We love celebrating the arrival of summer through creative summer solstice art projects and crafts. After the long, cold, and grey winter we just had, we are welcoming the arrival of the summer sun and heat with open arms. So, when I was thinking of how we could celebrate this solstice this year I wanted to include our love of zentangle art. This is why I created a fun printable summer sun zentangle template.
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Okay, what is a zentangle? Originally I thought that a zentangle was just doodling…I was wrong. The zentangle method is a trademarked process based on a theory developed by founders Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. You have undoubtedly seen this patterning art form before, it has become incredibly popular. “ZEN” means calm and “TANGLE” means a collection of overlapping patterns. ZENTANGLE is the bringing together of the calm and the pattern. It was originally based on using a 3 ½ inch square of heavy stock paper and a black fine marker and various patterns that turn into a creative piece of art. We didn’t follow the exact Zentangle method, but we had a lot of fun experimenting.
Summer is a fantastic time to kick back, relax and do a cool summer art project. And, we love all of the awesome zentangle patterns, designs, and templates we have created. So, let's have fun with this simple sun template.
Summer Sun Zentangle Template
our printable summer sun zentangle template
ultra-fine tip black marker
white or yellow cardstock
scissors
Start by picking the sunniest and funniest (that's a word, right?) summery playlist you can find. Pop in your headphones or blast it from the speakers in your room, grab your markers and get ready to chill out and doodle.
Print our summer sun zentangle template on a sheet of cardstock. I decided to print mine on a piece of yellow cardstock - to truly embrace the sunshine vibes! I always print my zentangle templates on cardstock because the thickness and smoothness of the paper are necessary to create smooth lines with your marker. You can use regular printer paper, however, test your marker on the paper to be sure it doesn't bleed through the paper onto the surface beneath. If so, slide a magazine under your paper to protect your table.
Once you have the sun template printed it's time to start your doodling. I started by filling the sun's rays with different zentangle patterns. When the rays were filled, I moved onto the inner ball of the sun. Here you will want to start by drawing a tangled line. If you have never tried to zentangle before you will want to check out our zentangle for beginners post, where I explain the finer points of zentangle art. Draw your swooping and tangled line and then you are ready to fill the voids.
Fill the voids with various zentangle designs and patterns. You can go with summery zentangle patterns - take inspiration from the music you are listening to or think about things you associate with summer. I love the big pile of suns that fill the largest space in this template. And, you can't go wrong with a classic basketweave pattern.
When you've filled in your sun feel free to cut out the sun. You could print and draw many zentangle suns...as many as you like. Add these suns to a summer wreath for your front door, hang them on your bedroom wall, or string a whole pile together and hang them as a sunshine bunting. There are so many fun and creative ways to use these zentangle suns.
How will you be celebrating the summer solstice this year!?
Check out all of these creative summer solstice crafts and art projects
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