Grab your markers and get ready to doodle as you learn how to make your won zentangle pumpkin drawing.
Supplies for a zentangle pumpkin drawing…
The super small supply list for this drawing project makes it so easy and accessible for everyone! Whether you’re working on this pumpkin drawing at home or in a classroom and not able to share supplies-you’ll likely have what you need! Simple is good! Here is what you need…
- Paper-we used 8.5 x 11 card stock. Use copy weight paper if that’s what you have.
- A black permanent marker, like a Sharpie
- A fine tip black marker, preferably permanent
- Colored markers, like these washable Crayola markers in tons of colors
How to draw a pumpkin…
We want to start this drawing by drawing a BIG simple pumpkin shape. It’s fine sketch with pencil and outline with black permanent marker when you’re happy with the shape. Or if you’re into a more spontaneous drawing style free to jump right in with marker drawing!
Start your pumpkin drawing by drawing a super long and skinny oval in the middle of the paper. Start at the top and draw a curved line that stretches down and curves back into the bottom. This creates the pumpkin “segments.” Do this two times on each side of the large middle oval.
Add in a stem, maybe some leaves and a vine. The important part of the drawing is that the pumpkin is drawn large. Everything else is icing on the cake.
Add lines to your zentangle pumpkin drawing…..
Using the black permanent marker draw five or six lines that cross from one side of the pumpkin to the the other. This is what creates the sections to fill with zentangle doodles. How many lines are drawn determines how many sections are created and how big they are. I would suggest fewer, larger sections for younger kids and adding more as your students get older/have a longer attention span.
Adding zentangle…
So now comes the fun part- drawing in the Zentangle doodles. Fill each segment of the pumpkin with a unique pattern. If you have permanent black markers of varying thicknesses, like a super fine tip, this is the time to use them.
Encourage your kids to use a variety of line types like curved, straight, thin, thick, etc. Also consider trying to create a balance of light and dark spaces within the pumpkin.
Zentangle can be time consuming because you’re using tiny doodles to fill a relatively big space. But, it’s also relaxing, almost therapeutic. Get a drink, maybe even a snack, and settle in to doodle. Feel free to break your Zentangle pumpkin up into two or more sittings so it doesn’t become tiring for little hands.
Adding color to your zentangle pumpkin drawing…
Traditional zentangle drawings are strictly black and white. I love the addition of some color to this drawing but it could absolutely be complete as a black and white drawing.
Use washable markers to add color to different segments. If you’re lucky enough to have a set of markers with a variety of yellows, oranges, browns, and greens this is a great place to use them. You could also add color with crayons or colored pencils which would allow for some layering and blending of colors!
Other zentangle drawing ideas….
Combine the Japanese art of cut paper, Notan, with Zentangle doodles. This one is all about the balance of black and white!
Create your own Zentangle inspired landscape with this relaxing drawing lesson!
