Ages 13-17
Zentangle Magazine Collage
Skill Builders:
-Line
-Shape
-Theme
-Pattern
Supply List:
-Magazines
-Pencil
-Eraser
-Ruler (if desired)
-Black Sharpie - fine and ultra fine
-Glue Stick
-Scissors
-Colored Pencils/Markers/Crayons (if desired for step 4)
Alternative Supply List:
-If you don’t have magazines try using a newspaper, old books no longer wanted, mail advertisements, a picture of yourself, or print pictures off the computer.
-If you don’t have both sizes of black sharpies use one size. If you don’t have any black sharpies use black colored pencil or black marker. If you don’t have any black coloring materials pick one colored pencil or marker. Only use one color to create the background - preferably dark and not the same color as the picture(s).
Overview:
During this project you will get a chance to work with various lines, shapes, and patterns. Zentangle is a type of artwork using repeated lines, shapes, patterns, and designs to fill up a space. Some people claim that zentangle tends to be relaxing, you’ll have to see what you think! You are going to start with a portrait (picture of a person) and create a theme within your artwork that lets the viewer understand what the artwork is about. My example relies heavier on a theme, yours does not have too if you don’t want it to. The big idea is to be creative, use your imagination, and hopefully relax a bit too while creating an interesting artwork.
Project Directions:
Step 1:
Cut out a picture of a person from a magazine. You can include the whole body, just the upper body, just the head, just the face, etc... Your choice! Next cut out more magazine pictures (if desired) to create a scene. If you are not sure what to do to get started, flip through a magazine and rip out pages that include people that you find interesting. When I started mine I found several people but the two I found most interesting were the ballerina and the person blowing on a cup of coffee. From there I decided I wanted to include both and had the idea that the ballerina would be standing on something while the other person would be blowing things away. As I flipped through the magazine for inspiration I saw a picture of a moon and I decided to create a space themed scene. Glue your magazine cut outs and finally draw any details needed to complete the scene. This step is optional and may not apply to your artwork. Remember to draw in pencil first then trace with a sharpie. One done erase any pencil lines still visible.
Step 2:
Divide the background into big shapes using lines. For best results, try to relate the lines drawn to the theme of the artwork. Outline your magazine shapes in sharpie if desired. Use a pencil then a sharpie if needed.
Step Three:
Divide the space into even smaller shapes and then into the smallest shapes. Use a pencil then a sharpie if needed.
Step Four:
Add zentangle patterns. You may want to add more than I did to fill up more of the space if desired. See the other examples of this project below. Use a pencil then a sharpie if needed. Traditionally the background is kept black and white but you can add some color if desired. Again see the example below.
