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