Got a question? See if it’s answered here.
Q: How are you making the tangle/doodle patterns?
A: I’m drawing the patterns using Painter 2015 on a Microsoft Surface Pro. I’ve created a template that is 800×800 pixels with a grid that I use to lay down the pattern if symmetry is needed. Once the pattern is completed, I resize the image to 400×400 pixels and upload it to the appropriate gallery.
Q: What if I want to use a paint program to doodle with. Do you have any tips?
A: Of course! Tips for Tangling on a Pressure Sensitive Tablet has tips and tricks I’ve found while using Painter on the Surface Pro 3 and also includes a listing of some paint programs that you can try out. I recommend Painter but if you can’t afford it, there is a Painter Lite version for around $50 that will work perfectly for doodling.
Q: What kind of patterns are you adding?
A: Any pattern I find that can be used to tangle or doodle or line weave or whatever you want to call it. I don’t actually “Zentangle” so this site isn’t limited to actual tangle patterns. TanglePatterns.com only provides tangle patterns and is an excellent resource for patterns, strings, and articles.
Q: Will you be adding strings?
A: No, because I don’t use them. TanglePatterns.com has an excellent library of strings and I highly recommend you visit the site.
Q: What about mandala templates?
A: Tangle Harmony has a weekly roundup that links to hundreds of templates. This is an excellent resource for mandala templates and other types of templates that can be used for doodling.
Q: Why is it taking you so long to add patterns?
A: There are several reasons for this: (1) I work full time and have a part-time home-based business so this is being in done in what spare time I have – when I’m not crocheting, designing patterns, knitting, etc., (2) every pattern is being drawn by hand so that I can practice and also show how it can be done in a paint program, (3) many pattern sites have multiple patterns available so I tend to wander through the site gathering more patterns and links as I go.
Q: Do you have a link listing of patterns available?
A: Yes, on Google Sheets – Tangle/Doodle Pattern Links. It’s not complete but I’m constantly adding to it. The first two columns indicate the patterns I’ve done in Painter and then uploaded to this site.
Q: Do you have a printable page for pattern names and links?
A: No, however, if you visit TanglePatterns.com or Tangle Harmony you can purchase ebooks for a small fee. TanglePatterns.com provides a thumbnail for all patterns on the site that allows you to flip through the pages until you find the perfect pattern while Tangle Harmony provides links to all tangle patterns from four years of Weekly Roundups on the site. Purchase of the ebooks help to maintain the sites so they can continue to provide links and examples of tangle patterns.
Q: I don’t see a pattern that I know is available. How can I tell you about it?
A: Please send an e-mail to admin@fignations.com. If I don’t have it in my link list to get to, I’ll check it out and add it as I can. You can send questions there as well that I’ll see if I can answer and add them here if I think they will help others.
Q: Are you a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT)?
A: No, and I don’t plan on becoming one as I like to be less structured in my work. Some people called this Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA) but since I’ve been doodling since I was a small child, I don’t consider it inspired by the art form. I have taught some doodling but have followed the guidelines given at Zentangle.com to ensure that I am not putting myself out as a representative of their site/art form.
The Zentangle® Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. It was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. “Zentangle” is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc. Learn more at zentangle.com.