How to Draw Doodles: A Beginner's Guide

Doodles are creative manner in which to express oneself. Moreover, ranging from being considered a mindless activity, it is a very useful tool for enhancing focus. Also, stimulating creativity, and relieving stress. Therefore, whether you are new to drawing or are looking to explore doodling more intentionally, we take you through the basics in our how-to guide on doodling.

What Are Doodles?

Doodles are casual, sometimes unconsciously created drawings that can be everything from abstract shapes to detailed drawings. Nevertheless, unlike more formalized artwork, doodles don't take very much planning, at all. Therefore, it can be made anywhere on the margins of your notebook, on a sticky note, or a digital tablet. That is, they should be free-flowing and personal, letting your imagination take centre stage.

Materials You Need to Start Doodling

One of the great things about doodling is that the materials one needs are not that expensive. However, you can get away with just a pencil and some paper, but if you want to play around a little more, here are other materials that you might consider:

1. Pens:

Fine-point pens are fantastic for intricate doodles. Next, gel pens. They are great for flowing lines. Then, coloured pens make your doodle stand out.

2. Markers: 

Broad-tip markers are excellent for bold, vibrant doodles. Besides, you can use them to fill large spaces or create thick outlines.

3.  Digital Tools:

Apps like Procreate or Adobe Fresco will allow you to create doodles on your device. Therefore, it will give you access to various brushes and colours with which you can play.

4. Notebooks: 

A sketchbook or even a blank notepad is nice for keeping all your doodles in one place.

How to Get Started with Doodling

If you have no idea where to start, here's a quick rundown of ways you can get into doodling.

1. Start with Basic Shapes

Most doodles start as simple shapes. Begin by drawing circles, squares, triangles, or lines. Next, you can work more on complex images. Furthermore, these shapes don't have to be perfect. There's no right or wrong when it comes to doodling, it's all about free expression.

2. Add Patterns

As soon as you are comfortable with basic shapes, try adding patterns to them. However, stripes, dots, spirals, or zigzags can give your doodles texture and depth. So, trying out different kinds of patterns, will enable you to find which ones resonate best with your style.

3. Add Repetition

Repetition is key in doodling. Similarly, you can make more interesting designs visually by repeating the shapes and patterns. Doing this often will help you to develop your creativity.

4. Reference Images

If you want more inspiration, look at the reference images. Similarly, going online to look at doodle ideas is some worth inspirational. Or sometimes just look at things that surround you in your everyday life.

5. Let Your Mind Wander

The beauty of doodling is that it is spontaneous. However, do not focus too much on making a "perfect" image. Let your mind wander by allowing the shapes and patterns to flow naturally. Truly, the best doodles come when you are not overthinking the process.

Exploring Different Doodles Style

Over time, doodling has turned into several different styles. A few common styles are covered below that you can explore.

1. Abstract Doodles

Abstract doodles are mainly random shapes, patterns, and designs. Indeed, they are doodles that do not portray anything specifically but are a good way to experiment with shapes, symmetry, and lines.

Steps to Create Abstract Doodles:

• Start with Basic Shapes: Begin by drawing random shapes like circles, lines, triangles, etc. 
• Combine Patterns: After filling the page with different shapes, next is to add simple patterns such as zigzags, dots, or spirals. It makes your design look more interesting.
•  Layer Your Design: Continue adding layers of shapes on top of each other, connecting them with lines or additional shapes. This creates depth and complexity.
• Experiment with Sizes: Play with large and small size of shapes. It creates details with contrast.
• Let It Flow:  Let your hand move instinctively, following wherever the lines take you.

2. Zentangles

Zentangles are structured patterns, usually drawn inside small squares or other geometric shapes. Therefore, they are highly detailed and involve repetitive patterns, which may be very soothing to draw. Furthermore, they are one of the modern and leading forms of mindful doodling.

Steps to Create Zentangles:

•  Start with a Frame: Draw a small square or circle on your paper. This will serve as the boundary for your doodle.
• Divide the Space: Draw a few curved or straight lines across the frame to divide it into sections. These sections will contain different patterns.
•  Add Patterns: Begin filling each section with a unique repetitive pattern. Common patterns include waves, checkerboards, or crosshatching.
•  Focus on Details: Zentangles are all about intricate details. Use small lines, dots, and curves to create intricate designs within the sections
•  Stay Consistent: Keep your patterns uniform and avoid rushing the process. Your slow and steady features will improve the intermediate quality.

3. Cartoon Doodles

Doodling in this form involves the mere drawing of characters, animals, or other daily-life objects in a cartoonish manner. Moreover, cartoon doodles are fun; you get to experiment with different features that are exaggerated. 

Steps to Create Cartoon Doodles:

• Choose a Theme: Decide the subject cartoon you want to doodle. However, It could be a simple object like a cup or a character like a cat.
•  Start with Basic Shapes: Break your subject down into simple shapes like circles, ovals, and rectangles. For example, start with a circle for a character’s head.
•  Add Features: If you are drawing a character, give them big eyes or an exaggerated smile. If it’s an object, give it fun details like eyes or quirky patterns.
• Use Thick Outlines: Cartoon doodles often have bold, thick outlines. Go over your drawing with a pen to emphasize its shape.
• Experiment with Expressions: For characters, try different facial expressions like happy, surprised, or confused. This adds personality and variation to your doodles.

4. Mandalas

Mandalas are intricate circular patterns of designs, which are assumed to depict balance and harmony. However, drawing mandalas can be quite a meditative thing, given that they require much steadiness in the hand and focused attention.

Steps to Create Mandalas:

• Draw a Circle: Start by drawing a large circle in the center of your paper. You can use a compass or trace an object to get a perfect circle.
• Divide the Circle: Draw lines dividing the circle into equal sections, like cutting a pie. You can divide it into four, six, or even more sections depending on how detailed you want your mandala.
• Add Layers of Patterns: Starting from the center, begin adding layers of patterns that follow the shape of the circle. Common patterns include petals, dots, or spirals.
• Maintain Symmetry: As you continue adding layers, ensure that your patterns are symmetrical. This is key to creating a balanced and harmonious mandala.
• Work Outward: Keep adding new layers of patterns as you move outward from the center of the circle. The more layers you add, the more complex and beautiful your mandala will become.

The Tips to Improve Your Doodles Skill

Just like any kind of art, practice is key to getting good at doodling. Here are a few practical tips that will make you even better at it:

• Doodle Daily: Try setting aside a few minutes each day for doodling. However, the more you practice, the more comfortable and creative you will get.
• Try New Techniques: Don't be afraid to try different styles and materials. Try many different kinds of pens or pencils or even apps until you find the one that works best for you.
• Be Patient: Doodling is not about perfection. It's about the process. Be sure to allow yourself to make mistakes and to learn from those mistakes.
• Join a community: Whether online or in person, interaction with other doodlers can inspire ideas and grow your skills.

Doodling isn't just an informal pass time. On the contrary, it is one of the powerful means to let your creativity come forth. Moreover, starting with simple shapes and letting your imagination run free, you can elaborate on unique designs. Additionally, it can be a fun activity for doodling or just to kill some time, the main key associated is enjoyment. So, grab a pen, let your mind wander, and get ready to doodle today!