If your Zentangle looks like something, it's no longer a Zentangle, but rather Zentangle Inspired Art (Z.I.A.) or a Zendoodle. Zentangles are constructed in black and white, should not look like 'something' and are absolutely NOT a mindless drawing activity, but rather created with purpose and intent. Tangles often have specific names and ways of drawing each pattern, in fact, there are books filled with tangle patterns! The act of creating a Zentangle is called 'tangling' and is a form of meditative art, where the artist focusses on creating each single line rather than a particular image.

Zentangles are created on small 3.5' square paper tiles and are made up of a foundation of 'strings' which are used to define areas which are then filled with 'Tangles' (single repetitive patterns).

Ceremony - sort of like a Japanese Tea ceremony for the mind!.

Abstract - no up or down, non-representative - ie: it shouldn't look like 'something'.

Foundations (or limits) from the use of 'strings'.

No Eraser - work your mistakes into your design.

Focus - each stroke is created with intent (even if the final result is a mystery).describes Zentangle as 'an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. With the Zentangle method, anyone can create beautiful images from repetitive patterns, and even though it is a specified series of steps, it results in a creative expression that transcends its own rules. There five main styles or types of doodle based art are:Įach style or type has its own specific characteristics and forms and all are equally beautiful! Let's take a look at each one and see what they are all about and what makes them unique.

Want to start Doodling but a bit overwhelmed and confused about the styles of doodling and what the differences are? Well in this post I'll take a look at the different styles of doodling (or repetitive art forms) and discuss what makes each of them unique.

Aesthetic doodle drawings