4 Basic Zentangle® Supplies

I have been tangling since 2017 so I’ve had plenty of practice and experimentation with different Zentangle supplies. People often ask me what equipment you need to get started. Read on to find out the 4 basic Zentangle® supplies.

There are so many pens and pencil out there, so if you’re debating Microns or Uni-pins, or you don’t know your H pencils from your B types, read on. I’ll let you know everything you need to know to get started.

>>First things first, Zentangle in its purest form is intended to be a way of relaxing and escaping so don’t get overwhelmed. All you really need is the 4 basic Zentangle® supplies. Anything else is unnecessary.

PAPER

Zentangle-branded tiles are traditionally small, square pieces of paper. The standard size is 3.5 inches by 3.5 inches. In a Zentangle blog post from December 2017, Rick and Maria said they knew right away that they didn’t want their paper surfaces to be too big.

“The idea behind this was to help conquer the fear of a large blank surface that may seem overwhelming. And so Rick and Maria tested to see how much surface you could cover with tangles in about 15 minutes or so – the length of a standard coffee break.

“They found that a 3.5″ square was a nice size to allow you to create something beautiful in one sitting. We all know now that you can easily spend much more than 15 minutes, but the idea was that you could develop your practice within these parameters.”

I appreciate the higher quality Zentangle supplies

Why square? That’s because part of the Zentangle philosophy is the concept that there is no up and down in a Zentangle tile. Due to the art form being non-representational, the idea is to be able to view it from any angle without perceiving a “correct” way up.

Rick and Maria preferred the Fabriano Tiepolo paper because it is high quality and they believe that if you have superior products, you’ll take more time with your art. I know that I appreciate the higher quality Zentangle supplies over working on a cheaper surface like printer paper.

to be more careful so you don’t “spoil” your tile.

You might be interested to watch this short video clip from the Fabriano website on how they make their paper.

Some pen and paper combinations don’t work as well – the cheaper the paper, the more likely the pen will bleed on the surface and it won’t feel so satisfying to draw using them. With that said, Zentangle is such a transformative process that it would be a shame for anyone to be put off trying it due to the cost of pens and paper.

Instead of buying Zentangle-branded paper, you can buy big sheets to cut at home yourself. There’s also an option of using watercolour paper or a good-quality sketch book. If you only have the option of printer paper and a biro, though, use them. Use the best that you can afford.

Beautiful results using just a regular Bic pen

You can actually achieve beautiful results using just a regular Bic pen and paper. I created the tile below using just an every day Bic pen. I think you’ll agree that it still looks quite effective even without the use of a pencil for shading.

Pens

Micron pens are the go-to brand for many Zentangle artists, given the fact it’s what Rick and Maria use and recommend. Tanglers like Microns for their archival-quality ink, which is waterproof and fade-resistant.

01 and 05 Microns are the most popular versions. However, having a variety of sizes can be useful for adding different levels of detail to your work.

Micron alternatives

While Micron pens are popular, other fineliners can work just as well. Look for pens that offer consistent ink flow and won’t bleed through your paper. Brands like Staedtler, Uni Pin, and Faber-Castell also offer high-quality fineliner pens suitable for Zentangle. You can have hours of fun just testing out different brands of pen for yourself.

While I personally really like using Microns, they are more expensive than other brands which I find just as good and offer the same benefits of being fade proof and waterproof. One of my favourite Micron alternatives is the Uni ball Eye, which is available in a range of colours. I personally like using the “micro” and “fine” nib sizes in this range.

It is worth noting that the ink takes a while longer to dry with these pens. Their metal nibs make them sturdy and durable, perfect for those with a heavy hand when drawing. Confession time – I fall into that category.

Sustainability is important to me

I can also vouch for the Derwent Line Maker range of pens. You might find a different brand that you like.

A curve-ball of a Micron alternative is my Lumos refillable pen, . As much as I love my Zentangle practice, I have been all too aware of the amount of plastic pens that I have gone through previously. It’s hardly sustainable – and sustainability is important to me as an individual and as a business owner.

The answer to that issue was the Lumos. A refillable pen compatible with a wide range of colours of ink, the Lumos pen sold with a variety of nib sizes. Even better is that it’s incredibly easy to use. I absolutely love it. The ink flows beautifully and it’s comfortable to write with.

I have the single-tip Lumos although you can also purchase a dual-tip. I highly recommend this pen.

Pencils

A standard graphite pencil is essential for shading your Zentangle designs. In face, Zentangle Inc actually use an HB pencil. T is the most common type of pencil you’ll find. It balances hardness (H) and blackness (B) perfectly so it’s perfect for writing and sketching.

Eventually, you might want to progress to softer pencils, but an HB is all you need at this stage. I’ll write another blog about the individual types of pencils you can purchase.

Blending Stumps and Tortillions 

Blending stumps and tortillions are tightly rolled paper tools designed to smooth and enhance shading. If you don’t have access to one of these, you can also smudge your pencil lines with a finger, or a cotton bud can be helpful, too.

What you don’t need:

Erasers

On occasion, you may see people using erasers while creating Zentangle-inspired artwork. Classic Zentangle, however, discourages the use of erasers due to the fact that if you make a perceived mistake, you actually have an opportunity to take your art in a direction you might not previously have anticipated.

The ‘No Mistakes’ concept encourages you to embrace mistakes rather than avoid them.

Compass, Ruler or Stencils

If you watch any of the videos on Zentangle’s YouTube platform, you will never hear them talking about drawing circles. Their terminology includes such words as orbs instead, as the word circle may put people under pressure to create a perfect circle. The more hand-drawn Zentangle looks, the more beautiful it is, in my opinion.

I think you’ll see by now that you don’t have to spend lots of money on Zentangle supplies. That said, a lot of tanglers happen have a treasure trove of stationery – or is that just me?

You have everything you need to get started with the 4 basic Zentangle® supplies. As you become more comfortable with Zentangle, you might find yourself wanting to experiment with additional tools… but that’s another blog post!

Feel free to share your Zentangle creations with me. I love seeing different people’s interpretations of Zentangle. What is your favourite pen to tangle with – have you tried the Lumos?

Happy tangling!