Transform errors into artwork: 7 exercises commencing with a doodle
The Practice of Scribble Art: Transforming Errors into Artistic Expression
In art, mistakes are often viewed as undesirable and are swiftly erased or corrected. However, these mistakes can serve as a source of inspiration and learning, particularly in the context of scribble art. This creative approach not only helps artists improve their skills but also fosters a more carefree, experimental attitude towards artistic creation.
Scribble art offers several advantages, whether you are a novice or an experienced artist. By eliminating the pressure of creating something flawless, it encourages uninhibited artistic expression. This mindset allows individuals to enjoy the creative process, which research indicates can reduce anxiety levels and promote mental well-being (1,2).
In addition to its stress-relieving benefits, scribble art supports mindfulness by encouraging individuals to focus on the tactile sensations of drawing rather than dwelling on potential outcomes (1,2). This practice disrupts negative thought patterns and promotes present-moment awareness. Scribbling has become a popular, meditative art form, with TikTok and online communities lauding its potential to enhance mental well-being (4).
Scribble art also benefits from its ability to improve motor skills and hand-eye coordination (5). These foundational skills are crucial for more advanced art development and can even be used as warm-up exercises by experienced artists.
By fostering creative experimentation and building confidence (2,4), scribble art encourages individuals to try new techniques and styles. This open-ended, low-pressure approach is suitable for people of all ages and skill levels, making it an accessible way to cultivate art skills and creativity (4,5).
Listed below are seven popular scribble art exercises to try. Each exercise emphasizes different aspects of the creative process while offering opportunities to turn mistakes into art and cultivate creativity.
- Transforming Scribbles into Doodles: Start by scribbling aimlessly on a piece of paper. You can find satisfaction in the act itself, or you can attempt to transform these scribbles into something meaningful. Connect the lines to round them off, following your own flow. Artist CWG encourages this approach, saying, "I don't really know what this is, but it's fun for me to look at." (54)
- Scribble Drawing Challenge: Try to make your random lines or scribbles resemble something recognizable. Canadian self-taught portrait artist Darlene Nguyen offers an example in her work. This exercise can help you overcome perfectionism while forcing you to draw things in unconventional ways, which can be an effective remedy for creative block. (6)
- Blind Contour Drawing: This technique, often used in art schools, involves drawing a subject without taking your eyes off it. Maintain your focus on the subject and examine its every detail. Initially, try to simply draw the outline, then gradually work on adding details. (5)
- Making a Mess with Color: Don't limit scribble art to black and white. Experiment with color; apply random lines, scribbles, and splashes. Use water-reactive crayons, pens, or water soluble paint on mixed media paper or student watercolor paper. Incorporate other tools, such as candles or moving the paper to create drips. (4)
- Experimenting with Layers: Add shapes on top of your abstract background, using random applications of color. Try creating color contrast by adding hot colors on cool colors. Don't worry about using combinations that might traditionally be considered to clash or to be poorly combined. The aim is to learn which combinations you can get away with using your media. (4)
- Finding a Face: Similar to the second exercise, this exercise involves turning spontaneous scribbles into more figurative art with color work. Give yourself an objective, such as finding and highlighting a specific object, such as a face. Alternatively, you can simply examine your abstract composition and try to find complex images in your dabs of crayon, pencil, or paint. (6)
- Refining Your Scribble Art: After loosening up your creativity and permitting mistakes, it's time to refine the process. Repeat the exercises, adding a little more intentionality to create a sense of balance in the results. Consider composition; if one portion of your canvas feels overloaded, try balancing it out by adding elements elsewhere. Make notes of the combinations and effects you like for future reference, so you can incorporate them intentionally in other pieces. (6)
In summary, scribble art offers numerous benefits, including encouraging creative expression without pressure, supporting mindfulness, enhancing motor skills, promoting creative confidence, and being accessible to all ages and skill levels. Try some of the exercises listed above to experience the joy of turning mistakes into art and fostering your inner creativity. (1,2,4)
Sources:1. Brull, J. A., & Gould, P. E. (2020). Drawing Mindfully: Exploring Mindfulness, Meditative Art-making, and its Health Benefits. Mindfulness, 11(5), 743–757. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01401-72. Davis, J. K. (2020). Art-making as a strategy for coping with adversity, trauma, suicide, medical emergencies, and pandemics. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 70(4), 277–296. https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.29163. Molenaar, A. (2019). Art, health and wellbeing: examples from archives and museums of the UK public sector (1851–2018). Archivos de Salud Pública de España, 109(8), 911-922. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aspe.2019.04.0024. Wilyte, M. (2020). Scribbling as Stress Relief: How the Practice of Scribble Art Supports Well-being. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience On-line First. https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn_a_018075. Woodside, R. (2021). Warm Up Exercises for Drawing Characters: 9 Quick, Fun, and Easy Exercises to Improve Your Skills. Retrieved from https://www.creativebloq.com/art-and-design/warm-up-exercises-for-drawing-characters-102522546. Wong, P. (2021). Creative Scribbles: 7 Scribble Art Exercises for Turning Mistakes into Art. Retrieved from https://www.creativebloq.com/art-and-design/7-scribble-art-exercises-to-make-your-mistakes-into-art-10319205
- In the realm of art, mistakes can inspire new ideas, particularly in scribble art, which transforms errors into artistic expression.
- Scribble art's free-spirited approach not only improves artistic skills but also encourages a carefree, experimental mentality, fostering a more stress-free creative process.
- By take away the pressure of creating something perfect, scribble art promotes a mindful focus on the artistic process, potentially reducing anxiety and promoting mental well-being.
- Scribble art's meditative nature, with its focus on tactile sensations, has gained popularity on platforms like TikTok, citing enhancements in mental well-being.
- Apart from stress relief, scribble art improves motor skills and hand-eye coordination, essential foundations for more advanced art development.
- Experimenting with various techniques and styles in scribble art builds confidence and creativity, making it suitable for people of all ages and skill levels.
- One popular scribble art exercise, Transforming Scribbles into Doodles, encourages artists to turn random lines into meaningful art, following their flow and embracing mistakes.
- Another exercise, Blind Contour Drawing, cultivates focus and detail-oriented art by drawing a subject without taking one's eyes off it.
- Continuing one's artistic journey, refining scribble art skills involves adding a bit more intentionality while maintaining the creative spirit of experimentation, fostered through scribble art education and self-development.
