ZenTangles
What is a zentangle?
In a word, a doodle. A structured, contained doodle. The term 'Zentangle' was coined by Rick Roberts
and Maria Thomas. A zentangle is an abstract drawing created using repetitive patterns. It is
usually structured within a certain shape. Drawing a zentangle is entertaining, relaxing, and a great way
to express yourself creatively.
Objectives:
By the end of this unit, you will be able to…
…draw a zentangle using the four zentangle steps.
…design complex zentangle patterns using the elements and principles of art.
…demonstrate your knowledge of value.
…recreate a famous artwork using zentangles.
Name: _________________________________________________________
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Characteristics of Zentangle
Intuitive Artform
With Zentangle, anyone can create beautiful images from repetitive patterns. This method
is easy to learn and easy to do. And even though it is a specified series of steps, it results
in a creative expression that transcends its own rules.
Fun and Relaxing
Zentangle provides a fun and lighthearted way to relax and intentionally facilitate a shift in
focus and perspective. Zentangle is unencumbered by dogma and cost which can weigh
on other approaches. Nevertheless, Zentangle is sufficiently structured and organized so
you can enjoy and benefit from an activity that otherwise might be considered whimsical.
Abstract
You cannot fail to create a Zentangle. That is because a Zentangle is meant to look like a
Zentangle. It does not need to look like anything else and has no up or down.
Unexpected Results
Zentangle is an unusual approach to art because you have no idea what its result will be
when you begin. Your creation is not restricted by your expectations.
Zentangle vocabulary:
1. Zentangle: ______________________________________________________
2. Pattern: ________________________________________________________
3. Tile: ___________________________________________________________
4. Border: ________________________________________________________
5. String: _________________________________________________________
6. Composition: ___________________________________________________
7. Elements of Art: these are the building blocks of a piece of artwork
a. _______________________
b. _______________________
c. _______________________
d. _______________________
e. _______________________
f. _______________________
g. _______________________
2
8. Principles of Art: an artist uses the principles to organize the elements of art
to create an interesting composition.
a. _______________________
b. _______________________
c. _______________________
d. _______________________
e. _______________________
f. _______________________
g. _______________________
h. _______________________
9. Value: __________________________________________________________
a. Hatching
b. Cross-Hatching
c. Stippling
d. Blending
3
How to Draw a Zentangle:
1. Draw a border outlining the shape of your zentangle. Create a light dot about ¼” from the corners
of your tile. Draw a line from dot to dot. They do not need to be perfectly straight lines! It is very
common to use a square shape, but a zentangle border can be any shape you want.
2. Draw strings. Strings are lines that divide the shape into individual sections. Use a variety of lines
to separate your sections.
3. Fill one section with a repetitive pattern. Don't spend too much time planning the pattern, just
draw. Use the patterns on the next page or the designs or stylization packets for inspiration.
4. Repeat with each section. Change the pattern with each section. Fill each space.
5. Add color and value.
Draw some practice zentangles below:
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Afterglo
Beeline
Bucky
Corner Box
Ahh
Black box
Bulb Lantern
Cubine
Arrowheads
Black eyed peas Blooming-butter
Cadent
Cyme
DL Sunray
Drupe
Efilys
Feathers
Fescu
Finery
Hybrid
Hollibaugh
Ambler
Huggins
Centrifuge
Bales
Bowties
Chard
Beelight
Btl Joos
Chemystery
Daggerly
Dex
Ennies
Eye-Wa
Fans
Flukes
Flutter Tile
Hurry
Inapod
Florz
Hurikan
5
Labyrinth
Jonqal
Kandysnake
Keeko
Knitting
Laced
Lightning Bolt
Munchin
Nzeppel
Netting
Onomato
Pokeleaf
Pokeroot
Rosewood
Scrumble
Linked
MSST
Opus
Pane
Puf
Punch
Rain
Shattuck
Squares
Squid
Stacks
Striping
Strirples
Swarm
Swirls
Tagh
Tipple
Twisted Rope
Unyun
Up and Across
Verdigogh
Vortex
Vorter
Weave 2
SEZ
Paradox
Pina
Raindotty
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7
8
9
10
Zentangle Parody Project
 Choose a famous painting to recreate using zentangles. Look through
various art books to get ideas.
 Draw a thicker zentangle frame around the edge of your paper to draw
your parody in.
 Carefully and lightly sketch your painting in pencil within your frame.
 The outlines of the objects within the original painting become the
“string” of your zentangle. Make these lines a bit thicker than all of your
individual zentangle lines.
 The objects themselves within the original painting become “tiles”.
 Be sure to create a unified parody!
o Think principles of art!
 If you choose to add color, do so sparingly…if you use too much color, it
will take away from the overall effect of the zentangle.
 Use thick and thin black Sharpies for the zentangles.
 Add value in your individual zentangle designs using pencil.
 You may use the colored markers provided by the teacher, but please
take care of them and return them back to the package at the end of
class! These are professional grade markers!
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Name of famous painting used: _______________________________
Artist: ___________________________________________________
Date of original painting: ____________________________________
4
Parody
Zentangle
x2
Elements &
Principles
Used
Contrast
Creativity
Craftsmanship
/ Presentation
3
Student chose and
excellently recreated a
famous painting using
zentangles. Original
painting is still
recognizable from the
drawing.
Student chose and
recreated a famous
painting using
zentangles. Original
painting is still
recognizable from the
drawing.
Has a border (frame),
an appropriate string
(drawn painting), and
more than 8
zentangled
patterns/designs.
Patterns are varied and
unique; used elements
and principles to
create unified drawing.
Patterns used fit the
shape within the
negative space of the
string they are used in.
Has a border (frame),
an appropriate string
(drawn painting), and
7-8 zentangled
patterns/designs.
Uses excellent and
precise contrast in
lines and patterns;
thick, medium and thin
lines. Uses the full
value scale (8
gradients) and shading
techniques to add
shading. If color is
used, it adds to the
design and does not
distract from it.
Student has taken the
technique being
studied and applied it
in a way that is totally
his/her own. The
student's
personality/voice
comes through.
Everything is original.
Utilized time
appropriately. Artwork
is created and
maintained in a
professional manner.
No tears, smudges, or
stray marks. Artwork
is neatly signed in the
appropriate spot.
Uses good contrast in
lines and patterns;
thick, medium and thin
lines. Uses the full
value scale (7-8
gradients). If color is
used, it adds to the
design appropriately.
Patterns are varied;
used elements and
principles to create
unified drawing.
Patterns used
somewhat fit the
shape they were used
in.
Student has taken the
technique being
studied and has used
source material as a
starting place. The
student's personality
comes through in parts
of the painting.
Everything is original.
Utilized time
appropriately. Artwork
is created and
maintained fairly
neatly. No tears,
minimal smudges or
stray marks. Artwork
is neatly signed in the
appropriate spot.
2
1
0
Student chose and
attempted to
recreate a famous
painting using
zentangles. Original
painting is
somewhat
recognizable.
Has a border, a
string (drawn
painting), and 5-6
patterns/designs.
Student did not
choose a famous
painting to recreate,
however they did
create a final
zentangled project.
Patterns are
somewhat varied;
attempted to use
elements and
principles to create
unified drawing.
Attempted to fit
appropriate patterns
in the string shape.
Uses OK contrast in
lines and patterns;
thick and thin lines.
Attempts to use full
value scale (4-5
gradients). If color
is used, it is not
used appropriately
and slightly distracts
from the design.
Patterns used are
very similar in style;
drawing is not
unifed. Patterns are
used but don’t fit
well within the
shape of the string.
Student
merely
covered
page in
zentangles;
no
recognizable
objects.
No border;
no string;
less than 3
patterns /
designs
throughout.
No patterns
used. Not
all spaces
have a
pattern;
space not
used wisely.
Uses minimal
contrast in lines and
patterns. Uses bare
minimum of value
scale (2-3
gradients). If color
is used, it is
overwhelmingly
used.
No contrast
in lines and
patterns.
Does not use
value scale.
Student has copied
from another source.
There is little
evidence of
creativity, but the
student has done
the assignment.
Student has not
made much attempt
to meet the
requirements of the
assignment. A
majority of the
assignment has
been copied from
another source.
Did not utilize time
well. Artwork is
poorly created and
maintained. Artwork
is torn, smudged, or
has stray marks that
distract from the
image. Artwork is
sloppily signed.
No creativity
attempted.
Artwork is a
direct copy
from another
source.
Could have utilized
time better. Artwork
is created and
maintained with an
attempt at neatness.
Artwork may be
torn, smudged or
have stray marks.
Artwork is signed.
________ / 28 points
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Very straight and
boring border;
somewhat visible
string, and 3-4
patterns/designs.
Artwork is
not finished,
was folded,
crumpled up,
ripped, etc.
No signature
on artwork.
Write a credit line for your artwork:
Title: ___________________________________________________________________ (1 pt.)
Artist: __________________________________________________________________ (1 pt.)
Date: ___________________________________________________________________ (1 pt.)
Medium: ________________________________________________________________ (1 pt.)
Size: ____________________________________________________________________ (1 pt.)
What type of medium is your artwork (1 pt.)? (Circle the medium)
Drawing
Painting
Sculpture
Ceramics
Printmaking
Photography
Digital Media
Mixed Media
Check the elements and principles you used in your artwork. Describe where you used them. (10 pts.)
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1. What is the subject matter of your artwork? _________________________________________ (1 pt.)
2. What is the subject genre of your artwork (1 pt.)? (Circle the genre)
Portrait
Landscape (Nature)
Still Life History (Religious, cultural, etc.) Genre (everyday
life)
Other: _______________
3. Is your artwork based on the art of a famous artist? ________________________________ (1 pt.)
4. What art style is your artwork created in? __________________________________________ (1 pt.)
5. How does your artwork reflect the learning objectives for this project that were on the rubric? (5 pts.)
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
1. How is your parody similar to the original painting? (5 pts.)
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. How did your zentangled parody change the meaning/emotion/message of the original painting? (5 pts.)
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
3. Did you like this project assignment? Why or why not? (5 pts.)
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
4. What is one (1) thing you would change about your finished project and why? What would you do
differently? (5 pts.)
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Experience level with this medium before project:
0
1
2
3
4
5
Familiarity with subject/art style before project:
0
1
2
3
4
5
How comfortable do you feel with this medium after the project? 0
1
2
3
4
5
How familiar do you feel with the art subject/style after the project?0
1
2
3
4
5
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