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Writing prompts are often a great way to get started when facing a white page ( or screen). When doodling, it can also help to have a prompt of some sort to get started. In Zentangle® all it takes is a 'string' which is any type of line or mark drawn in pencil on your paper to guide or divide your design in sections.


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Just because you begin within a string does not mean you can't expand on it or
even ignore it altogether once you get started. This design started with this
squiggle or 'string' for those of you from the Zentangle camp!

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Try changing the direction from which you view your design and see which you like best! There are other prompts you can use to get started. I like to cut out shapes from magazines to use for an outline and fill in the outlined form such as the dog design you will find in the gallery. I've also traced around cookie cutters, used stencils, of even ideas from color books or online coloring sheets to get started. There is no limit to how you can get jump-started when in the mood to doodle!!!


What are some ways you get started on a clean page???

 
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While I enjoy dabbling and doodling small designs such as this one here to your left, I just found some awesome work by artist Judith Braun that blows me away!!!!

Love it!

But don't take my word for it....

View this Youtube video of her working on a full wall mural....'finger painting'...doodling....creativity in motion!

 
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Some days you feel in the mood to create but just cannot seem to get started...

Often I hesitate putting that first intentional mark on a clean piece of paper-yet I have no problem doddling on napkins, notes, scraps of paper.

Crazy, but true!

So sometimes instead of doodling a card design and then debating what, if anything, I should do about a background-I just get the background out of the way first.

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Step one - I decided to get rid of the solid white card staring at me.

I reversed my usual routine...
by filling in the background first!


With that done, I no longer had a blank white card staring at me and could just see what patterns might be applied.

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Then just started adding patterns. Still no special designs in mind.

It is always a bit of a surprise!

Even when I think I am 'planning' a final outcome, seldom is it exactly what I had in mind at the beginning of a project.

For me, that is all part of the creative process.
I encourage you to make a move..take a first step in the direction of creativity by simply making a mark on that piece of paper.

If you absolutely must, go ahead and use pencil so you can erase if you feel the need to do so.

Using pen or markers requires a commitment to follow through-once it is there-it is hard to turn back or change your mind!

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More patterns added ...this is a small 'all occasion card'.
What occasion would you use this card for?
What type of message might you write inside?

Thes small cards make great small 'canvases' to explore doodle options on.
It is ok if you are not thrilled with every project!

I'm betting you can always find someone to send that 'less-than-perfect' bit of creativity too that will be thrilled they have a customized keepsake from you.

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And, there we have it!

A finished card ready to go into the supply box for a special occasion in the future or perhaps, be used to send a 'thinking about you' message to a friend or relative that you haven't touched base with in a while.

Have you created any doodle-art cards?
I'd love to see them!

Join my Facebook community page HERE and post your card! If you would like me to add it to the Doodle Gallery just say so when you post it at Facebook and I'll place it in this gallery along with a link to your website or homepage if you'd like!

Have fun and take time to doodle something today!

 
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Doodle Art takes all forms.  The great part is there is no right or wrong when you approach doodling with a 'go with the flow' mindset. Don't like how a line of pattern looks? Turn it into solid black negative space and doodle around it!
Another possibility is to simply leave it and see how it works into the final piece.

While the simple doodles I create are usually black and white pen scratchings, I've been playing around with color options and a bit of color added to the completed design changes the feel of a doodle and sets a new mood as it were.

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Here a touch of red ink is added once the design was completed. I was only mildly happy with the black and white version but like it better with the touch of red.

Which do you like better? Do you think it changes the feel of this piece?

 
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Creative doodles = Creative blogging!
Welcome to my studio, den, workshop, and library! 
 
Among these entries you will find some creative blogging done
using pictures, videos, squiggles, patterns, photos, lists, squiggles,
  scribbles, textures, black and white, splashes of color and an occasional mess
  mixing all the above!

 For me doodling is simply about letting go and waiting to see
what is created once I reach the end of whatever type of session might be
  happening. Though I do at times sit down to sketch or draw a particular
  object or item.

Most often, the thought of sketching causes my creative muse to  hide in a corner all bashful and shy. Like a preschooler called on to say her  name in front of the class, instead she ducks and remains  uncooperative. I can easily coax her out by calling her to come out and play.
 
No  pressure trying to sketch a realistic or identifiable picture of any  type...let’s just doodle! Squiggle and scribble on this blank piece of paper  with a crisp black pen and see what  happens!

The circles above were done one morning over coffee before I  really was awake enough to plan much -but then the squiggles that started out  in the middle of this blank card didn't seem like much of a start
either....

Neither of these was a planned design and I enjoy being surprised  to see what the finished project looks like...most of the
time...


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Circles, lines & squiggles
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The circles above were done one morning over coffee before I really was awake enough to plan much.


 But, then the squiggles that started out in the middle of this blank card didn't seem like much of a start either....

Neither of these was a planned design.

I enjoy being surprised and am excited to see what the finished project looks like...most of the time.....



Oh, Oh ...The creation below obviously needed more coffee!

 The whole piece has a muddled angry feel to it and honestly seems
to reflect how I feel after a less than restful
night....

The only thing worse than a sleepless night is having my morning
routine of a solitary cup of coffee in peace and quiet interrupted as it was on
this particular morning....

I think a bit of the crankiness I felt made its way into this doodle ...
Do you agree?

Please - Make yourself at home! Feel free to scriibble, scratch, doodle, and even go ahead and sketch a bit if you are on a positive roll.... I'd love to hear about your creative doodling adventures!