In Zendoodle Basics, we explored simple shapes and patterns. We moved to more complicated shapes and patterns in Zendoodle More. Now, we want to explore organic designs and dimensionality.
Steps
1. Organic.
We’ve filled shapes with patterns randomly. When you’re looking at an organic design, you want to put more thought into the design. Ask yourself if the patterns will go together or will a “non-pattern” be a better fit for the design. As we work through the following steps, feel free to experiment to see what works for your style.
2. Dangles.
Dangles are elements that “hang” from a design. Think of charms on a bracelet. The bracelet is the frame that holds the charms and grabs your interest. When drawing dangles, you might attach them to letters, words, shapes, frames or other elements. Dangles may be straight or curved with zendoodles on them or incorporated into them. Use of white space is important. Search online for “zendoodle dangles” for ideas. Try to make your own.
3. Along a line.
Using lines, you can add elements on or around a line. This is similar to a dangle. Unlike a dangle, you don’t have something to “hang” it from. The line is the basis of design. Grab the swirl supplement and doodle on it to create your own unique design.
4. Mandalas.
Mandalas incorporate doodling as they grow organically from the center outward. You can check out images of mandalas or visit YouTube for more information. Circular grids are provided as supplements for you to use in creating your own design.
5. Three-dimensional layers.
Creating a dimensional layout with shading breaks apart a flat surface. You can also create layers with zendoodles on them so shadows play a part in your dimensional look. For this step, draw an outline of your hand. Doodle both inside and out of it, then shade around the edges of your hand so it looks like it’s sitting on top of the background.
6. Non-defined areas.
Freestyle zendoodle is creating areas on a blank sheet which may have absolute borders in unique shapes or no border at all. You can add doodles outside the shapes to create a unique design. Areas might be white, contain dangles, ribbons, or any combination of doodling techniques just to make the area more organic.
7. Feathers.
I love the look of zendoodled feathers. The hollow shaft / rachis is the only defined area to start. Drawing in the vane in sections with zendoodle designs in the sections makes an organic design. You may find some patterns do not look good in the design. The feather supplement gives you a starting point for your own unique design
8. Punched and die-cut shapes.
Punched and die-cut shapes can give you an “outline” without having a black line defining the area. You might choose to do only a section of a punched shape, such as a wing on a bird. You also might choose to doodle along defining lines you add. Look at pre-cut shapes and brainstorm how you might like to zendoodle on it . . . then try it!
9. Swirls, teardrops and paisleys.
These shapes are defined, but placing them randomly or doodling outside the edges gives you a more organic feel. Check out the supplements for this step and try one or more.
10. Three-dimensional shapes.
Three-dimensional shapes allow you to go around the edges, breaking the corners to create more interest. I did this in a class where we zendoodled over a wooden shape. Look at dimensional items you might want to zendoodle and think about continued designs around the edges.
Supplements
SUPP_CircleZen_5_5_larajla
- Circle grid for creating mandala-type designs
SUPP_CircleZen_7_7_larajla
- Circle grid for creating mandala-type designs
SUPP_Dangle01_larajla
- Five straight lines to decorate within and add dangles
SUPP_Dangle02_larajla
- Three curved lines like a garland to decorate and add dangles
SUPP_Dangle03_larajla
- The word ‘’create’’ to decorate and add dangles
SUPP_FeatherZen_larajla
- Feather shaft to create zendoodles around
SUPP_PaisleyZen_larajla
- Single paisley to sendoodle in and around
SUPP_SwirlZen_larajla
- Swirl to decorate on and around
SUPP_TeardropZen_larajla
- Single teardrop to zendoodle in and around
SUPP_Zen Beyond_2in_12up_larajla
- Avery 2” Round Label Printable, 12 up
SUPP_Zen Beyond_Checklist_larajla
- Badge checklist
Sites to Explore
- tanglepatterns.com/2012/03/joanne-fink-tutorial-on-her-zentangle-inspired-dangle-designs.html
- www.imgrum.org/tag/zendangles
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=EosLeI-1oB4
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtRk5-Z5ugk
- www.pinterest.com/alexandrienne/dangles-zentangles-doodles
- nwcreations.com/best-zentangle-doodle-mandala-zendoodle-art-design
- blog.suzannemcneill.com/zen-notans-and-new-techniques-for-zentangle
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