Zentangle Foundations

Here’s a chance to dive right into Zentangle with a 5-hour workshop; all materials included.

The McMillan Art Centre’s Art Foundations Program is designed for people who want more formal education in the basics of visual art theory, as well as techniques for different mediums. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the principles of art and how they might apply to their own art practice.

The Art Foundations Program begins with four core courses: Drawing, Colour Theory, Composition and Zentangle. These four courses will give an ‘elemental’ understanding of the underlying concepts used in creating visual art. The workshops cost $100 each and will run from 10am–3 pm.

Zentangle Foundations is on Monday, March 7, 2022 10am-3pm

Register online here or email me for more information.

Along with the ‘how’ of creating art, it’s important to consider the ‘why. Using the Zentangle method, you’ll explore ways to jumpstart your creativity and/or reignite the joy of simply creating. You’ll tap into mindfulness using elemental strokes and simple materials to create structured patterns that weave into a completed (palm-sized) work of art. The workshop will cover classic (black on white) tiles plus drawing on black and on tan tiles in different shapes (we will do 3 pieces). Zentangle can also be incorporated into your own art practise – as warm-ups, block-breakers, and as Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA).

Instructor:  Rhonda Roy

Rhonda Roy is a Zentangle artist and Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT).  She discovered Zentangle in 2015, became a CZT in April 2016.  Rhonda believes we are all born with a need and an ability to create, and that Zentangle is a great way to awaken that creative side in us all. 

All materials included for this class

The McMillan Arts Centre is located at 133 McMillan Street, Parksville, BC (Canada). Class is in-person but can be attended via Zoom (you will need to provide your own materials).

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Holiday Party Crackers, Zentangle Style – Saturday, December 4, 2021

Saturday, December 4th from 10:00am-1:00 pm PST

Cost  $40  (some materials included) – only 6 spaces available

Register online

Location: McMillan Arts Centre, 133 McMillan Street, Parksville

Have you ever made your own party crackers? We’ll tangle a holiday-themed wrapper for your party cracker. Yes, the materials kit includes those snappy ‘cracker snaps’, and enough materials to make 4 crackers in total!

You add your own goodies along with the basic innards provided, and we’ll assemble at least one cracker together. After this class you’ll be able to make your own party crackers for any occasion!

Zentangle Basics/Art Bites Zentangle is a prerequisite for this class.

Please note:  only 6 kits available for this class; each kit makes 4 crackers

Materials kit includes:

• Cracker snaps
• Cracker template
• Cracker tangling paper
• Ribbon
• Tissue party hat 
• Jokes/fortunes to put inside

You’ll also need:

• Toys/treats to put inside the cracker(s)
• Your usual tangling/crafting supplies
• Gelly roll pens or similar (some will be available to borrow)
• Scissors and/or X-acto knife
• Tape
• Feel free to add your own bling, stickers, personalized items, etc.

Afraid to Shade?

This article was originally posted on my old website in 2017.

“I love my tile the way it is – I’m afraid shading it will mess it up!”

I’ve heard that comment often from my students.  While shading adds a whole new look to your tile, it is another area where uncertainty lies.  How will you know you like it better when it’s shaded?

First thing to remember is – it’s pencil.  Pencil can be erased.  I know, there are no erasers in Zentangle, but if worse comes to worse, you can always go back to the original tile as long as you’ve shaded in pencil.  It’s your art.   Nobody will tell on you!

Second rule of thumb is to shade in layers.  Start lightly, laying down a small amount of graphite and gently pulling it down to create a shaded line.  If you use the side of your pencil and shade gently, there will be no hard line to blend or to dig into the paper.

Third suggestion is to use the side of your tortillon or blending stump when you’re shading and move in small strokes.  This gives you more control over where the graphite is going.

Is the shading still not showing?  Go back and add another layer of graphite in the places you want a bit darker.  Blend again, and keep doing this until you have the effect you want.  Depending on the paper and the tangle, and where it is in the image, you might add more graphite in some places and less in others. 

Worried about smudging?  If you lay down too much graphite all at once it can look too heavy, giving the whole tile a greyish look.  Keep a light touch, and be aware of where your hand is so that it doesn’t trail the graphite where you don’t intend.   

Go slowly.  One stroke at a time when drawing with your pen, and also when shading and blending, too.

It’s important to remember that shading isn’t something you tack on at the end of a tile.  It’s part of the whole Zentangle process and that means it deserves the same attention as your pen lines.  Take time to look at your tile, admire it, turn it, and see if you’re drawn to a particular area.  Add your shading slowly and carefully, and enjoy the simple strokes and calming effect of working slowly and carefully.

Remember too, that there is more than one way to add shading.  Depending on your tile you might want to shade the overall shape, add detail to a tangle, or create depth to your piece.  You don’t have to do it all. 

Finally, if the idea of shading the original tile is still causing anxiety, you can always scan in your tile and make copies.  Then you can experiment until you find the look you want.

A CZT can provide more details, techniques and examples, and there are a number of different shading techniques that can be fun to explore.  Join me online for ‘Draw the Shades’, an online adventure into all the ins and outs of shading in Zentangle. ‘Draw the Shades’ is Nov 7^th from 1:00-3:30pm PST and you can register online here, or contact me for more info.

Simple shading can make a tile jump to life.  Try these suggestions and see what happens!  

Classes in July 2020

Summer has always meant time in the garden, barbecues with family and getting out to enjoy the great outdoors.  Even though we’re restricted more than usual this summer, that doesn’t mean we don’t want to get out there and take advantage of the season.

For that reason, I’m going to be changing my class offerings for July and August. I don’t usually teach over the summer months, but because we can now meet online, I’m happy to continue offering Tangled Tidbits, and Zentangle private and semi-private lessons.

Tangled Tidbits is a small group that meets weekly for an hour (Fridays from 1-2 pm PDT) and we try different ‘tidbits’ of ideas, tangles, and so on.  This class runs on a monthly subscription, so this is a good time to join us for the month of July.  There’s always room for you in this class if you have already taken a Zentangle class with me (Art Bites counts).   You can find more information here, or contact me for details.  Cost is $35CDN/month.

(I’m also open to setting up another Tangled Tidbits for those interested in a different day/time, who are not alumni from my classes, or who want to start up as their own group.  Just let me know!)

Zentangle on Demand is my online version of Zentangle 1-2-3. In short, we can arrange a private lesson, or a small group lesson if you have a friend or two you’d like to tangle with. This option is great for beginners or experienced tanglers alike.

Beginners are welcome!  We’ll start with Zentangle Basics and have you tangling in no time.  And for those looking for follow up classes or individual attention, I’ve amassed a large selection of classes I can teach and you’re welcome to check them all out here.   You’ll need to have the materials (I can help you figure out what you need) and we’ll set a mutually agreeable time and place.  Cost is $40CDN for a private 2-hour lesson, or $30CDN/per person for a 2-1/2 hour class.

If any of these options appeal to you, contact me for more information.

Whether you take a class or not, I hope Zentangle will be part of your summer relaxation plans!