How to draw IX

By Linda Farmer, CZT ~ August 22nd, 2012

At last week’s CZT® training seminar in Providence, Rhode Island, co-founder Maria Thomas demonstrated the new Zentangle®-original tangle, IX.

The name for this tangle pattern comes from the Roman numerals for the number 9, and IX was introduced at the 9th graduating class.

This is such a fun tangle to draw and it grows beautifully, although my example is the basic X formation created by the central I strokes. As you’re drawing IX, bear in mind that it doesn’t really look like much until Step 5 when you add the strokes connecting the corners and then the magic happens — somewhat how CZT Carole Ohl’s Puf tangle magically pulls together at the last. IX also reminds me of the Zentangle®-original tangle Hurry, the way it interweaves. Naturally, shading adds a lot to this tangle.

One of the new CZTs Jane Eileen Malone posted the step-by-step instructions for drawing IX on her blog here. Jane shows a lovely finished monotangle Zentangle featuring IX.

UPDATE September 15, 2012 – Here are Maria’s steps for drawing IX.

Here’s another little tip to help make the tangle grow outwards: make your initial pattern and connect the corners, then use the corners to extend the I-connectors out in any direction. You can also use curvy-shaped I’s, they don’t have to be dead straight.

UPDATE December 4, 2018 – Project Pack #4. As part of the Twelve Days of Zentangle, 2018 Edition series, in this Day 2 video starting at 11:55 Rick demonstrates how to tangle IX.

I predict tons of fun with this one! And once again, congratulations to all the newly-graduated CZTs.

Check out the tag zentangle for more Zentangle®-original tangles on TanglePatterns.com.

Related Links

Linda's List of Zentangle-Original Patterns — here is the complete list of original tangles (aka "official tangles") created and introduced by founders Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas, including those not published online. If you are new to the Zentangle Method I highly recommend learning a few of the published Zentangle classics first.
A pattern is not always a tangle — here's what makes a tangle.
Un motif n’est pas toujours un tangle — Qu’est-ce qu’un tangle ?
Un diseño no es siempre un tangle — ¿Qué es un tangle?
How to submit your pattern deconstruction to TanglePatterns
Zentangle terminology — a glossary of terms used in this art form
For lots of great FREE tutorials on TanglePatterns, click on the TUTORIALS link in the pink alphabetic menu bar below the tangle images at the top of any page
Strings! Have we got STRINGS! Click on the STRINGS link in the pink alphabetic menu bar below the tangle images at the top of any page for 250 different (free) Zentangle-starters. More than enough for any lifetime!
What is a Zentangle? — if you are new to the Zentangle Method, start here for the fundamentals

.oOo.
Enhance your Zentangle experience while supporting TanglePatterns:
TanglePatterns.com TANGLE GUIDE, 2020 Edition
	The 9th Edition of my TanglePatterns.com TANGLE GUIDE. This instant-download 79-page (54 MB) interactive digital eBook contains all the tangles on the site from May 2010 through December 31, 2019. Containing almost 1,400 tangles, it's a must-have tool for using the site. Visit the STORE > E-BOOKS page and support TanglePatterns.com by getting your copy now!
	"Linda, Thank you! I was relying on too few and getting stuck after 3 years of daily working with Zentangle. This has inspired me to ‘begin again’ with renewed excitement." ~ Barbara R.
See the BOOK REVIEWS page for more details on its features and view a sample page. Note: this is a digital product you download when you place your order, nothing will be physically mailed to you.
GIFT ORDERS FOR ANOTHER PERSON: To give the TANGLE GUIDE as a gift, visit this page to place your gift order.
If you're new to Zentangle® and tangling, my TanglePatterns.com BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO ZENTANGLE is just what you need to get started. Also available en Français and en Español.

	This is the only Zentangle book you'll ever need: the fabulous Zentangle PRIMER Vol 1. It's your CZT-in-a-book by the founders of Zentangle^®. Visit the STORE tab on the top menu bar or click on the image. For more about the content and to read the rave reviews, visit the BOOK REVIEWS tab.
NEW! Now available in KINDLE format for $9.99.
"Absolutely the best Zentangle Book yet! As an accomplished artist I used to think I did not need instruction on this art form. How wrong I was! My tangling improved by leaps and bounds after reading this book. If you think you have Zentangle down then you need this book more than ever!" ~ Kris H

	Another great jump-starter for new tanglers is the original Official Zentangle Kit. The Kit includes all the supplies you'll need to get started properly: Sakura Micron Pens, Zentangle Tiles, pencil, sharpener, tortillion, a booklet and an instructional DVD by co-founder Maria Thomas. Click on the image for more information about the Kit and its contents.
.oOo.