So I am known for my love of drawing, I have pretty much done it everyday since I can remember and it has always helped me calm my mind and relax regardless of how rubbish the drawing or doodle has been. So when Paperchase sent me the Doodle a day drawing journal I took some time recently to fill the pages with a few scribbles. I’ve seen a few of these doodle or journals to help get people creativity flowing but this is the first one I have seen with prompts which I think is massively helpful to anyone who wants to start creating.
For me journaling and drawing has always been a way for me to settle my nerves and stresses. I actually really loved the simplicity of some of the prompts like drawing a self portrait, spring or summer and slightly more complicated prompts like draw the Rolling Stones which I thought was fun.
The Journal itself I think is a really comfortable size, I’m a stickler when it comes to working in books and its a little smaller then A4 but has a good amount of pages that gives it a good size and shape to work in comfortably.
As the weather has perked up here in London a bit, I decided to take a seat outside with my coffee and use the prompt “what you see right now” So I got my colouring pencils out and drew one of my favourite subjects – plants and really took the time to sit down and look at the colours and the shapes, I think this journal would be great as part of a daily routine where you have 10 minutes to yourself to have a break from whatever you’re doing and give you a few indulgent moments to sit and draw.
I have taken to drawing on a few of the pages before bed flicking at random for any prompts that catch my eye. For me a lot of my drawings are about colour and pattern so even within the pages of this journal I filled it with all the things that inspire me, and you know what no one ever really has to see what you draw at all, it can just be for you to use and not share. You can be as messy or as neat as you want, now for me I have to say within the lines as its one of my things but as you can see from my planet earth depiction (I’m no geography teacher ha!) it was really all about getting my idea down on the paper so just enjoy the process.
Even if you aren’t a big fan of drawing then you might find using the quote section quite fun for sharing some inspiring thoughts, I picked the Quote by Angie Thomas from the book “The hate u give” I think it sums up the last few weeks quite well and taking the time to lovingly doodle it in the speech bubble gave me a few brief moments alone with my coffee too take the words in.
To me having the ability to take a break for a few minutes away from my actual paid work of drawing and pouring doodles and sketches into a designated Doodle a day book is really helpful and yes I can draw but this is in no ways a competition and it really is about taking the time to fill the pages with things that inspire you, help your emotions or just to take your mind off a few of life stresses.
I think the Doodle a day journal is perfect for anyone that wants to dip their toes into the world of creativity but doesn’t want to spend a small fortune taking up a hobby. All you need is a pen or a set of pencils and you can fill the pages with whatever you want. At the end of the day creativity to should be accessible to everyone even if they lack confidence in their ability.
This looks like such a fun little book! I think the prompts are especially helpful as there are always those days where the mind just draws an absolute break when trying to figure out what to draw. Loved getting a glimpse of your doodles inside!
Asti || atypicalnarrative.com
This is a really neat idea to get out of a creative funk! Your art style is really unique as well!