Zentangle Heart Patterns Step by Step

Does it have to be Valentine's Day to draw hearts? Nope. But, these zentangle heart patterns are pretty perfect for Valentine's Day, that's for certain. We've been sharing all kinds of different easy zentangle patterns and designs to draw and I totally LOVE all the hearts and love we've injected into these heart designs.

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What do you like to doodle? Have you ever tried to zentangle before? Do you even know what zentangle is? Well, let's give a little overview. I, like most people, originally thought that a zentangle was just a doodle, it's more than that. The zentangle method is a trademarked process based on a theory developed by founders Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. “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 have taken the basics and had fun exploring different patterns designs and even shapes to zentangle inside of.

Zentangle Heart Patterns Step by Step

printable zentangle heart pattern step by step
printable overlapping heart template
cardstock
micro-tip black pen

I've created a printable sheet of our heart zentangle patterns that you can use as inspiration. The printable takes you step-by-step through the process of making heart patterns. We also have a blank zentangle pattern page. You can use this page to experiment with our heart patterns or create your own designs.

print out of easy heart zentangle patterns step by step

When you are ready to start a zentangle you will want to work on a sheet of cardstock and use a microtip black pen or marker. It's important to work on heavy stock paper or the pen will bleed and you won't have the crisp lines you want for the patterns. There are specific zentangle papers, but I usually simply use white cardstock and it works just fine. You want smooth paper, again so the design lines are crisp.

Okay, let's go through these easy heart patterns, step by step. First up is our heart and arrow zentangle pattern.

hearts and arrows zentangle pattern inside a heart

Begin by drawing hearts in your space (either the square or in a tangle). Draw various sizes and turn the page around so the hearts are facing different directions. Upside down, sideways, the right way around...have fun drawing the hearts. Next, add the arrows. Again, turn the page around so the arrows point in different directions. The more random the better. Finally, add the little feathery fins to the ends of the arrows. I like the look of 3 little fins, but you could choose any number you like. I always like to finish by looking at the pattern and filling any space with more hearts or more arrows. This pattern also looks lovely with hearts that are filled in black or maybe arrowheads that are solid black. Play around with the design and see what is pleasing to your own eye.

Next up is our LOVE zentangle design. This design was inspired by the iconic LOVE sign. We were recently in New York City and I always enjoy seeing people clamoring around the LOVE sign, trying to get the perfect picture with the ones they love. So, I wanted to take inspiration from the sign and create a love zentangle pattern.

love zentangle pattern inside overlapping hearts surrounded by other heart patterns

For this pattern we are going to use letters, instead of shapes, to create the design. The first line is a series of the letter "L". The next line is the word "Love" written with an uppercase L that holds the "ove" letters in its outstretched L. Draw 3 lines of "Love". Then follow with a line of "o". Then 3 more lines of "Love". Next a line of "v" and then 3 more lines of "Love". Next up is a line of "e". Keep repeating the pattern of 3 lines of "Love" divided by "L", "o", "v" and "e" until you've filled up the space. I really like the graphic pattern this creates. You could play around with the font you use...maybe try writing "love" in cursive?

The next heart zentangle pattern is a celebration of hugs and kisses. Have you received a greeting card signed with "xoxo" denoting hugs and kisses? Do you write them on the cards you write? I know I do whenever I write to my family. So, let's spread the love in a meandering "xoxo" pattern. This one is all about letting the pattern flow.

Begin with a line of "x's", floating all around the space. Then add a line of "o's" along either side of the "x's"...hugging the "x's". Add another line of "x's" and more hugging "o's" until the space is filled. This pattern is simple and fun to draw. You could certainly add a few hearts into the pattern and even colour in some of the "o's" too.

doodle heart flower pattern inside heart

The final pattern is a sweet, heart flower zentangle pattern. When I mindlessly doodle I often draw hearts and flowers, do you? This heart pattern brings together both. Start by drawing heart flowers, with stems and two leaves in one direction. Then, turn the page and draw more heart flowers. Repeating the same flower design in all directions. You could add more hearts and more leaves. But, I like the simple, repeating design of the flowers twisting all of the space. By the time the heart pattern is done it almost looks like a vine covering a wall.

Zentangle Overlapping Heart Template

These are 3 easy zentangle heart patterns, inspired by love and hearts, that I've come up with. They look perfect inside our Valentine's Day zentangle overlapping heart template. Now that you have these heart patterns to inspire you, print our overlapping heart template and bring it to life with zentangle patterns.

printable blank overlapping heart template for zentangle doodling

I drew these heart patterns inside the overlapping hearts and used some of my other favourite designs to fill in all the hearts. I love how the little overlapped areas turned out. When I was done, I went back and thickly outlined the main hearts.

6 overlapping hearts template filled with valentine's day zentangle patterns (1)

This was fun to make. I turned on a Valentine's Day playlist and spent a good hour doodling away. This is why I love to zentangle - it is so meditative and relaxing. A great activity for kids, teens and adults. I hope you take some inspiration from the designs I've shared and then create your own! Have fun!