what is zentangle?

The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. We call these patterns, tangles. You create tangles with combinations of dots, lines, simple curves, S-curves and orbs. These simple shapes are the "Elemental Strokes" in all Zentangle art. These patterns are drawn on small pieces of paper called "tiles." We call them tiles because you can assemble them into mosaics.

Zentangle art is non-representational and unplanned so you can focus on each stroke and not worry about the result. There is no up or down to Zentangle art.  In fact, you can most easily create Zentangle art by rotating your tile as you tangle -- always keeping your hand in a relaxed position. You don't need to know what a tangle is going to look like to draw it. You just need to know the steps. The result is a delightful surprise.

As you use the Zentangle Method to create beautiful images, you likely will enjoy increased focus, creativity, self-confidence and an increased sense well-being.

We believe that life is an art form and that each person is an artist. The Zentangle Method is an elegant metaphor and model for inspiring a deliberate artistry in life.

For this reason, we deliberately do not include an eraser in our Zentangle Kit or use it as part of a Zentangle practice. We have no eraser in life, so why in a Zentangle Kit? There's little use for it when you think about it. Pencil strings and borders can be ignored and pen marks can't be erased. Even if those pen marks aren't initially what you might have intended (we never call them "mistakes" in the Zentangle Method), you can use them as inspirations to go in directions that you may not have otherwise explored. Instead of looking at them as mistakes, we reframe them as "opportunities."

By avoiding common blocks to creative flow such as: self-criticism, fear of failure, lack of immediate positive feedback, worrying about outcomes, frustration with lengthy training, lack of inspiration and doubts about what to do next, you can create beautiful art right away.

The Zentangle Method's "elegance of limits" paradoxically inspires creativity with its gentle boundaries and structured patterns. These so-called limits enhance creativity and support a greater freedom of expression.

People of all ages, skills and interests enjoy the Zentangle Method all over this world. Together, they form a world-wide community of passionate and grateful artists, full of friendships, support, sharing and learning. Zentangle art provides common meeting ground because it is independent of language, age, political views, religious beliefs or any other category that separates one from another.

The Zentangle approach encourages self-respect and respect for your creativity by using the best materials available. These need not mean the most expensive. If you were creating Zentangle art on the beach at low tide, you would still choose the best stick you could find and the smoothest area on which to tangle.

Even though our name, Zentangle, has “zen” in it, we do not teach Zen Buddhism or any religion. We teach how to create beautiful art with gratitude and appreciation.

People who draw according to the Zentangle Method, describe their experiences as others describe the states of mindfulness and flow. This can occur as soon as with the first tile. No longer is a lengthy practice needed to access these inspiring and high performance states of awareness.

We expected a Zentangle practice to have a positive influence on creativity, self-image, focus and problem solving. We don't yet have completed scientific studies to explain why this works. But we have thousands of anecdotes showing that it does work. We did not anticipate these benefits when we developed the Zentangle Method. General areas that a Zentangle practice benefits include:

• Phobias
• Addictions
• Pain management 
• Conflict resolution
• Workplace burnout

We continue to discover more benefits to a Zentangle practice, both for individuals and for groups.