Watercolor Zen Doodles

I don't know about you but there are times I simply need to meditate through my art. Not for any one purpose, person, or outcome, I just feel the need to see the water flow onto the paper, watch the colors bleed and blend, and breathe through each step. When I feel this way I usually turn to my watercolor zen doodles, sometimes on paper, other times in my journal. Today, I just felt like trying out some new paper, so I silenced the house, got off the grid, and slowly worked my way through this doodle.

In this step, I begin by taking a few deep breathes 

and let my pencil flow in the paper. I am drawn to curves

but you might prefer hard lines or edges. 

Once the design is on paper, I begin to slowly float 

watercolor into the shapes. 

At this stage, I am quite peaceful, enjoy getting back

into the feel for moving water through paint, and 

start to allow the colors to interact with one another. 

Once I had the cool colors set, I chose to embrace

my favorite color, Opera, and add a bit of umph to 

the piece, just to show my spirit that it needs a 

good kick sometimes. 

Once my I am pleased with my watercolors, I then add 

the steps to doodle the image. There is no right or 

wrong way for this, I just let go and watch the piece

evolve with great contrast. Eventually, after listening to 

my inner voice, it will let me know when I am done, 

and then I rest.

Here is the finished piece. Watercolor Zen Doodling, for me, 

isn't about creating a masterpiece. It is a small way I choose

to connect with my art gifts, allow my inner voice to calm, 

and reconnects me with the act of spontaneous creation. 

Technique Application:

Stress is a part of life. It can rob us of joy, energy, optimism, and disconnect us from our gifts. Watercolor Zen Doodling is a really easy way to channel the stress and let it go. With that said, it is probably one of the first ways I ever learned to paint with watercolors. Because there were no 'rules,' I allowed myself the freedom to play, and through that play a love to paint was born. Young children and beginners can be taught the art of Watercolor Zen Doodles, and from that they will carry with them the ability to see that YES, they can paint, and they can calm their spirits at the same time. 

Paper does matter. I used an inexpensive watercolor paper that I wanted to try because it was precut into a 5" by 5" block. Honestly, I wasn't thrilled with it because it bled like soaking cotton, but I let that go and embraced the process, not the product. Once the watercolor is set, using Sharpies, Copics, or other waterproof inks works best so that the ink doesn't bleed as well. 

For professional artists, this is a great way to try out a new paper, see how it behaves, before purchasing a great amount in bulk. 

Happy Doodling/Painting/Creating Friends!