WHAT doodle

“A doodle is an unfocused or unconscious drawing made while a person’s attention is otherwise occupied.” That is how Wikepedia describes doodling.

However, what began as a result of daydreaming during boring lectures or long, humdrum telephone conversations has now become a popular form of art among the youth. And for some it means serious business.

Doodles need not portray anything specific and are usually a series of abstract images or designs, sketched together to form an image. The best part about doodling is that it does not require a lot of thought. You start drawing whatever comes to your mind and slowly your artwork begins to take shape.

WHY doodle

Doodling is a great stressbuster, for a generation with very little free time, thanks to a hectic schedule and mounting pressures. Not only does it fight boredom but it is also a good way to release pent-up energy.

What actually works for doodling is the fact that one does not need to have prior training to create the most amazing doodles. All one needs is a creative mind, paper and pen and voila, you might have just made the next abstract masterpiece!

“I’ve been doodling forever. It started with doodling on the walls of my room as a child. Then in school I realised boring classes got less boring if you doodled. Now it has became a habit. My notebooks have more doodles than class notes. Doodling also helps you to think and contrary to popular belief, to concentrate. The fact that doodling is done mostly without a purpose makes it more genuine and adds to its charm,” said Soumyadeep Roy, a first-year Masters student of film studies at Jadavpur University.

how doodle

Doodle artists are not satisfied with just using their imagination and go hunting for inspiration in various places. There are several websites from where one can get ideas for doodle art. The first place to look is Google images. There are very many doodle designs to choose from, including works of famous artists. Other websites like Pinterest not only allow one to browse through artworks but one can also get tips on how to create designs.

www.wikihow.com/Doodle is a fun way for beginners to learn doodle art.

There are many doodling communities where one can share one’s art and receive feedback as well as view the works of people all around the world.

Those not comfortable with the Internet can opt for books. The Art Doodle Book is the best and has works by Monet, Picasso and Warhol, along with notes on their techniques. Then there is the Street Art Doodle Book: Outside the Lines and The Modern Art Doodle Book.

Tools of trade

Doodling is a hassle-free art form. One can use any kind of sheet to draw, though drawing sheets add texture and make the end product look better. While charcoal pencils (preferably 2H, 2Bor 4B) can be used for a more professional touch, regular lead pencils are just as good. Markers can be used for filling in. Ball point pens or special fine-tipped pens like the ones by Stabilo or Staedtler can also be used. The width of the tips range from 0.05mm to 0.8mm.

Usually doodles are more aesthetically appealing in black and white but one can create colourful pieces using crayons, pencil colours, coloured pens and markers.

Artist speak

“The most random things around us spark off ideas, and they mutate into the strangest things on paper. Personally, instead of photographing, I sketch wherever I go. So, my sketchbooks are worlds in themselves,” said Upamanyu Bhattacharya, a student of National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.

Abhinanda Datta
Doodles by Abhinanda Datta, Upamanyu Bhattacharya and Soumyadeep Roy
Do you doodle? Tell us why and send us your doodle art at t2@abp.in