Why Sketch, Doodle and Draw!?
I was sitting at my desk, staring at a blank sketchbook cover. I had decided a couple of years before that if I was going to sketch every day (or at least put pencil to paper no matter what), that I should sketch the covers too, with titles. I had named my first two sketchbooks “doodles”, because that’s what they contained, loosey goosey doodles. But this time, I didn’t know what to title it. Oh, the agony. For whatever reason, I thought it should have a different title. If you know me, then you know I like music from the 50s and 60s eras (a little before my time), and that song “Shake, Rattle and Roll” was stuck in my head. So that’s when “Sketch, doodle and draw” was born, to the tune of “Shake, Rattle and Roll”. And now, that’s what (and why) I’ve titled this little blog.
I try to sketch, doodle and/or draw daily, because it is like exercise to help maintain my mental health. I doodle any time I’m sitting still for any amount of time, especially meetings or lectures. I doodled all through college. Dots and spirals and lines. The margins of my notebooks covered in doodles. But I never considered any of it worthy of being called art or design. Just doodles. Subconscious markings. There was no planning involved. Just doodles. Never did I think that I would be going back to those doodles to create repeating patterns out of them. That’s what I do now…. But I’m skipping ahead.
I started out being a purist in my graphic design work. To me, that meant that everything I did, had to be created by me, from layout to illustrations to photography. Using clip art and stock photography was like cheating or lazy design. Designing from scratch was a ton of work, but in my heart, I believed that was the only true way to be considered “creative”. On the practical side, it ensured that my employer would not run into any copyright violations. But in my old(er) age, I have evolved to believe that it doesn’t have to be all original work in order for it to be creative. Working with your hands in any way, can be creative: from cooking to gardening to quilting to doodling (yes doodling). I think we all have creativity that needs to surface in one way or another. It’s healthy. It’s fun. And it’s easy, if you let it. Everyone should allow themselves to get creative!
Nowadays, I often create from scratch. I’ll take a photo of something that inspires me. Then I’ll draw it as true to life as possible. Drawing like this takes a lot of effort. The results can be amazing, but not without blood, sweat and tears coming out of my eyeballs. That is the prize of all-original work.
Other times, I just want some instant gratification. That’s when I find myself at the Dollar Tree buying glittery Easter eggs, an already-assembled grapevine wreath, and a few sprigs of fake lavender… and boom! With the aid of a hot glue gun, all that magically becomes a couple of Easter egg wreaths (that now hang in our doorway). I didn’t create any of the supplies, but assembling it all together felt crafty and creative. And I knocked those out in two hours with my older daughter. Bonus, instant gratification and spending (non-screen) time with my kiddo! It’s a win win!
Sidenote: There are a ton of instructional blogs and YouTube videos out there on how to create Easter wreaths. Google it, pick one and go with it! Easy peasy. :D
Moral of my story, allow yourself to get creative in any way you choose. It allows your brain to become flexible. And the results might surprise you. Don’t be a purist! Relax and be kind to yourself because it does not have to be perfect or genius. And it really will bring joy into your heart. You’ll be so proud of what you make. The sense of accomplishment is real. So, my friend, get creative! Just start with putting pencil or crayon to paper…. And go from there. I’m with you! You can (and should) do this!