Deconstructing patterns, part 2

I've mentioned the requirements for a tangle to be a tangle (see  my earlier post, Deconstructing patterns, part 1). But how do you really do it?

My process is to either make a sketch in my notebook or take a picture with my camera or cell phone of something that might become a tangle. 

My TRIVET tangle is a good example. You can see the step-outs here. 

And here's the trivet that inspired the tangle.

When I started drawing the step-outs I quickly realized that I needed to simplify the tangle considerably in order to make it work. So I started with a grid that opened up the space between the squares. Then I limited the number of times the line went around in the inside. (You could scale it up to suit your needs, of course.) The last part was to add the connectors between the squares.

So take a look around your house and at things you see everyday. There might be a new tangle there somewhere! 

One caveat that I've mentioned in other posts: Be careful not to copy someone else's design in furniture or jewelry or fabric. Those designs are protected by the designer's copyright.

Deconstructing patterns, part 1

All of the Zentangle(R) tangles originated as an observed pattern, either in nature or made by humans. And there's a caveat: Not all patterns can become tangles. I know, I've tried. Here are the guidelines:

- The tangle must use only the elemental strokes: a dot, straight line, arc, S-curve or orb (circle)
- Usually only three or fewer elemental strokes are needed to draw the tangle
- The elemental strokes must be drawn in a structured way so that someone else can reproduce it as shown in a short series of steps called step-outs
- And, usually the step-outs for a tangle have five or fewer steps

Think of one of the most basic Zentangle tangles, Crescent Moon. It's essentially an arc with a straight line underneath that's filled in and embellished with more arcs (auras). What could be simpler?

At my Zentangle teacher training, Rick and Maria challenged us to observe some design in our environment and make a tangle out of it. Then several students were invited to present their tangles to the entire group. As you might expect, some tangles were very simple and some were very complex. One I remember had more than 12 steps! But the bigger issue with that one was that the final tangle was very representational. So it didn't make the grade on those two counts.

But keep looking and observing and see what YOU find!

Bijou, the tiniest Zentangle tile

When I first heard about the new and very tiny Zentangle(R) tile, called Bijou--just two inches square--I was very skeptical about trying to work in such a small space. So I got some and tried them out. (Go here for the background information about Bijou.) 

I found out that a Bijou tile was the perfect size for doing just a "dab" of Zentangle, as opposed to leaving a regular tile unfinished to go off and do something else, which for me breaks the continuity of a creative process.

And a Bijou tile ups the ante as a very portable way to take Zentangle with you. Bijou tiles also come in a very cute tin box to keep them clean and accessible.

Here's a Bijou tile example: