As a special holiday gift, I’m sending you the gift of relaxation. During this busy season, many of us find ourselves overwhelmed with stress, but there’s no better remedy than taking a moment to sit quietly with a pencil, a piece of paper, and the simple joy of doodling. Whether or not you have artistic ambitions, this activity might just surprise you. For those who are a bit more serious and looking to challenge their creativity, my unique twist, copying images upside down, can help exercise new neural pathways and unlock fresh perspectives. https://youtu.be/Y_ZmMS8ErW0
Let me introduce you to Zentangle—a delightful form of abstract art that combines mindfulness and creativity. Developed in 2004 by Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts, Zentangle involves drawing intricate, repetitive patterns on small pieces of paper using pencils or pens. More than just an art form, it’s a meditative practice that helps you find calm, focus, and relaxation. It’s easy to start, and anyone can do it.
Here’s how to get started:
1. Grab an HB pencil and a piece of paper.
2. Draw a 6 x 8-inch template and divide each side into two, creating four equal rectangles.
3. Copy an image upside down into these rectangles.
4. Use a 0.8-micron pen to outline the image, then erase the pencil lines.
5. Next, create nine one-inch squares and fill each one with a pattern of your choice.
6. With a 0.3 grey or black micron pen, carefully fill in your patterns, drawing from line to line without crossing the edges.
This exercise is a fantastic way to practice techniques like hatching, cross-hatching, and creating value with different line types. Personally, I use it to refine my skills while finding peace in the process. The patterns I’ve shared were inspired by the creative work of Lil Mena from Costa Rica, and I hope they bring you as much joy as they’ve brought me.
PS. Some of you wanted to know how to order my autobiography on Amazon, this is the ISBN number 9798875809200. It is called True Colors.
https://jacobinao.com/coaching_akashic-records.php
