Why Doodling is Good for You and Your Creativity

Karen Hanna
Sep 28
10 min read

The health advantages of doodling

I’ve been pondering why creating an art journal feels so difficult for me. The only one I ever completed was back in 2021. Somehow, it always seems like a task. Interestingly, I have no issue experimenting with watercolor paper. Why I can't do this in a journal is something I can't quite understand.

While researching for this month's blog article, I decided to buy a journal specifically for doodling to see if I can incorporate it into a journal format. Perhaps this will become a habit since I don't feel as committed to doodles as I do to sketching and drawing. Subconsciously, a journal might seem like a formal commitment, and I hesitate to spoil a nice journal. It might sound silly, but that's how the mind works. I have no issue with accumulating stacks of watercolor papers. With watercolor paper, I can repaint repeatedly, so they seem less permanent than placing them in a bound art journal.

Purchasing an art journal for doodling to test my commitment will undoubtedly be a challenge for me, but if it succeeds, it might pave the way for an art journal. I prefer to maintain an open and positive outlook.

I began pondering this topic when I started exploring doodling. Since we all doodle to some extent, studies have shown that it can enhance creativity, improve productivity, sharpen focus, and elevate mood. What impact does doodling have on your brain?

Doodling typically occurs when you're bored, frustrated, or seeking stress relief. It provides a safe and non-threatening outlet for releasing tension.

Doodling acts as a safety valve for your mind, offering a powerful reflection of your subconscious. This allows you to explore concepts and ideas you might not have previously

considered.

Doodling can prevent your brain from entering a default state. Studies indicate that when your brain is unoccupied, it shifts into a default mode involving cortical areas like the medial temporal lobe, associated with memory, and the posterior cingulate cortex, which channels information throughout the brain.

This default mode network is active during daydreaming. However, at times, your brain might need to disconnect while still remaining attentive to external stimuli.

This is where doodling proves useful, allowing your brain to stay engaged. Imagine doodling while attending a particularly dull lecture.

Research conducted at the University of Plymouth in the U.K. indicates that doodling can enhance your memory during a dull phone call or university lecture.

Doodling while listening is thought to prevent the brain from entering its default mode.

Doodling does more than prevent your brain from slipping into default mode. It is a creative act in itself and can assist you in generating ideas for any problem you might be facing. Additionally, it allows you to develop and enhance ideas you already possess.

When you doodle, your drawings might express the emotions, anxiety, or stress present in your life that you can't articulate verbally. Doodling can help release tension from your system by calming the part of the brain responsible for the fight-or-flight response, which is associated

with stress and anxiety.

Doodling can foster innovative thinking that enhances your learning experience. It is also believed to increase the enjoyment of learning. Doodling can elevate your mood, improve your listening skills, and help you gain a better understanding of yourself. If you find it difficult to relax, zone out, or express your emotions, you might consider reading "The Doodle Revolution" by Sunni Brown. You can find it on Amazon. For those new to doodling, she recommends beginning with simple elements like lines, dots, circles, and triangles, which will eventually allow you to progress to more intricate designs, such as zentangles.

A little doodling history

Doodling is a timeless and universal form of self-expression that crosses cultural and generational boundaries. Although it may appear to be a contemporary activity, doodling has a history that stretches back centuries. The term "doodle" is thought to have originated in the 17th century from the German word "dudeln," meaning to play or trifle. At its core, doodling involves creating random and often repetitive patterns, shapes, or images while the mind wanders.Doodling has been found in the margins of ancient manuscripts, the walls of caves, and even on the notebooks of famous historical figures.

In the 16th century, during the Renaissance, doodling took on a more structured form as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo used it to draft initial concepts and delve into their creativity. These sketches later developed into renowned masterpieces.

With the emergence of pop culture in the 20th century, doodling evolved into new forms. Cartoonists and illustrators transformed doodles into iconic characters like Mickey Mouse and Charlie Brown.

Today, doodling remains a cherished activity enjoyed by individuals across various ages and cultures. Its rich history highlights that doodling is more than just a trivial pursuit; it is an essential aspect of our innate desire to create and engage with our inner reflections.

The psychology of doodling

The psychology behind doodling indicates that figures and patterns drawn absent-mindedly represent expressions of our unconscious thoughts, providing insights into personality, moods, and emotions. Doodling serves as an emotional outlet and can enhance focus and memory.

Individuals doodle for various reasons. Doodling serves as an emotional outlet, a method to express emotions that are hard to articulate, soothe anxiety, and manage frustrations. Often viewed as a stream of consciousness from the subconscious, doodles reveal inner thoughts and concerns. Additionally, doodling can help sustain focus, preventing the mind from "spacing out."

The distinctive mental state achieved through doodling, which combines awareness with daydreaming, can encourage the generation of new and creative ideas. Observing your doodle patterns can provide insights into your present emotional and mental condition.

What does your doodling say about you? Straight lines reflect a forward-thinking mindset and a readiness for action, whereas curved lines imply tranquility. Shapes like circles can represent a friendly, loving disposition and a wish for harmony. Squares are drawn by those with a practical, organized, and meticulous nature, often valuing control. Those who doodle triangles are linked to ambitious people motivated to reach their goals.

Doodling is not merely a mindless activity; it is a valuable cognitive tool that boosts memory, concentration, and creativity while alleviating stress.

A frequently cited benefit of doodling is its ability to prevent mind-wandering and enhance recall. Doodling demands just enough cognitive effort to prevent the brain from slipping into a full daydream. This partial engagement helps keep the mind active and focused on the main task. Studies supporting recall indicate that people who doodle while listening to a dull conversation remember 29% more information than those who do not doodle. This suggests that doodling during phone calls, meetings, or lectures can maintain enhanced focus over a longer period. Additionally, the small repetitive motor movements involved in doodling help prevent boredom.

Doodling helps with problem-solving and can enhance your creativity by stimulating neural networks. When you doodle, it activates various brain areas, including reward pathways and the prefrontal cortex, which are involved in logical reasoning and creative thinking. This subconscious activity can spark new ideas and aid in solving problems.

Another benefit of doodling is the reduction of stress and anxiety. It is almost like a form of meditation, drawing your attention to the present moment and offering emotional release. Ultimately, doodling is more about the process than the final product, serving as a tool to stimulate the mind, helping to regulate thoughts and manage emotions.

Getting started

Begin doodling by picking up a pen and a piece of paper, allowing your hand to move freely without self-criticism. Concentrate on basic shapes, patterns, and repetition. The aim is to keep your hand in motion without overthinking. Let your creativity flow.

You are not judging yourself or trying to make perfect art.

You will be doodling basic shapes like circles, lines, and curves. You can fill in these shapes or the spaces between lines with repetitive patterns, swirls, or geometric designs. A fun doodle idea is to draw words using bubble letters and fill them with patterns.

Engage in drawing random objects as well. Try sketching humorous faces, various objects, or people. You can find doodling inspiration in your environment, nature, architecture, animals, and everyday items. Listen to music and draw based on the words or emotions you feel. Online platforms like Pinterest and Instagram offer endless doodle ideas. Don’t hesitate to experiment. Use different materials such as fine liners, gel pens, or colorful markers. Repeat shapes and patterns to develop your personal style. Mix thick and thin lines to add depth and dimension to your work. The more you doodle, the more your style will evolve, and the greater your creative freedom will become.

Have a certain mindset when you start doodling. First embrace imperfection.

Give up worrying about imperfection. Doodling is about the process not the finished project. Look for shapes and patterns in everyday objects. The texture on a wall, or rug even the bark of a tree. Inspiration is limitless in your surroundings. Doodling serves as a meditative practice that allows your mind to drift and observe the creations of your hands. Remember, your doodling is uniquely yours, so avoid comparing it to others. Instead, relish your personal journey.

Just start doodling

Doodling, in its simplest form, is a meditative activity that begins with just a pen and paper. It can be done anywhere, at any time. With continued practice, you'll develop your own distinct doodling style.

As you refine your style through continued practice, you can elevate your doodling from simple scribbles by exploring advanced techniques and experimenting with new tools. Transitioning from freeform doodles to zentangles and mandalas allows you to create structured and repetitive patterns within a defined space, offering a meditative focus and resulting in intricate, detailed art. You can find Zentangle patterns in books and YouTube videos.

Another advanced technique involves using simple shading. Employing cross-hatching, stippling, or soft gradients can add depth and make your doodles look more three-

dimensional. You can also create visual contrast and interest by varying the thickness of your lines, using different pen tips, or adjusting pressure. Deliberately incorporating blank space around your doodles can create balance and enhance the overall design.

Once you feel more experienced, consider upgrading your materials and tools. Move beyond basic pen and paper. Explore using fine-liners for precise details and alcohol markers for vibrant, blendable colors. A white gel pen can also be used to add highlights and make your doodles stand out. At this stage, you might want to start combining your doodles with other artistic mediums. For example, you could add doodles to your watercolor or acrylic artwork and incorporate collage elements. Try doodling on unconventional surfaces like a canvas, a rock, or a pair of sneakers. After doodling randomly for a while, you might want to dedicate a sketchbook to a specific theme, such as nature, cityscapes, or cartoon characters. Consider filling your themed sketchbook with weekly or daily doodling prompts. Following this, you may want to turn your doodles into larger projects. Your doodling can serve as a planning tool for projects like a graphic novel, an intricate mandala, or a detailed piece of art. Another idea is to turn one of your doodles into a stamp carved into a lino tile. Your doodles can also be transformed into products through print-on-demand services, such as T-shirts, phone cases, or prints.

The final doodle

In summary, you will concentrate on discovering what you love to create and what inspires you, then intentionally practice integrating those aspects into your work.

Discover inspiration and influences by exploring the work of artists you admire. Don't confine

yourself to a single artist or style; instead, study a variety of art movements and techniques to expand your perspective. Focus on what excites you to create, such as color palettes or subject matter. Experiment with these ideas using different mediums and blend styles from various artists, merging their influences with your own. Create by practicing regularly, and evaluate your progress to determine if you are satisfied with your development. Share your work with others and seek constructive feedback, as it can provide valuable insights. Trust your instincts; remember that your art is dynamic and will evolve as you do. Be patient with your style, as it requires time and dedication. Ultimately, discovering your unique style is a personal journey. Enjoy this journey through practice and the joy of creating. Happy doodling, my friends.

Freebie

To assist you in beginning your doodling adventure, I've provided a fall-themed template. You can fill in all the outer spaces and shapes or just the shapes themselves. This is your journey. Feel free to use lines, dots, circles, or triangles. If you're more experienced with zentangles, you can create whatever you wish.

Here's the one I did to give you some ideas using, lines dots and circles.

Tips/Books

Here's a straightforward tip for ensuring your values are accurate. Create a small value scale on

a clear piece of mylar, typically used for stencils. This can be held directly against your canvas or color palette to identify which neutral gray seamlessly blends with your color, confirming the correct value. Begin with a clear mylar rectangle, though translucent versions also work. A 2x4" piece is sufficient, or use a size that suits you. My scale was crafted using Golden Acrylic Paints' neutral grays 2-8, along with Titanium White, and Carbon Black for the black. While you can mix your own grays, I

sometimes struggle to achieve the exact shade but you will then only need the white and black. Start with white, progressing from the lightest gray to the darkest, ending with black. I applied a dot of color for each paint or a size of your choice. Allow it to dry.

To use your scale just hold it up to your painting or palette. the correct value should just melt into the paint color you are mixing to the point of not even seeing the gray dot of paint. This little value scale is convenient for carrying in your pocket for plein air painting or laying next to your palette. in the studio.

What I'm working on

This month hasn't been as productive in the studio as I had hoped. However, I'm back to experimenting and continuing with some painting courses, focusing on perspective this month. I'm reusing old canvases to paint over, which I enjoy because they always seem to add a lot of texture.

Although South Texas still experiences summer temperatures, there are indications of fall. Each morning, I notice flocks of birds from the North that will either winter here or continue to Mexico for warmer weather as winter approaches. Monarch butterflies, hummingbirds, and goldfinches will soon head to Mexico as well. This time of year, fall gardens are being planted here. Broccoli, lettuce, cabbage, and cauliflower thrive in fall gardens since our summers are too hot for them. I'm also planting wildflowers for the spring. It's fascinating how the seasons vary across different parts of our country. The days are getting shorter, and soon we'll all transition into the fall and winter routines. It's the time to start preparing holiday crafts and shopping. Remember to take a moment to appreciate the change of seasons, no matter where you live.

New on my website

The sale on certain products and art on my website will be extended for one more week. Check out the brushes, tools, or WoodUbend trims and molds that might suit your holiday projects. Wishing you a happy fall and Halloween.