Zentangle Design
June Demo by Ama Opare
A very flexible technique inspired by the Zentangle doodle/drawing designs. We will be
making a number of cane variations to build our Zentangle sheets.
Materials
2-3 packages white clay
3-4 packages black clay
Optional - 1 package each of two other colors, one light one dark
Optional - Other canes you have in your collection
Cutting blades
Roller and/or pasta machine
Deli paper or parchment paper
Pencil and paper for exploring patterns
Zentangle Designs
in Polymer Clay
This technique is inspired by the Zentangle drawings which are a meditative process of sectioning a
piece of pater and then drawing or doodling different patterns in each section.
In the book Clay Classics Julie Eakes demonstrates how to apply the Zentangle design to polymer
clay in a variety of different ways. I was particularly drawn to this method using canes.
Step 1: Making Canes
Start by making 2 bull’s eye canes: One with black in center and one with white in the center. These
will be the bases of making most of the other canes. Cut each in half. Use your blade to square off
one of the white canes and one of the black canes.
Bull’s Eye Cane and Squared
Off Bull’s Eye Cane
Half moon cane formed by cutting a 2 inch piece of each
squared off cane. Slice diagonally and match one white
with one black
Stripes canes using black and white and grey and one
using just black and white. Stack alternating sheets of
clay. Cut in half stack, cut in half and stack.
Speckled Cane
Reduce a 1in piece of each of your
bull’s eye canes until about 1/4 in
wide. Cut into 1in segments. Press
segments together. Reduce again.
Cut into three sections. Press together
and shape into triangle. Reduce to
desired size.
Squiggles Cane
Spiral Cane
Flatten a 2 inch piece of bull’s eye
cane. Use your fingers and roller until
the center is elongated.
Roll jelly role style. Wrap with sheet of
matching clay. Trim as in squared off
cane. Wrap with another sheet of clay.
Curvy Lines Cane
Roll two 2 inch white snakes and 1
black snake 1/4 inch in width. Press
two white snakes into the bottom
of cane and one black on the top.
Press together and shape into square.
Reduce cane to desired size.
Half Moon Cane Part two
Reduce half moon canes and cut into
four equal pieces. Stack together 2x2.
Play around with different configurations to find one you like. Press
together. Reduce, cut into four equal
pieces again and stack 2x2. Reduce to
desired size.
Picket Fence Cane
Curvy Lines Cane Variation
Start with 1/2 inch diameter circle.
Cut in half. Make small cuts into the
flat end of half circles. Insert thin strip
of black into cuts. Press halves back
together. Wrap in black. Reduce. Press
one striped cane on top, one on bottom. Press together and shape into
square. Reduce to desired size.
Criss Cross Cane
Start with a circle of each of two colors. Cut circles in half. Lay flat side of
one half circle of each color on sheet
of black clay. Trim extra black away.
Cut in half again. Reassemble circle,
alternating colors making sure black
sides meet non-black side. Wrap in
sheet of black Reduce to disired size.
Mud Cloth Cane
Creating you Zentangle Sheet
• Roll out a sheet of black clay at a medium setting. Trim edges.
• Use your needle tool to lightly draw the sections. Don’t stress too much about this. You can
always change as you go along.
• Choose a cane to start with. Reduce it further if you need or want to.
• Cut thin slices from your cane.
• Arrange the slices in one of the sections on your sheet. Trim slices as needed to fit. Try not to
leave gaps between slices.
• Repeat with other canes until all your sections are filled.
Once your sheet is covered use your roller or cover with deli paper and use your finger to be sure
slices are attached and remove any gaps.
Run sheet through the pasta machine to flatten sheet. Use the thickest setting you can.
Now you are ready to decorate your pieces.
• Use the entire sheet to cover large items.
• Cut with your blade or with cutters to create interesting shapes.
• Use to cover a ball of scrap clay to make beads.
• Roll a sheet of clay and use a texture sheet to decorate. Flip this over and lay your Zentangle
sheet on top. Cut out your shapes to use as earrings, pendants, etc.