Zen doodling - anyone else?

[SueblueNZ]

Does anyone else do zen doodling, sometimes called zen tangling. I started about five months ago and it has made a big difference to my life by calming me down and getting me off screens.
Most of the zen doodling I see online is just ink on paper, sometimes with the use of markers too. I use watercolour first, then add my black ink designs on top. I'm becoming quite addicted. I haven't really got on with using markers.
These days I get up an hour earlier than I used to - I work from home full-time - to mask off three or four art pages, and to apply paints to them. Those boards dry off for a few hours. I usually start a piece during morning tea or at lunchtime. If I have a long meeting that I am on but not actively participating in, I doodle while (actively) listening. Then will complete a few more pieces in the evening.
There must be some other fans out there.

I used to use it in a Y4 classroom and the kids loved it. I've recently bought a book so that I can learn more.
I do a lot of research into the benefits of arts and crafts on people's health and well-being.

Love your username @MakingforMindfulness. This is actually the first mindful activity I have ever (deliberately) used, and in fact the first arty pursuit I have stuck with ever. I am 70 in a few months. It's a great antidote to my intellectually challenging and somewhat stressful job (which I love, BTW).

Never heard of it! I’d love to see one of your pieces?

Another one who would like to see one of your examples! It sounds v interesting

I just googled and am watching a YouTube video by Hu art but he/she's not using any watercolor. I would love to see some of your 'doodles' OP. Can you upload a few for us? I think this may be something I need. I have been feeling on edge and getting headaches.

Me! I happened to see a video on IG about 2 years ago and got hooked! I was
pfetty bad to start with but now my stuff looks quite nice. I started with copying other designs then started adding elements of my own. I now use it to make personalised cards for friends and family members. I find it very relaxing. Mostly black and white stuff but occasionally add in colour.

Meant to add I am in a couple of Facebook groups where people share their work. It’s a really nice supportive community and some of the artwork is amazing!

I will explore how I upload photos.

I'd love to see some examples! I started watercolour painting a few years ago ( complete amateur but YouTube was a great help) and can easily lose a couple of hours in the evening which helped with my TV/ scrolling habit, however sometimes I would like to do some more "freestyle" if that makes sense and this sounds ideal.

Me!! I'm addicted haha. This is the biggest piece I've done

Here’s a few of mine!

Must look into this more. I realised recently that going to art galleries could be a good mindful activity and I can also see that doing the painting or other artworks would be similar (I am not an artist and cannot paint but would like to learn).

@Bjorkdiditeveryone is an artist, don't be so hard on yourself

@SueblueNZI'm a great advocate for the benefits of arts, crafting and being creative! I am on Facebook but don't want to be seen as advertising!!

Oh, I love these pictures. So inspiring. I've been on pinterest and created a board of ideas. I would like to incorporate words too. 🤔

@PrincessOfPreschoolwhat I love about it is you don't need to be able to draw in the technical sense. If you go on the zentangle website there is a tutorial video and there are some great Facebook resources

@Bjorkdidit I definitely cannot paint. I have tried to follow YT videos for painting flowers etc and I could probably improve my skills if I persevere with that. What appeals to me about zenning is that it is literally just doodling. A friend said her 5 year old could do what I do - no doubt he could though might not stay within the lines. I also unashamedly make use of stencils.
I will try to upload some samples.

These are so beautiful. Summer holidays coming up... I'm going to do it.

Love this! Can I ask, what is it that makes it Zen doodling rather than just doodling?

Not sure @picklepottle . I have been a doodler for years, usually when bored. This, for me, is more intentional and is rhythmic. I tend to use the worms on a lot of my pieces, such as the red piece. The process of gently making all the horizontal lines is quite slow, which I enjoy. When I first started I felt the need for everything to be perfect but that is not important to me now. For example, on an early piece I dropped a splash of red paint on a yellow panel so I ditched the whole thing. When a similar thing happened recently I drew a wee heart around the splash and carried on.