One of the best things about the art of Zentangle is that it doesn’t take very many tools to start creating. All you really need is something to draw with and something to draw on. Here’s a list of my favorite Zentangle tools that can help bring your doodles to the next level.

Pens

My favorite pen for practicing is the Sharpie felt tip pen. It is affordable, so you can doodle all you want without feeling like you’re going to have to keep buying expensive pens. The line it makes is a light/medium weight and can still do some details. It also works pretty well for filling in shapes without too much time or energy.

If you’re looking to fine tune your designs, micron pens are great. They come in all sizes so you can add clean lines and edges to your designs. The numbers on the side of the pen clue you in on the thickness of the tip. Smaller numbers are very thin and increase in thickness with higher numbers. You will need more pens to get the job done, but they offer more variety, smoother lines and the ability to create fine detail.

Last, but certainly not least is the Paper mate Flair in Medium. This pen is GREAT for practice. It has a thicker line than the sharpie pen which covers ups shaky hand movements for a beginner. It also flows nicely allowing you to practice your pen strokes and develop smoother motion to your drawing. This is not the pen for fine detail work, but it is very affordable and comes in a variety of colors.

Clear Ruler

A clear ruler is a must have. Zentangle is usually drawn inside of contained shapes. A ruler or straight edge allows you draw to clean boxes and shapes to contain your art. It is also helpful in drawing patterns with a clean line style. With a clear ruler, you are able to see through to the doodles underneath to help you connect lines and see distances better. Another great addition is a circular ruler. This helps you measure angles or draw curves. I recommend a lightweight 6″ ruler like the one pictured below, because it is very lightweight and easy to bring along with your sketchbook.

Shape Templates

To add some more variety to your designs, you can try shape templates. They come in all variety of shapes, sizes, curves and angles. You can buy just one or buy them in sets. Mix it up by using partial shapes in your design or combining multiple shapes together. These templates are typically clear and have straight edges, so they can also be used in place of a clear ruler if needed.

Zentangle Tiles

Zentangle tiles are a thick cardstock paper that are pre-cut into 4×4 squares for you to create more finished design artwork.

The Zentangle Sketchbook

The Zentangle Sketchbook is pages of grids, shapes, and designs that are created for you to practice your zentanlge doodles and designs. Whether you are serious about perfecting your drawing skills or just looking for a way to increase your creativity and discover new ideas, this book is a great creativity starter. The designs on each page are open to allow you to create your own design without having to spend time creating pages of shapes and designs to fill. Having the framework already in place, lets you get straight to the fun.

Your Imagaination

This is the MOST important tool in your kit. Remember not to get too caught up in the templates, rulers, straight lines and measurements. These are great tools that can support your imagination, make sure to spend some time drawing free hand. This allows you to try things you would not have thought of otherwise. Have fun, take chances and make some messes. You’ll discover new ideas and grow your skill!