drawn as both a square checkerboard or a diamond-shape checkerboard. Nekton and Fescu Tangles can be made open and airy by keeping the spacing wider between the lines in the pattern. They can be made denser and appear