Trauma Support Community Check-in: Sunday 14 March 2021
Hi, wonderful community !
Zentangling was proposed to me by my therapist. It worked for me to calm down anxiety and improve my mood. So I want to share it with you.
Even if you don’t find it interesting, I want to convey with this example, a sense of the many possibilities we have of doing interesting, creative, rewarding things, even under difficult mental states that might bother us.
ZenTangle is an art form specifically designed for Art Therapy.
That is, to induce calm, focus, enjoyment and to improve self-esteem through the achievement, by easy means, of a piece of art made by yourself. Without any previous art training.
It’s so easy that you can do it under the worst anxiety, mental blockages, obsessions with sad thoughts, etc. and it will help you out of these negative moods.
You can achieve complex abstract drawings (like the one at the top of this page), through the accumulation and juxtaposition of simple graphic patterns.
These patterns, called “Tangles” in the jargon, have already been designed by the creators of this system to be effective for making complex drawings, by repeating them within the spaces you create on the page.
The availability of “pre-made” interesting patterns, makes it easy to start and complete your drawings, while still providing ample creative freedom. You can also create your own.
ZenTangles are black-and-white. The main drawing tool is a fine-point marker, that you can get at any stationery store. Drawings are made on a small sheet of paper, of about 3.5” x 3.5” (or 9cm x 9 cm), but any rectangle of a similar size will do. To start your drawing, delineate its borders within this small paper, then make some internal lines separating different areas.
Finish the drawing by filling those areas with the patterns you choose.
This is just one example of an Art Therapy practice, like coloring, doodling, mandalas, etc. I encourage you to try some, find the one you like the most, and take some time to practice it. You will enjoy it, it will calm you down, clear your mind, and improve your mood.
Resources:
Some materials with examples and detailed teachings. Click the link to download:
- Joy of Zentangle
- One Zentangle a day
- Zentangle for Beginners
- Time to Tangle with Colors
Youtube videos (click to watch):
- How to create a ZenTangle
- Zentangle Patterns
- A gallery of ZenTangles by expert practitioners: HERE
Questions:
- How do you feel today ?
- What has been your experience with Art Therapy practices so far?
- What Art form would you like to master ?
I look forward to your comments, and wish you all the best !
Marcelo.
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@WelcomeToChat, Hello again!
- How do you feel today?
I'm a bit disappointed with a friend. That's it.
- What has been your experience with Art Therapy practices so far?
Well, it's relaxing. I usually draw random lines like this.
To the point that the paper becomes dark-filled with ink. A good stress reliever.
- What Art form would you like to master?
Writing, if that is considered an art form.
Have a nice day!
@SnippyHam
Hi !
Nice to see you again !
I am sorry about the situation with your friend .
Friendships have their ups and downs... I hope things get better soon,
Thank you for sharing your drawing !
I am glad that you find it relaxing. One more tool in your wellbeing toolset !
Your drawing looks very interesting. I feel it's not that random...
You are fond of straight lines, not curved ones. You like particularly diagonals, mostly vertical, at slightly different angles. You like your lines to be perfectly straight. With various thicknesses. And you fill the space almost evenly, with some more density at the four points of the "rule of thirds". All this makes for a dynamic, interesting, harmonious composition.
It is also a very healthy attitude that you are conscious and present during the process, more than looking for a result.
And Writing is a venerable and marvelous art-form, for sure !
In my experience, it's motivating to share your written pieces with close and caring people, and ask for their comments and impressions. That could be done with your friends and family through social media, dedicated online communities, or even at 7 Cups in the very active and friendly "Writing Hobbies" Forum HERE
I encourage you to write some brief piece and post it there !
Thank you for your participation in this check-in !
All the best !
Marcelo.
@WelcomeToChat
Thank you for preparing such a well-crafted Chack-in !
And for the detailed and original proposal you offer to us.
I have checked the books and videos, and they are beautiful.
I do some ballpoint doodling from time to time, but this looks more structured and better-designed activity. I will give this "Zentangle" a try following the books and videos, maybe not now, but soon.
The art form I always wanted to master is writing a novel. But it feels intimidating to me. I have some ideas in mind, but I never started to put them down in writing.
Thank you again for your checkin!
@GalileoGalilei
Hello !
Thank you for participating in this Chack-In !
And thank you for your compliments on its contents !
I am happy that you have checked the books and videos, and have found them useful.
Ballpoint doodling is great, as any other simple drawing technique, if it helps to reduce stress and feel a little better.
You are right that the Zentangle technique is highgly structured, in spite of the seemingly chaotic drawings it produces.
This carefully engineered structure is what makes it easy and effective at the same time, and so very appropriate as Art Therapy.
Regarding writing a novel, you are right to feel intimidated by facing such a big work.
Might be you can start with shorter texts and, as I suggested in a previous post, share them in the "Writing Hobbies" forum HERE in 7 Cups, where you will find a sympathetic community to get feedback and encouragement.
There are many books on writing a novel, some online resources, and software (like Dramatica and Scrivener) that help you structure it, make the building blocks, and later assemble it as a finished novel.
Thank you again for checking in !
All the best !
Marcelo
@WelcomeToChat
Hi !
I didn't know about "Zentangle", but I draw from time to time.
Once I am drawing, I feel focused and calm. But it has become increasingly difficult for me to sit down and actually draw, due to anxiety and other problems.
Might be this "Zentangle" thing could be easier to start with.
I have still to see the books and videos. I might give it a try after that.
The artform that I always fascinated me is Dancing. I would like to be a good contemporary dancer. I used to take classes, but they were stopped a year ago due to covid.
Thank you again for your nice Check-In !
@JeanneDarc
Hi !
It's nice that you practice drawing ! I just wanted to show one more among the many ways of this art.
You are right that there is some small barrier to start a "serious drawing".
That's why Art Therapy drawing techniques, like Zentangle, are much simpler to start with, while you can still produce a good piece of art out of them.
You are invited to download the books and watch the videos whenever you want. This thread will stay alive like forever...
Dancing is amazing ! I don't go much to the theatre to watch dancing, but I watch Dance on Youtube and on a streaming service called Medici.tv I can stay hours mesmerized by the beauty of the music and the elegant movements of the dancers.
Thank you for participating in this check-in !
All the best !
Marcelo
@WelcomeToChat
Hi! Thank you for your post.
1. How do you feel today?
Right now I feel at peace, even though the day started on a low note. Yesterday night I went to sleep panick-y and today morning it finally coalesced and I had a panic attack.
2. What’s your experience with Art Therapy?
Non-existent, actually, but I draw a lot, specially with ink or drawing pencils.
3. What type of Art would you like to master?
Besides ink and pencils, I’d like to learn how to pain with oils.
@adequatelyInadequate
Hi !
I am glad that you feel at peace now.
And particularly that you could achieve this positive state starting from such a low point as a panic attack at the beginning of the day. It takes some degree of self-mastery to achieve something like it.
Congratulations for that !
If drawing comes easy and natural to you, it is as good an Art Therapy as it can get.
I also like pencils and pen-and-ink. I have learned a lot about Pen & Ink drawing from the amazing Alphonso Dunn Youtube Channel HERE
Regarding pencils, I was frustrated for some time about how much work it takes to draw with B&W (also w/color) pencils, which much effort doesn't show in the final work. I have started to use the "Lumograph Black" line (comes only in a limited range of B hardnesses) that contains more carbon and produces more saturated, matte lines and shades, with less effort. Highly recommended. The Conté Noir is also great.
Oil Painting is amazing! It's serious business !
I paint with watercolors but always wanted to paint with oils. I was put off by how messy it is. I haven't arranged yet a space at home in which I could work with oils and solvents, let the painting dry, etc.
Thank you very much for participating in this check-in !
I really enjoyed your post !
All the best !
Marcelo.
I’ll be sure to check out that YouTube Channel, Marcelo. As for the pencils, I don’t really have much money to spare, usually the pencils are use are old ones I trade for those colorful pens everyone loves to give me. The one thing I can’t bring myself to stop buying are good quality ink pens. Drawing with them is just so soothing, I can spend hours. I tend to draw mandalas or to fill a page with small flowers or sometimes I try to make waves when I feel up to a challenge.
I’ll see when I have time to give ZenTangle a try too- I looked at some of the pieces and they look real neat.
-Deq
@WelcomeToChat
@adequatelyInadequate
Dear Deq:
Thank you for your kind answer !
If you like Pen & Ink, you won't regret watching Alphonso Dunn. He is so generous ! He made a complete, exhaustive course on Pen & Ink available for free on YouTube. Thankfully, there are people like that in this world...
I have bought "pre-owned" (little used) art pencils at E-bay, at low prices. You can also buy just one or two of the dark black pencils, like a 2B and a 6B, and combine with the others.
Regarding good ink pens, do you mean like the Jetstream or the Sakura Micron ? These are the ones used for zentangle... I like the Microns, they are very smooth and precise, and they stand watercolor.
I have also bought very good chinese copies of the
Microns at AliExpress.
I enjoyed very much your description of yourself drawing mandalas, small flowers and waves...
And made me happy that you liked the Zentangle idea...
Keep in touch !
All the best !
Marcelo
No, I don’t even know if those are imported here- I buy a local brand that’s pretty good, but not professional. I like it because they last so long and because it’s the closest thing to working with actual Chinese ink I’ve found. I’ll definitely be on the look out for those brands you mentioned- might even see if they are sold online.
I’ve never seen “little used” pencils sold here- which is why I use the exchange method. There’s always someone around who thought they’d like to give drawing a chance but got bored too fast.
Thank you for your words of advice,
Deq
@WelcomeToChat
@adequatelyInadequate
For what you describe, the local brand ink pens you get there are quite good. That their ink seems like Chinese ink says it all.
Besides, you are lucky to be able to get the materials you wand in exchange for some gifts that are not interesting to you.
I wish you all the best !
Marcelo.
@WelcomeToChat These are great for anxiety! Awesome checkin :)
@mytwistedsoul
Thank you for participating in this Check-In !
And thank you for your compliments.
I'm glad you liked them !
I hope they work well for you.
All the best !
Marcelo.
@WelcomeToChat
- How do you feel today ?
Okay, I havent been here in awhile. Figured I should come back. Doing very well in school, getting an A average. It is getting warmer here, more like spring, lately. It is pretty cold out right now, though.
- What has been your experience with Art Therapy practices so far?
I have a bunch of coloring books. Some with Mandalas, some with other drawing to color. I also draw freehand and paint. I have done art most of my life.
- What Art form would you like to master ?
Want to get back to my music theory course. Lately, theres been little time. Busy at school, at the moment, I have an instructor that is giving the class an awful lot of course work. Too much, actually.
@Breezy2013
Hi !
It's nice to see you again after so long !
I am glad you are back !
Great that you feel good !
Amazing that you have an "A" average at school. Congratulations!
It`s interesting that, having done Art all your life, you still have a dedicated Art Therapy set of materials, like coloring books.
In my experience, there is some small barrier to start a "serious drawing". That's why Art Therapy materials are much simpler to start with when you are not in the mood for "serious art", but need to relax and calm down .
I'm sorry you had to postpone your Music Theory studies. That's an amazing field. I never went beyond recognizing some chords and intervals, but can appreciate its beauty.
Some professors make their courses more difficult than necessary, to feel more important and severe. To feel they are better than the others.
Thank you for participating in this check-in !
All the best !
Marcelo
- How do you feel today?
I feel so bad. I can't endure being jobless since 6/1/2021 when I was fired in a sudden and an insulting way. I don't have the power or the enthusiasm to cheer up and move on and look for another job. In addition my faculty haven't submitted my results yet
- What has been your experience with Art Therapy practices so far?
I tried to read a book about painting but The PDF is opened since 5 days without reading.
- What Art form would you like to master?
Painting and playing violin, but I don't have the ability to start.
@DinaElwy
Dear Dina:
I'm glad to see you again.
Thank you for participating in this Check-in !
I'm sorry that you feel so sad. Rightly so. Being jobless is depressing. Do not demand from yourself more than you can do for now. Be patient with yourself.
I encourage you to read the 7 Cups guide on Depression. You can find HERE
Take your time and take care of yourself.
If you like art, you can browse paintings online, on websites like "Google Arts and Culture" that has almost all the paintings displayed in all art museums in the world HERE
"Google Arts and Culture" has an app you can download for Android from HERE and for iPhone from HERE So you can watch all the paintings in the world, on your phone.
In "Google Arts and Culture" you can browse entire museums, or search and look at paintings by painters you like.
Viewing many works of art is an important part of any artist's education. Beyond being enjoyable in itself, you absorb aesthetic concepts and compositional approaches. A mind full of visual images is ripe for creative ideas.
So when the time comes that you have enough energy to paint, you have already learned a lot without much effort.
You can also watch Youtube classes on figure and portrait drawing, anatomy for artists, and painting classes. Just watch without any effort.
There is a list of such Youtube Channels HERE (I am a fan of Proko's...)
I hope you like these ideas and enjoy watching art, and art lessons online.
Please keep in touch !
All the best !
Marcelo
Questions:
- How do you feel today ? I am doing better today than over the weekend. . . gout and I was called Lazy by my uncle and I could barely get to the bathroom with out crying in pain. (I had meds and cherry juice)
- What has been your experience with Art Therapy practices so far? I color often. 
- What Art form would you like to master ? writing and I would like to get back into painting
@Rebekahwriter13
Dear Rebekah:
I am glad that you are feeling better from gout.
It's appalling how there are people so callous to call you lazy when you are so much in pain that you can barely do anything at all. So insensitive! Even cruel, I think.
I have checked your Instagram, you are into very beautiful, complex and detailed coloting. Very nice !
I saw also those "word per day" graphs. You seem very professional about tour writing. Reminds me of "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield...
I also saw beautiful paintings, some abstract, some figurative. I wish you can back to painting someday.
Keep in touch !
All the best !
Marcelo.
@WelcomeToChat
Yes, the Lazy comment really hit some of my triggers. I am the type who makes a to-do list, and I am very ambitious. I count laziness as an insult.
I have anemia at times and lately I have been exhausted and I am fighting naps to prove I am not lazy.
@Rebekahwriter13
Naps are healthy. Tons of scientific research attest to that.
Take naps if you feel the need.
Don't try to prove anything to stupid people. It's a waste of time and energy.
All the best !
Marcelo
@WelcomeToChat
I'm trying to figure out how to stop laziness as a trigger
@Rebekahwriter13
Hi !
Maybe being so conscientious, you have some feeling of guilt inside you, for not doing enough.
So when someone calls you "lazy" it presses that hot button.
You could apply the 85% rule.
85% is enough...
All the best !
Marcelo.
@WelcomeToChat
I get health issues and they cause set backs. . . my sleep apnea and anemia make it hard to find exhaustion at times.
@WelcomeToChat
This sounds really interesting, ima look into it more, thx so much for sharing!
@Fireskye13
If you like coloring, you might like it.
Download the books, watch the videos, and give it a try some weekend !
All the best !
Marcelo.
