The below lesson is intended to take multiple class periods. This will be a project that students will always have in their folders and will continue to work on whenever I am absent. Do not worry about having them finish this in one class period!
You should walk them through this website. You can gather them around a computer, laptop, or iPad in order to show them this. Read through everything with them and show them all of the examples.
You should walk them through this website. You can gather them around a computer, laptop, or iPad in order to show them this. Read through everything with them and show them all of the examples.
Project Description:
Students will create a Zentangle letter or word design. Everything can be done in pencil first, then in sharpie. When they are done, students can use colored pencils or markers to color in their artwork. They can use any kind of paper they want to create their artwork. I suggest "big white paper." The bigger and more complex their Zentangle art is, the better.
Materials Required:
Vocabulary:
Prep Steps:
Next and Final Steps:
Tips:
Students will create a Zentangle letter or word design. Everything can be done in pencil first, then in sharpie. When they are done, students can use colored pencils or markers to color in their artwork. They can use any kind of paper they want to create their artwork. I suggest "big white paper." The bigger and more complex their Zentangle art is, the better.
Materials Required:
- Pencils
- Erasers
- Paper ("big white paper" is in top of shelving unit, construction paper is near the bottom of the shelving unit)
- Rulers
- Access to this website (on their phones, computers or iPads) or access to printed out examples (in "Class Resources Folder" -- they know where this is).
Vocabulary:
- Zentangle: Basically, very fancy doodles.
- Craftsmanship: Neatness. Encourage them to be neat and clean with their artwork.
- Patience: Students should take their time. Encourage them to slow down and not to rush.
Prep Steps:
- Research: Students should perform some research on their phones, iPads, or on the classroom computers to find designs they like. They can search terms like: "Zentangle designs," "illuminated letters," "Zentangle how to," and "line designs."
Next and Final Steps:
- Blue Painter's Tape Around Border: You will remove this tape when you're done, revealing a bright white border that will allow your patterns to pop out even more.
- Choose a Letter, Word, or Symbol: Using a font that you like, write this letter, word, or symbol near the center of your paper. You will not put any designs inside of your letter/word/symbol. They will remain white so that they will stand out from your complex background.
- Break Your Background Up Into Many Sections: Freehand or using a ruler, break up your background into as many sections as possible.
- Start Zentangling: Going section-by-section, fill in each section with a different line design or Zentangle design. You can start with pencil designs or jump right to sharpies if you're feeling confident.
- Focus on Filling-In: Try to limit the amount of white showing through your designs. Fill those sections in.
- Optional Additions: Color-in whatever you want when you're done.
Tips:
- Encourage students to "back away" from their art to look at it from a distance.
- Have the students help each other or encourage them to use the Internet when they get "stuck."
EXAMPLES
RESOURCES
