I drew a few zentangle designs for you....

I keep promising to sit and actually draw something, then scan it in so I finally did it.

Here are the Zentangle designs that I made. First I made

A butterfly!

Then I did my name, I wish I had a new calligraphy pen it would have been easier, but I used some sharpie products. 

Enjoy!

Don't forget to send me your art work, details on the last post.

Love, Saige

Relax....Zentangle for your mind like mental yoga

 Tanking a break from my usual links to great art lessons today because I have a technique or style for you to try, and it is an argument for saving art education. So while many places are cutting budgets and getting rid of art and music programs in the process, here is another way that  the arts can help expand your mind, Zentangle.

This image is available for sale on Etsy.

Yes, Zentangle.
What is a Zentangle? From Zentangle.com, "Zentangle is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns.

Almost anyone can use it to create beautiful images. It increases focus and creativity, provides artistic satisfaction along with an increased sense of personal well being. The Zentangle method is enjoyed all over this world across a wide range of skills, interests and ages.

We believe that life is an art form and that our Zentangle method is an elegant metaphor for deliberate artistry in life.

We invite you to explore our web site and learn more about this wonderful and uplifting method and artform."

 Further in their website I found this quote that I just loved.

"Education

At all age levels, whether in public, private or home school environments, Zentangle can improve:

• Handwriting
• Eye/hand coordination
• Creativity and personal expression
• Problem solving
• Cross-cultural understanding, using various cultural symbols such as Indian henna patterns, Celtic knotting, Zuni pottery, Maori tattoos or Islamic tiling.
• Relaxation and focus
• Confidence

Moreover, Zentangle's method can be enjoyed by many ages simultaneously in a group setting. This can be particularly useful in educational settings where different age groups regularly interact, such as Montessori and home school environments."

I found this amazing butterfly Here.

So many kids have issues with their focus and this would be a great way to help encourage them to expand their focus with drawing.  How amazing would it be if it was used as a therapy? 

As for where a Zentangle would end up in the elements of art that I have been discussing on the blog, it falls under line. You are using lines to create in this type of drawing. 

Zentangle can just be a expanded pattern doodle  you make while on the phone or it can be an entire work of art. It is up to you. 

It is a great example of how art can help you relax. 

Want to learn more about Zentangle? Try this great Pinterest board, and this Pinterest board that I found. 

This is so beautiful. 

 I found this here.

Not all Zentangle is complex, here is an  example of a simple Zentangle design. I know I have randomly doodled and came up with a few interesting designs before, so it is easy and fun.

I found this here. A great example of simple zentangle.

 So go try it, and as always I would love to do a reader post on art that my readers have created. Please get permission from your parents if you are a kid like me, and email your art to my mom at Lemonhead103@verizon.net and mom will help me make a post showcase. 

I am going to make a Zentangle to share. 

Remember Mimi says that artists should try new techniques to expand on their artists tools. 

Love Saige.

Playing with the Paint program

I am a pc user, not a Mac user, so this comes from a pc point of view but on all of the pc's in our house we can access a program called Paint. It is a fun little program. There is also a google chrome paint extension.
Today I am going to share a quick pop art rose I drew in Paint.

Pro's of this for practicing, it is free, and you are not wasting art supplies if you make a mistake. The con's are it is a bit different to control. I know some people who do tons of illustration on a computer so practicing in paint can only help. Consider it another tool for the artists toolbox.

Love Saige

Even more perspective

I found a video to teach you about three point perspective.Jerry's Artarama is another place with great free online art lessons. Feel free to explore further.

 So now when you go back to school you can say this summer I gained some new perspective... LOL I cracked myself up with that artist humor. Ok well anyhow here is another tutorial. I am going to have a post with a piece of my art and a tutorial on how I did it soon. Stay tuned kids.

Love Saige

Some great advice.. so get in Line

In my search to share different artist's techniques and add to my artists toolbox as well as yours, I found this great tutorial series on Youtube. KlineStudiosArt has some advice on how to hold your pencil. It would seem simple but he shows you how to not press so hard, making mistakes easier to erase and how to control your pencil. Lesson 2 is about lines as well. Lines are an element of art so this is a great skill to build on.
So get your pencil and paper kids, make some lines.

Love Saige

Rules? No one said there were rules?

So I have to tell you that there are some rules in art. Don't run with a sharp pencil. Don't run with scissors... oh wait , you know them already, right? Well how about the rule of thirds? I bet you just said what is the rule of thirds? Bruce Blitz is going to show you how to use the rule to expand your artists tools. Hey, I just sounded like Mimi. An artisit learns new techniques and skills and adds to their tool box.

I need to go find some more new things to learn so I have more tools in my tool box to share. Keep practicing, explore the web sites I have shared with you, and send me some of your work. You can email a .jpg to lemonhead103@verizon.net with permission, and my mom will help me get them up on this blog.

Love,
Saige

Getting some more perspective

So, I hope that your art has improved by these activities that we have been watching and practicing. Bruce Blitz has a video on two point perspective for you. Try to draw what he shows, it will help you expand your style.

Have fun, keep drawing

Love Saige