Zen Flowers (part 2)

Welcome to the part 2 of Zen Flowers. In the first part of Zen Flowers we talk about how to start draw zen flowers, what do you need to start and covered some leaf patterns. To see full article Zen Flowers (part 1) please click here.

CAYKE

This pattern is yet another one of those that can surely fill out any space with elegance and flair. It can be used as a plain background or something to fill up your zen flower petal with.

Steps:
1.Draw two semi-circles connected with each other.

2.Add another layer of two semi-circles on top of the original ones you made. Make sure this new layer of semi-circles touch the ends of the previous semi-circles you made. They should start looking like two crescent moons. Afterwards, add another row of crescent moons underneath the first batch you made. Make sure the ends of this new row of crescent moons touch the middle section of the top row of crescent moons.

3.Locate each joining point of the crescent moons and draw scallop edges to cover each joining point.

4.Complete the scallop design by adding lines from the joining point of the crescent moon to every point on the scallop edge.

5.Go through each crescent moon and add a little curved line to each end to make them look like creases.

6.Layer your drawing with ink using a felt-tip pen, add some shadows for depth and you’re done.

ZENPLOSION

Steps:

1.Draw a vertical line on the space you intend to fill with pattern. This will serve as a base for the scroll you are going to make and its length will depend on how big you want the scrolls. Now, make the scroll by drawing an S with its ends forming half a loop.

2.Locate the upper end of the S and from there, draw a vertical line ending right at the very first part of the S that it touches. Same thing goes for the bottom end of the S. Draw a vertical line that ends right at the first part of the S that it touches.

3. Next thing you need to do is locate the leftmost side of the inner loop of the S that you made and draw a vertical line from there. Make sure the vertical line ends right at the nearest part of the S that it touches. Do the same thing for the bottom part.

4.Locate the outer and rightmost side of the loop you made and draw a semi-slanted line from there ending as soon as it touches the nearest part of the S. Skip the bottom part first.

5. On the upper part, locate the outer and leftmost side of the S you just made and draw a semi-slanted line and stop right at the end of the vertical line you made as a base.

6.Locate the bottom loop of the S and draw a semi-slanted line from the outer, rightmost part going towards the semi-slanted line you made from the left bottom loop of the S. The line should stop as soon as the semi-slanted lines from the outer left and right loops meet. Your final product should look like a cone with the scroll as the ice cream. Feel free to add some shading and colors for depth and dimension.

POPCLOUD

1.Imagine a rotated letter C lying on its curve and its two ends up top.

2.Simply follow that letter C by drawing another C right at the bottom of the first one you made. Do not, however, close it and make it look like a crescent moon. Add another curve or letter C right where your last curve ended.

3.From the end point of your last C, go back down and draw another bunch of C’s. Make sure that as you draw more and more C’s, they are always bigger than the previous one you just made. The key is to layer a smaller C’s with a bigger C and so on.

4-6. Keep going until you are contented with the size of your cloud. You can make another popcloud by repeating steps 1-6. To connect them, simply add a bunch of diagonal lines in the spaces between the clouds. Add shading for depth and you’re done.

CABANA

This pattern will give your zen flower or any other zen art, for that matter, the texture. It doesn’t only give designs or embellishments, but texture.

1.First, draw two vertical lines. The lines will be your base and frame as it will determine the width and length of the pattern you are making. Divide the center of the two vertical lines into two. On the left side, draw a column of several diamonds with one side of it parallel to the left vertical line.

2.When you are done with the column of diamonds on the left side, do the right side and make sure each diamond from the left side is aligned with the row of diamonds on the right side.

3.Focus on the bottom sides of one diamond from the left side and its partner diamond on the right side. Their bottoms should resemble a V. Go ahead and draw that V to connect the diamond from left to right. Do this for the rest of the diamonds.

4.Focus now on the upper part of one diamond from the left. It’s top most line should be slanting upwards. Extend it until it touches the vertical line on the left. Do the same for the diamond on the right. If your drawing resembles that of the picture above labeled 4, go ahead and continue with the rest of the diamonds.

5.The center of each diamond should be blank. Feel free to fill them in with vertical lines.

6.Layer the pencil lines with ink and add the shading to give depth. Done.

Background and Border Patterns

AGUA

Here is a very simple yet dainty little pattern for you. This pattern works well as a design to the border or embellishment to your zen flower.

Steps:

1.On your paper, draw a sideways curved cane just like on the picture.

2.Add scallop edges and repeat the cane.

3.Add the second scallop edge, the third cane and scallop edges. Keep going until you fill the space you intend to fill out. By this time, it should look like a flurry of waves.

4.Now, focus at the leftmost base of each wave. Add a little circle for each wave until every wave has its own little circle.

5.Focus on the rightmost base of each wave and add a sideways tear shape. Make sure each wave has its own tear shape. When you are don, feel free to add embellishments on the scallop edges or shading for depth. Done!

PANTHEON

This is a lovely Greek-inspired pattern that you can use as background, frame embellishment, and something to fill the spaces of your zen art. Imagine a zen flower boasting this kind of pattern, just pretty.

Steps:

1.On your paper or chosen space, simply draw a vertical line. It doesn’t need to be perfect. Add another vertical line close to it and by close, I mean about half the width of a regular drinking straw or even thinner if you want. We will call this a set of vertical lines. About an inch away from the original set you made, add another set. Estimate another inch and add another set. Keep going until you have filled your chosen space with the vertical line sets.

2.Repeat step one, except this time, you will make the line sets horizontal. Try to keep the distance of each set an inch apart.

3.Once you’re done with the vertical and horizontal lines, lots of squares should emerge as a result of the lines you made. Focus on the center of the big squares and add a diagonal line in each.

4.Add another set of diagonal lines, this time facing the opposite side. Now, the center of each square should have an X on it.

5.Add a small square in the center of each square with X. Do not worry if the lines overlap because that is exactly what we intend to do. Now add another smaller square in the middle of the square you previously made. Do this for the rest of the squares.

6.Layer your design with ink and add some shading using pencil and ink for depth. And Done!

How to Draw Your Own Zen Flower

We are done discussing everything you need to know and prepare so you can finally draw a zen flower. Prepare your sharpened pencils, your felt-tip pens, your paper, coloring materials, your workspace, and everything else that you need. Again, we need to make sure everything you need is near you to avoid disruption.
Drawing any form of zen flower shares the process of how one draws a pattern.

Step 1: Make sure your design is already set in mind. It doesn’t matter if the design you see in your head seems to be a bit weird. There’s nothing weird when it comes to zen art and everyone else’s ideas are never wrong or right.

Step 2: Choose the size of your paper. I mentioned previously there are no restrictions when it comes to paper size for zendoodle. However, if you are quite new to this activity, you might want to start small. Increasing the size of your paper will become easier as you get used to different styles and patterns and letting your mind’s creativity flow out of your hand.

Step 3: Start with the border. Yes, some people do not like adding borders, but if you are feeling extra generous with your art, go ahead.

Step 4: Now, add the outline or string. You are free to make it look as if a flower morphed or something because zendoodle is freehand. Below is a sample of outline or string of a zen flower, together with the leaves in the background and a border to frame the design.

Step 5: Simply choose one section of the zen flower and start filling it with patterns. The patterns can come from your own ideas. In fact, you will find it easier to produce patterns once you are focused well, especially when you have already entered the state of meditation. There are also patterns available from the previous chapter, feel free to choose one for each petal and work your way until you have every section of the flower filled out.
Remember, patience will be needed as you draw. The patterns can be done in a systematic way that can stimulate focus and meditation. Simply follow the steps of making the patterns from the previous chapter and you will be alright.

Step 6: Are you feeling extra energetic today? Feel free to choose patterns or fill the borders with patterns!

Step 7: If you are happy with the results, you can layer your work with ink. Add the shading if you want a touch of depth and dimension before adding the color. As for the color, anything will do especially if it’s your mind telling you which color to use. You do not need to think hard just so you can color your drawing. Anything that comes into your head or any color that attracts you is good, so go ahead, pick it up and color your way through relaxation.
Remember, start small, be patient, and let yourself appreciate the hard work you poured in every drawing or piece that you make. After all, those are some of the traits and attitude that meditation teaches you. Just because you are having fun doesn’t mean you are already losing the value and the fruits of traditional meditation.

Be Creative!