Reticula and fragments are a more recent Zentangle® development that was introduced with the release of the Zentangle Primer in 2016. “Reticula” is the term used for any type of grid, and “fragment” is the term for the pattern used to fill the grid. A good example of this concept is the official tangle Tripoli. In this example, the triangle is the reticula and the fragment is the pattern drawn inside the triangle. Here are two Youtube tutorials that show the reticula and fragment concept in action:
- Tripoli Tutorial (Official Zentangle Youtube Video)
- Reticula and Fragments Tutorial (Youtube Video)
Zentangle Fragments
- Complete List of Official Zentangle Fragments — Square, Circle, & Triangle Fragments
- Official Zentangle Square Fragments
- Orb Fragments
- Triangle/Tripoli Fragments
- Huggins Fragments
- Leaf Fragments
- Mandala Fragments (Instagram) — Here’s a screenshot of the Mandala Fragments if you can’t access Instagram.
- Challenge: Turn Your Favorite Tangle Pattern into a Fragment
Zentangle Reticula
- Complete List of Official Zentangle Reticula
- Square Grid Reticulae and Then Some — Tips for enhancing square reticula.
- Vessel Tangles — Tangle patterns that can also serve as reticula.
For more reticula and fragment ideas, check out A Zentangle Collection of Reticula and Fragments. This book features over 600 reticula and fragments created by Certified Zentangle Teachers (CZTs).
If I missed any helpful links about reticula and fragments, then please let me know in the comments.
This is really helpful. I’m starting a free class on randomly generated tangling, with a large focus on reticula and fragments. I know my students will use this post!