Patterned Christmas Tree

A Christmas tree made entirely of zentangle patterns: each tier is filled with swirls, scallops, flowers, stars, stripes and geometric motifs, crossed by bold checkerboard garlands already printed in black. An ornate star tops it, patterned baubles hang from the branches and four decorated presents sit below. With about 800 areas, it's a long project for adults and patient colorists from age 10.

Level

Detailed

Areas to color

798

Ages

Ages 10+ & adults

Time to color (estimate)

2 hours or more

Paper

A4 or US Letter, standard printer paper

Work tier by tier with fine-liner pens or very sharp pencils, and choose one color family per section: greens and turquoise for the swirls, gold for the stars. The black checkerboards already give contrast, so surround them with light colors. Leaving a few patterns white keeps the tree airy.

Use a light gray or pale blue for snow shadows: it makes white areas look three-dimensional.

Red and green side by side can look flat; add gold or a warm yellow to lights and stars to make the page glow.