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Linda Farmer, Certified Zentangle Teacher

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Tangle Refresher 215 – Exploring some different patterning techniques, our random string, plus how to draw Well Well Who, Su-sy, Diamante, Chorus, Sporez

Greetings, y’all. Time for this month’s Tangle Refresher!

While I was working on getting the tangles together for this article I was reminded of this particular Buried Treasure from the past.

As I wrote at the time, “We’ve got something fun and different-but-related for you to explore …”

Today’s Refresher revisits Joanne Fink’s “patterning techniques”. These videos were published on TanglePatterns in July of 2011 but many of you are new to the site (Welcome!) and may not have discovered them yet. Or – as is the purpose of these Refreshers – long-time members of the community may enjoy having memories refreshed with this Buried Treasure.

So here we go …

“Calligraphy fans might recognize the name of Joanne Fink as co-editor with Judy Kastin of the 23rd edition of The Speedball Textbook (A Comprehensive Guide to Pen and Brush Lettering). [Note: this link is for the current Edition]

The 23rd edition is one of the first lettering books I added to my library when it was published in 1999. The original first edition of The Speedball Textbook was published in 1915 so this publication has a long and rich tradition, now well over a century old.

The Speedball Textbook is an excellent compact introduction to calligraphy with stroke-by-stroke instructions for 15 alphabet styles, techniques and examples of layout and designs, and beautiful and inspirational artwork from 100 lettering artists. But I digress …

When Joanne’s videos for Sakura were first posted I was reluctant to add them to TanglePatterns because her Zenspirations artwork is not the same as Zentangle®. (And you know I’m a purist.) However, the videos are about pattern and design and I know we all love to learn new drawing techniques so I’m adding them as another creative resource for your learning and enjoyment.”

Visit this link to view Joanne’s videos to learn and explore her simple techniques …

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Many tanglers like to use these occasional Tangle Refreshers as their Zentangle® challenge-of-the-day.

This TanglePatterns String was selected for today – either to go with today’s Buried Treasure or just to use as a starting point for your day’s tangling. The RANDOM TANGLE SELECTOR in the left sidebar makes it simple to choose a String-of-the-Day from the 250 free strings in our resource. Or just click on the STRINGS tab in the pink alphabetic tangle menu bar and choose one at random yourself.

Think of this as your tangle Challenge, if you’re so inclined. TanglePatterns String 205 is from Barbara Finwall and was originally posted here.

TanglePatterns String 205. Image © Linda Farmer and TanglePatterns.com. All rights reserved.

Right click and SAVE to your computer; then print. Pinning or republishing content from this site is not permitted. Copyright notice is posted on the bottom of every page. Thank you for playing nice and respecting these rights.

Remember that Zentangle strings are always drawn freehand in pencil so that they magically disappear when you’ve finished tangling the tile.

A string is a simple device to “divide your drawing surface into sections to be filled with tangles“.

In the Zentangle PRIMER Vol 1 (now available in paperback for $23.95, or as an instant download Kindle Edition $9.99) there’s an entire section devoted to Strings which in part explains:

As you tangle, your strings disappear as if by magic. This adds to the charm and unified appearance of your completed art.

If you had used a pen to draw your string, you would still see the initial sectioning in your completed creation.

Strings are not intended to be the focal point of your tile, Zentangles should not look like coloring book drawings.

More String advice from The Book of Zentangle (now available in paperback for $19.95):

A string is a useful reference, but it is not an impenetrable barrier. Practice going outside your string. It will help increase your ability to think outside the box.

To download eBooks containing all 250 TanglePatterns Strings, visit the STORE > EBOOKS page.

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The Tangle Refresher series, aka Buried Treasure, spotlights hidden tangle gems from the past. It can remind you of tangles you might not have used for a while or introduce you to some you haven’t come across yet.

Here are five more tangle pattern gems and a Tangle Refresher from the past for your tangling pleasure. Remember to check out the “More Good Stuff” links below too.

BTW as you visit these tangles please do leave a comment of thanks and encouragement to show the artists you appreciate them for sharing their creativity to inspire yours. And please share a link to your favorite tangles with your followers on all your social media. Thanks!

Zenful tangling!

Buried Treasure from the tangling past
Zentangle pattern: Well Well Who. Image © Linda Farmer and TanglePatterns.com. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. You may use this image for your personal non-commercial reference only. The unauthorized pinning, reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Well Well Who
Zentangle pattern: Su-sy. Image © Linda Farmer and TanglePatterns.com. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. You may use this image for your personal non-commercial reference only. The unauthorized pinning, reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Su-sy
Zentangle pattern: Diamante. Image © Linda Farmer and TanglePatterns.com. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. You may use this image for your personal non-commercial reference only. The unauthorized pinning, reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Diamante
Zentangle pattern: Chorus. Image © Linda Farmer and TanglePatterns.com. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. You may use this image for your personal non-commercial reference only. The unauthorized pinning, reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Chorus
Zentangle pattern: Sporez. Image © Linda Farmer and TanglePatterns.com. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. You may use this image for your personal non-commercial reference only. The unauthorized pinning, reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Sporez
Revisit the Tangle Refresher from a year ago Tangle Refresher 186

More good stuff …

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CURRENT EDITION! TanglePatterns.com TANGLE GUIDE, 2024 Edition

TanglePatterns.com TANGLE GUIDE, 2024 Edition The 13th Edition of the TanglePatterns.com TANGLE GUIDE is an instant-download 109-page interactive digital eBook/PDF containing approximately 2,000 tangles on the site from May 2010 through December 31, 2023. It's a great resource and a must-have digital tool for using the site. Visit the STORE > E-BOOKS page and help keep TanglePatterns.com going by getting your copy now!

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"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

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4 comments to Tangle Refresher 215 – Exploring some different patterning techniques, our random string, plus how to draw Well Well Who, Su-sy, Diamante, Chorus, Sporez

  • Nina

    Thank you one thousand times for changing my life! I will keep saying this every time I write you – if you don’t mind.
    Waving from Toronto,
    Nina

  • Judy Gudeman

    Hi Linda! Thanks for posting Joanne Fink’s work! I’m a huge fan of her patterned letters.

  • Jenn Brayton

    I really appreciate the Refreshers and always check out the Buried Treasure. I have the 2020 Tangle Guide but there’s so many tangles to explore as I’m slowly making my way through in order. The Refresher allows me to jump ahead haahaa 🙂 Many thanks for all this fantastic work Linda!

    Waving from rural Perth Ontario 🙂

  • Jessica Dykes

    Thanks, Linda, for the link to Joanne Fink’s videos. As a calligrapher and Tangler, I appreciate the links between the two disciplines. Thanks also for the reference to the Speedball Handbook. I already own the issue you show here, but I also found and ordered the latest 2021 publication. Finally, thank you for all the support you provide to all of us Tanglers worldwide thru TanglePatterns.com. I firmly believe your contribution and support is vital to the entire Zentangle community.

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