Just starting to draw? Learn the secrets of creating beautiful line strokes to make your drawings look finished and beautiful.
Two videos, totaling 1 hour and 19 minutes, plus bonus PDFs
Includes video captions!
Example Curriculum
Your Instructor: Eni Oken
I'm Eni Oken, artist since the age of 8, art instructor and teacher for over 30 years, author of hundreds of articles, tutorials, video lessons and ebooks online and books in print on various different subjects such as fantasy design, jewelry making and in recent years, Zentangle method. My true passion is exploring methods and tools on how a person can create something remarkable in art, and teaching it to others so they can grow artistically.
CZT® since 2016
Contact Eni • See Eni Oken's Art
In this lesson you will learn:
• Understand the elemental strokes
All drawings - Zentangle or not -- can be broken down to elemental strokes such as a straight line, a C-shape, an S-shape, an orb and dot. In Zentangle, the concept of "ICSO" summarizes these elemental strokes. This lesson covers each every stroke in detail, so you understand exactly how to create each one beautifully.
• Explore line-quality and pressure
Learn how the quality of the line can vary depending on the pressure of your hand and also the tools you use. You'll learn how to choose the right pens for you so that you you have better chance of making beautiful lines. The tools matter!
• Explore straight lines, C-shapes, S-shapes, orbs and spirals
Learn the secrets of creating each one of these strokes by varying the position of your hand. Learn the pitfalls and secrets of creating beautiful swirls, spirals and delicately curved lines. Creating perfect freehand circles is close to impossible. Learn how to compensate for that issue, using line-weight and carefully exploring the position of your hand.
• Learn how to use line-weight and rounding to create great line-art
Learn how to use line-weight variation and rounding not only to create gorgeous dramatic line-art, but also to correct and disguise shoddy art work. Your art will always look dramatic and strong.
• And so many tips and tricks!
Every lesson is packed with tips that can help you with ALL of your projects and make you a better artist.
WHY THIS LESSON IS IMPORTANT!
Beautiful line art is *fundamental* for great art
There are many different components to creating great drawings: composition, balance, rhythm, etc., however, one of the most fundamental tools to creating beautiful drawings is the quality of the line-art. Without solid grasp and understanding of how to create beautiful lines, no amount of composition, color or cleverness will compensate for this simple fact: careless line-art does not make great drawings. This is THE fundamental lesson to learn how to control your lines, covering the essentials such as choosing your pen and paper, understanding the elemental strokes of drawing, the pitfalls and secrets of each line stroke. With this lesson, you will understand what is needed to create great line-art and prepare for a lifetime of practice. It's important to KNOW what to look for!
Do you know why some tanglers stand out from others? It's due to the elegant finish of their linework. You can do it too!
Learn the secrets to each one of the ICSO elemental strokes
What people said about this lesson...
"Thank you so so so much for this new basics lesson. One of the best things about it is that you gave me a way to practice all the strokes in one page. I have very little drawing time at home so at work I'm always seeking ways to practice in some way when I have dead time. This lesson showed me how best to practice in between times throughout the day when waiting on the phone or whatever. Thanks so very much and God bless. I pray for you and yours to be well and healthy. Best wishes,"
-Jenny Sheehan via email
"Just finished my second tile for Eni Oken’s Elegant Lines Challenge. The video lesson was a revelation (eye-opener, you might say) to this old gal who hadn’t understood the true meaning of line weight and what an impact it would have! After watching the video lesson and practicing, I have a better concept about line weight! ... I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this lesson! CEC"
-Carmen Clayton via facebook
"Wow - This was so timely and informative. I always wondered what made the difference in the "look" of many pieces. Thank you for presenting the tools I need to make that happen. I am anxious to recreate an older tile...This lesson will definitely enhance my work. I am also excited to be able to have some structure in practice which will help in the consistency of my work. Thanks again. So cool!"
-Jayne Carbone via email
