Do you have a squiggle, doodle or word that brings relaxation, pleasure, even joy when you write it? For many of us, the repeated making of that mark breaks the incessant clamoring of life and renews the flow of energy that surviving the onslaught demands. Turbulent times be damned!
Make your mark count. Fill a page with it when the lights are low and electronic devices have been put to rest. You may find that you fall asleep more easily. Draw it repeatedly to break a deadlock or switch gears when too much is happening at once. Calm, relaxed, focused are essential states that repetitive mark making can help you achieve.
My doodle of choice lends itself to margins, small areas or even full pages. Any instrument can produce it admirably, even a stick in the sand. I do set some rules including not letting the swirl lines touch each other. That particular limitation keeps me focused and less able to entertain extraneous thoughts. Distraction achieved.
Fountain pens and felt tips are my preferred instrument for line variation but satisfaction isn’t dependent on the tool. It’s the motion and the look of the doodle that matter most. It is a terrific way to use up ink when it’s time to change colors.
The drawing of something so familiar provides a useful basis for comparison when evaluating a new pen or ink. The degree of flow and lubrication are revealed by drawing swooping lines and doodles. Nibs that bite into the paper’s surface are relegated to second class status and thereafter employed only for suitable tasks. In essence, make my doodle properly or you are going to spend your days in the pen drawer.
If you haven’t found your special mark, review old pages of notes for something suitable. Over the years, I have gone through several types of doodles and while I have a favorite, there are others that are good as well. I tend to go for rounded, flowing lines. Cross-hatching comes in second. Words don’t work for me if relaxing is my goal though a page full of random words can break a writer’s block. Calligraphic decorative elements offer a wealth of possibilities. It doesn’t have to be the entire element. Even a small portion of one might do the trick.
Should you fancy a little variety, there are seasonal squiggles that fill a niche like fir trees, pumpkins, hearts and shamrocks. The point is not to limit yourself. If you are playful with it, so much the better. Use up disappointing paper and ink. It really doesn’t matter. Just do it and enjoy it. And isn’t that what pens should be about.
Ten years of my doodles and squiggles reflect little change. Why tinker with what works?
Some of my non-fountain pen doodling favorite tools can be found on Amazon. Should you purchase there, Inkophile may earn a tiny commission at no extra cost to you.
- Pentel Arts Sign Pen Touch, Fude Brush Tip, Fashion Colors
- Pentel Arts Sign Pen Touch, Fude Brush Tip, Assorted Colors
- Pentel Arts Sign Pen Touch, Fude Brush Tip, 12 Assorted Colors in Marker Stand
- Pentel Arts Sign Pen Touch, Fude Brush Tip, Black/Grey/Sepia
- Uni-Ball UM-120SP SPARKLING Gel Pens (Only the silver and gold sparkle.)
- Uni-ball Signo Broad UM-153 Gel Ink Pen, 7 colors set
- Uni-UniBall 307 Retractable Black Gel Pens, 0.7mm Medium Point
- Uni-ball 307 Retractable Black Gel Pens, 0.5mm Micro Point
- Kuretake Zig XO50F-10B Cambio Fine Brush Pen, Black
- Kuretake Sumi Brush Pen
- Stillman & Birn Epsilon Series Hardbound Sketchbook
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