5 Easy Step-by-Step Zentangle Patterns for Beginners

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 6 min read

If you've ever wanted to explore the world of art but felt overwhelmed by the complexities of traditional methods, then Zentangle may be the perfect way for you to dip your toes into the creative pool. Zentangle is a unique art form with simple, structured patterns that are easy for beginners to learn and enjoy. This blog will introduce you to easy beginner step by step zentangle patterns to help you start your artistic journey.

1. Get Familiar with Zentangle

Before we immerse ourselves in the intricate world of Zentangle, it's important to understand what it is, why it's beneficial, and what materials you'll need. Let's break it down:

What is Zentangle?

Zentangle is a modern art form that uses repetitive patterns to create beautiful and complex designs. It's about focus and creativity, not about perfection or artistic skill. The beauty of Zentangle is that anyone can do it — you just need a pen, some paper, and a little bit of time.

Benefits of Zentangling

Zentangling is not just about creating art; it's about the process. Here are some benefits you might experience:

Relaxation: The repetitive motion and focus can help calm your mind.
Increased creativity: Zentangling allows you to explore patterns and designs in a non-judgmental way.
Improved focus: As you concentrate on each stroke, you may find your attention span increases.

Materials Needed

One of the reasons Zentangle is perfect for beginners is because you don't need a ton of expensive art supplies. Here's what you'll need to get started:

Pen: A fine-point pen is perfect for Zentangle. Sakura Micron pens are a popular choice among Zentanglers.
Paper: Any paper will do, but smooth, thick paper like Strathmore Bristol Smooth Paper can enhance your experience.
Optional materials: You might want to have a pencil and a smudge stick to add shading to your designs.

Now that we've got the basics covered, let's dive into some easy beginner step by step Zentangle patterns!

2. Learn Basic Zentangle Terminologies

Just like any other art form, Zentangle has its own language. To help you navigate the Zentangle world more easily, let's look at the basic terminologies you'll come across as you create your Zentangle patterns.

Tile

A 'Tile' is the square piece of paper where you create your Zentangle. It's usually 3.5 inches by 3.5 inches, a size that's just right for a detailed piece of art that can be completed in a short time. Remember, the size isn't set in stone; you can use any size of paper that feels comfortable for you.

String

The 'String' is a light, pencil-drawn line that sections off your tile into several spaces. Think of it as a light sketch that guides you where to draw your patterns. Strings can be any shape — wavy, angular, circular — whatever your heart desires.

Tangle

A 'Tangle' is the pattern you draw within the sections created by the string. This is where the magic happens! Tangles can be simple or complex, but as a beginner, you'll start with easy patterns and gradually work your way up.

Shade

'Shading' is the process of adding depth to your Zentangle by darkening certain areas of your patterns. This step is optional, but it can add a dramatic effect to your artwork. Don't worry if shading seems daunting; we'll delve into it more in section 4.

Now that you're familiar with the basic terminologies, you're ready to start tangling. Let's move on to some easy beginner step by step Zentangle patterns!

3. Start with Simple Patterns

Now that you've got the lingo down, let's dive into the fun part — drawing your first Zentangle patterns! We'll start with two easy beginner step by step Zentangle patterns that will give you a feel for the process and help build your confidence.

Crescent Moon

Our first pattern is 'Crescent Moon.' Don't be intimidated by the name; it's simpler than it sounds. Here's how:

Draw several semi-circles along your string line.
Fill in these semi-circles with solid black color.
Next, draw 'auras' or lines around your filled-in semi-circles. These should echo the shape of your semi-circles.
Keep adding auras until you run out of space in your section.

And voila! You've just created your first Zentangle pattern — the Crescent Moon. Easy, isn't it?

Hollibaugh

Next up is 'Hollibaugh.' This is another easy beginner step by step Zentangle pattern that introduces you to the concept of 'drawing behind.'

Start by drawing a few long rectangles in your section.
Now, draw more rectangles but make them appear as if they're going 'behind' the first set. This gives your pattern a woven look.
Finally, add auras around your rectangles to give your pattern more depth.

There you have it, your second Zentangle pattern — the Hollibaugh! How's that for a fun and easy way to start your Zentangle journey?

Now that you have a couple of patterns under your belt, let's move on to adding some dimension to your artwork with shading.

4. Practice and Perfect Your Shading

Great job on your first Zentangle patterns! Now, let's add some depth to your artwork — it's time to learn about shading. Shading is a simple technique that can take your Zentangles from flat to three-dimensional. It's what gives Zentangle art its signature 'pop.'

Why Shading?

Think of shading as a magic trick. With just a few strokes of your pencil, you can make your patterns leap off the page. It adds an illusion of depth and volume, making your patterns look more complex and intricate than they really are. The best part? It's easy to do, even for beginners!

How to Shade?

Shading in Zentangle is as simple as adding some graphite along the edges of your patterns and then blending it out. Here's a step by step guide:

First, decide where your light source is. This will determine where your shadows go. In general, areas further from the light source will be darker.
Next, use the side of your pencil to add a layer of graphite where you want your shadows to be.
Now, using a blending stump or a Q-tip, gently smudge the graphite to soften the edges. This creates a gradual transition from dark to light, giving a sense of depth.

Congratulations! You've just learned how to shade. Practice this technique on your Crescent Moon and Hollibaugh patterns to see the difference shading can make.

Now that you've mastered simple patterns and shading, are you ready to step up your Zentangle game with some more complex patterns?

5. Experiment with More Complex Patterns

Well done! You've successfully learned the basics of Zentangle art, including shading. Feeling confident? Good! Because now, we're going to try out some more complex patterns. Don't worry, though — remember, there's no right or wrong in Zentangle. So, let's get started!

Flux

Flux is an easy beginner step by step Zentangle pattern that resembles leaves or flowers. It's a versatile pattern that can add a touch of nature to your tile. Here's how to draw it:

Start by drawing a simple petal shape.
Next, add a curved line inside the petal for detail.
Repeat these steps, allowing the petals to flow and intertwine organically.

Try adding some shading to your Flux pattern to make it come alive!

Jonqual

Jonqual is another beautiful Zentangle pattern that's great for beginners. It resembles a series of interlocking J's and can be used to fill large areas of your tile. Here's a quick guide:

Start by drawing a series of J's, connecting them at the base.
Repeat this process, but this time invert the J's and connect them at the top.
Finally, add some shading along the intersections for depth.

Now, isn't that an interesting pattern?

Mooka

Last but not least, we have Mooka. This pattern resembles a series of elongated balloons or pods. It's a fun pattern to draw and can add a playful touch to your Zentangle art. Here's how:

Start by drawing a simple curved line, like a string.
At the end of the line, add a balloon-like shape. Repeat this step, allowing the shapes to flow naturally along the line.
Lastly, add some shading to your Mooka pattern to make it pop!

And there you have it! Three more complex Zentangle patterns to add to your repertoire.

Remember, Zentangle is all about relaxing and enjoying the process. Don't get caught up in making your patterns perfect. Instead, let your pencil flow and see where it takes you! Happy tangling!

If you enjoyed learning about Zentangle patterns for beginners and want to further improve your drawing skills, don't miss the workshop 'Drawing with Ease and Accuracy' by Yazmin Moktan. This workshop will provide you with expert techniques and guidance to enhance your drawing abilities and create stunning artwork with precision and confidence.