09 Aug How to Draw PAVES (Tangle Step by Step)

Would you like to draw a grid-based Zentangle pattern what combines geometry with soft, abstract lines? Check out my new tangle PAVES, here’s the step-by-step tutorial:

What is the tangle PAVES?

PAVES is a grid Zentangle pattern with rounded corner modules. Instead of being filled with straight lines, every section has a set of flowing, high-contrast shapes. From a distance it feels architectural, but when you look closer each module becomes its own little abstract world.

If you enjoy grid-based tangles with a lot of drama, check out my tangle UNOU in my free tangle library.

The inspiration behind my tangle PAVES

Photo by Thiago Zanutigh (Unsplash)

My background in Architecture often finds its way into my tangles, and PAVES was inspired by a familiar construction element: glass block walls (in Spanish: pavés).

I love how the textured glass distorts the light. With PAVES I wanted to simplify those blurry, diffuse shapes of the objects behind the wall using just a few lines, translating something difficult to define into a repeatable Zentangle pattern.

Those abstract lines also remind me of rivers or topographic maps seen from above. So as you can see, multiple sources of inspiration! 😊

How to draw a Zentangle tile with PAVES, step by step:

To help you explore PAVES beyond its basic square grid form, I’ve created a full PDF tutorial inside my Pattern School, Zentopia.

In this exercise, instead of keeping every module square, we introduce rectangles of different sizes to change the rhythm of the grid and create more movement in the composition.

Join my Pattern School Zentopia and besides this step-by-step PDF tutorial you’ll also get:

✏️ New tangle exercises every month (100+ and growing!)
🔁 Real-time video tutorials.
🫂 Access to an inspiring Telegram community of tanglers.
💪🏻 Support to keep drawing consistently.

Only for $5/month + taxes! You can also explore the full library of tutorials with a 7-DAY FREE TRIAL before deciding: