Let’s Doodle Together–Doodle Lesson One
Good Morning, Doodlers!
Today we start our new series on doodling. The question is…Can you teach someone to doodle? We are going to find out!
There are several reasons to learn to doodle, but we are doodling to become better free motion quilters! So this is not just a trivial pursuit. We have lofty goals!
Last week, we bought a lined notebook, an unlined notebook or sketchpad and a ream of inexpensive typing paper. (Of course, none of that is absolutely necessary…many of you left suggestions for other sources of paper…read the comment section of this post.)
CHOOSING PENS
I also suggested that you search out a variety of markers, pencils and pens to try.
Did you find any favorites? Any markers or pens you don’t like? There are three things I look for in a pen when I’m doodling:
- How does the pen feel in my hand? Is it balanced, a good weight, not too short (some kids pens), and it can’t have any rough edges–like when the dog chews on one…right in the trash.
- How does it glide over the paper? This depends on the paper, too. For example, I love to doodle with a fountain pen, but it doesn’t glide on all paper…So you have to match the pen to the paper.
- How does it look?
You’ll need lots of pens for different looks, feels, moods, effects…
Today, try some of your pens on the lined paper.
THE SCRIBBLE CIRCLE
One of the best ways to improve creativity is to impose limits…
This week, your assignment is to fill as many pages as possible with one shape: Scribbled Circles.
Work fast and don’t think!
- Scribble clockwise circles and counter-clockwise circles.
- Then try to scribble counter-clockwise into the center and clockwise out of the center..
- Scribble a row of small circles–two lines tall, then three lines, then four lines….
- Try creating a few rows of circles without lifting your pen.
Try combining large and small Scribble Circles to make new shapes. Scribble:
- Flowers
- The Sun
- Your initials
- Patterns
Try other pens and papers and combinations.
Limit yourself to messy Scribbled Circles–it’s both limiting and freeing…
Let me know how it’s going.
Happy Scribbling!
Lori
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, share and pin with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt. For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com. Thanks!
Love it! It’s really freeing!
Fun! Especially when you can’t sleep!
Lori, you’ve picked the one shape I really want to accomplish, yet can never get right…spirals and circles…maybe it’s because I’m an Engineer and have been trained to use a compass or template for perfect circles, and thus it’s that I’ve been trained not to freehand them. But this is the shape I’ve wanted to do the most. Thanks for the permission to just let it go!
Just let go! Messy is good!
I can’t doodle to save my life…..thank you for starting with the basics!
i love the way you guide us through the steps so gently and kindly. thank you!
If I can do this you are a true doodle helper. My mind is closed up tight. I will give this a try later today.
Margie. did you make it back to your doodle paper? I was out of town so trying today..
This is going to be great practice! I can’t wait to get started circling!
Thank you so much Lori! I do like the way you teach. I have always liked the concept of doodling, but never did it really because I figured I couldn’t draw. Today I promised myself 20 minutes at this. Well, when the 20 minutes was up I kept right at it because it was so much fun! Thanks for letting me do messy spirals!!
Thrilled to hear it is working and that it is so much fun!
This is such a great idea. I’ve never been a doodler until working with some of your tutorials. I’m happy to start from the beginning so my motifs don’t look so stiff. Thx!!
Thanks Lori for the permission to “let it go”. Counter clockwise is no problem, when I try clockwise, it becomes very stiff and unnatural. Who would have thought? LOL
I I think that is because when we were taught to print letters we were taught to make our lower case O or A by making a circle counter-clockwise. So we are not as comfy going the opposite way. Just take your time and stop thinking and just do!
merci pour cet exercice de courbes,cela n’est pas si évident à dessiner
love this idea, got my doodles done and now waiting for further instructions!
I’m going to love this! I used to paint and when the paint was loaded on the brush just right, it always felt good. Sounds weird but it worked for me. I think this will be the same with the right pen/pencil and paper combination. Plus, doodling is so much fun.
Thanks Lori!
I am just starting with your blogs, and FMQ….so as I am not a doodler, I was so excited to see this blog! I have all the supplies and plan to work my way thru the lessons! Thank you for blogging this! I so need this!!!
Thank you for this set of lessons. I just retired and thought I needed to take some art courses to work on my quilting and other projects. It has been a challenge to find a class on a subject close to my ambitions. Your blog has hit the target of my desire. . It will take the place of the elusive and expensive class I was looking for. I have all the materials needed to doodle. Don’t need paints or acrylics or canvas. My fabric and thread are my tools. Thank You again.
I’m so glad! Have fun with the lessons and let us know how it’s going!
Hi Lori. Just found your delightful site. Thank you for all the excellent info! Am going to look for a notebook to begin doodling now.?
Jump in! It’s fun!
Hi Lori,
I can not wait to start this tutorial. Thanks for the opportunity to have fun and learn skills for my quilting experience. This will be my first tutorial so we shall see!
Hi Lori,
Just wanted to say I am excited to do this tutorial on doodling. First time replying so not sure if you will get this. Love your pictures and all you share. Thank-you so much.
Thank you for joining the conversation! Cant wait to see your doodles and your wuilts!