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Greetings!
The development of the Zentangle Method has been an exciting, fulfilling, and wild ride from the very beginning. Much like creating a tile, it unfolded one stroke at a time. Each day, event, product, friendship, and milestone emerged naturally, without rushing ahead. Rick and Maria were cautious not to plan too far ahead and were careful to evaluate their current stroke to help dictate the next. This open-ended, open-minded, and open-hearted approach created space to discover, explore, and pivot when needed. Along the way, we gathered priceless memories... many that we still love to revisit. This year, we’re revving up the engine in the Zentangle Time Machine and traveling back in time to review some of our favorite moments. Join us as we remember, rediscover, and perhaps experience for the first time remarkable tangles, techniques, events, materials, and more from years past.
| This month, we invite you to journey back with us to November 2013 and the introduction of the Zentangle Renaissance Tile. | |
Maria writes:
I was thinking just the other day about the first time I tangled on tan paper. I mean, before Zentangle, I worked on mid-toned papers all the time. My old pal Leo(nardo) taught me all about this trick. Being able to shade AND add light was brilliant. I believe he used this technique while sketching compositions before painting or sculpting. For me, these drawings were finished pieces of art, not sketches. Working with graphite, red chalk, and white chalk was warm, rich, and oh so spectacular.
But when did the Zentangle Method meet this approach? Well, I’m not sure when exactly I first tangled on mid-tone paper, but it only seemed natural that I would eventually. There are framed examples from the early days in our "Backstares" Gallery of tangles I did on thin slices of wood that rather looked like tan paper. At that time, Zentangle was still new, and we were teaching tangling with black ink on white tiles and occasionally white ink on black tiles. When the others here took note of the work I was doing on the wood pieces, it triggered thoughts of the potential of papers of that color. We began research immediately. We tested surfaces and tools galore, and boy was it exciting. Imagine the life it added to these already amazing compositions. Tanglers worldwide were very inspired by this addition to our teachings. With the new surface and the addition of multiple pen colors and light and dark pencils, tangles and compositions had infinitely more layers and options to explore. I always say, “I learn from my children,” but in this case, I had my (really) old friend Leo to thank for this.
Read the Renaissance Tiles original introduction in this newsletter.
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So, what have Renaissance Tiles been up to since 2013?
Last month, as part of Zentangle Project Pack No. 28, we also traveled back in time and studied the artists and techniques of the Renaissance period, which was part of the original inspiration for our tan paper line, hence the name. Over the years, we have explored and enjoyed different shades of tan paper and their unique perks. Lighter shades offer more room for dark shades of graphite and color, while darker tan tones illuminate the white highlights more. For this most recent Project Pack, we opted to work with a slightly darker tan tone. Our Renaissance tiles paper is custom-made for us here in the USA. Over time, you will start to see this slightly darker shade in our tile offerings. As we sell out of the current, lighter paper in different sizes and shapes, the new, darker shade will become available.
Now available in the darker shade Renaissance paper, Phi and 5xPhive tiles!
| | Build Your Renaissance Tangling Tool Box | |
At the Same Time in History...
One of our favorite aspects of traveling back in time to a specific time or place is looking at what else was going on at ZentangleHQ, and in the Zentangle Community, at the same time.
- Julie Willand joined the Zentangle team!
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The tangle quib was released
- Zentangle postcards available in the Zentangle Store
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From the Vault - Zentangle Notecards:
In the fall of 2013, we also released Zentangle Notecards. Zentangle Notecards were designed to celebrate and share the results of putting pen to paper in a Zentangle way.
We want our products to inspire you to add your own creativity to them... and that's just what Zentangle Notecards did. They provided a beautiful way to frame, share, and display your own unique Zentangle tiles that you create. These custom bi-fold notecards are perfect for sending a note, letter, or greeting to your favorite people. In this digital generation, an old-fashioned letter is practically priceless.
To accomplish that, Maria painted four backgrounds which were printed on individual notecards that are slit scored to hold your Zentangle tiles.
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While this product has since been discontinued, Bijou did find some still available in the Zentangle vault and convinced us to make them available for a limited time. This out-of-the-vault bundle includes 8 total custom notecards, a variety of three different designs and 8 Zentangle tiles.
Once these are gone, they are gone forever!
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We are happy to share that the Journal Project will continue into 2026 after two successful years! You can continue in your current journal or start a new one for the new year. Throughout the year, we will give you prompts and ideas to provoke thoughts, reflection and of course, tangling.
The first journal prompt of the year features none other than the 2026 Tangle of the Year - tripoli! In this video, tangle along with Julie as she takes a deep dive into just a few of the endless opportunities that tripoli offers.
When you are done tangling, take a few moments to think about this upcoming year and the endless opportunities that it offers. What do you want to explore and learn this year, both on and off the tile?
You can share your journal pages on the Zentangle Mosaic App with the hashtag #2026JournalProject
| | Learn more about the Zentangle Journal Project here. | | | | | Follow along on our Instagram (@zentangleinc) and Facebook page! | | | | One thing that we love about Lady Aura is that she loves to repeat herself. In 2026, Lady Aura will be sharing blogs, newsletters, and products that you may have missed. Be sure to check them out! | | |
With Gratitude and Appreciation,
Rick, Maria, Martha, Molly, and everyone at Zentangle HQ
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