Three Free Drawing Activities

Drawing has the capacity to transcend lines and colours, and communicate messages from the inner self to your conscious mind.

Join me today for three types of drawing that can aid in your therapeutic journey. Gesture drawing allows a “release” of feelings and emotions, mindful contour allows a connection with self that allows for a “break” from emotions and visual journaling allows an understanding and communication with the higher self.

Below I have outlined my experiences of three drawing activities, as well as a way for you to create your own therapeutic art.

My Experience of Gesture Drawing

The first activity is gesture drawing. For me, this experience invokes the joy of fingerpainting as a child, with an array of colours flowing out as they wish to. I chose to use oil pastels for the above artwork as although it is a controlled medium, I also find it very spiritual as it allows for blending of colour and form. Creating this art felt incredibly therapeutic, as I imagined connecting with a particular chakra with each set of strokes. Because gesture drawing is done without conscious intention, I was able to allow the strokes to flow from me as they needed to. After creating this artwork I felt very connected and energised.

Creating Your Own Gesture Drawing for Emotional Expression

Gesture drawing is a dynamic technique whereby you create artwork with fluid lines and simplified shapes. I encourage you to create your own gesture drawing by simply setting a timer for 2 minutes and then drawing out any emotions you are feeling as gestures. Afterwards, ask yourself:

What emotions came up for me? How are my emotions represented on the page? What do these emotions want from me; what can I do to clear or honour my emotions?

Mindful Contour Drawing for Present-Moment Awareness

Mindful contour drawing involves creating art without looking at the page or taking the pen from the page. I have often used this creatively to take a break from my conscious thoughts and reconnect with my experiencing mind. For me, mindful contour artwork always brings a feeling of inner peace.

This artwork was a mindful contour drawing of a vase of flowers that is very special to me. The experience took me away from my emotions of anxiety and into a mindful place of connection with the activity.

Creating Your Own Mindful Contour

Mindful contour drawing allows you to focus on the present moment by observing and drawing an object or scene without lifting the pencil from the paper.

Start by getting together a pen or pencil and paper. Then begin by taking some deep breaths, and then choosing an object that you feel you are connecting with today. Then you simply close your eyes and visualise the object, or continue looking at the object as you slowly draw it without taking your pen off the paper.

How do I feel after this exercise? Am I feeling more relaxed or connected?

Visual Journalling Experience

This activity involves journaling with images rather than words. I enjoy using a combination of the two. I chose to use this experience as an affirmation for myself, focusing on the affirmation “I am filled with love and light” as I created. As I was working, additional related affirmations arose that I chose to write down for myself. The imagery that presented itself was that of love and golden feathers. I also experienced the imagery of birds, with associations of both freedom and peace that arise when we treat our experiences with love and light.

I invite you to also partake in regular visual journalling. Choose a pretty journal that you can create freely in. Then begin taking a short amount of time each day filling it with pictures and words that resonate with you.

Which activity did you enjoy most? I probably enjoyed mindful contour drawing most today as it helps me to feel peaceful and connected to the present moment, but they are all lovely exercises that you can return to whenever you feel drawn to them.