Random doodling
When I am daydreaming, when I talk on the phone, when I am in a meeting, when I am thinking, when I try to solve a problem...
Whenever I am preoccupied I doodle. I scribble aimlessly without much thought or an apparent objective. It helps me to stay focused and attentive. Every time I find myself in a situation where writing tools are within reach I will doodle.
Mindful doodling
In fact I enjoy making these little drawings so much, that I sometimes choose to doodle as an exercise towards mindfulness. I like to use the Zentangle® method which involves drawing structured patterns on small square paper tiles. The idea behind this method is to create art using dots, lines, curves and simple shapes, without having to worry about the result, but rather focusing on each stroke you make.
Digital doodling
As a creative I find doodling on an iPad with a pencil equally exchiting. Tablets and drawing applications opened the door to more elaborate doodling by offering unlimited colours, shadows, layers, brushes and so much more. Digital doodling can be as freestyle or as controlled as the creator wishes it to be. Occasionally, I may even doodle over a photo background, creating amusing little scenes.
The joy of doodling
Doodling is something I do when I am not working. It is a relaxing creative practise in which I can engage without planning. It gives me the freedom of an open ended artistic activity which can be fun and liberating at the same time.
Check out some more of my digital photo-doodles and download the image to create your own doodle stories!