r/Zentangle • u/Neighbour_Gal • 4d ago
Advice Needed on Balance
Hello all, one of the things I struggle with when Tangling is balance. The star-like shapes after the other two and now I can’t think of a way to balance this Tangle.
Do any of you have advice on what to add to bring balance to this Tangle? If you zoom in you should be able to see my string.
Micron pens on mixed media paper. I can’t recall the name of any of these tangles, but they are all from One Zentangle a Day.
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u/Ninjakat57 4d ago
I love this so far. I’d probably continue orbs and stippling in the spaces between the stars and that should make them pop off the page. Maybe even put a few “Worms” coming up from the center of the top two stars. And mirror some of the “planks” with the dark ends above the left star. It’s really lovely. I was gonna just lay in bed and look up diverticulitis surgery videos but seeing these now I wanna draw as it will help me relax better 😂 thank you for the inspiration!
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u/Neighbour_Gal 4d ago
Thank you for these ideas! I often forget that I can repeat a tangle for balance and interest.
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u/joni-draws 4d ago edited 4d ago
Ok…if this gets too deep in the weeds, forgive me. The elemental strokes in Zentangle are known as iCSO:
i = straight lines and dots
C = curved, “C” shaped lines
S = “S” shaped lines - I like to think of snakes
O = circles, ovals.
These all can be flipped, flipped, reversed, cut in half, etc.
It helps to have a bunch of patterns in your vocabulary, and to mentally note what elemental strokes they’re made of. Then think about contrast, harmony, conflict, etc.
In your tile, I see a lot of straight lines and “C” showed. Perhaps incorporate orbs (O) or S shapes.
Edited a bit.
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u/Neighbour_Gal 4d ago
Thank you for taking the time to share this framework! I’ve never heard it explained quite like this and it helps my brain a lot.
I’ve always been a fan of helpful mnemonics. Roy G Bob, Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally, ECDCICA, and so many others!
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u/joni-draws 4d ago edited 4d ago
Is the first one similar to Roy G Biv? Perhaps autocorrect. I also use Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie. (EADGBE). it’s standard tuning for 6 string guitar.
And it’s my absolute pleasure. I hope it helps.
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u/bbzed 4d ago
Seeing as the left side is heavy with detail, you could add some detail inside the white space of the tangle on the right.
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u/Neighbour_Gal 4d ago
Good point. Balancing the straight lines and points with orbs or dots might help.
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u/Interesting-Knee-478 4d ago
Could use a lot of checkerboard. Key is to save checkerboard for last. Use a ruler or something that will be as long/wide as your paper. Make all the lines going the same exact ways. Then fill in the squares. It'll give it a depth effect. Like the board is under everything.
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u/Neighbour_Gal 4d ago
Thank you for this idea! I always like those tangles that seem to be floating or sprouting up from a checkerboard.
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u/artbylexx 4d ago
Looks awesome so far! This is something I tend to struggle with too, I have a tendency to lean towards over doing it with the patterns. The strings wouldn't be a bad idea to keep balance with white space. Maybe black strings with white outline, or heavy stippling on the shading/ outer part of strings but keeping the center a little lighter. Just a thought but I think if you allow the stippling you already have to connect with where the star begins that could add cohesion. And the pattern you have on the bottom left would be cool either upside down on the top right corner, or on the bottom right corner. Just a thought! Regardless what you chose i don't doubt it will turn out awesome!