Shoes

In my opinion, line drawing is the most relaxing of all “art as therapies.” By therapy, I’m referencing relaxation and peaceful environment. Your idea of therapy is your idea. Explore those definitions.

The concept of line drawing is simple. Have you ever doodled on the back of an envelop while on hold or while talking on the phone? This is line drawing.

The materials are simple. A blank canvas, whether paper (with structure) or anything that will take ink and, like we called them back in the day, magic markers or Sharpies in various writing widths, from very fine to fat. I like using black markers. The starkness of black on white is pleasurable to me. There are other colors as well. Sometimes I’ll throw in a splash of red for interest.

Lines:
___________ thin to fat and fatter, straight, zigzag, squiggly. Circles with the same concept in mind, thin to fat, big to small and everything in between. Take a look at your “Wingding” fonts for ideas.

The fun is in the doing, the drawing and connecting. Start with small renditions of your lines. Don’t try to rush it by thinking you need to fill big spaces all at once. The magic of line drawing is total nothingness. Forget time. Focus on the line you’re pulling, or the circle you’re drawing. And never fret about whether the circle or line is straight. Better that they aren’t.

When you’ve completed the piece, look for symbolism, hidden meaning or images of people or structures that you had no idea you were drawing.

If you don’t find anything, it was not meant to be. What you’ve completed is your peacefulness on the page and what can be more beautiful than that?

---

 This is Shoes, Circles and Tumbling Boxes

This is art as therapy. Try your hand. There are no mistakes or rules, only Sharpies, a surface, your hands and heart. The first one will probably feel a little tentative, but then watch how you feel the next time you try. Here’s to happiness!

#ArtAsTherapy