A Beginner's Guide To Doodling

I remember drawing all over my notebooks as a kid and as a teen. Not even realizing that I was doing something therapuetic. Fast forward years later & I realize that it's the ultimate stress buster. Whether you’re new to art or just looking for a stress-free way to pass time, doodling can be a fun outlet. Here’s an in-depth guide for beginners to help you get started.

What Exactly Is Doodling?

Doodling is the act of drawing simple, spontaneous, and often abstract pictures without focusing on fine details or a specific outcome. It’s a form of unstructured creativity that can be done anywhere, at any time.


Getting Started: Tools You Need
While you don’t need fancy supplies to doodle, having the right materials can enhance the experience.

- Paper: Any type of paper works, but a sketchbook or notebook can keep your doodles organized.
- Pens/Pencils: Start with a basic pencil for sketching and a black ink pen for outlining. You can later experiment with colored pens or markers.
- Eraser: Optional, but helpful if you want to clean up rough sketches.
- Ruler: Not necessary, but it can be used for straight lines or geometric doodles.


Warm-Up: Relaxing Your Mind and Hand
Before jumping into any doodle, try a few warm-up exercises:

- Line Drawing: Practice drawing straight, curved, zigzag, or wavy lines. This will help loosen your wrist and get comfortable with your pen or pencil.
- Shapes: Draw simple shapes like circles, squares, triangles, or spirals. You’ll use these as building blocks for more complex doodles.
- Repeating Patterns: Start by drawing a single pattern and repeat it, such as rows of dots, loops, or grids. This helps train your hand for smooth, rhythmic movements.

Basic Doodling Techniques
As you start doodling, there are a few basic techniques that will help you create interesting, engaging patterns.

Zentangle-Inspired Doodles

Zentangling is an art form where you fill structured patterns with intricate designs. The idea is to break up the page into smaller sections and fill each section with different patterns. Some common patterns include:

- Stripes: Parallel lines, either thick or thin.
- Dashes: Tiny, spaced-out dashes, like a dotted line.
- Spirals: A small loop that gets larger as it goes outward.
- Grid: Drawing a simple grid and filling each square with different designs.

Repeating Motifs
Use repeating motifs or elements like dots, stars, hearts, or flowers. These can evolve into more complex designs as you add layers.

Abstract Doodling
Start by drawing abstract shapes, like squiggly lines, blobs, or freeform scribbles. These can evolve into more structured patterns or images the longer you doodle.

Doodle Portraits
This technique is about drawing simplified and stylized versions of people. Start with a basic oval shape for the face, add two circles for the eyes, and keep the rest minimal. You can add details like hair, glasses, or hats later, but the focus is on simplicity and fun.

Exploring Doodle Styles
As you get more comfortable, you can explore different styles. These include:

Geometric Doodles
This style focuses on sharp lines, symmetry, and precision. You can start by drawing geometric shapes like triangles, squares, and circles, and then use them to build larger, more complex compositions.

Nature-Inspired Doodles
Flowers, leaves, trees, and animals are excellent subjects for doodles. Try drawing a simple leaf or flower, then expand it with intricate patterns or overlapping designs.

Doodle Characters
Create little cartoonish characters that express a mood or personality. These could be as simple as a smiling face or more detailed characters, such as animals, robots, or even abstract creatures.


Finding Inspiration
Doodling is often a spontaneous and free-flowing activity, but it can still benefit from a bit of inspiration.

- Look Around: Take inspiration from objects, nature, or your surroundings. Everyday things can become part of a larger doodle.
- Online Resources: Platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube have tons of inspiration for doodles and step-by-step tutorials.
- Dreams & Thoughts: Sometimes, doodles come from your mind's musings. Daydreaming or letting your thoughts wander can spark new doodling ideas.


Common Doodle Themes to Try
- Motifs and Patterns: Mandalas, paisleys, florals, etc.
- Animal Sketches: Simplified animals, like cats, dogs, birds, and fish.
- Faces and Characters: Silhouettes, exaggerated features, or cartoonish representations.
- Fantasy and Sci-Fi: Robots, monsters, UFOs, and whimsical creatures.
- Abstract Art: Doodling without a fixed structure—just letting the pen move and see where it takes you.


Experiment with Doodle Combinations
You don’t have to stick to one type of doodle at a time. Mix and match patterns, textures, and shapes. Combine geometric patterns with organic shapes or abstract swirls with doodled characters. The key is to have fun!

- Layering: Add layers to your doodles to create depth. You can layer shapes, lines, or colors to give your doodle a sense of dimension.
- Texture: Try adding texture to your doodles with hatching (cross-hatching) or stippling (dot work).

Doodle with Purpose
Though doodling is often done without a set goal, you can experiment with more intentional doodles. For example:
- Mind Mapping: Use doodles to brainstorm ideas, where each doodle represents a different concept or topic.
- Bullet Journaling: Doodles can be incorporated into planners or journals to create visually appealing pages while organizing thoughts or tasks.

Tips for Doodling Success
- Don’t Worry About Perfection: Doodling is about freedom, not about creating flawless art. Imperfection adds to the charm!
- Practice: The more you doodle, the better you’ll get at it. Don’t be discouraged if it feels awkward at first.
- Take Breaks: Doodling should be a relaxing, stress-free activity. Take breaks if you get stuck or frustrated.
- Embrace Mistakes: Some of the best doodles come from unexpected lines and “mistakes.” Don’t erase too much—just go with the flow!

Advanced Doodle Ideas to Explore
Once you feel more comfortable, you can try advanced techniques like:
- 3D Doodling: Create the illusion of depth and dimension in your doodles by adding shading and perspective.
- Incorporating Color: Experiment with colored pens, markers, or even digital tools to add vibrancy to your doodles.
- Digital Doodling: Try using drawing apps or software like Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, or Photoshop to take your doodles to the next level.

Where to Doodle
Doodling doesn’t require a special space. You can do it on:
- Notebooks: A simple notebook is ideal for quick sketches and daily doodles.
- Post-it Notes: Perfect for mini doodles.
- Paper Napkins: If you're in a cafe or waiting, napkins can become a canvas.
- Digital Tablets: If you prefer drawing digitally, tablets with stylus pens can be a great tool.


Doodling is a fun and creative activity. Whether you're aiming for a stress-relieving hobby, developing a unique art style, or just passing time, doodling can help you tap into your creative flow. Keep exploring, experimenting, and enjoying the process!