28 May How to Combine Tangle Patterns Step by Step: A Beginner’s Zentangle Guide
Stuck choosing which Zentangle pattern to draw next? Don’t worry! Learning how to combine tangle patterns is one of the most fun and creative parts of the Zentangle Method. In this guide for beginners, you’ll learn how to mix and match tangles with confidence, even if you’re just getting started!
What you’ll discover in this post:
▶️ The main Zentangle pattern categories (with examples).
▶️ How to combine tangles using contrast.
▶️ 5 easy tangle pattern combinations to try today.
▶️ Bonus tips to inspire your practice.
1. What are tangle patterns in Zentangle?
Zentangle patterns (also called tangles) are abstract designs that follow an easy step-by-step sequence. They’re made of really simple elements and don’t have to look like anything from real life – perfect to help people with no art experience relax and find focus.
This is an example of a tangle step-out:
Want a refresher on the Zentangle Method’s steps? Check out my post: What is Zentangle? Learn how to draw easy and relaxing abstract patterns.
2. The main Zentangle pattern categories
Tangles can be grouped into categories based on what they look like. Getting familiar with these will help you choose tangles that complement each other! Note that this list isn’t set in stone, since there’s many ways to classify tangles and some could belong to multiple categories.
A) Grid tangles.
These tangles are built on a structured grid (that is, lines crossing each other and creating spaces in between). The most common grid tangles are geometric with straight lines, but some of them can have curves too.
Choose grid tangles when you wanna create a sense of order and harmony. These are particularly repetitive and meditative, perfect to focus on the present moment.
Some examples of grid tangles:
1️⃣ Amalea by Chrissie Frampton (@zchrissieczt)
2️⃣ Bales by Zentangle (@zentangleinc)
3️⃣ Crac by Mario Patterns (that’s me, @mariopatterns). Tutorial on my free workbook.
Check out more grid tangles on tanglepatterns.com.
B) Organic tangles.
They’re made of free-flowing lines and curves that grow and expand in different directions. A lot of organic tangles are inspired by nature (mainly leaves and flowers) so sometimes they’re also called botanic tangles.
Choose organic tangles when you’re in the mood for improvisation, since they tend to fill up a space in unpredictable ways.
Some examples of organic tangles:
Check out more organic tangles on tanglepatterns.com.
C) Filler tangles.
These tangles don’t have black filled-in or densely ornamented sections. They are simple, repetitive and low in contrast, which makes them perfect for balancing other intense tangles around them. They make your tile breathe.
Small circles, dots, spirals or short lines are often part of these tangles, and they’re also called texture tangles.
Choose filler tangles for occupying empty spaces in your tile, in between tangles or as a background.
Some examples of filler tangles:
Discover more filler tangles by checking the category “füllmuster” or “fill pattern” on musterquelle.de.
D) Drama tangles.
In Zentangle we say a tangle has drama when it has a lot of ink and strong black & white contrast. They immediately grab your attention, but using too many drama tangles in the same tile can be overpowering.
Choose drama tangles if you feel your tile is too boring and wanna add a wow factor.
Some examples of drama tangles:
Check out more drama tangles on tanglepatterns.com.
E) Border tangles.
Border tangles are constructed along a line or row. Unless you stack them on top of each other they don’t fill up a surface, so they don’t usually appear on their own unless your tile has a very elongated shape.
Choose border tangles to create frames around your tile or separate other tangles.
Some examples of border tangles:
1️⃣ Achi by Mario Patterns (me! @mariopatterns). Tutorial available on my Pattern School.
2️⃣ Hibred by Zentangle (@zentangleinc).
3️⃣ Puffle by Sandy Hunter (@tanglebucket.studio).
Check out more border tangles on tanglepatterns.com.
F) Radial tangles.
These tangles grow out from a central point, making their way outwards or inwards. A lot of radial tangles are symmetrical, almost mandala-like. However there’s others that are more flowy and organic, we call them blossoming tangles and could have a separate category.
Choose radial tangles to create a focal area in your tile, or even if you only wanna use one tangle by itself.
Some examples of radial tangles:
1️⃣ Dendro by Mario Patterns (that’s me, @mariopatterns). Tutorial on my free workbook.
2️⃣ Manair by Iratxe Unzurrunzaga (@tangleatzen_czt36).
3️⃣ Spoken by Zentangle (@zentangleinc).
Check out more radial tangles on tanglepatterns.com.
3. How to combine tangle patterns using contrast
First of all, there’s not a right or wrong way to combine tangles. But if you feel stuck and don’t know where to start choosing I’m sharing an art principle to guide you: CONTRAST.
Artists of all kinds have used contrast throughout history, from Baroque’s chiaroscuro to the bold color clashes of contemporary art. Contrast adds variety and movement, it makes a piece come alive! It’s like music: the pauses, the highs and lows, all work together to create harmony.
Divine Love Conquering Earthly Love (G. Baglione) / Composition A (Mondrian)
Here’s how to apply contrast when choosing tangles.
In Zentangle, contrast comes from combining tangles with unique qualities. They’ll enhance each other simply by being different! Here’s a list of qualities you can focus on to create contrast:
▶️ Category mixing
It’s the most immediate way to find contrasting tangles! Choose them from different categories: grid, organic, filler, drama, border and radial tangles. For example, a grid tangle will often pair quite well with an organic one.
▶️ Line weights
Mix thick bold strokes with fine delicate ones.
▶️ Complexity
Pair open, light tangles with dense, detailed ones.
▶️ Texture
Combine smooth flowy textures with jagged angular ones.
▶️ Directionality
Contrast horizontal tangles with vertical or radial ones.
4. Five beginner-friendly tangle combinations
Now that you understand how tangle categories and contrast work, let’s play! Here’s 5 simple combos you can try right away. Each one mixes different types of tangles to create visual interest:
Combo 1: Grid (Crac) + Organic (Pokeroot)
Why it works: Their tangle categories are completely opposite. Crac (by Mario Patterns) is a structured geometric grid made of straight segments. Pokeroot (by Zentangle) is a flowy organic tangle with short curved segments that vaguely resembles a plant.
Tip: Divide your tile horizontally in 2 halves. Fill in the bottom one with Crac (as if it was the ground) and the top one with a messy Pokeroot.
Combo 2: Drama (Jonqal) + Filler (Printemps)
Why it works: The amount of drama (or ink) in a tangle is one of the key elements to add contrast. Jonqal (by Zentangle) is very intense and graphic, made of structured straight lines. Printemps (by Zentangle) on the other hand is very airy and light, with spirals arranged in a chaotic way.
Tip: Split your tile in 2 with a diagonal, and place each tangle in one of the halves.
Combo 3: Border (Puffle) + Radial (Spoken)
Why it works: The way these two tangles grow is completely different. Puffle (by Sandy Hunter) is built along a line, with very dense wavy lines. Spoken (by Zentangle) however expands from a central point, has some more air and features straight lines.
Tip: Draw a big circle and tangle Puffle along that line, creating a ring. Then add Spoken in that blank space in the middle.
Combo 4: Two grid tangles (Amalea & Bales)
Why it works: You can still find contrasting tangles within the same category! Grid tangles are very easy to combine, specially if they’re based on square grids. This combo works because Amalea (by Chrissie Frampton) is a pretty dense tangle made of straight lines, and Bales (by Zentangle) is more open and has curves.
Tip: Draw a square grid and fill in every other fragment with each of the tangles, like a chess board.
Combo 5: Two border tangles (Achi & Hibred)
Why it works: Border tangles can make a great duo if you look for different ones! Achi (by Mario Patterns) has some drama and is made of vertical and horizontal lines, while Hibred (by Zentangle) is very detailed and incorporates diagonals.
Tip: Stack both border tangles on top of each other alternatively. First Achi, then Hibred, then Achi again… Repeat until you fill up your tile.
5. Trust your intuition (and a bonus tip)
This post is a starting point, not a rulebook. If a tangle feels right to you, go for it! Repetition, flow, balance or contrast… all are valid ways to combine tangles.
BONUS TIP! When you’re out of ideas, try a random tangle generator like these for fresh inspiration:
▶️ Eni Oken’s Art Raffle App.
▶️ YoTangle’s Random Tangle Generator.
▶️ Truly Tangled’s That’s So Random.
Want to keep learning new tangle patterns?
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▶️ New doodle & tangle exercises every month.
▶️ Real-time video tutorials.
▶️ Access to an inspiring community of tanglers.
▶️ Support to keep drawing consistently.
Start your FREE 7-day trial and take the next step in your Zentangle journey: