Mindful drawing, drawing mindfully, and meditative drawing are all sides of the same coin that originated during the pandemic era. Mindfulness is about consciously and intentionally focusing on being grounded in the moment. A practice of being aware and engaging with what one sees, feels, and perceives. However, many artists and authors, like Carol Wright Folbre, have been utilizing the practice of drawing mindfully to engage with their surroundings and reflect. Although Carol’s adventures outlined in her new book, Wishbone; An American Odyssey in Asia preceded the current state of unrest that we find our country and our world in, her meditative drawings and insightful stories around their content are excellent examples of a creative process that everyone can engage with to help process our constant state of change. Although there are many tutorials out there for mindful drawing practices, below are some simple tips to follow if you want to try out this practice, and if you’d like to learn more about Carol’s work for inspiration, visit Tripod and listen to our episode “Wishbones and Wandering”.
- Gather your supplies and find a space for yourself
Pencils, pens, crayons, and markers are all welcome in mindfulness drawing. A great way to motivate oneself to begin this practice is purchasing some fun new materials. After you’ve chosen your medium, find a good location. Although this practice can be done anywhere with a pen and paper, finding a quiet space outside or in your home is helpful to not only engage with a subject, but also to allow yourself to fully focus on the activity.
- Breathe and ground yourself in your body and subject
Breathing into your posture, feeling your pen or crayon in hand, and observing your surroundings with intention is a great way to begin this practice. After you’ve centered yourself, choose something to draw (a series of circles, or the landscape in front of you) or color in a design you’ve selected. The repetitive motions of coloring or making artistic, creative decisions are great practices for mindful drawing.
- Be kind to your work and remain in the moment
The priority of this process is to engage with your surroundings and be connected to your physical and emotional state. So, don’t judge your work and let it flow freely. If you find yourself becoming disconnected from the task, make efforts to reground through breathing or taking breaks.
By Lily Brennan
TRIPOD 