Welcome! This blog post features a guided tutorial of how to create a neurographic artwork mixed with zentangle patterns! Neurographic art is inspired by the methods from Pavel Piskarev, psychologist and inventor of Neurographica. This mindful activity helps artists to build skills using the element of art LINE to create organic SHAPES. Compositions can then be refined with creative COLOR choices & intricate, detailed PATTERNS.
The method in this tutorial is inspired by this art movement, but has variations. If you are looking for more information on neurographic, I recommend you check out this video Neurographica Official. It features Pavel Piskarev, psychologist and the author of Neurographica describing the process and how it can be used as a mediative tool. Also, I recommend you check out this Youtube video by art instructor Bethany Theile. She does an awesome job showing the process and connecting the technique to its background and connection to science.
Materials list:
This composition can be done with a range of art materials, and finalized with creative color choices. Here is a basic materials list that produces the design seen in this tutorial:
- Watercolor or mixed media drawing paper
- Ruler
- Painters tape (for edges & borders)
- Watercolor and/or watercolor brushes
- Paintbrushes
- Water cup
- Sharpies with varying weights, such as Fine Point & Ultra Fine Point
- White colored pencils (Prismacolor brand works best!)
STEP 1:
Use a ruler to create a border on the edge of your drawing paper.
STEP 2:
Take a mindful moment to draw a line curving around the blank space.
STEP 3:
Like the neurons in our brain, begin creating connecting points where lines intersect. The goal is to “round” out the corners to create a flowing design.
After rounding out the corners, work on making the lines appear to transition smoothly. This may require that you thicken lines where the corners connect.
STEP 4:
*Recommended* If you plan to add color using a wet medium (such as watercolor), use painters tape to attach your drawing to a hard surface. This will help to prevent warping.
STEP 5:
Once all corners are rounded out, begin adding color. Watercolor pencils (as seen here) are a great option as they can create controlled color flow and beautiful gradients. A gradient is a gradual blend of colors into one another. A gradient that blends from left to right is called a linear gradient. A gradient that blends from a central point is called a radial gradient (as pictured here).
To use watercolor pencils, blend colors by overlapping and layering before adding water to blend.
STEP 6:
Using a brush and water, work from light colors to dark colors to blend. As you transition between multiple colors, clean out your brush to avoid over mixing colors.
*Helpful tip!* Avoid using too much water. A little goes a long way if you have enough pigment on the paper.
STEP 7:
Continue to fill the unique organic shapes with color gradients. Consider a color scheme to help achieve a unified composition. A color scheme may consists of just a few colors that repeat throughout.
STEP 8:
Continue adding color. You may want to consider leaving a few sections white or filling them in black with sharpie. Get creative!
STEP 9:
*WAIT UNTIL DRY* Then, begin using an ultra fine point marker to add creative, intricate patterns. Making repetitive patterns can be very calming and relaxing. If you need inspiration for pattern ideas, I recommend checking out the website, tanglepatterns.com
STEP 10:
Take your time adding creative patterns throughout. Strive for visual balance. Aim for at least 10 unique patterns within your composition to achieve visual variety.
STEP 11:
Once all patterns are completed, consider adding highlights or additional color with a dry medium like colored pencil or marker.
Here is a photo of the finished product! In my personal experience, creating this artwork was so relaxing. It was as if time seemed to float by and I was really living in the present, rather than thinking about the past or future. My breathing was even and my heart felt steady and calm. It’s amazing how art can affect our physical and mental state!
My beginning middle school art class creates this project every year as an introduction to the element of art LINE. It usually takes about 5 (45-minute) class periods. Check out this image to see a few awesome student examples! I always love how diverse the results are. This project always seems to “organically” get the class pretty quiet as they focus on the intricate line work.
Thanks for checking out this blog post. I would love to see your creation if you use these steps to create your own neurographic artwork. Feel free to tag me on Instagram and possibly get featured in this site! Also, please follow Make a Mark Studios on Facebook to keep up with the latest posts! Thanks in advance!
-Stephanie, art teacher and creator of Make a Mark Studios