I’ve started a junk / art journal. It’s an old book that I am using to practice zentangles and doodles and to store some of the draft pieces for my 100 day art project.

I decided on an old book because I can reuse something rather than buying a new book or using clean, new paper all the time. It makes me feel slightly less of a rampant consumer. The words on that pages add interest too!

Through doing this 100 art project, one of the things I’m coming to enjoy is this:

I take a day and browse through Pinterest looking for new zentangle patterns (there are hundreds and each pattern has a name).

Currently I’m browsing for flowing, floral and S shaped patterns.

Then I follow the drawing instructions for the patterns onto a sample sheet, which I store in a flip file. I write the name of each pattern and who designed it.

My non-digital reference folder means I can work offline without using a device – I have to say I love having a break from electronics.

Over the weekend, I did 2 A4 sampler pages of new patterns and then practiced some of them in my new art journal, adding colour at the end.

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These are some of the patterns I’ve practiced in the last few days.

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I took a whole day for myself and my art. It felt wonderful. It was an excellent way to pass a lockdown, winter Saturday! It can be classified as self care – right?

How are you passing the lockdown days?