While you may scribble designs on an empty corner of a piece of paper and forget about your doodles later, doodles are more powerful than you think. People who draw in the margins during class or sketch shapes while in business meetings may be retaining more information than those giving their entire focus to listening. Studies like the one conducted by Applied Cognitive Psychology in 2009 suggest that doodling can help one remember more information because the activity helps the brain remain engaged and active without requiring too much cognitive ability. The Wall Street Journal reported that some researchers believe doodling can also be used to help one focus and absorb new concepts. Whether you just think doodling is fun or you want to give your brain a boost, the right tools and inspiration can help you enjoy doodling.
The Doodler's Toolkit
If you use a notebook to record information, consider carrying a separate notebook or small pad of paper with you just for doodling. This gives you more room to unleash your creativity and keeps your other notebook neat. Having a separate space for doodling also means you can use a variety of colors and drawing utensils. A few different colored pens, highlighters, pencils or markers offer plenty of options for doodling anywhere, and paper and these tools make a simple toolkit for the occasional doodler.
Those who crave more creativity or spend a lot of time doodling may want to invest in sketchpads with blank pages, canvas paper, pastels, paint, chalk or charcoal. These supplies may not be useable in professional settings but can provide entertainment or a distraction when watching TV, talking on the phone, listening to music or out at a park or coffee shop.
Professional artists or those dedicated to art as a hobby might spend a lot of money on art supplies, but doodlers can select inexpensive brands and materials just to try new things, have fun, and see what they can create. Having multiple tools on hand allows you to pick suitable utensils for drawing absently or sketching something in particular.
Start Sketching
Part of the appeal of doodling is that there is no right or wrong way to proceed. If you feel inspired to draw something or just want to idly make shapes, you can doodle and not worry about the quality of the drawing. Doodling usually does not require much thought or effort and can be messy, so there is no need to be a perfectionist. If you do not know what to draw, focus on something else and let your hand move on its own. You may get inspired from your sketch, start doodling with an idea in mind and find your drawing evolves as you continue.
Not everyone wants to start doodling without a plan, and there are many options for those who need some direction before drawing. If the urge to doodle strikes, start with something you know like your name. You are used to writing your name, so try new styles, invent different signatures, use block letters or cursive, turn your name into a picture and more. You can also begin with anything you are familiar with drawing like smiley faces, stars or hearts. Once you get comfortable doodling, you might think of something else.
Drawing Ideas
Discover how creative you are by starting with some general prompts and exploring from there. Basic ideas that have a lot of potential for doodling are animals, shapes, things you like, people in your life, landscapes or things in front of you. Doodling a mix of things in one session like faces, words, shapes or items can keep your drawings fluid, versatile and interesting.
When trying to doodle a realistic rendering of an object, choose something you like and can picture or something you can see. If you enjoy sports and being outdoors, try doodling footballs, helmets, a baseball diamond, the flowers or houses you encounter when walking outside, tennis rackets and more. If you are doodling in class or at work, you can draw an item close by like a backpack or purse, your cell phone, a computer, someone in the room or whatever is outside a nearby window.
If you feel like using your imagination, doodle what you envision a place you have always wanted to visit looks like or create your own landscape. You can invent your own world full of buildings, trees and cartoon characters, or chose a random word and draw whatever comes to mind when you hear it.
Getting Serious
Doodles are often silly, unorganized scribbles, but they can also be meaningful or important when drawing a subject you feel passionate about. Doodling someone you care about or a special memory gives you an emotional connection to your artwork that may result in an unexpected, personal drawing.
Drawing is a skill that takes practice, and doodling can also be a way for someone to improve their talent. Learning about shading, composition and perspective will help one excel critically, but spending some time doodling for fun still provides experience while being relaxing.
Other Ways To Doodle
Innovative technology offers doodlers new ways to create artwork anywhere. Using a computer or phone to draw is obviously not the same as using paper, but programs like ArtPad offer many possibilities when it comes to doodling and creating pictures in a new way. These programs are also convenient because you do not need supplies, and you can save and send your artwork online. There are many entertaining options available online, but Skitch is one that works with a phone instead of a computer. This application lets you draw silly faces on your friends or scribble on photos to add your own touches.
You can draw whenever and wherever you want by gathering tools for doodling and selecting websites online. Doodling using real life inspiration and your imagination gives you plenty of material to draw so that you can keep your mind busy and create. This lets you improve your drawing skills while allowing you to focus better.