Tangle Refresher 267 – Adding glorious color to your ZIAs, our random string, and how to draw Rain, Lisette, Gelijoy, Syng, Fairywings

Hello there my treasured tangling friends.

This is the last post of the year for TanglePatterns and before we get underway I want to wish you a safe, joyous and peaceful holiday season. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a very Happy New Year.

I’m really looking forward to seeing what creative new tangle inspiration lies ahead for us all in 2025!

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Today as we seek out Buried Treasure on the site we’re revisiting a fabulous tutorial from CZT Marie Browning entitled “Adding glorious color to your ZIA projects”.

When it originally appeared on the site Marie’s tutorial was prompted by an email from a new tangler seeking guidance on adding color to her art. The tutorial is as relevant today for tanglers, whether new or experienced, as it was then.

Here’s the introduction from the original tutorial:

“Greetings my dear tangling friends, it’s Linda here with an awesome new tutorial to enhance your Zentangle® art. So select your beverage of choice and settle into a comfy chair.

Recently I received an email from new tangler Julie K, who wrote:

“TanglePatterns is a spectacularly awesome resource and I thank you for the site and for all of your work to help fellow tanglers. I’m quite new to Zentangle with no artistic background and find myself overwhelmed with the possibilities for adding color to my work. … Any question you can think of for adding color, I have it and would love some guidance.”

Naturally since she’s the author of one of my favorite Zentangle books, Time to Tangle with Colors, I immediately thought of Canadian CZT Marie Browning. I was so excited when Marie readily agreed to write this TanglePatterns tutorial as an introduction to adding color to your Zentangle-inspired projects.

Thanks to Julie for her questions and MANY thanks to Marie for generously sharing her expertise on the subject. As she encourages in Time to Tangle with Colors, “Unleash your inner child” with color!

And now we turn the page over to Marie for her advice and her glorious, colorful Zentangle-inspired art …

You’ll find Marie Browning’s excellent, detailed tutorial here: “Adding glorious color to your ZIA projects“. And while you’re there, don’t miss all the helpful input from our community in the comments, even share your own experience if you like 🙂

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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 243 is from Beth Snoderly and was originally posted here.

Remember that in Zentangle strings are always drawn freehand in pencil so 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, in Spanish here, and in Japanese here) 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 – Gems from the Tangling Past

	Rain
	Lisette
	Gelijoy
	Syng
	Fairywings
	Tangle Refresher 236

More good stuff …

• The Importance of Strings in Zentangle – and String 001
• 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 a jackpot of 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 core tangles to learn first if you’re new to Zentangle.

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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!
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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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