Beginning a work of art, we think about “the artistic arrangement of the parts of a picture” (definition of composition, New Oxford American Dictionary) because our goal is to lead the viewer’s eye through the work. We achieve this goal through effective use of 8 elements of composition: unity, balance, movement, rhythm, focus, contrast, pattern, proportion. There’s LOTS of info available to you, including here at About.com.
to compose… Use a String!
The Zentangle® method simplifies the composing process: draw a “string” — divide the paper into sections, by lightly drawing one or more pencil lines. The string serves as a suggested container for drawing ink lines. It can be ignored at any time.
how to Draw a String:
- Prepare: draw a dot near each corner, then connect the 4 dots into a border
- Draw a line inside the border (this line is called the “string”)
using the Same string:
- Patterns drawn only INSIDE the border and the string
- Same patterns drawn IN & OUT of the border and the string
More Info:
- Recipes (“strings”)
- Suggested strings at TanglePatterns.com