Art helps individuals express a wide range of emotions such as anger, disappointment, joy, and resentment. Through this expression, people often seek to release their “inner heaviness” and open themselves up to the world. Art therapy is a therapeutic method that utilizes creative expression as a form of treatment. Its primary goals are to harmonize a person’s mental and emotional state, facilitate self-expression and self-discovery, and bring suppressed emotions to the surface. During the therapeutic process, individuals can symbolically express and explore both conscious and unconscious feelings – such as love, hatred, aggression, envy, tenderness, joy, sadness, and pain. Art therapy encompasses a variety of approaches, allowing practitioners to select the most appropriate techniques for each individual case, thereby effectively addressing psychological issues.
On May 6, 2025, higher education students of the first (bachelor’s) level of the EPP “Professional Education” of the Department of Professional Education in Technology and Design Maria Vasyliuk and Diana Zozulia, together with Alla Kolodyazhna, PhD in Pshychology, Associate Professor, held a master class “Art Therapy in Zentangle Technique: the Path to Self-Discovery Through Lines”.
Zentangle (from “zen” – contemplation or meditation, and “tangle” – entanglement or confusion) is a drawing technique based on creating patterns using dots, geometric shapes, and curved lines. These patterns, which carry no semantic meaning, are typically drawn on a 9×9 cm square of thick drawing paper – a format that allows the artwork to be completed in a relatively short period of time. The process is meditative in nature and requires only simple materials: paper, a black gel pen, and a pencil. Zentangle is a method of producing visually appealing drawings through the repetition of structured patterns. An essential part of the technique is staying mindful of one’s thoughts, emotions, and sensations during the drawing process. There is no need to pre-plan the next pattern; instead, the focus should remain on the line being drawn in the present moment.
Thus, this practice allows individuals not only to relax, but also to enhance their mood and achieve a sense of harmony with the surrounding world. Art therapy can be conducted both individually and in-group sessions. Its value lies in the opportunity to normalize one's psycho-emotional state, as well as in fostering self-expression and self-awareness.
Zentangle allows you to make the process of drawing joyful, interesting, successful, exciting, and individual for everyone. By drawing, we give an outlet to our feelings and desires. Success in art is unconsciously transferred to everyday life.
The meeting of the club was held in a friendly atmosphere and was informative, instructive and motivating!
20.05.2025
