ZENSPIRATIONS PATTERNING BOOKS by JOANNE FINK
My first adventure into this wonderful world of Doodling was accidental. I had decided to look for adult coloring books and happened to pick up Joanne Fink‘s book: “Inspirations – Designs to Feed Your Spirit” and it happened I was going up to the mountains for a spiritual retreat so this was perfect. Little did I know that I was going to color some beautiful pictures but in the meantime I was going to learn a new skill to enhance my enjoyment of coloring. Coloring is just OK to pass the time and relax but it doesn’t inspire my creative juices. This method of coloring DID do that. Joanne Finks Coloring Books leave you spaces in which to add your own little details and patterning so you can make each image more personal to you and your creative spirit.
INSPIRATIONS DESIGNS TO FEED YOUR SPIRIT
I read every word of the first few pages of this Zenspiration’s book and started practicing the simple patterning Joanne talks about. I fell in LOVE with this stuff and couldn’t wait to get back to the store to get her book on lettering because I wanted to make my OWN cards and creations on paper.
This video gives you a good idea of the types of patterns she teaches Zenspirations – Letters & Patterning Book
This book is more of a lesson book of the how to’s and ideas for lettering using patterns and also introduced the idea of dangles (More about those later) Zenspirations Letters & Patterning by Joanne Fink will give you hours of fun practicing the letters along with ideas for uses.
Strathmore 400 Drawing Paper is what Joanne recommends for working on your patterning, lettering and dangle designs. I like using that for special projects and gifts but tend to work in smaller art journals I can tuck into my bag or have beside me so I can play while watching TV with the family
The MUST-HAVE book created by Joanne Fink is the wonderful dangle workbook
Zenspirations – Dangle Designs Expanded Workbook Edition
I didn’t have any idea how much I was going to love dangling but it’s completely wonderful. You will find yourself dangling while you doodle from now on. So easy and yet so complex and marvelous looking. Even if you found lettering challenging I promise you will be able to master this quickly. Some people complained on Amazon about the size of this book but honestly, it teaches you everything you need to know and is about the same price as the Zentangle workbooks so it’s relative. I adore this book and find myself going back and rereading it over and over while I practice. So far I’ve made embellished names for my daughters and a couple of quick cards for friends. I really love this easy-to-learn method of embellishing already existing art or creating your own from scratch.
Joanne Fink is a trainer for Sakura products so you will see that those are the ones she uses and they are so fun to work with. Sakura Pigma Microns of course but the fun comes with using the Gelly Roll Pens, I really can’t get enough of them. The Glitter and Metallic are my favorites.
So your basic supply list for Zenspirationing includes:
Zenspirations Letters & Patterning by Joanne Fink and/or Zenspirations – Dangle Designs Expanded Workbook Edition
Microns at Blick Pigma Microns set of 3 black pens
Gelly Roll Pens (your choice of fun colors and effects) Glitter – Metallic – These are liquid so be careful not to smear your beautiful design.
This set is a great deal and has all the Gelly Rolls that Sakura makes
or My favorite Art journal the Strathmore Visual Journal Spiral Bound. I like the 5.5 x 8″ version. It has #140 Watercolor paper.
Even though it’s “Practice” you still want to work on nice quality paper. You could always cut your creations out.
If you want to do an “official” Zentangle drawing you’ll need some of these squares.
Zentangle Drawing Kits
Koi Coloring Brushes are also a wonderful addition to your lettering and patterning fun for after you have decided you are completely addicted to Zenspirations. They aren’t cheap but are about 1/2 the price of Copic Markers and give nice effects. Click to order at Blick Art Materials
Click to order the Sakura 24-Piece Koi Assorted Coloring Brush Pen Set
If you would rather just pattern in a coloring book, Joanne also has several of those to enjoy. You’ll notice that the doodling you learn from Joanne will translate nicely to your other coloring books.
Zenspirations Coloring Books
The Beloved Word: A Scripture Journal
Zenspirations Coloring Book Flowers: Create, Color, Pattern, Play!
Zenspirations Coloring Book Abstract & Geometric Designs: Create, Color, Pattern, Play!
Zenspirations Coloring Book Inspirations Designs to Feed Your Spirit: Create, Color, Pattern, Play!
Zenspirations Coloring Book Expressions of Faith: Create, Color, Pattern, Play!
Zenspirations Coloring Book Birds & Butterflies
Zenspirations – With God All Things Are Possible
Expressions of Nature Coloring Book
I also recommend subscribing to Joanne’s website “Zenspirations” and following her on Instagram. She is so nice and comments on your Zenspiration’s creations and will answer questions as well.Ms. Finks next book will be called L’Chaim: Celebrate Life: Judaic Expressions to Color & Inspire
Joanne has also collaborated on a bible journaling book that is quite comprehensive with 176 pages of ideas, stickers, instructions, punch out items to use in your bible and more. I highly recommend purchasing it if you are just learning to journal in your bible.
I think you’ll find any of her books educational and fun to work through and if you follow her on social media you’ll discover what a wonderfully kind person she is as well.
There are also more inspirational coloring books here to explore.
Happy arting!
If you are new to coloring or just want to dive in a little deeper be sure to read our expansive supply recommendations along with our tips and tricks articles.
*How to Get Started with Adult Coloring Best Colored Pencils
*Best Gel Pens
*Best Markers that Don’t Bleed Through the Paper
* Background Supplies
*Coloring Tutorials
*13 Tips & Tricks for Colorists
Thank you Joanne. I do Calligraphy and your patterning is great fun to do with letters I know. I did your coloring pages for Jewish New Years that Our Rabbi Madden gave us. I was looking for some Hanukkah pages today. But I learned how to have fun with letters. I live in a retirement home in Playa Vista, Ca Your work is inspiring me to do something interesting during this lockdown .. Many thanks , Connie Robin
Oh that’s wonderful to hear! I love the patterning Joanne Does as well. Stay safe!