Zentangles

[KwanYingirl]

I was going to post this in anxiety or therapy because it is therapeutic. Zentangles are an art form done on 31/2 square pieces of high quality paper. There is no up or down, no rules on design. The developers of Zentangles claim that drawing in a focused manner equates the activity with meditation.
Have you heard of them or produced any tiles, as they call them?
I like that they're tiny, just like my condo. I live in 460sqft.
From all I've read about them, I think making them will help my racing thoughts/intrusive memories and anxiety/depression.
Zentangle.com

 

[watundah]

I have done them. They're fancy doodles. As an artist I focus when Im drawing, and relax. I guess it could be somewhat meditative. There is no right or wrong, just free flowing scribbles.

 

[Sammyiam]

We had a Zentangle thread going when we had the donation run. We had people doing zentangles and putting them on the thread maybe we could get it going again ?

 

[KwanYingirl]

Do you think it's necessary to buy the paper and pens recommended by the Zentangles websites?

 

[KwanYingirl]

By the way, I have zero artistic ability and have often wished I could benefit from art therapy but if it looks like crap, I'd beat myself up, thereby canceling out the therapeutic benefit. Yeah, they do look like doodles, but beautifully executed ones, with shading (can't imagine I could pull that off).

 

[watundah]

You can use any paper and a fine nib pen. Just be careful not to drag your hand across the ink and smear it. ;)

Ah, the self judgement in drawing can be harsh but you don't have to be an artist. They teach you about the different lines and textures and there's no right or wrong here.

 

[KwanYingirl]

@watundah do you agree that it is relaxing? I can't see or knit anymore due to my chemical sensitivity. Always looking for a safe, enjoyable craft. Thanks for your perspective
I really admire artists!!!

 

[watundah]

Yes! Since it is rather mindless, drawing free flowing patterns vs trying to render some 3D object, you can let your mind go.

 

[KwanYingirl]

I'm gonna try it!'

 

[RavenGirl]

We make them with the middle school kids I work with. They are quite relaxing and there really is no right or wrong. We use thick paper and different sizes of black sharpies. :)

 

[Deleted member 30956]

This is the first time I've heard of this wonder. I want to try it too. Where do I get the patterns?

 

[RavenGirl]

You make your own, they are all free form. Look up zentangles on the Internet to get an idea. They are pretty cool.