Does it ever happen to you that, having thought deeply, you automatically begin to draw on a piece of paper? A similar story for many people probably happened at least once in their lives. But how many people know that abstract “scribbles” are a form of contemporary art? This is not a joke, and this article will introduce you to the philosophy and practice of such drawing.
Doodle as an art form.
Doodling or Doodling (from the English. Doodle - "karakul") - this is the technique of creating a simple drawing, consisting of various elements. The main thing is that a person draws while he is busy with something else: listening to a lecture, talking on the phone, being at a meeting, sitting waiting for something, etc. Doodling patterns can be either a pure abstraction, or represent what plot meaning.
The main thing in this technique is mechanism and spontaneity of work. While the head is busy with something, the hand draws and gives the intricate product of your subconscious. Freedom of choice of elements and their location, color, size, geometric shape and plot - this is what such a form of art as “doodling” represents. Patterns in this case can be absolutely any, the only condition is not to think about them.
Currently, doodling is actively used as decoration elements, and in the UK there is even a national doodle day.
Doodle as psychotherapy.
When you draw in the “doodling” technique, the patterns are strange and very intricate: consisting of dashes, strokes, circles, wavy lines and various other shapes. As a result, they all combine into a bizarre, often surrealistic, plot. Such unconscious drawing is usually characteristic of people experiencing a difficult period of life. And then they with the help of such “doodles” get rid of stress, a load of experiences and various negative emotions (anger, boredom, tension, etc.). So drawing in the style of doodling not only helps to have fun, but also is a way of psychological self-therapy.
In addition to the above, drawing doodles helps to develop fine motor skills of the hands and thus keep your brain toned.
How to draw doodling - practice
The good news: to work in this interesting technique, neither special skills, nor art education, nor a computer program, nor even any special materials are needed. You can draw almost anywhere, using only clean sheets of paper and any writing medium - pencil, pen, felt-tip pen, brush with paint.
There is no single rule on how to draw a doodling, because in this technique everyone expresses himself as best he can. The main thing is that the patterns are as simple, repeating, abstract and coming from the subconscious. This is doubling.
Patterns for beginners can include, for example, squares with different hatching: solid, half, oblique lines, dots, circles, etc. There are no strict restrictions, the main thing is the flight of imagination.
Doodling and Zentangle Philosophy
And what will happen if, in the process of spontaneous bobbing, you still focus on the drawing process? Does this violate the main rule of doodling? Yes, that's right. And not just breaking. At this moment, the doodling turns into a zentangle.
Zentangle (from the English. Zentangle; zen - "Zen Buddhism", and the verb tangle means "confuse") - a variety and form of art, invented by American artists Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts.
This method of drawing is most reminiscent of meditation, because it is necessary to focus on the moment “here and now” in order to completely abandon all affairs, thoughts and immerse yourself in the drawing process. In place of mechanism comes awareness, in place of spontaneity is the thoughtfulness of composition. In the zentangle, you must not only immerse yourself in the drawing, but also follow certain rules for its creation: black and white colors, the picture is enclosed in a square frame and divided inside into sectors that are filled with patterns. Sectors can be of any shape and size, and patterns are absolutely arbitrary, as long as the abstractness of the plot is respected.
How to distinguish?
So, what are the differences between the techniques of doodling and zentangle? The patterns in both are used the simplest, but in the first case, drawing occurs on a subconscious level, and in the second - on a conscious level and obeys the rules.
A true zentangle can be viewed from any angle and from any side. And if there is a color other than black and white, or the outlines of a particular object, animal or human being guessed, then this is not a pure zentangle, but one of the mixed varieties: zendudling, zenmandala, etc.
Any person, regardless of the level of preparation, can use the zentangle and doodling drawing techniques, the patterns of which are simple and repeatable. Drawing in these styles inspires, helps to unleash one’s potential, relieves stress, relaxes, heals the nervous system, relieves insomnia, develops fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. In addition, you can use such drawing in various kinds of trainings and psychotherapeutic classes.