Tangle Refresher 216 – Revisiting the magical aura, our random string, plus how to draw Zander, Lee-Bee, Dollpin, Mi, Bumpadox

Many new tanglers have joined TanglePatterns and our worldwide Zentangle community since the onset of the Covid-19 global pandemic and we welcome each and every one of you 🙂

The Tangle Refresher series usually appears once a month and revisits “buried treasure” on the site. TanglePatterns has over 10 years of content so there are a lot of great gems to be unearthed.

With our new friends in mind, and as a refresher for the rest of us, today I thought we’d revisit a fantastic and inspirational tutorial by Zentangle co-founder Maria Thomas where she demonstrates how to take auras “on a wild ride of possibilities“, as CZT Margaret Bremner would say.

Auras are one of the key “devices” of the Zentangle Method™.

When you’re tangling and you don’t quite know what to do next — aura!

You never know where it’s going to take you AND your pen control skills get a good workout.

Today we explore the creative possibilities of auras as explained by Zentangle® founders Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas.

In Zentangle we frequently use the term aura, one of six tangle-enhancing techniques, along with dewdrop, perfs, rounding, shading and sparkle.

From the Zentangle blog:

“In the Zentangle Method, a line tracing around the outside or inside of a tangle is called an aura. It’s like a halo. It’s like ripples that radiate on calm water.

Aura-ing is a good example of drawing in a Zentangle way for two reasons: (1) you don’t need to figure out where to draw, you just trace what’s already there; and (2), you can’t usually tell what the shapes of the next few auras will look like so you just enjoy the one you’re drawing at the moment.

Aura-ing is a basic component of many tangles. That’s why we teach crescent moon first in our introductory classes.

Aura-ing is a great exercise in awareness, control of pen and focus. It’s a good reminder to rotate your tile as you tangle. It encourages a tangler to not pre-plan the outcome of a completed Zentangle tile.”

In this tutorial post, in her own inimitable way, Maria explores innovative ways of adding auras to your tangles, including:

• using a different shaped line for the aura
• using different shaped auras, one after the other
• tangling the space between two auras, and
• using another tangle as the aura

Check out the post and see what interesting ways you can come up for using this simple but creative technique to enhance your tangles.

And be sure to enjoy the inspirational Zentangle examples!

.oOo.

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 116 is from CZT Sandy Hunter and was originally posted here. String 116 also makes a great tangle!

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.

.oOo.

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

	Zander
	Lee-Bee
	Dollpin
	Mi
	Bumpadox
	Tangle Refresher 187

More good stuff …

• The Importance of Strings in Zentangle – and String 001
• New to Zentangle®? The Official Zentangle Kit has everything you need to get started, including a great DVD tutorial by Zentangle co-founder Maria Thomas
• A perfect companion to the Kit is the Zentangle Primer Vol 1 – your CZT-in-a-book by the founders of Zentangle! Now available in softcover, or as an instant download KINDLE Edition.
• Everything you need to know about creating Zentangle-Inspired Art or Products
• Free Interweave eBook – Know Your Rights: Copyright 101 for crafters and artists
• Tangle Pattern Refreshers – the entire Buried Treasure series
• Find dozens more free tutorials on TanglePatterns by visiting the TUTORIALS tab on the pink alphabetic menu bar
• Find a CZT near you – the link to the list of Certified Zentangle Teachers is located in the left sidebar of the site under the heading SOURCE WEBSITES
• Interested in becoming a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT®)? Here’s more information.
• Linda’s List of Zentangle-original tangles – THE tangles to learn first if you’re new to Zentangle.

.oOo.

Never miss a tangle - FREE newsletter subscription!

Sign up to get new tangle posting notices delivered free to your email inbox in a few easy steps:

1. Click here: Subscribe to TanglePatterns by Email and enter your email address. OR, sign up from the SUBSCRIBE page on the top menu bar.
2. Double check that you've entered the correct email address — typos occur more often than you'd think.
3. If you entered your email address correctly you will immediately receive a "Thank you for subscribing" email from FeedBlitz on behalf of TanglePatterns.
4. Add linda@tanglepatterns.com to your address book/whitelist so the email isn’t blocked by spam filters. Gmail is particularly brutal about deciding everything important is spam.
5. If you subscribe to all three lists (Daily, Comments, Weekly Digest) you may receive a separate email for each subscription.

How to manage your TanglePatterns subscriptions

You can change your email address, temporarily pause your subscription while you're on vacation, or unsubscribe at any time by using the subscription management links at the bottom of any of your TanglePatterns emails. Whether you subscribe to the daily TanglePatterns email, the Comments email, or the Weekly Digest email, each one is a separate subscription so use the links in the relevant email to make your changes. For more information see ABOUT > HOW TO CHANGE YOUR EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION on the menu bar at the top of any page.

.oOo.

.oOo.
Enhance your Zentangle experience while supporting TanglePatterns:
CURRENT 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!
	"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 immediately 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. Spanish Edition here. Japanese Edition here.
"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
.oOo.