50 Inspiring drawings, designs & ideas for the meditative mrtist
by Margaret Bremner, Norma J. Burnell, Penny Raile, & Lara Williams
Paperback: 144 pages
Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 0.7 x 11.6 inches
The Art of Zentangle is written by four of the most talented Certified Zentangle Teachers out there.
It is a workbook, first and foremost. There are blank spaces and blank pages throughout so that you can practice what you've learned from the book. But that doesn't mean the authors have stinted on content. Oh no, they've come up with plenty for you to read and do!
The book slants toward Zentangle-Inspired Art rather than the traditional Zentangle method (though it does touch on the traditional as well). You'll learn to tangle hummingbirds and fairies and zendalas and delightful and whimsical creatures as well as borders and frames! There are specific projects for you to create and patterns for you to practice.
The illustrations are gorgeous, and the instructions are simple and clear. The authors have done a fabulous job of integrating both writing and drawing styles so the reader never feels jolted as they move from one author to the next.
Even someone with no drawing or tangling experience will be able to use this book. Projects are done in a step-by-step method that leads you through the process, and you are given tips and techniques in drawing and relaxing as well as tangling. Still, the experienced will have something to learn, and will find it easy to expand on what is being taught.
I don't believe that any of the tangles in the book are new, but some, such as Flux may never have been posted online.
In conclusion, this is a book that will be useful for tanglers, doodlers, art journalists, scrapbookers and crafters of all kinds. It's fun, full of information and you'll be able to spend hours working on your new skills.
Tangles included are: Flux, Hollibaugh, Roxi, Pokeleaf, Dragonair, Chainlea, Printemps, Cadent, Shing, Poppet, Zippee! and Twink.
Projects included are: Fish Aquarium, Fantasy Garden, Tangly Toadstools,Silhouette Tangles, Hummingbird, Fairy, Zentangle Mandala, Mandala Stencil String, Glitter Tangles and Tangled Frame.
Other subjects: Tools & Materials, Getting Started, Enhancements, Patterns & Borders, Creatures & Sillies, Tangled Motifs, Channeling Picasso, Finding Inspiration, ZIA Fairies, Getting Centered, and Creating Strings.
Thanks Sandra! The only thing I can't understand is, as a workbook with lots of pages to draw on, why the publisher didn't do a coil binding. Otherwise, I'm generally quite pleased with what Walter Foster Publishing has produced.
ReplyDeleteThe decisions that publishers make do amaze me sometimes. Probably had something to do with scheduling the binder or the cost of the plastic coils at the time of printing rather than the practical use of the book!
DeleteI took my copy to Staples and had a coil put on it. It didn't cost that much and is so worth it. I love the book!
DeleteGot my copy, and it's a joy for the eyes!
DeleteI really enjoyed your review. I might have to add this one to my growing collection.
ReplyDeleteI love this book and have had it a while now, whenever it first came out. I do use the blank pages to practice the tangles and I even get fooled when I look at them and think another person did them, then I realize that was the practice page and I actually did them and made them look good. LOL
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