Doodling & Noodling
Bert Dodson, in his new book, KEYS TO DRAWING WITH IMAGINATION, asks his readers in chapter one to doodle and noodle. The idea is that you "take a line for a walk" and be sure to begin and end at the same place. And then choose one pattern to fill in the empty spaces. The line walk is a right brain experience, just follow where the line wants to go. That's doodling. Choosing or designing a pattern and placing it deliberately in each space is a left brain activity. That's noodling. I repeated this exercise several times. Here's a sample:
When I went to facilitate the boys' Arts & Crafts group at Juvenile Hall this week I asked the boys to doodle, then noodle. I demonstrated the activity and then turned them loose to construct their own. I wish I had remembered to bring in my CD player so they had something to listen to while they worked, but I didn't and we chatted a bit instead. They were delighted to work with ballpoint pens, contraband I am allowed to bring into the facility. Sometimes staff allows the kids to sit with paper and 3 inch pencils, something they could doodle and noodle with, if they chose.
This afternoon I was wanting to break in my first Moleskin watercolor sketchbook. I've had it on the shelf for at least a month but there's such a mystique about Moleys, and I'd never drawn in one before, so I found it intimidating to begin lest I sully it in some way. So I decided to doodle and noodle on page one.
Having done that I'm hoping I can move on and FILL THAT BOOK, that's the goal. I like it that I'm taking my first Moleskin seriously, that I don't want to do slap-dash work in it. I have another sketchbook for those hurried pieces. I want to save the Moleskin for my very best -- and, as a beginner, my very best ain't great, but I'm hoping it will show a serious effort, a real attempt.....and steady improvement.
And then I found out that I'm 67% creative....whatever that means:
You Are 67% Creative |
You are beyond creative. You are a true artist - even if it's not in the conventional sense of the word. You love creating for its own sake, and you find yourself quite inspired at times. |
What fun! A great way to loosen up and begin a day. I will have to get the book!
ReplyDeleteI am also working through this book and love love love it!! Your doodles are great.
ReplyDeleteThanx for the link Barbara, I have mentioned your blog on my recent blog entry.
ReplyDeleteI also think the book sounds interesting and have ordered my copy today!
I've been thinking of getting this book, too. Sounds like you're having a great time with it. Great doodles!
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