DOODLING: Just Do it! It's Good for You!

Is Doodling an art form?  And, do we care?

Most people think of Doodling as mindless scribbling -- in the margins of our notebooks, or while talking on the phone.

But, Doodling is so much more than that.

Doodles may be shapes, patterns, scribbles, whimsical cartoons, or elaborate drawings.

Doodles seem to take shape of their own accord -- as if they have a life of their own.

A few American presidents -- including Thomas Jefferson, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton -- have been known to doodle during meetings.

According to at least one scientific study, Doodling can aid a person's memory, by expending just enough energy to keep one from daydreaming or not paying attention.

This simple act of Doodling can help us think, remember, and learn.  Some people doodle in order to visualize the ideas in their heads.

Most importantly, Doodling is fun, and you can't make a mistake -- it's a form of self-expression that is accessible for anyone.

Comedian Larry David, in HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" said, "I can't draw to save my life, but yet, I'm a very good doodler".

I know that Doodling will improve your drawing and design skills.  And, the more you doodle, your unique style will start to come through.

It's amazing how creative you can be without even trying.  Doodles can also be turned into beautiful works of art . . . or, just stay happily in the margins of your notebooks.

For the past month, I have been drawing "Daily Doodles" -- mostly of flowers and fruit.  Well, they started out as "daily", when I was doing them in pencil or ink, only.

But, then I began to add borders and then color, making them more elaborate -- and time-consuming.  I still love doing them, but now I call them my "Super Doodles".  I do about 3 per week, instead of daily.  

I intend to take some of these Doodles and develop them into larger watercolor paintings.  The "Doodle" will then become a step in the painting process, instead of an end in itself.  I will keep you informed of these works-in-progress, and will also show some step-by-step tutorials.

I am currently offering matted prints of some of my favorite Doodles in my new Etsy shop,

Pat's Painted Prism

To check it out, click the link above, or click the "SHOP" tag at the top of my blog.  I will be adding more items to the shop in the weeks ahead.

Try your hand at some Doodling in your own sketchbook, if you haven't done that in awhile.  Start with some scribbles and repetitive shapes, in pencil or ink.  

Start small in the middle of a sketchbook page, and build your pattern out from there.  Don't stop until you get to the edge of your paper.  Then, go back and draw some shapes within shapes -- circles, squares, continuous meandering lines, spirals, squiggles, dots, zigzags . . .