Mindful Doodling

In this workshop we are going to explore simple elements of doodling to help us be more centred and present. Doodling is about slowing down to enable us to listen deeply and notice more. It is something we do with our eyes – a form of listening.

Anyone can doodle as drawing experience is not required. Doodles are made up of spontaneous marks on a page and can take many forms. These may be abstract patterns or representations of specific objects. Creating lines and shapes through drawing is a transaction between the mind, eye, heart, body and soul (Musgrove, 2016, p15).

We will start by colouring in some predetermined images of trees. This offers an opportunity for us to slow down and focus our attention though quiet concentration and a unified sense of embodied mindfulness. We will then look at the twelve basic shapes or visual alphabet used for doodling. Once you know these you will be able to draw anything. In the final part of the workshop we will ask you to select a photo you have taken of a tree that you can see from your window or one that means something to you and have a go at representing this tree (or a part of this tree) by creating a doodle of it.

Timetable:

1130 Welcome and introductions

1145 Colouring and feedback

1200 An introduction to the visual alphabet

1220 Indentifying a tree from which to create your Doodle

1250 Discussion and feedback

1300 Close

Requirements: blank A4 plain paper, a pencil and some coloured pencils/pens and a photo of a tree that is important to you.