How to draw FLUX

Flux is one of the 102 original Zentangle®-original tangles and — at long last — Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas have published the instructions for drawing it.

Rick writes, “We taught flux from the very beginning of Zentangle. Maria learned the inspiration for this tangle at a calligraphy class she took about 25 years ago. And if memory serves (which it often does, albeit reluctantly), Maria was drawing this pattern on that magical day when I interrupted her in her studio which sparked this amazing Zentangle adventure.”

Rick and Maria each have their own versions of Flux, and as they point out it can also be drawn either “flat or layered in a Hollibaugh-fashion” as well as the two versions.

While Maria’s version (used in my example above) is a classic non-objective pattern, Rick’s version (right) arose “When I began tangling flux, my shape smoothed out and became leaf-like.” But you will notice that he doesn’t draw plant-like “leaves on stems” which makes a literal (objective) drawing, he maintains the random non-objective character of Flux in true Zentangle fashion.

Whatever way you draw it Flux is a lovely, versatile tangle that will fit in anywhere you want it to go.

Maria illustrates the step-by-step instructions for drawing Flux here in their recent newsletter. Be sure to check out Rick and Maria’s beautiful applications of Flux on manuscripts and in Zentangles while you’re there.

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Update December 12, 2017 – Project Pack #02. As part of the Twelve Days of Zentangle, 2017 Edition, in this Day 2 video Molly tangles Flux along with Tipple.

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UPDATE December 3, 2018 – Project Pack #04. As part of the Twelve Days of Zentangle, 2018 Edition series, in this Day 1 video starting at 5:49 Martha Huggins demonstrates how to tangle her version of Flux.

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UPDATE March 6, 2020 – Project Pack #8. As part of the Dancing in the Moonlight project pack, Martha and Molly tangle a whimsical garden on a black Apprentice tile using the new Sakura Moonlight Gelly Roll Pens:

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UPDATE April 17, 2020 – Project Pack #09. As part of the Spring has Sprung project pack, Maria joins her daughter Molly for the second preparation video. In this video, Maria demonstrates how to tangle Pokeleaf at 4:15, Pokeroot at 7:53, Rixty at 10:04, two versions of Flux at 14:30, Sampson at 19:19, Springkle at 22:36, and Verdigogh at 25:51.

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UPDATE April 21, 2020 – Project Pack #09. As part of the Spring has Sprung project pack Rick tangles his version of Flux, then inspired by a piece of malachite he adds auras radiating out to fill the right side section of the gray Zendala tile.

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UPDATE July 18, 2020 – Project Pack #10. As part of The Legend of Zentangle project pack series, Maria tangles Flux starting at 27:40 in this video.

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UPDATE July 20, 2020 – Project Pack #10. As part of The Legend of Zentangle project pack series, Rick tangles Flux at 14:24 in this video.

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UPDATE July 24, 2020 – Project Pack #10. As part of The Legend of Zentangle project pack series, Molly tangles a variation of Flux at 03:53.

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UPDATE December 17, 2020 – Project Pack #12. As part of the 12 Days of Zentangle, 2020 Zentangle Renaissance project pack, Rick tangles Paradox and Flux on a Renaissance tan Phi tile.

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UPDATE March 28, 2021 – Project Pack #13. As part of the Layers & Transitions project pack, Julie tangles Aquafleur on a square white Zentangle tile then fills it with Shattuck and Flux.

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UPDATE August 26, 2021 – Project Pack #15. As part of the Alphaborders, Letterforms, Alphabets and the Birth of Zentangle project pack, Rick tangles Flux on four Bijou tiles beginning at 04:33 in this video.

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UPDATE December 13, 2021 – Project Pack #16. As part of the 12 Days of Zentangle – Keeping Score project pack, Julie tangles a dry embossed Flux on a square white Zentangle tile.

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UPDATE March 15, 2022 – Project Pack #17. As part of the The Kaleidoscope of Our Lives project pack, Molly tangles Flux at 17:47 in this video:

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UPDATE December 1, 2023 – Project Pack #22. As part of the Twelve Days of Zentangle, 2023 Edition project pack, Rick tangles Flux and Shattuck in this video:

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UPDATE March 25, 2024 – Project Pack #23. As part of the Birth of the Zentangle Method project pack, Rick tangles Aquafleur and Flux in this video:

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UPDATE May 13, 2024 – As part of Zentangle’s 21-Day project honoring Mental Health Awareness Month this year, on Day 4 Rick tangles Flux in this video.

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UPDATE August 11, 2024 – Project Pack #24. As part of the Crescent Moon and Aura project pack, Rick tangles Betweed and Flux in this video:

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UPDATE August 19, 2024 – Project Pack #24. As part of the Crescent Moon and Aura project pack, Rick tangles Molygon, Crescent Moon and Flux in this video:

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Check out the tag zentangle for all of the Zentangle®-original tangles with online instructions.

For a complete list of Zentangle’s Project Packs click the PROJECT PACKS link in the pink alphabetic tangle menu bar.

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