Badge: Zendoodle Basics

Do you doodle? Zendoodle, also known as Zentangle®, involves creating doodled patterns in predefined areas. It is an easy technique done in black and white.

Steps

1. Reduce stress.

You’ll notice this badge references the word “zen.” The act of creating repeating patterns is relaxing and requires focus. It is a great activity to help reduce stress. While working on this badge, make sure to have a place you can focus and work without interruptions. You might wish to include music with this activity.

2. Zentangle®

Zentangle is a process that allows you to enter a state of flow. It follows specific theories. Some things that define a Zentangle are creation within a 3.5” square area, having a boundary and sectioned off by strings. Theories include “anything is possible one stroke at a time” and “no predetermined solution.” There are even official tangles. Find a video or take a local class to get the full Zentangle experience from a certified teacher.

3. Zendoodle.

Zendoodle does not follow any specifics or rules. It is merely the act of taking a shape or area and filling it with a pattern. For this badge program, we will focus more on creating the doodles than the process.

4. Basic materials.

A pencil, a black permanent fine line marker and smooth paper is all you need. Thicker paper (cardstock) is better so the marker doesn’t leak through it. Find these materials and a clean, flat surface to work on.

5. Patterns.

Patterns are the basis for the design of a zendoodle. You might make a simple checkerboard pattern or waves. Using your favorite search engine, find images of “zendoodle patterns.” Choose a few and put them down on a piece of paper or save the images to a folder on your hard drive for reference later.

6. YouTube.

Check out the videos on YouTube to see how to zendoodle. You can purchase kits and books, if you really enjoy this technique. Watch at least two videos completely to see how this technique is done.

7. Practice.

Practicing is important. Remember, you are doodling so there is no “right” way to do it. You’re also supposed to be relaxing, so don’t rush yourself. As you practice creating your own doodles, think about small changes you can make to create new unique doodles.

The following steps will help you see different ways to put your patterns into shapes. You’ll notice the progression from very easy to slightly more difficult with multiple sections in your designs instead of only one. This is a great way to share this craft with others so they can succeed early and often.

Shapes for Doodles

8. Single shape.

Start with a single shape. Doodle a pattern in it. Then, do a different doodle in the same shape. You can download the heart card supplement listed below for a single shape to start.

9. Free doodle.

You’ll see that some shapes have different patterns in the sections. For this exercise, draw a line on a sheet of paper. Do not lift your pencil. Be sure to cross over lines you’ve drawn so that you have multiple sections. Fill each section with a different pattern. You can also download the free doodle sample sheet to start.

10. Circles.

Use a compass, grab a bowl, find a stencil or use anything that will help you create circles. On a sheet of paper, create multiple circles. Some should overlap. Like the exercise in the above step, put a different pattern in each section. Using the circles gives you a more defined area to fill.

11. Geometrics.

You can use other shapes like you did in the previous step. You can also create a grid with the shapes, mosaic-looking designs and more. Look at squares, triangles, pentagons, hexagons, octagons and more to see how you can use these by overlapping or just creating a pattern to doodle into.

12. Ornaments.

Ornaments are another great way to practice your doodling skills. A few years ago, I purchased white ceramic shapes and used black markers (Sharpies®). First, I did an outline slightly in from the edge to define my area. Then, I drew lines to break up the shape. Personally, I like odd-numbered sections. Then, I doodled a different pattern in each section.

NOTE: I did experiment with both smooth and rough ornaments. The rough ones were hard on the markers, so if you choose to use these buy a set of black markers.

Supplements

SUPP_ZB_6Patterns_larajla

Six squares to put patterns in for reference while teaching

SUPP_ZB_Circles_larajla

Circles for zendoodling

SUPP_ZB_Freeform_larajla

Freeform shape for zendoodling

SUPP_ZB_Geometrics1_larajla

Geometric for zendoodling

SUPP_ZB_Geometrics2_larajla

Geometric for zendoodling

SUPP_ZB_Geometrics3_larajla

Geometric for zendoodling

SUPP_ZB_Heart_ATC_9up_larajla

ATC-cards with heart for zendoodles

SUPP_Zen Basics_2in_12up_larajla

Avery 2” Round Label Printable, 12 up

SUPP_Zen Basics_Checklist_larajla

Badge checklist

Sites to Explore

Get the infographic here > larajla blog post

Get the PDFs of the badge program / supplements here > Full badge PDFs