Learn How to Doodle
with my Doodling Tricks

I love doodling and I'd like to share my "How to Doodle" tips with you, so that you can love it as much as I do.

(If you have any questions or advice on doodling, please share your thoughts here.)

The First rule of Doodling is that there are no rules. That is the wonderful part of Doodling. You can do anything. You don't even need to know your end result. You just need the confidence and motivation to start.

Over the years I learned that a few simple tricks that help you know how to doodle if you get stuck or have a lack of creative imagination. I have them separated into 4 categories.

Preparation

Some people might say you need a special workplace, an organized desk with all the right tools and no distractions. If you work better this way, by all means go right ahead. However, considering the nature of the doodle, I believe the best doodles come from a more relaxed atmosphere. There is no law against watching TV while you doodle. Personally, If I'm concentrating too hard, I mess up--there is too much pressure.

Doodling is simple. Grab your materials and get started. If you feel like you need to do it in pencil first, go right ahead. If I'm doing an important piece I usually use pencil first. It's up to you.

Doodle Art is fun and enjoyable. If you find yourself getting stressed out, you're no longer doodling. My how to doodle tips should only encourage your free artistic expression.

Doodling Time

How to Doodle? Just begin! Don't think about your end product. Just let the Doodle create itself. Now we can all get stuck--artist block if you will. However you can always fall back on your "How to Doodle" Basics. I like to call them the Doodling Triad.

swirl, doodle The swirl is one of the basic designs that I constantly fall back on. You can never go wrong with a good swirl especially if you mix it up a little. Have them go opposite ways, change the thickness, make patterns. It's up to you to decide how you use this mark.



doodle, stick, line Now the line may seem a little obvious. But it is one of the easiest marks to use when it comes to doodling. You can create nice checkerboards or rays for the sun. With a little curve added you turn a line into flower vines or ocean waves. Don't be scared to use something this simple.

doodle, shapes The Last of the Doodling Triad is Shape. Shapes are a doodler's best friend. There's dozens of different shapes out there that can add to your drawing. If you're afraid of drawing realistic objects,use shapes. Presto--you have a modern art piece. Shapes are wonderful to use. The possibilities are endless when it comes to the Shape.

Put all your basics together and you can have a pretty cool looking doodle.

Doodle, Triad, drawing, art



Finishing Up

When you feel you're done, WALK AWAY!! Don't look back. Put the cap on your marker and leave the room. Give yourself at least 30 minutes before looking at it again. I can't tell you how many art projects I messed up because I didn't walk away when I should have.

Coloring

Think first. Does this doodle drawing need to be colored? I am all for colorful pictures. But there are times when a picture is complete being black and white. It's totally your call of course, but I just want you to stop and think about it first.

Here are my Doodle Coloring Tips.

Have some idea of the colors you want to use. Do you want it to be totally random? Or maybe you only want to use warm colors or different shades of blue. Depending on the outcome of your doodle you might want to plan out your color scheme first beforeyou dive in with your colors. I find using bright colors are best. Personally I love using Sharpies or Prisma Colored Markers. They seem to have the richness I love when coloring in my doodles. If you don't have any markers or only have markers that are 10 years old and dry out after 5 seconds, don't use them! It's just going to make it look bad. Be patient until you can get some quality markers or use crayons. As a teacher, I don't allow my kids to do very many art projects with markers. They don't have the ability to use them correctly. (That may sound mean, but it's true) Crayons are just fine. Color in nice and dark and it will look wonderful.

How to Doodle-Questions & Advice

Do you have questions about doodling? Or, maybe you can offer us some doodling expertise! Share, partake, and learn all about the wonderful world of Doodling!

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