Can you draw a straight line? I am extremely challenged when it comes to drawing a straight line. And even more so when trying to draw a circle that is actually round. Invariably mine come out all lopsided and very non-circle-ish. I do sometimes use a straight edge or a circle template when I want my work to look a little more refined than I can manage on my own. However, mostly I just let my lines be crooked and my circles all caddywompus. So much more often I enjoy the whimsical touches and the non-exact look of hand drawn repeat pattern art!
Drobbles is one of those patterns that I would never be able to draw free-hand if I were shooting for perfection. Lucky for my stress levels – I absolutely NEVER set my goals on perfect lines. Such a goal would have me tossing my hands up is frustration if I did. And just think of all the fun drawing and coloring I’d miss out on if I gave up. So even though I can’t draw a truly round circle worth a hoot – Drobbles is one of the patterns that I enjoy so very much because of the way it feels under the tip of my pen. It seems I’m always attracted to the patterns that can be accomplished in a single stroke, when it looks like it takes a bit more. I even have an entire drawing process that I call “Single Stroke Abstracts.” One of these days I’ll share that with you as it is the one I use most often as a pain-management therapy.
Today however, I’m posting to share with you my simple little “round-ish” pattern called Drobbles. Unless you are one of those talented people who can truly draw a round circle – I encourage you not to get hung up on shooting for perfect roundness when playing with this pattern. Now if you REALLY just have to get a smooth line on your paper to feel good about your art – then pull out that circle stencil and have fun with it. 😉 I do that myself every once in a while. I know it’s not the Zentangle way of creating repeat pattern art, but then again neither is anything else I put to paper. One of these days I’m going to sit down and do a real Zentangle just so’s I can say I did it. LOL
Whatever your method – be sure to enjoy the drawing process. Relax. Have fun with it! That’s what I did in this quick little how-to video of Drobbles. I think it might just be the quickest video I’ve ever done at just a wee bit over 1 minutes:
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Here’s the free pattern worksheet for you:
I’m sure you’ve seen my Repeat Pattern Art Stacker info page. Here’s a little stack I did using Drobbles. It’s a perfect pattern to use in a stack because it’s so simplistic! Don’t believe me? Play with it in a stack and see what you think!
Drobbles Stack
I’ll share some of my not-so-round circles in the gallery at LineWeaving.com. Will you? I’d love to see yours too! 🙂
Enjoy!
~Cindy
Cindy, I’ve been enjoying your numerous drawings and patterns for the last few years, and I’ve never found one that wasn’t appealing. Please don’t concern yourself over “perfection;” it’s the very imperfections that are so appealing, and I’ve never yet managed to draw even one Zentangle pattern with perfection. My hand will not follow what my eyes see, and I always end up with my own interpretation of the gorgeous patterns CZT’s try to impart. For instance, the wonderful pattern “Meringue;” I can see it as it is meant to be–but absolutely no way does my hand and brain draw it as originally intended. However, what I came up with pleases me so much, I continue to use it instead. That’s what puts our individual stamp on our art!
I love the colors in your zentangle. I assume you used copics? Great design!
Hi BJ. Thanks for stopping in today. I do use Copic markers sometimes. However the pictures on this post were accomplished using colored pencils. Prisma brand as that is my favorite!
Have a great day!
~Cindy
Love being here, the drobbles are so attractive.xxx
They are rather addictive as well. LOL
I’m just starting to play with Zentangles. I love your site! I’m taking a ZT course next month through our local university continuing ed and will share your site at that time! Thanks,
Thank you everyone for your kinds words. My heart swells with joy when I hear that I did something that inspired others. 😉
Oh this is great!! I love the fact that you come up with so many great patterns!!
I wish I could come up with such great things!!
Thank you for sharing and making such a great video!!
*don’t exactly MATCH up
Come to think of it, It is the non perfect nature of this freehand line weaving tangling art form that makes it authentic. I think of a homemade oven baked peach cobbler with a little burnt edges on the crust: You know it was homemade and not made in a factory. I can appreciate the warped circles, stray lines that don’t exactly made up. It is the footprint of the creative human.
Oh this is fun…and no worries on the non-straight lines,or perfect circles…nature isn’t perfect,so why should we be such sticklers,for perfection…great pattern,thanks for sharing 😛 ~~~stay fabulous~~