Zentangled Alphabet ATCs

These ATC's represent my first attempts at "Zentangle", "an easy to learn method of creating beautiful images from repetitive pattern" developed by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. It's lots of fun, and in the case of these letters, a bit of a challenge to come up with the balance I wanted between the letter not having enough pattern and having so much pattern it was indecernible from the background.

I started out by creating a generic blank ATC card template in Photoshop because much to my surprise I couldn't find one already available. I'm happy to share my blank ATC  template here here.  Next I played with the template and the letter "F" in different fonts, manipulating the height, width, weight etc.  Get the template for the blank letter f ATC's here. I've added a blog page with all my templates in one place, including blank outlines of each of the letters I've used here.

I print these templates out onto 110 lb.  Card Stock and it's pretty much like coloring in a coloring book. When I'm finished I use a template that I've made for an ATC back, also printed onto 110" stock, and glue the front to the back. I like the weight and stiffness of the double card stock.

Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter A

Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter B

Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter C

Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter D

Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter E

 Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter F

 Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter G

Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter H


 Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter I

 Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter J

 Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter J

 Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter J

Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter K

Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter L

 Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter M

 Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter N

 Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter O

Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter P

2012-5: Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter Q

 2012-6: Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter R

 2012-7: Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter S

 2012-8: Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter T

 2012-43: Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter U

 2012-44: Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter V

 2012-45: Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter W

 2012-48: Zentangled Alphabet ATC's: Letter X

 2012-46: Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter Y

 2012-47: Zentangled Alphabet ATCs: Letter Z

Free ATC Templates and Artwork for ATC's

After searching fruitlessly on the web for a template for blank ATC cards, I've created one in Photoshop that I'm sharing here as a .pdf file. It's got 6 cards on an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet. 

Download the free template for blank ATC cards.

My favorite books to inspire my ATC'ing:

Download the template for ATC's with upper case letters & punctuation.  Each letter is in a different style type. Print the .pdf file onto 110# card stock and decorate the Artist Trading Cards in any way that inspires you.Cut them out, label them and they're ready for trading.

Download this template for Artist Trading Card backs. They can be printed on 8 1/2 x 11" card stock, plain paper or full sheet sticker and completed with your information.

Download the template for different type letter f ATC blanks.

Blank ATC's with Grid Lines

Since I began Zentangling on ATC's I've realized that my work is much neater and easier to execute if I have a grid to follow. I went into my blank ATC sheet and added grid lines at 1/4", 1/2" and 1" (with a 1/4" border). I also did a card with a 1/4" border, one divided into 4 equal rectangles and one divided into eight equal rectangles. To use the cards I either place them under a blank card on a light table and trace them, or go over the lines by hand with a pen that's slightly larger than the line. Download a .pdf of the Blank ATC's with Grid Lines.

I recently broke down and purchased a small light box and have been really happy that I did. I've used it even more than I expected I would. I checked prices at local arts stores and online, and found t this one on Amazon, which with free shipping and no sales tax was the best deal. 

Originally a watercolor of a bird with the handwritten inscription of Happy Birthday, I scanned this image and have used it to make ATC's for birthday wishes. And for those who don't collect ATC's I've attached it to the front of a plain card. The image can be downloaded here.

Or you can order the card, Birthday Bird by crafting_with_style on Zazzle.
See more Watercolor Cards