if you can doodle, you can paint: transforming simple drawings into works of art

TRANSFORMINGSIMPLEDRAWINGSINTOWORKSOFART

DIANECULHANEPhotographybyMatisseBerthiaume

CONTENTS

Introduction

1GETTINGSTARTEDArtSuppliesandMaterials

CollectingDoodles

2DOODLESPECIFICSBUILDINGYOURIMAGELIBRARY

Exercise1:LineQuality

Exercise2:LetItLoose:Small,Medium,andLargeDoodling

Exercise3:CirclesandLines

Exercise4:RighttoLeft

Exercise5:DoodleWhileReading

Exercise6:PickaTheme

Exercise7:TakingaLineforaWalk

3DOODLECOLLECTIONSFOLDEDBOOKSANDREVAMPEDJOURNAL

Project1:FoldedorSewnBooks

Project2:RevampedJournals

4BLOWINGITUP

ENLARGINGYOURDOODLES

Exercise8:ExpandingImagerywithaCopyorScan

Exercise9:AddingColor

5MIXEDMEDIAPAINTINGWITHYOURDOODLES

Project3:CopyYourself:Hand-EyeCoordination

Project4:GridPainting

Project5:ThemePainting

Project6:AbstractPainting:MixedMedia

6ARTISTGALLERYAbouttheAuthorAcknowledgments

INTRODUCTION

Doodle.It’ssimple,right?Anyonecandoodle.Itisjustmakingmarksonthepagewhileyourmindisbusythinkingorlistening.Yourbraindoodleswithoutjudgment,withoutthinkingorgivingcommands,andwithoutexpectationsabouttheprocess.Disengagedfromyourinnercritic,flowingalonginthemoment,youarepresent.Likealeaffloatingonamovingriver,doodlingisfullyitselfandatthesametimemovingwiththecurrent.

Yettheworddoodlebothersmebecauseitsoundslikesomethinginsignificant,immature,eventrivial.Itdoesnotfullyexpresshowimportantthisprocessis.Doodlingcannotbemeasured.Itisasolidworldinitself,anditisoneofwhichIamhumblyproud.Doodlingisyourvoicespokenonthepage,anditwilltakeyouplacesyoucannotgoalone.Itissimpleandyetfullofcomplexity.

Howcandoodlingaddtoyourcreativearsenal?Forme,doodlingisintuitive,organic,automaticmarkmaking,wherethereisnocensoring,justdoinganddiscovering.Byfollowingitsthread,youaccessinventiveshapesand

forms,newimagecombinations,anddesigninsights.Thisisthefoundationalconceptforthisbook—totakethatplaceyoufindindoodling,wheremarkmakingcomesnaturally,unbidden,andexplodeitintoyourcreativelife.

Adoodleisalreadyatyourfingertips.It’smarkmakingwhenyouareotherwiseoccupied,perhapstalkingonthephoneorlisteningatameeting.Itisautomatic,withoutdeliberatethinkingaboutwhatis“good”or“bad.”Itpoursoutofyoueasily,fromapuresubconsciousplace,withnoagendaforwhereyouareheaded.Idescribethisprocessas“onemarkatatime,”anditevolvesintoaconversation,sotospeak,onatwo-dimensionalsurface.

Ibelievethatdoodlingisacreativesourceofinspirationforthemoreseriousartworkthatcomesfromthoughtfulplayandadvancementintoandinsideofyourcreativelife.Iamanartistwhodoodlesallthetime:wheneverIhaveapen,pencil,ormarkerandadrawingsurface,Iamdoodling.Always.Itismywayofprocessinginformationvisually,externallyorinternally,simultaneouslyorsingularly,representationallyorfiguratively.Iliterallythinkonpaper.DoodlingkeepsmeconnectedtomyartlifeandmakesmefeelasthoughIamalwaysprogressing.

Thisbookismywayofsharingtheartofdoodlingwithyou.ManyoftheideasbeganwiththecurriculumformyonlineclassDoingsofaDoodle.Thisbookcontinuestoexplorethedoodleandhowitcanleadtomorematureartwork.Theinvitationstartswithapencil.Youbeginwithaninquiryoranobservation.Yousimplydowhatcomesnaturally—doodling—andthenyoustudyyourdoodlesandgrowthemintoalargerpiece,addingpaintandmixedmedia.Thedoodlethusbecomesaguidethatleadstofurtherdecisionsaboutcompositionandprinciplesofdesign.Throughthestep-by-stepexercisesandprojectsinthisbook,asimpledoodleistranslatedintoamorecomprehensiveandunifiedwork,bringingoutastylethatisauthenticallyyou.

Yourartisticstylecomesfromdeepinsideyou.Itistherewaiting,anditspurposeistobefullyexpressed.Justasyourhandwritingisuniquelyyou,sotooisthewayyoutouchthepaper,thewayyoumoveyourhand,andthedoodlesthatflowwhenyouareleastconcernedwithmaking“art.”Thesemarks—thesedoodles—arefoundationalandpowerfulwhentranslatedandtransformedintoalargerformat.Therearetreasuresembeddedwithin,includingyouruniquevoice.

IusedtobelievethatwhenIshutthestudiodoor,Iwasmakingartforme.NowIamlearningthatartisbiggerthanthat.It’sasharedexperience.Ineedtomakeartforyou,too,andweneedtomakeitforeachother.Artbecomessomethingbiggerandfullerwhenwealljoinin.Thisbookisaboutdiscoveringyourfullnessasanartistbycourageouslylettingyourdoodlesfindtheirwayintolargerworks.Itisaplaceofcreativity,fullofpotentialandanadventureinthe

largerworks.Itisaplaceofcreativity,fullofpotentialandanadventureinthemakingandinthesharing.

Iamexcitedtohelpyouexpressyourartisticselfbyawakeningyourcreativespirit.Iinviteyoutodigdeepintothismaterial.Delightintheprocess.Itmightchallengeyou;itmightopendoorsforyou;anditjustmightshowyouhowincrediblyinventiveofahumanbeingyoualreadyare.

Someofthesurfaceswheredoodlescanland:papercups,papertowels,envelopes,maps,oldbooks,andcardboard.

GETTINGSTARTEDGettingstartedisassimpleaspickingupapencilandpaper,butdonotbelimitedbythosematerials.Tryothersurfacesandotherformsofpaper.Youcandoodleonyourjeansor

evenonaT-shirt!

ARTSUPPLIESANDMATERIALS

Thelistofartsuppliesfordoodlingisfairlybasic,andchancesareyoualreadyhavemanyofthem.PaperDrawingpaperinanysize,printerpaper,watercolorpaper,Okawararicepaper,cardstock,notebooks,journals,sketchbooks,orscrappaperofanytypePensGel,ballpoint,water-soluble,permanent,allinvariouscolorsPencilsB(soft)andH(hard)leadsCharcoalInvarioustypesMarkersFineandultra-finetips;Copicmarkers,invariouscolorsPaintsAcrylics,acrylicpaintmarkersPaintingsurfacesWoodpanels,canvasApplicationtoolsPaintbrushes,paintrollers,squeegee,trowelsTexturaltoolsSandpaper,scrapersAdhesivesGluesticks,bluetape,decorativewashitape,gelmedium

Acrylicpainttubes

Acrylicmarkers

Acrylicmarkers

Journals

Copicmarkers

Brushes

Prismacolorcoloredpencils

Ultra-finetipmarkers

Pencils,pens,andmarkers

COLLECTINGDOODLES

Collectingyourdoodlesmeansminingyourdoodlehistory.Gatheringwhatyoualreadyhaveandwhatyouwillcontinuetocreatewillgiveyoumoreinformationtoexpandupon.Playandexplore.Findyourfavoritemarks,theonesthatyoulove,andseeifthereareimagesthatkeeprepeatingthemselves.Thisreflectionwillsetthestageforthingstocome.

STEP1:COLLECT

Treasurehunt.Digaround,asifyouarefindingdiamondsintheroughornuggetsofgoldinastream.Checkyourpilesofpapers,journals,to-dolists,bills,andnotebooks.Couldtherebedoodlesinsidebooksyouhaveread?Lookdeepintoanyplaceorsourcewhereyoumightfindaninterestingmarkonthepage.Cuteachdoodleout,orifyoudonotwanttocutupthepageitison,takeaphotoofitandprintitout.Ifyourhuntdoesnotturnupmanydoodles,proceedtotheexercisesinchapter2towidenyourcollection.

Journals

Layoutyourcutoutdoodles.

STEP2:OBSERVE

Afteryouhavegatheredapileofdoodles,arrangethemtoseehowtheylookwithoneanother.Studythem.Soakuptheview.Dotheyrelate?Dotheyfittogether?Dotheyhaveadialoguewitheachother?Whatisthecommonthread?Isthereathemethateffortlesslyemergeswhenyouaredoodlingwithoutaconsciousdirection?Whatrecurringimageskeepcomingtothesurface?

Whenlookingatacollectionofyourdoodles,delightinthesmalltreasures,justthewaytheyare.Somethingtransformativehappenswhentheyareseparatedfromtheiroriginalcontexts.Itisasiftheyarehandpickedforsomethinggreater.Theyarefullofpotentialandyetcompletejustthewaytheyare.Yourdoodlesarereallyminiaturepiecesofartwork.

Arrangeandstudyyourdoodleimages.

STEP3:PRESENT

Atthispoint,youcantapeyourdoodlestogetherasagrouporusethemindividually.Mountthemonwatercolorpaper.Thisframingstepprovidesspacearoundthedoodlesandelevatestheirsignificance.Bringyourdoodlesintoaplaceofimportancebytakingthetimetoupgradetheirpresentation.

Doodlestapedtogether

Doodlestapedontowatercolorpaper

DOODLESPECIFICSBuildingYourImageLibrary

Thereareendlesswaystoturntheenergyinsideofyouintomarksonthepage.Thischapteroutlinesseveralmethodsofjump-startingyourimagery,offeringexercisestoinspirevarioustypesofdoodles.Yourdoodlesshouldbefreeflowing.Theycanbedirectedeitherbybuildingonparticularthemesorbycreatingwithincertainparameters,largeorsmall.

Exploringtheseexerciseswillbuildyourvisualvocabulary.Thinkofyourmarkmakingasadancewiththepage.Theprogressofyourimageryislikeaconversationthatwilldevelopasyouareengagedinthemaking.Formswillbeginadialoguewithoneanother;therewillbeagiveandtakebetweenthehandmovement,thetypeofmark-makingtool,andthetypeofpaper.Thebeautyisthatyoudonothavetoknowwhatyouwilldonext—theprocessofcreatingwillcarryyoualong.Theseexercisesbeginsimplyandthenbuildwhileexpandingthescopeofyourartwork.

Startbymakingmarksandseewhathappens.Allowingyourselftomakeorganicdoodles,pureandsimple,willshowyouthatthereisalwaysaflowofcreativityifyouopenyourselftoit.Ibelievethistobetrueforeveryone.Weallhaveawellofcreativitythatneverrunsdry.Sometimes,allyouneedtodoisstart.Donotwaitforinspiration.Donotwaitforaplan.Justexperienceyourcreativitybydoinganddoinganddoing.Throughtheprocessofcreating,discoveriesaremadeanddelightarises.

Theseexercisesareliketakingahoseandputtingdifferentspraynozzlesonit:fullblast,lightspray,widerreach,andsoon.Turnonthewaterbybeginningtodoodle:startyourhandmovingandletthecreativityflow,justaswaterflowsfromafaucet.Whetheryoumakelargemovementsorsmallones,takethetimetofeelandtobepresentwiththepage.

EXERCISE1

LINEQUALITYLetusfirstturnourattentiontolinequality.Ilovelines.Ihavearomancewiththem.Ispentawholequarterincollegestudyinglinequality.Alineissignificantandpowerful;itisfullofexpression.

Beawareoflineswhenyouaredoodling.Whatisthenatureofaline?Whatdoesalinedo?Well,ittravelsaroundthe

surfaceofthepage.Bynature,alineisnotverywide,thoughthiswillvarywiththetoolused.Butthequalityofyourlinemustradiatevisualenergy.Thewayyourchosenimplementconnectswiththepaperisatypeofdance.Thetipofyourinstrument,theamountofpressure,andthequicknessorslownessofyourmovementsallinfluencelinequality.

MATERIALSmark-makingtools

–variouspapers

GETSTARTED

Tostudylinequality,experimentwithdifferenttools.Usingavarietyofdrawingtoolsandanypaperyoulike,spendtimeexperimenting.Asyoumakemarksonvariouspapers,askyourselfhowthetoolfeelswhenyouareinaction:Doestheinkflow?Doesitdragonthepage?Arethelinesthickorthin,crisporfuzzy?Noticethepaperquality,thickness,andcolorandhowitinteractswiththeline.

Continuetovaryyourlinestocreateinterest.Thequalityofyourlinewillinfluenceyourdoodles.Itisimportanttopayattentiontohowyoufeelwhenyoumakevariouslines,asthelineswillcarryanenergythatotherswillfeelwhentheyseeyourwork.Alineradiatessomethingthattheviewercanfeel.Youaretheauthorofthatsomething.

TAKINGITFURTHER

Thereisanendlessvarietyoflinestoexplore,withzillionsofcombinations.Asyouworkthroughtheseexercises,onegreattechniqueforkeepingtheflowistothinkinopposites.Makethickandthinlines,shortandtalllines.Makedotted,dashed,curved,andstraightlines.Experimentandplaywitharangeofmarkstocreatemoreinterestinthedesign.

Linequalitywithvarioustools:finetipemarker,ultrafinetipmarker,gelpen,ballpointpen,2Bpencil,Hpencil

EXERCISE2

LETITLOOSE:SMALL,MEDIUM,ANDLARGEDOODLINGTheseexerciseswillleadyoutowardaplacewhereyoucan“letitflow.”Thekeyistofindthemagicalplaceintheprocessofmakingtheforms.Thatflowingplaceiseasiesttofindwhenyouarefullypresent.Aswemovefrompracticingsmalldoodlestolargerones,payattentiontothewaythemovementsfeelandhowthepagefeels.Thewayyoutouchthepagewithyourmark-makingtoolcanevokeemotionsfortheviewer.Thebestpiecesofarthavethisevocativecomponent.Wefeelthiswhenwelookatawell-donepieceofart—whetheritismadebyatoddleroramasterartist.

Experimentwithhowyoumoveamark-makingtoolandwatchhowthemovementinformstheexpression.Themovementmayfeelgentle,asifyouaretouchingsomeoneyoulove,orlikerhythmicmusicalnotes,fastorsloworreflective.Itmaybeinspiredbydeepfeelingsofsadnessorbylightnessanddelight.Whenmakingmarks,takethetimetofeelthemandstaypresent.Recordyouremotionsthroughthemovements.

Startwithsmallerdoodles,justmovingyourfingers.Workuptomedium-sizedoodles,movingyourwristandforearm.Thenjumpintothelargestdoodlesyoucanmake,movingyourfullarmandperhapsevenyourwholebody.

SMALL-SIZEDOODLES:

DRAWINGONSTICKYNOTES

Inthisexercise,wewillbemovingonlyourfingers.Beawareofhowyouholdthepenorpencilandhowitinformsthelineonthepaper.Beawareoftheareayourmovementscover.Whenyoumovejustyourfingers,areyourmarkssmaller,contained,precise,ordetailed?

MATERIALS

stickynotesorcutpaper(Ipreferthe11/2"×2"[4×5cm]yellowtype)–mark-makingtoolsofyourchoice(penorpencilrecommended)–

coloredcardstockpaper

GETSTARTED

Stickynotescomeintheperfectformatforsmalldoodlevignettesthatcanbeplacedanywhere—onwalls,tables,orothersheetsofpaper.Ifyouprefer,youcancutpiecesofpaperto1"(2.5cm)or2"(5cm)squares.Thesmallersizeintentionallylimitsyourrangeofmovementstothosegeneratedwiththefingers.

Doodleononestickynoteafteranother.Thinkbacktothemarksyou’vejustmadeandabouttheonesthatwillcomenext.Watchindelight,asifanarrativeisunfolding.Letyourdrawingsspilloffthepageontoyourbackgroundpaper.Yourimagedoesn’thavetobeconfined;thinkbeyondthepaper,ifyouwish!

Smallstickynotes

TAKINGITFURTHER

Onceyouhavealargepileofsticky-notedoodledrawings,gobackthroughthemandarrangethemintodynamiccombinations.Thecolorsofthenotesandofthebackgroundpaper,aswellastheshapesandspaceinbetween,willallplayapartinthearrangement.Experimentwithplacingdifferentarrangementsonthewalloronotherflatsurfaces.Playwithopposites.Alternatebusydoodleswithquietones.Orplacesimilardesignssidebyside.Perhapsyoucanarrangethedoodleslikepuzzlepieces,sothatthelinesfromonedoodleseemtocontinueontootherdoodles.Lateron,usethesmalldoodlesyoulikebestascollagepiecestoinformmorecomplexcompositions.

Onceyoufindacombinationyoulike,placethestickynotesonacoloredsheetofcardstock.Presenttheminvariousways,ingroupingsorbythemselves.Trypostingthemonthewallandsteppingbacktoseehowtheylooktogether.

Groupofstickynotesonbluecardstockpaper

MEDIUM-SIZEDOODLES:

WORKINGONSHEETSOFPAPER

Thisexercisewillexpandthemovementsofmarkmakingtoincludefingers,thehand,thewrist,theforearm,andfinallythewholearm.Fillthepagewithlargemovements.Thiswillextendthewayyouinteractwiththepageandmakemarks.Itisaterrificwaytomakelargerworksfortheprojectstocome.

MATERIALS

3sheetsoflettersizepaper(81/2"×11"or21.6×28cm)–blackmarker

GETSTARTED

Onthefirstpieceofpaper,doodleusingjustfingerandhandmovements.Onthesecondsheet,startbyusingyourwristandforearmtomakealargermovement.Then,onthethirdsheet,useyourwholearm,movingfromrighttoleft,pushingupandpullingdown,withthegoaloffillingthepage.Letyourmarksflowoffthepage.Theextramovementandthedisappearingedgeswilladdinteresttotheline.

Thisdoodleusesjustfingerandhandmovements.

Thesedoodlesaredrawnusingbothwristandforearmmovements.

Thesedoodlesaredrawnusingfullarmmovement.

TAKINGITFURTHER

Onanewsheetofpaper,createaworkthatcombinesfinger,hand,wrist,forearm,andfull-armmovements.

LARGE-SIZEDOODLES:

WORKINGONROLLSOFPAPER

Whatdodoodlesdo?Somuch!Mostimportantly,theytellastory.Watchwhathappenswhendoodling.Maybeyouwillcreateashortvignetteoronestoryafteranotherorevenastorywithinastory.Thegoalofworkingonalargesurfaceistodrawwithyourwholebodyonthelargestspaceyoucanfinduntilyoufindafeelingofflowandaplaceofdelight,whichhappenswhenyougetintoaspaceofexpansionandexploration.Thiscanleadtothecreationofsignificantartworkwhilefreeingyoufromconcernabouttheoutcome.Fallinlovewiththeprocess—theworkgrowsoutofthedoing.Doodlingextralargeisaplayfuladventure.Inviteotherstojoinin.Kidslovetodrawonthewall!

MATERIALS

tape–

butcherpaperorcraftpaper–

allofyourmark-makingtools,suchaspermanentmarkers,chunkycrayons,pens,andpencils(Thepieceshownfeaturesblackmarkersinseveralsizes.)

GETSTARTED

Beginbytapingstripsofbutcherpaperonthewallfromtheceilingtothefloor.Tapeupasmanyasthespacewillallow,creatingthehighestandwidestdrawingsurfacepossibleinanticipationofcreatingamural-sizepiece.

Withyourchoiceofmark-makingtoolinhand,begindrawingwithfull-bodymovements—reachinguphighandwalkingbackandforth.Includelinesthatmoveuptotheceilingandbackdowntothefloor.Embracethebeautifuloopsesthatwillhappenandenjoytheexperimentsalongtheway.

UNLIMITEDPOSSIBILITIES

•Fillthepaperwithlines,circles,dashes,dots,triangles,loops,andzigzags.Connecttheforms,layeringthem,andyoucanalsofilltheminwithcoloredpencilormarkers.

•Listentomusicandcreateaflow.Repeatthisexercise.Workonthesamesheetsofpaperoverafewdays.

•Playwithwordstoexpressyourthinkingandfeelingprocesses.Recordtheinternalorsharedconversationshappeninginthemoment.Doublebackand

internalorsharedconversationshappeninginthemoment.Doublebackandwriteontopofthosewords.

•Thealphabetisawonderfulsourceofforms.Drawlettershapesorwriteincursive,layeringthewritingoverandover.Orworkoneletteratatime.Trywritingyournameagainandagain—varyingthesizes.Thereareendlessideastoexplore!

•Discoverhowthisexerciseisavisualstory—arecordofmarksandexplorations.Itisafree-flowingplacetojustbeandmakesomethingmeaningful.

Tapebutcherpapertothewall.

Useyourfullbodytomakemarks.

Focusonareasofinterestanddetails.

TAKINGITFURTHER

Whenitistimetotakedownthepaper,youcancutthedoodlesup,savefavoritesections,andreassemblethepiecestomakenewcompositions.Thisleadstofurtherexplorationofpossibilitiesforotherworksofart.First,cutasectioninto5"×5"(13×13cm)piecesandarrangetheminagrid.Addcolorwithmarkers.Movethepiecesaround,withorwithoutspacebetweeneachone.Usetapeonthebacktoholdthemtogether.Theselargedrawingswillalsobeusefulforcollageworks.Usethemforimaginativeprojects,includinggreetingcards,decorativeenvelopes,andanythingelseyoucanthinkof.

EXERCISE3

CIRCLESANDLINESThevarietyandcombinationsofcirclesandlinesareendless:large,small,short,tall,vertical,horizontal.Thesesimpleformsofferalifetime’sworthofexploration.Workingwiththeseformsbecomesadancebetweenthemovementofthehandandthedirectionofthetool,creatingvariationwithinyourpage.Watchhowthecompositionbuildsandgrows.

MATERIALSinexpensivedrawingpaperinanysize

–mark-makingtools:pens,pencils,andmarkers

Looselyrenderedcirclesandlines

Randomcirclesandlines

Tightlyrenderedcirclesandlines

GETSTARTED

Followyourownleadasyouexploreanddiscoverwhatisemerging.Tobegin,drawarandomcombinationofsevencirclesandsevenlines.Next,drawanothersevencirclesandsevenlines,alltightlyrendered—neat,concise,direct.Finally,drawsevenmorecirclesandsevenmorelines,alllooselyrendered—free,messier,notexact,notperfect.

Sevencirclesandlines

TAKINGITFURTHER

Revisityourcompositionsandleteachdoodlegrowfromitsstartingplace.Youcancontinuewiththeoriginalpatternoraddcirclesandshapesincontrastingsizesanddirections.

Switchingmark-makingtoolscanhelpdrawlinesthatarethickandthin.Createlinesthatareshortandlinesthataretall.Placecirclesandlinesinsideofcircles.Continuetohavefunandplaywiththeseshapesastheydialoguetogether.

Compositionpossibilitieswithcirclesandlines

EXERCISE4

RIGHTTOLEFTOnetechniqueforjournalingistowritecontinuouslywithoutliftingthepen,lettingyourmindstepawayfromconsciousplanningandthinking.Thisiswhatthemindlovestodo:engagethecreativesideofthebrain.Thisexerciseissimilar,exceptthatinsteadofjournalingwithwords,wewilljournalwithdoodles.

MATERIALSpaper–

mark-makingtoolofyourchoice–

blankcardsandenvelopes

GETSTARTED

Startontheleftsideofthepage,asifyouwerewritingaletter.Inacontinuous

Startontheleftsideofthepage,asifyouwerewritingaletter.Inacontinuousunbrokenline,moveyourhandandmark-makingtooltotheright,thenagainfromlefttoright.Next,trydrawingonecontinuouslinefromrighttoleftandthenlefttoright.Repeat.Repeat.Repeat.Watchhowthedialoguegrows.Whatchangesarehappeningasyouproceed?Arethelinestallerorshorter?Dotheyoverlap?Whatimagesareappearingandwhatdiscoveriesareyoumaking?Keepgoing.Keepgoing.Keepgoing.Themoreyoudo,thedeeperandrichertheexperience.Treatitlikeanadventure.Whatunknownplacesarewaitingtobediscovered?

Actionimage

Lefttorightandrighttoleft

TAKINGITFURTHER

Afterpracticingthisimage-makingtechnique,youcanusethesamemethodtocreatenotecards.Simple,cleanlinesmakedelightfulgreetingcards,andthistechniqueshowsoffyourlinemakinginapresentationthattheviewerexperiencesasagift.Somethingtangibleandhandmadeissuchapleasuretoreceive.Tocreateacard,youcanjustfoldpapertofitintoanenvelope.Ifyougetonaroll,youcanpurchaseready-madeblankcardsthatwillgiveyourlinemakingaprofessionallookandfeel.

Greetingcards

EXERCISE5

DOODLEWHILEREADINGThisislikea“blinddoodle”exercise,butitrequiresmorethanjustnotlookingatthepagewhilemakingmarks.Hereyouwillreadwhiledoodlingonthepage.Youcanstartontheleftsideofthepageandmovetotherightandseewhatopensupasyougetstarted,oryoucanjumparoundthepage.Yourmarkswillcomefromyourmind’sactiveengagementinreading.

Doodlingwhilereading

MATERIALSagoodbook

–acomfyreadingplace,withroomformakingmarksonthepage–

paperandpencilordoodlematerialsofyourchoice

GETSTARTED

Findareallygoodbookandaplacewhereyoucanreadcomfortablywithenoughroomonthesidetoplaceapageorpadfordoodling.Doodleasyouread.Donotbeconcernedabouttheoutcome.Howdoesthisexercisefeel?Whattypeofrhythmareyoufinding?Howdoesthisactivitybroadenorconstrictyourmarks?Doyoufindthatthereadingandimageryfromthestorycontributetothetypesoflinescreated,oraretheydistracting?Howdoesyourmindworkwhenyouarereadingandhaveyourhandmoving?Aretheresultssimilartodoodlesyouhavemadeinothersituations?

Ifounddoingthesetwoactivitiesdistractingatfirst.Iwasnotabletofocusononeortheother.Whatemerged,however,wasaconfidenceinmyabilitytomultitask.Likebreathing,blinking,andalltheotherthingsmybodydoessobeautifullytokeepmealive,doodlingcanbefullyautomated.IwilledmyselftokeepmovingmyhandonthepagewhilereadingastorybecauseIthoughtitcouldopenupanewlevelofawareness.Curiositykeptmeontask,andIwonderedhowthereadingmightcontributetothedoodle.IgotintoitandloosenedupasIwentalong.Somuchoflearningisanactivelyengagingprocess,butthisworkedwithoutmyconsciousfocus.Ifoundthatif,whilereading,Ipushedharderonthemark-makingtoolandleanedphysicallyintothepage,theflowstartedtohappenmoreeasily.Forthoselikemewholovetoreadandtodoodle,doingbothatthesametimeisatotalwin.

Doodlingwhilereading:over-the-shoulderview

Finaldoodle

TAKINGITFURTHER

Whenyouread,doyouvisualizethestoryasitunfolds?Ifso,whatdoesthatlooklikeinyourmind’seye?Doodlethis.Whatyoudiscovermayastoundyou.Ifyoudonotvisualizewhileyouread,doodletoexpressthewordsorjustmakemarkswithanewrhythmyoufindfromyourreading.Youmayfindnewcontentforyourdoodlesthatcouldconnectwithalargerwork.

EXERCISE6

PICKATHEMEThisisadirecteddoodleexercisewithachosentheme.Objectsandtheirshapesarecompelling.Thinkofathemeasafoundationtoletfree-flowingimagesinformspecificcombinationsofshapes.Allowyourformstotakeonapersonality.Yourdoodledoesnothavetobearealisticrepresentationofthetheme.Throughthisexercise,yourpersonalvoiceandstylewillcometolifeinyourrenderingofthetheme.Givethedoodlecharacterbyvaryingthelinequality.Tomakethickandthinlines,alternatebetweenasofttouchandaheavytouch.

MATERIALSpaperofanysize

–mark-makingtools

GETSTARTED

Prepareseveralsheetsofdrawingpaperandarangeofmarkingtools.Ifyouwishtousereferencematerial,gathersomeimagesofitemsontheliststhatfollow.Butremember:thepointisnottorenderanaccuraterepresentation—onlytobeinspiredbyrealisticforms.Takelibertiesandbecreativewithyourdoodledrawing.

Houses:Theseinterestinganddiversegeometricformsareeverywhereinamultitudeofstyles.Housesaresocentraltoourlives,reflectinghowwelive,move,andhaveourbeing.

Cups:Ilovedrawingcupsandmugs.Asyoudraw,thinkabouthowtheylookandhowtheyfeelwhenyouholdthemaswellasabouttheirfunction.Coffeeculturehasusdrinkingoutofpapercupsmostofthetime,

buttheshapeofahandmadeceramicmugissocompellingtouseandtodraw.

Chairs:Chairsareavisualinvitationtocome,sit,rest.Frombasictoornate,therearesomanydifferenttypesofchairs.Thereissomethingintriguingaboutthespatialrelationshipsandthepracticalfunctionofachair.

Flowers:Flowersareoneofthebestofallofnature’slivingforms,cominginendlessshapesandsizeswithremarkablecombinationsofstemsandleaves.Theydelightandgreetyouasyouwalkby.Theylightupour

rooms,ourgardens,andourseasons.

Leaves:Leavesareawonderfulsourceofdrawingmaterialwiththeirvarietyofshapesandsizes.Studythem;collectthem.Drawuponwhattheyfeellike,whethergreenandfreshorcurlingupastheyfallandfade.

Animals:Animalsexistallaroundus,makingourlivesricher.Theyarefriendswhoenrichourdays.Whetherfamiliarpetsorexoticwildlife,theirformsandfeaturesamazeanddelight.Theirhugevarietyofshapesand

sizesoffersarichsourceofmaterialfordoodling.

Landscapes:Landscapesarethebeautyoftheearth.Weallhaveseenalandscapethatwassospectacularwestoreditinourminds.Drawuponthememoriesanddoodlefromthatplace,makingitupasyougo.

Scenerywhileridinginacar:Entertainyourselfbydoodlingwhileridinginacar.Varioussubjectsflybythecarwindow—sortoflikeamovie,exceptitisreallifeinmotion.Observeyoursurroundings:Whatis

interesting?Whatwouldmakeagoodphotograph?Insteadofsnappinganimage,recordwhatyouseeonpaperinlineandform.Doodlingwhileonvacationisanexcellentwayofrecordingyourjourneyasyoutravel.

Trees:Whatisnottoloveaboutatree?Inalloftheirseasonsofchange,treesofferarchitecturalgrandeur,organicpatterns,dynamicforms,anddetailedtextures.

Birds:Birdsareeverywhere.Theysurroundusonadailybasisifwetakethetimetonotice.Thesemagnificentcreaturesdonotholdstillforverylong,sotogetabettersenseoftheirshapes,spendtimelookingatbirdphotos.Visualresearchisanexcellentwaytodigestandsynthesizeimagestokeepinyourvisuallibrary.

Studyingobjectswillallowyoutodrawuponthisvocabularylaterinyourwork.

TAKINGITFURTHER

Abstract:Thiscategoryofnonrepresentationalimagesisallaboutthepurityofmarkmaking.Anythinggoes.Youhavetotalfreedom.Justhavefunwithit.

EXERCISE7

TAKINGALINEFORAWALKItisallaboutplay.“Takingalineforawalk”isartistPaulKlee’sdescriptionofcreatingwithalineonatwo-dimensionalsurface.Heembodiedtheutmostadventureinhisartandexplorations,visuallyopeningupacreativepathwayforhisandothers’artisticinventions.Hislegacytousisavisualfeastofdelightmixedwithplayfulness.

ThisexerciseisinspiredbyPaulKlee’swork.Itisasimpleformulaforcreativeinventionusinglineandcolor.You’llstartbywalkingalineallaroundthepage,andthenaddcolorwithcoloredpencils.Itisthateasy.Youwillbedelightedwithyourresults:allformsandshapesaremadefromcombinationsofstraightandcurvedlines,andthepossibilitiesareendless.Ihavedividedthisprocessintotwoparts:thefirstusesstraightlineswithanglesandthesecondusesstraightlineswithorganiccurves.Takealineforawalkandmixitup—shortandtall,largeandsmall,orotherpairsofopposites.Seewhereyourlinetakesyou!

Finaldrawingwithstraightlinesandangles

MATERIALSblackgelpenorfine-tipmarker

–brownpaper(grocerystorepaperbagorbrownbutcherpaper)–

coloredpencils(IpreferPrismacolor)–

coloredsheetofpaper

GETSTARTED

Startwithablackgelpenonbrownpaper.Usingjuststraightlinesandangles,

Startwithablackgelpenonbrownpaper.Usingjuststraightlinesandangles,travelalongthepaper.Fillupthepage,butleavesomeopenspacesinyourdesign.Theopenspaceswillallowtheviewertofocusonthedesignwithoutitfeelingtoocrowded.Fillplacesandspaceswiththecoloredpencils.Idonotfillinalltheshapeswithcolor,becauseIfeelitstrengthensthedesigntoleavesomeareasempty.Sometimeslessismore.Experimentwiththisandseewhatyoufind.Keepinmindthatthiscouldleadyouintoadesignforapainting.

Drawingstraightlinesandangles

Filledinwithcoloredpencil

Tocontinuetheexercise,useacoloredmarkeronbrownpaper.Thistime,usestraightlinesandcurvedorganicshapesonly.Travelwiththemarkeralongthepaper.Fillinsomeshapeswithcoloredpencils.Howdoesthispiecedifferincompositionanddesignfromthefirstone?Adherethecompositiontoacoloredsheetofpaperforpresentation,ifdesired.

Drawingorganicshapesandstraightlines

Organicshapesandstraightlinesfilledinwithcoloredpencil

Finaldrawingwithorganicshapesandstraightlines

TAKINGITFURTHER

Tryusingdifferentcoloredsheetsofpaper.Thecolorofpaperyouchooseaffectsthecolorsyouputontopofit,asthebottomcolorwillshinethrough.

Light-coloredpencilsonblackpaper

DOODLECOLLECTIONSFoldedBooksandRevampedJournalsThischapterwillupyourdoodlegamebyfirstpreparingthepaperaheadoftimewithsometextureandcolor.Thisallowsthepapertofeelmoreinterestingandlookmoredynamic.Workingonthetextured,coloredsurfaceswithpencils,ballpointandgelpens,markers,andcoloredpencilsstartsthetransitiontoworkingoncanvasandwoodpanels.Collagepiecescanbeaddedtothesurfaceaswell.

Thewonderfulthingaboutthesedoodlesisthattheywillgatherandstorethemomentsinyourday.Theywillrevealthemselvesasrecordedmemoriesinawaythatasmartphonepicturenevercan.Theimagesrecordyourcreativityandwhatishappeninginyourlife.IcallmineLookBooks.Thinkofmakingtheseasagifttoyourdoodleartandawaytosetyourselfupforyournextartisticsuccess.

Thefirstprojectuseswatercolorpapertomakeafoldedbook.Thesecondusesoldjournals,coveringwhatisalreadytherewithathinlayerofgesso.Theseprojectswillgetyourpagesreadyformomentsofdoodling.Bypreparingthepapersurfacesaheadoftime,youcreateabackdropforthebeautyofyourmarkmaking.Coveringthepaperwithafoundationallayerofpaintcreatesanotherdimensionofinterestandtexture.Keepthesedoodle-readypageshandyforwhentheneedtodoodlestrikes.

PROJECT1

FOLDEDORSEWNBOOKSIlovelittlethings.Theyaretreasuresthatcanbeeasilyheldandstoredinnooksandcrannies.Thereisnothingbetterthanmakingalittlebookwithpagesthataresewntogetherorfoldedintooneanother(noneedtobindthem).Thesesmallpaintedbooksarehandywhenadoodleattackcomeson.Storetheminyourpocketorbagforeasyaccess.Besuretoalsokeepvariouspensormarkersaroundsoyouwillhaveavarietyoftoolstochoosefromwhiledoodling.Ifyourpaperhasadarkbackground,usealightorwhitepen.Ifthebackgroundislight,useadarkorblackpen.Thesevaluecontrastsmakeforamoredynamicdoodleandcreateinterestfortheviewer.Iusedthreefoldedpages,butyoucanuseasmanyasyouwant.

Thefinalsewnbook

Whitelineontopofdarkbackground

Variationofacompletebookpage

MATERIALS

whitegesso(notnecessaryifusingwatercolorpaints)–paintbrushes

–watercolorpaper

–acrylicpaints

–ruler–

scissorsorstraightedgefortearingthepaper–needleandthread,stapler,ortape–

scriptbrush–

Molotowwhitemarkerormarkersofchoice–coloredpencils

Step1.Applygessowithapaintbrushtobothsidesofasheetofwatercolorpaper.Thissealsthesurfacesandgetsthemreadyforacrylicpaintstobebrushedontop.Applyingthegessowithabrushalsogivesthesurfaceabrushstroketexture.

Step2.Startwithbright,warmcolorsofacrylicpaintandcoverbothsidesofthepaper.Thismakesagreatbackgroundforthedarkermarkerswewillbeusing.Next,coveranotherpagewithcoolcolorsofpaint,makingabackgroundforlight-coloredmarkers.Letdry.

Step3.Afterthepaintdries,decidewhatsizepagesyouwantforyourbookandthendoublethelength,becauseyouwillbefoldingthepagesinhalf.Anysizeworkswellfordoodling.Makingalargerfoldedbook,suchas6"×6"(15×15cm),whichwillbe6"×12"(15×30.5cm)beforefolding,willgiveyousomewiggleroom.Forsmallfoldedbooks,Ilikeasheetthatis3"×41/2"(7.5×11.5cm),or3"×9"(7.5×23cm)beforefolding.Aftermeasuringoutthepagesonyourwatercolorpaper,cutorteartheedges.Acutedgeiscleanandprecise;atornedgeisalittlebitraggedyandhasalessrefinedlook.Toteartheedge,foldthepaperfirsttogetareallygoodcrease.Placeastraightedgeonthecreaseandpulluponthepapertotearalongtheedge.Iloveatornedge,asitproducesabeautifulpresentation.Eithermethodworkswellforthefinishedpagesofthefoldedorsewnbook.

Step4.Foldthepagesinhalfandnestthemtogether.Youcansewthepagestogetheralongthespineorstapleortapethem.SometimesIjustfoldtheminto

oneanotherwithoutbindingthem.

Step5.Nowyouarereadytodoodletoyourheart’scontent.Onawarmorlighterbackgroundcolor,useadark-coloredline.Onacoolordarkerbackground,usealight-coloredline.

Applygessotowatercolorpaper.

Warmcolors

Coolcolors

Tornedges

Cutedges

Foldthepagesintooneanother.

Sewthepagestogether.

Darklineontopofwarm-coloredbackground

Fillinginwithcoloredpencils

TAKINGITFURTHER

Youcanalsousewatercolor.Ifyoudo,youdonotneedtogessothepaper.Letthewatercolorpaintflowfromyourbrushasifitwereamarkerorpen.

Usingthetipofawatercolorbrushtodoodleonungessoedpaper

PROJECT2

REVAMPEDJOURNALSIhaveabuketloadofjournalsinmycloset,withweeksandmonthsofwordswrittenonthem.TheyallstartedwiththemorningpageschampionedbyJuliaCameron,authorofTheArtist’sWay.Herbrilliantsuggestionofwritingthreepageseverymorningisasortofminddumptospinyououtintoyourday.Thisactivityoverthedaysmorphedintorecordingyearsofevents,thoughts,andtheemotionsofliving.So,insteadofbuyingnewsketchbooks,Idecidedtorecycletheseoldjournals,coverthepageswithgesso,andmakethemintodoodlesketchbooks.Thewritingunderneathimmediatelybringslayerstothecomposition,whichcreatesvisualtexture.Applyingawhisper-thinlayerofgessoallowswhatisunderneathtobeseen;athicklayerofgessowillcovereverythingcompletely.Workingonlayeredpageslikethesebuildsadialoguewithwhatisalreadyonthepage.Doodlingonthemissimilartotheprocessofaddinglayersofpainttoacanvas.Addingandsubtracting,layeringandcoveringup,createsinterestonthesurfaceandwilltakeyourdoodlestothenextlevel.

Iworkonthejournalupsidedown,sothemeaningofthewritingbecomessecondarytotheimagethatisbeingdrawnontop.Thisaddsasenseofmysterytowhathasbeenwritten,becauseyoucannoteasilyreadwhatisunderneaththegessoedlayer.Gessocomesinvariouscolors;Ilikewhiteandgray.Ialsoliketostainsomeofthepageswithusedteabagsandwetcoffeegrounds.

MATERIALSoldjournal

–whiteandgraygesso–

usedteabags–

wet,usedcoffeegrounds–acrylicpaints

–softcharcoal

–paintbrushes

–inkrollers

–Indiaink

–spraybottle(optional)–

oldcreditcard–

pens–

pencils

–markers

–stencils

–collagematerials

Step1.Alterthepagesofthejournal,switchingbetweengesso,teabags,coffeegrounds,paint,andcharcoal.Applywithpaintbrushesandinkrollers.Addsplashesofslightlywatered-downIndiainkorputtheinkinaspraybottleandspritzonthepages.Smoothoutthesurfacewithanoldcreditcard.Letdry.

Applyingthegraygessowithabrush

Applyingacrylicpaintswithaninkroller

Stainingthepageswithteaandcoffee

PagessplashedwithIndiainkwithdoodles.

Step2.Createcompositionswithvariousmark-makingtools.Letisflowasyougo.Usepens,pencils,markers,stencils,collagepapers,andanythingelseyoucanthinkof.

Pens,pencils,markers,lightsprayofIndiainkwithteastains

Stencilwithpeninkandcoloredpencilsontopofcoffeestains

Spraypaintwithdoodlingontop

Alphabetletters

BLOWINGITUPEnlargingYourDoodles

Adoodleisusuallysmallanddonequickly,creatingasenseofintimatespace.Itfeelslikeahug;itisaspacethatholdsme.IhadbecomeverycomfortabledoingsmalldoodlesandIdidnotknowhowtogobigger:thelargermovementsandlargerpaperfeltsodifferentfromthesmallerspaceIknewsowell.IhavesincediscoveredwaystogobigandfeelcomfortablewithaspacethatisreallyhugeincomparisontowhatIwasusedtoatfirst.Thischapterisdesignedtoguideyouintoseeingyourworkenlargedwithoutmucheffort,alongwithaddingcolorandcreatingafinalpresentation.Theseexerciseswillhelpyoutakethenextstepswithyourdoodlesastheygrowinanexpansiveway.

EXERCISE8

EXPANDINGIMAGERYWITHACOPYORSCANThistechniqueofmakingasmalldoodlelargerwithacopymachinewillhelpgrownotonlyyourartworkbutalsoyourimagination.Itisofteneasiertomakesmallpiecesofart;itmightbechallengingatfirsttoworklarger.Seeingyoursmallworkbecomeinstantlylargerviaphotocopycanhelptransitionyouintocreatinglargerpieces.

MATERIALSsmalldoodles,nolargerthan3"(7.5cm)

–copymachineorscannerandprinter

GETSTARTED

GETSTARTED

Startwithdoodlesapproximately1"to3"(2.5to7.5cm)insize.Doodlesareeasiertoenlargeifwhatyoustartwithissmall.

Tophotocopy,placeyourimageonthecopymachineglassandlocatethezoomfeature.Mostmachinescanenlargeanoriginalimageupto400percent.Toscanandprint,prepareyourprinterandscanyourimage;thenusethezoomfeaturetoenlargeoredittheimagebeforeprinting.Ifyoudonothaveawaytomakephotocopiesorscansathome,youcanworkatyourlocalprintshoporlibrary.Enlargeyourdoodlestothreedifferentsizes,suchas200percent,300percent,and400percent.

TAKINGITFURTHER

Thecopymachineoffersquicktechnicalassistancewithcopyingandenlargingyourwork.Makemorecopiesoftheimageandpresenttheminarepeatedarrangement,perhapscomposedinapattern.Alsotrythereversebytakingalargeimageandmakingitsmaller.Discoverhowadesigncanchange,butyetbethesame,whenshrunktoasmallerformat.

TECHTIPUseasmartphonecameraineditmodetoexpand,crop,andfurtherredesignyourdoodles.Playwithcolorfiltersforavarietyofeffects.Takingadvantageofthistechnologycanopenupnew

waystotransformyourdoodles.

BIRD:Thisoriginaldoodlebirdmeasured2"×3/4"(5×2cm).Usingaprinter,itwaseasytoblowupwithinthesizeofthe81/2"×11"(21.6×28cm)paper.

Originalbirddoodleatbottom.Fromlefttorightabove,200percent,300percent,and400percentenlargements.

TREE:Theoriginaltreedoodlewasaboutthesamesizeasthebird,butbecauseithasmorespacebetweenthelines,thisonehasmoreformsinthecomposition.

Fromlefttoright,originaltreedoodle,followedby200percent,300percent,and400percentenlargements

EXERCISE9

ADDINGCOLORAfterblowingupyoursmalldoodles,it’stimetoaddcolorfromwarm,cool,andgraypalettes.

MATERIALScoloredpencils

–doodles,enlargedtosmall,medium,andlarge

GETSTARTED

Dividethecoloredpencilsamongwarm,cool,andgraytones.Warmcolorsarethecolorsofthesun:yellows,reds,andoranges.Coolcolorsarethoseoftheocean:blues,greens,andpurples.Graysaremoreneutralintone:thinkofagraydaywhenthesunisnotshiningandcolorsarenotasintenselysaturated.Usethecoolcolorsonthefirstenlargedimage,thegraycolorsonthesecondimage,andthewarmcolorsonthethirdimage.Observehowusingdifferentcolorfamiliesonthesameimagechangesitspresence.Whichonedoyoulikebest?Figureoutwhy,asitcaninformyourcolorselectionswhenyoupaint.

Allsizestogether,withcoloredpencilsincool,gray,andwarmpalettes

TAKINGITFURTHER

Enlargemoreimagesinvarioussizesanduseothercolorcombinations.Mixupthecoolcolorsandwarmcolorsononeimage,ortryusingonlycomplementarycolors—colorsthatareoppositeoneanotheronthecolorwheel(greenandred,blueandorange,oryellowandpurple).Tryanalogouscolors,groupsofthreecolorsthatarenexttooneanotheronthecolorwheel,suchasred,orange,andyelloworblue,green,andyellow.Tryothercombinations.Thereareendlessexcitingpossibilities.

CREATINGAFINALPRESENTATIONAfterfillinginyourenlargeddoodleswithcoloredpencils,mounttheimagesoncoloredcardstockforafinalpresentation.

Measureandmarktheplacementofeachofyourenlargeddoodlesonitsownsheetofcardstock,whichwillbecomethebackground.Attachitusingagluestickordouble-sidedtape.Thispresentationgivesyourworksignificance:thecardstockprovidesahomeforyourdoodleandupsthelevelofthework.

Putthemountedworkinaframe.Thecardstockactsasamataroundtheimageandisperfectfordisplayingafinalframedpieceofartwork.Youcouldalsomakegreetingcardsbyprintingthesameimagerepeatedlyandmountingeachcopyonablanknotecard.

Graypaletteonblackcardstock

Coolpaletteonblackcardstock

MIXEDMEDIAPaintingwithYourDoodlesInthischapter,wewilltakeyourcollected

treasuresandturnthemintoapainting.Thepreviouschaptershaveledushere,helpingustransitionwithgradualmomentumfromthesmall,

intimatedoodletotheprecursorsofalargepainting.Thefoundationisstillinthedoodle—findingcreativeflowwithoutapreconceivedideaofthe

imagerytobecreated.Inpainting,theflowisthesame.Trusttheprocessasyouaddlayersofpaint.Findjoyinthemaking.

PROJECT3

COPYYOURSELF:HAND-EYECOORDINATIONThismethodisanotherwayofexpandingyourdoodles,bycopyingthemwithoutusingaprinterorcopymachine.Wewillbeusingthephysicalcoordinationoftheleftandrighthands,echoingtheirmovements.Yournon-dominanthandisonthedoodle,andyourdominanthandholdsamarkerto“copy”theimageontothepaintingsurface.Thiscreatesanewimagefromtheguidelinesthatalreadyexistinyourdoodle.Topreservethefeelingofmakingmarksonpaper,wewillgluericepapertoawoodpanel.Thericepaperabsorbstheacrylicpaintsandtranslatestoasofterlookandfeel.

MATERIALSdoodletocopy

–6"×6"(15×15cm)woodpanel–gelmedium,glossormatte–

Okawararicepaper–

blackultra-finetipmarker–paintbrushes

–acrylicpaints(Iusedcadmiumyellowhue,Jenkinsgreen,cobaltblue,titanbuff,

andtitaniumwhite)

GETSTARTED

Selectalargerdoodleimagethatyouwanttoduplicate,about5"(13cm)across.Applygessotothewoodpanelifithasnotalreadybeengessoed.Letitdryandthengluedownthericepaper.Iusegelmedium,whichworkslikeglue,toattachthericepaper.Laythepaperontothesurfaceandthenapplythemediumtothetopofthericepaper,spreadingitoutfromthecenterforlesswrinkling.Themediumwillcompletelysaturatethepaperandadhereittothesurface.Letdry.Tracethedoodlewiththepointerfingerofyournon-dominanthand,andwithyourdominanthand,useamarkertosimultaneouslyrecreatetheimageonthericepaper.

Doodleimage

Gluingdownthericepaper

Gluingdownthericepaper

Leftandrighthandstracingthelinestogether

TAKINGITFURTHER

Nowcolorinyourdoodlewithacrylicpaints.Ifyouwouldlike,youcancreateatestcolorpaletteinadvance.Getinspirationforyourcolorschemefromanotherpainting,fromfashionordécormagazines,orchooseyourfavoritecombinations.Fordepth,besuretousebothlightanddarkcolors.Ifyouwouldlike,incorporatesomecomplementarycolors(blueandorange,redandgreen,oryellowandpurple)forcontrastandliveliness.

Applyingpaint

Thefinalimage

PROJECT4

GRIDPAINTINGGridsareeverywhereonceyoustartnoticingthem—inacity,withitsbuildings,windows,sidewalks,andstreets,orinthecountry,withitsfields,treelines,croprows,andfences.Thinkingandseeingingridswillmakeyoumoreawareofotherdesignqualitiesinyourenvironment.Agridcanbeusedtoorganizethecompositionofawork,byplacingvarious-sizeboxesnexttooneanotherwithdoodlesinsideeach.Agridisanexcellentwaytoorganizeyourdoodlesoncanvas.

Youcanmeasureagridwitharulertomakeequalspaces.Ilayitoutbyhand,unmeasuredandunconfined,whichgivesmefreedomtoinventasthecompositionforms.Thegridcreatesboxesthatwillholdthedoodlesinside,liketheyarebeinghuggedwithinthatspace.Thedoodlescanalsoextendintootherblocks,connectingtheminnewandinventiveways.Yourgridcanalsobepuzzle-like,withinterconnectingshapesthataresquare,oblong,rectangular,ororganicandinalldifferentsizes.

MATERIALSOkawararicepaper

–16"×20"(40×50cm)canvas–gelmedium,glossormatte–

largepaintbrush–

acrylicpaints–

scriptbrush–

flatbrushes–

collectionofdoodleimages

GETSTARTED

Gluethericepapertothecanvaswithgelmediumandletdry.Gluefromthecenteroutforlesswrinkling.Thericepaperwillabsorbthescriptbrushlineaswellastheacrylicpaints,creatingabeautifullysmoothsurface.Next,chooseawarmacrylicpaintcolorforyourfirstlayerandapplyitwithalargebrush.Then,withascriptbrush,makeagridofthreeverticallinesandtwohorizontallinesforagridoftwelveboxes.Choosedoodleimagesthatyouwouldliketotransfertothecanvas.Usingascriptbrushwillformalinesimilartohowa

transfertothecanvas.Usingascriptbrushwillformalinesimilartohowamarkerwouldrecreatetheimagesfromyourdoodles.

Coveringthesurfacewithabeginninglayerofyellowpaint

Drawingoutthepaintingwiththescriptbrush

Drawingoutthepaintingwiththescriptbrush

Finishingthepaintingtocompletion

TAKINGITFURTHER

Useaflatbrushtofillthegridcompositioninwithacrylicpaintinanycoloryouchoose.IusethegelmediumasanextenderwhenIpaint.Itthinsoutthepaintandaddsaglazeoflayerstothesurface.Whenyourpaintingiscomplete,gooveritwithathinlayerofgelmedium.Thissealsandprotectsthesurfaceofthepainting.

PROJECT5

THEMEPAINTINGThemepaintingsareinthesamecategoryasexercise6(seehere),wherewesawthataconcretedirectioncanhelpmovethedesignprocessalong.Chooseathemethatexcitesyou,somethingthatmakesyoulightupandreallyresonateswithyou.Selectsomethingthatyoufeelpassionateaboutorthatspeakstoyoursoulorthatmovesyouwhenyouareinthemidstofcreating.Remembertobeopentopossibilitiesandtheprocessofyourworkasyougo.Adoodleisallaboutdiscovery,andsoisthiswayofpainting.Itcreatesaplaceofstrengthfromwhichtocreate.

Forthisproject,Ihavechosenthethemeof“stilllife.”Iloveplayingwithimagesthatarefoundinatraditionalstilllife.IcallthesepaintingsTableTops,becausetheshapescomefromwhatweseeonatable:dishes,flowervases,forks,knives,foodonplates,andarrangementsoffruit.Thissubjecthasendlesscreativepossibilities,asweallgatheraroundthetabletoconnectwithcommunity,sharefood,andengageinconversation.

MATERIALS12"×12"(30×30cm)woodpanel–

acrylicpaints:transparentredironoxide,Prussianbluehue,ceruleanbluechromium,greengold,cadmiumyellowlight,titaniumwhite,andtitanbuff–

doodles–

paintbrushesinvarioussizes–gelmedium

GETSTARTED

Coverthewoodpanelwithalayerofacrylicpaint.Ihavechosentransparentred

Coverthewoodpanelwithalayerofacrylicpaint.Ihavechosentransparentredironoxide.Gatheryourthemedoodlesallaroundyou.Outlineyourimageswithascriptbrush.IusedPrussianbluehuetoapplythepaintwithmyscriptbrush.Next,addothercolorsofacrylicpaint.Imixthegelmediuminwiththepaint.Thisaddsshinetothelayersofpaintandcreatesaglazed,transparenteffect.

Applyingthefirstlayeroftransparentredironoxide

UsingPrussianbluehuetooutlinetheforms

Addingvariouscolorstotheimages

Thecompletedpainting

TAKINGITFURTHER

Whateverthemeyouchoose—whetherbirds,bikes,trees,boats,orsomethingelse—takeonthechallengeofworkingonmorethanonepaintingatatime.Tryworkingonthreeormorepaintingstocreateamovingdialogue.Makepaintingsonthesamethemeonthesamesizewoodpanelorcanvas.Asthepaintingsdeveloptogether,theywilldialoguewithoneanother.Theymightevenendupbeingabodyofworkoraseries.Iworkonfivetoeightpaintingsatatime,becausethiskeepsmefromoverthinkingandoverfocusingonjustone.Italsoletsinnovationflowmoreeasily.

PROJECT6

ABSTRACTPAINTING:MIXEDMEDIAAbstractartisallaboutmarkmaking.Itisavisuallanguagedealingwithelementsofshape,form,line,color,andtexture.Abstractartisanexcellentwaytodiscoveryourownvisuallanguage.Inthisabstractpainting,wewillusemixedmedia—crayons,oilpastels,charcoalpencils,andcollage—tobringmorepossibilitiestothecreativework.

MATERIALS

acrylicpaints:cadmiumyellowhue,manganesebluehue,pyrroleorange,violetoxide,titanbuff,andtitaniumwhite–

paintbrushes–

18"×18"(46×46cm)woodpanel–crayons

–oilpastels

–charcoalpencils

–collagepapers

–sandpaper

–paintscraper

Abstractdoodlescanbereferencedorusedasinspiration.

Largebutcherpaper

GETSTARTED

Applylayersofacrylicpainttoyourwoodpanel,thenaddgeometricandorganicforms.Thinkaboutanglesandlinesandhowtheyintersectwiththeformsyoupainted.Addmorelayers:crayons,oilpastels,charcoal,andcollagepaper.Definevaluesofthecolorsbypushingandpullinglightsanddarks.

Firstlayerofpaint

Secondlayerofpaint

Addingmixedmedia:crayons,oilpastels,charcoal,andcollagepapers

TAKINGITFURTHER

Toaddvariety,uselargeandsmallhandandarmmovementswhilepainting.Forvisualinterest,usesandpaperandapaintscrapertoroughupthesurface,whichaddstextureandexposeslayersunderneath.

Close-upofpainting

Sandedarea

Finalwork

MOREFINISHEDPAINTINGS

ARTISTGALLERY

LISAFIRKE

LisaFirkemakesartinahandmadehouseinPrinceton,NewJersey.Youcanfindheronthewebatwww.lisafirke.com.

LittleHouses/DoodleCottagesAnassortmentoftinyhousedoodles,auditioningforattentionwithinalargerpieceofart.Micronpenon

scrapsofpaper.

EMMASCHONENBERG

EmmaSchonenbergisapassionatesurfacedesignerwhohailsfromElSalvador.Alongherjourney,shediscoveredhertruepassioninsurfacepatterndesign.Aftermuchresearchanddevelopment,shemusteredupthecouragetotraveltheworldtoexhibitattradeshows.Shehassinceflourishedandisknownforhersignaturekaleidoscopestyleenhancedbyoriginalphotosshetakesduringhertravels.FindheronInstagram@Emma_Schonenberg

FlowerBouquetTheseimagesareajourney...exploring...andonethingleadstoanother.Everythingisconnected.

AMANDASAINTCLAIRE

Afterretiringfromacareerasalawyer,AmandaSaintClairebeganpaintingatageforty-five.Muchtoherownsurprise,itbecameimmediatelyapparentthatAmandahaduncoveredhertruecalling,andshehasn’tlookedback.Amandastrivestocreatedynamictensioninherworkthroughtheuseofcolor,composition,andlayering,andherworkisareflectionofherjourneytobewholeheartedandremainforeverinchildlikewonder.AmandahaslivedonallthreecoastsoftheUnitedStatesandinEuropeandSoutheastAsia,andshehasbeenaworldtravelersincetheageofsixteen.ShecurrentlyresideswithherfamilyinDelMar,California.Visitheronthewebatwww.amandasaintclaire.com.

A&LGoonanAdventureThispiecewascreatedonaflightfromPittsburghtoSanDiegoonJuly4,whentwowomenintheirlatefortiesdecidedtorekindleachildhoodfriendshipthatstartedin1977.Theybegananepicjourneycoveringover4,000milesofairanddrivingtimetokickoffayearoflivingtogethertosupporteachotherduring

difficulttimes.

RACHELBRIANNALYNN

RachelBriannaLynnisateacher,anillustrator,aloveroftheoutdoors,andachronicdoodler.ShecanbefoundeitherlostinasketchbookwithapeninherhandinthesmalltownofHoodRiver,Oregon,orsnowboardingduringthewinterseasononMt.Hood.Rachelcoachessnowboardingduringthewinter,isafull-timenannyyear-round,andlovessharingherpassionfordoodlingwithchildren.VisitheronInstagram@rachel_drawzoronthewebatwww.sidewalksandsunsets.wordpress.com.

AStoryofChairsThesedoodleswereinspiredbyvintagechairsattheartist’sgrandmother’shouse.Shesays,“Forme,achairholdsgraceinthestyleandcolorsinwhichitismade.Achairisforresting,eating,writing,doodling...Iwas

inspiredtodrawthesechairsandgiveeachoneitsownpersonality,character,andcolor.”

FortheLoveofBikesGrowingup,ridingabikewasveryimportantinRachel’sdailylife,whetheritwasbikingaroundthe

neighborhoodalldaywithherbestfriendoramountainbiketripwithherfamily.Shesays,“Ibelievethatbikesaresimple,romantic,andtheperfectsubjectofagooddoodle.DoodlingbikesformeisarhythmandI

coulddoodlethemallday.”

LYNNYOKLEY

LynnYokleyisaMichigan-basedartistwhoiscurrentlyworkingtodevelopherskillsasanillustrator.Sheenjoyschallengingherselfasanartistbylearningnewtechniques.Contactheratlynnsbox@outlook.com.

DreamingofHomeTheprocessofcuttingupherdoodlesandthenarrangingthemintoapleasingcompositionisafunanddelightfulwayforLynntowork.Shesays,“Ithasopenedmyeyestonewpossibilitiesandchangedmy

approachwhenbeginningapainting.”Woodpanel,Okawararicepaper,acrylicpaints,pen.

CAROLINECLARK

CarolineClark’searliestmemoriesalwaysinvolvedimaginaryworldswithuniquefriendsandunusualadventures.Shewascontinuallycreatinggameswithelaboratecomponents,makingpaperdollhouses,andsewingfeltcreatures.Thisloveofmakingandthejoyoflearningledhertoacareeringraphicdesign.Seemoreofherworkonwww.carolineclark.com.

DoodleWarmUp1Doodlesinspiredbycolor,patterns,textures,andformsinnature.Thesepageswerestitchedtogethertocreate

aminibook.

CHRISTOPHERBIBBY

ChristopherBibby’scareerasanartistbeganonthestreetsofGlasgow,Scotland,in1997.Hewasashyandskinnynineteen-year-oldsleepingonthecouchofhisbelovedsisterEmma’shome.Whileworkinginacoffeeshop,acoworkersawhissketchesandofferedhimanightjobpaintingsignsandgraphics.Twoweeksandsomequickmathlater,Christopherquithisjobtostartasign-writingcompany.Everyonethoughthewasmad,which,ofcourse,hewas.Hebegantoteachhimselftheartofwatercolorsandattemptedtosupporthimselfasafineartist.ItwasduringthosebleakdaysinbackalleysofGlasgowandEdinburghthathefoundapassionforthebeautyoftheworldandacommitmenttocreatinghonest,heartfelt,andmeaningfulart.Findhimonthewebatwww.iambibby.com.

CliffandTruck&RoadTheselittledoodleswerecreatedinthepassengerseatofacaronaroadtripfromPortlandtoCaliforniaafewyearsback.Thechallengewastosketchanddoodleveryquicklyinordertocapturethemovementoftheroadandthechanginglandscape.Theloggingtrucks,trees,signposts,mountains,andtheroaditselfbecamea

wanderingdoodlestorybookofthetripwitholdfriendRobertJohnson.

EmpireStateThearchitecturaldoodlesareabstractgeometricthoughtdrawingsofNewYorkCitytakenfromChristopher’simagination.ThesedrawingslaterbecamelargerpaintingsthatnowhanginagalleryindowntownPortland.

BENWEILAND

BenWeilandisafilmmakerandillustrator.HeisfounderofArcticSurf,acreativeendeavortoresearchwavesalongthecoldest,mostremotecoastlinesontheplanet.Recentlyhe’sworkedonassignmentforSurfermagazine,directedafewadventureshortfilms,artdirectedaproductcatalog,andillustratedtwochildren’sbooks.Viewmoreofhisworkatwww.benweiland.com.

LogoDiscoveryThesearedoodlesthatcameoutofabrainstormingexerciseforalogo.Bensays,“Ithelpsmetoputdown

everyideathatcomestomind,nomatterhowcheesyorbadtheyare.Itclearsthemoutofthewaysothereisroomforfurtherideastocomeup.”

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

DianeCulhaneisaceramicartist,painter,andarteducatorwhoearnedherB.F.A.fromtheUniversityofUtahandhermaster’sfromSeattleUniversity.ShecompletedresidenciesatAndersonRanchandVermontCenterfortheArts.Dianeisrepresentedbygalleriesandhassoldherworknationwide.Herworkisdisplayedinhospitals,restaurants,andlibraries,aswellasintheprivatecollectionsofindividualpatronsandcorporations.

Duringthesummer,DianededicateshertimetoteachingchildrenatKelseyCreekFineArtSchool,whichsheestablishedin1992.DianehastaughtatBellevueArtsMuseum,KirklandArtsCenter,Pratt,andSeattlePacificUniversity,aswellasworkshopsacrossthenation.

ForDiane,itisultimatelyallabouttheloveofmakingandsharingart’screativeprocessesandgiftsthroughteachingand,mostimportantly,mentoringone-on-one.

DianelivesinWestSeattleandpaintsoutofherstudioinBallard,Washington.Whenshe’snotinthestudio,she’sgaininginspirationinnaturewhilebikingandhiking.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Bighugethankstoallthepeoplewhoshowedmethewayinmydesiretobeanartist.

ToMaryAnnHall,whobelievedinme.Tomyprojectmanager,MeredithQuinn,myeditor,KarenLevy,andmyartdirector,DavidMartinell,foryoursteadfastguidance.ThankyoutopublisherWinniePrentissandallthewonderfulpeopleatQuarryBooks.

Thankyoutomyphotographer,MatisseBerthiaume,whobrilliantlyorchestratedtheimagesinthisbookandforherdevotedpresenceduringthisprocess.

ThankyoutoSteveandCarlaSonheim,forproducingDoingsofaDoodle,theonlineclassthatpavedthewayforthisbook.

ThankstomymentorNicholasWilton.ThankstomycheerleadersAlfonsoAdinolfi,AmandaSaintClaire,KimMorris,SueDanielson,LynnWhipple,RichardKedwards,JoyandRichardMcIlvaine,SuziJohnson,MaryIverson,JanetWeber,Layla,MarilynHaygar,andCarolynSeipe,forthemanypeptalks.

DeepgratitudetomybelovedmomVirginiaCulhane,mydaughtersRachelandJennifer,myson-in-lawBen,andtomyfamilyfortheirloveandsupportalongtheway.

Finally,bighugstomystudentsandfellowartistsforfillingmeupwiththeirjoyfulcompanionship.

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Thisbookisdedicatedtomydad,FrankRobertCulhane,

whosenicknamewas“DoodlesCulhane.”

Thisbookiswrittenforyou.Ibelieveyoucanmakebeautifulworksofart.Everyonehasacreativesparkinsidethatnevergoesaway.Itisinthedoing.Itispure.Itiscaptivating.Spendtimeinaction.Fuelit.Feelit.Expressit.Aschildren,makingmarkswasourfirstlanguage,evenbeforespeech.Givenacrayonatayoungage,weexpressedwithoutrestraint.Andthatisthebiggestingredientforanevocativepieceofartwork.Reachintothejoyinthemaking.