I stumbled up a drawing style named Zentangle. It’s the perfect combination of pen, patterns, swirls and doodling… and I LOVE It.  It’s really not so far off from what I when I was doodling in my teen years. I haven’t felt this inspired in a long time. The kind of inspiration where I am wondering when/where I will be able to draw again! I saw my local college offering Zentangle classes and thought maybe I would take it. But I’m impatient (and cheap) so I just did some research on the internet, instagram, youtube and just jumped in.

Here is my first attempt:

It’s really not a complicated style and I find that the ZEN in zentangle rings true. At first, I was getting impatient and trying to finish and spending too much trying to decide what my next pattern would be. But you really need to just let go and become absorbed in the drawing. And after rushing around from 6am to 8pm Monday-Friday, I find this a very welcome break for my brain.

Below is my second attempt. I didn’t start out with an owl in mind. I noticed how much the eye area reminded me of an owl so I went with it. I still find it a struggle to not get too caught up in what details I’m going to do next, but with practice I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it.

The great thing about this style is that anyone can do it. Really! Here is my 6-year old working on her first zentangle.

You can follow more frequent updates of my sketches and works in progress on Instagram. My user is /kathyosborne. Hope to see you there!