Emily's reviews
Mar 2022
Learn Zentangle® Art at Home: Dingbatz Decorations
Such a wonderful small sized class! Went through some beautiful ‘dingbatz’ that I’ll easily use as frames and headers for future crafts!
Niki showed us so so many examples to use as inspiration too!
Feb 2022
The Lonely Arts Club: Zentangle® Hearts
Utterly adored this class! You can take it at anytime and doesn’t need to be for valentines.
The class takes you through learning different heart based patterns (tangles) and creating a beautiful artwork that’s a little different to Niki’s other classes (using embossing to really make it ‘pop’ in the most beautiful way).
Highly recommend this class!
Jan 2022
Learn to Draw Zentangle® Zenbuttons
Oh how much I loved this class
I loved how Niki took us through stages where each time I was proud of my work, then she would show us the next step and was blown away with how much more beautiful the artwork was!
The final 3D effect is awesome to look at from all angles and I am obsessed with the finished artwork!
My only suggestions to maximise class time/give students even more patterns to play with later is to start the class with a bunch of fragments on the tiny tiles, then in the second/final part of the class focus on the artwork itself. It would also be great if students could be given the dimensions of the circular tile (I’m personally too obsessed with perfecting baselines), to help them find the centre of the circle for the protractor.
I couldn’t recommend this class more due to how unique the content and artwork is, the way that Niki adapts to student needs and their feedback and how special it is to watch your own drawing transform in real-time!
Jan 2022
Create Zentangle® Stacked Rocks
I really enjoyed this class because it was such a unique take on using Zentangle! The use of colour with white charcoal was new and challenging for me but with practice and the skills Niki gave me I’m found to be able to create new artworks with these foundations from the class.
I’m not sure if the produced artwork will be a gift or be hung on the wall, but no matter any skill level you leave this class with something beautiful!
Nov 2021
Learn Zentangle Art: A Floral Tribute
An absolutely lovely and peaceful class. Niki first went through a number of floral tangles with examples of how to produce intricate pictures using them. Next we created a bouquet of flowers using more tangles then finished with a sunflower to do at our own pace.
This class is a beautiful extension on ‘traditional’ Zentangle and has given me the opportunity to use these tangles taught by Niki in different ways (like cards) as well as with other materials (like watercolours).
I’ve had so much fun integrating the sunflower design into my journal and am impressed with the finished product!
I can’t wait to use what Niki’s taught in other ways, and would recommend this class to anyone and everyone (beginner or not), as she is a talented and patient teacher who adapts to what you need and goes through each step simplistically.
Oct 2021
Paper Craft and Ink class
Vanessa never disappoints! I’ve tried a few similar classes and Vanessa is by far the best. She timed this class perfectly, with a simple to follow workbook and instructions that are incredibly easy to follow (that can be reused for heaps of practice after the workshop).
Oct 2021
Learn How to Create a Mindful Mandala
I initially found the class slow paced, but quickly realised that Elsa was giving me the tools to go back and create my own unique mandalas in the future- something that I found difficult before this class.
I’m in love with the finished product and wound highly recommend this class!
Oct 2021
Learn Zentangle® Art - Introduction
Niki was beyond amazing and she has definitely started a Zentangle obsession. She breaks down each pattern beautifully as well as creating such a mindful environment.
Oct 2021
Bullet Journaling for Anxiety
I have mixed feelings about this class as there were positives and negatives. I found the class slow paced and was a little disappointed with the quality of the materials and ended up using my own (as seen in the photo.
With that being said, Icy explained the history and process of bullet journaling which was nice. I also thought the ideas she gave for layouts and ways to track anxiety helpful. She encouraged personalising the templates to your own needs which is important with anxiety and she is aware of this.
Overall I think this class is good for people new to bullet journaling or who want inspiration/ ideas for ways to express anxiety in a bullet journal.
Oct 2021
Paper Craft and Ink class
Although I have used brush lettering in my own time, this class was my first formal class. I found it incredibly helpful to have the letters and strokes broken down by Vanessa’s fantastic instructions and I gained significantly more experience in only 1.5 hours.
The watercolour take was such a unique take on brush lettering so no matter your experience I believe you’ll gain lots from this class!
Oct 2021
Learn Zentangle® Art: The Botanical Garden
I absolutely loved this class! I’ve started doing lots of Zentangle (classes with Niki and on my own) and I loved how this class took a different approach to the ‘traditional’ style by creating beautiful garden inspired themes. I highly recommend this, and any other classes with Niki, for relaxation, expressing your creativity or to learn something new!
Oct 2021
Drawing class
I found this class good and I’m glad I did it, however I found the lighting of the model difficult to draw
Oct 2021
Simple Floral Illustrations for Bullet Journaling
I found the class itself quite slow and I was easily distracted. Perhaps for those who have little to no experience with decorative drawing would enjoy it more.
I have found that after the class I have referred to the drawings from the class, but I also have found similar designs on websites such as Pintrest that produce a similar result in my bullet journal.
Overall I was personally a little disappointed however others who have never done this type of illustration may find it really good.
Oct 2021
Zentangle® Art: Black Beauty
LOVED this class! I've done so many classes with Niki and this one really built on my prior knowledge by using new types of pens and paper to play around with.
Niki teaches gorgeous patterns that are broken down and can be replicated or altered in your own time. She is so wonderful and is one of the best teachers I've had on ClassBento.
Zentangle overall is such a relaxing activity to do after this class and can be used in so many ways such as card making and I cannot recommend this class (or any others with Niki) enough!
Oct 2021
Paper Craft and Ink class
Initially I was nervous to try this class as it's such a foreign type of craft for me but the teacher was beyond patient, guided us beautifully and I learnt so much about bookbinding (including some of each types of history and origins). The materials in the box were such high quality and the final products are beautiful, mistakes and all (in my opinion worth the higher price).
I'm also impressed with the fact that you leave the class with 3 books that are made to keep or gift.
My only feedback would be that at some times it was a little fast, but if you speak up the teacher gave time or repeated instructions to accomodate this.
Oct 2021
Drawing class
This class absolutely exceeded my expectations! There were sets of poses in 5, 10 and 20 min. intervals that helps in warming up and getting into the zone. Cannot recommend this enough to those looking to sharpen up their drawing skills!
NOTE, I wouldn't recommend this class to complete beginners as there are no instructions and is purely drawing time (you may still enjoy it and will certainly see improvement in your drawing over subsequent sessions, but factor in that there are no instructions)
Sep 2021
Draw Zentangle® Art: Lunchtime Tanglers
I initially found the class slow paced, but quickly realised that Elsa was giving me the tools to go back and create my own unique mandalas in the future.
I’m in love with the finished product and wound highly recommend this class!
Sep 2021
Paint Beautiful Native Florals and Botanicals
This class was phenomenal! Although it was fast paced, I was taught all the essentials to create beautiful botanicals in my own time. It was taught so well and I would highly recommend!
Aug 2021
Paper Craft and Ink class
I enjoyed the class and was a wonderful way to spend my afternoon. I liked the flexibility of the class- very similar to doing art therapy
Aug 2021
Learn Brush Pen and Pointed Pen Modern Calligraphy
I loved Icy’s way of breaking down all of the strokes and how they transform into each letter. She took her time for everyone to grasp everything and I loved being able to compare brush pens to ink nibbed pens as I’d only used the latter before!
Aug 2021
Draw Zentangle® Art: Lunchtime Tanglers
Loved this class! Niki was fantastic at adhering to my needs and really personalised the experience, something that I am really grateful for. I look forwards to doing another few to keep learning new patterns!
Aug 2021
Learn Botanical Watercolour Painting at Home
This class was amazing! Despite having a little experience with watercolours I learnt so many new techniques and skills. Blair is wonderful, patient and I highly recommended her. Would love to do more of her courses!