Would you like to explore some mindful doodling techniques to help quiet your over-busy mind? Doodling can be a great way to focus on the moment and bring your thoughts into the present. There are a lot of reasons to feel anxious or stressed today and sometimes we can benefit from connecting with a physical action that takes thoughts and feelings to a more peaceful place. I love doodling as a way to calm and centre myself and am keen to share some of these simple techniques with you. This isn't a fine art course and you do not need to be confident in your drawing ability to join us. We will look at some simple methods of mark-making, using basic shapes and styles to create a doodle. The joy is in the act and the doodling, not just the finished piece, so complete novices can take part without having concerns about 'making mistakes' because there are no mistakes. Learn simple techniques that can be applied in a variety of ways and focus on the doodling art of meandering with a pen.
Course aim
To provide a brief introduction to living in the moment and mindfulness through the medium of creative doodling. Learn to enjoy creativity in the moment without worrying about making mistakes or feeling pressured to succeed. Relaxing and enjoyable
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This course is for a group of around 15 students studying in a live video-learning platform conference and an online digital learning environment platform from the comfort of your own home.
- No skills or experience needed
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Use four or five different doodling techniques
- Use shading and/or colour to enhance a doodle
- Identify the main concepts of mindful doodling and how this may be of use in day-to-day life
- Improve confidence in the use of pen and pencil to create something to be proud of
- Doodle a scene inspired by the natural world
How will I be taught?
- The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning
- You may be asked to undertake additional work in your own time to support your learning
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- Your tutor will provide written, text and audio feedback recorded in WEA Canvas, WEA’s digital learning platform.
- A range of informal activities will be used by the tutor to see what you are learning which may include quizzes, question and answer, small projects and discussion
- You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor
- You will be encouraged to share your work with the group and discuss your learning
- You will be encouraged to consider other students work and give your opinions and suggestions
- There will be a number of tasks appropriate to your course such as written work, creating art or craft, video, photography or small projects. Some of these may be marked to help you progress
What else do I need to know?
- What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- You will also need access to the internet outside of your sessions. You could do this using a smart phone, tablet, laptop or a desktop computer (at home or through a library etc.).
- You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- Some basic drawing materials are essential. A full list will be provided on Canvas before your class starts. Pens - fine line black 0.2, 0.3, 0.5 ideal (biro can be used) Pencil - Soft pencils best - but HB fine Rubber, Paper Extra. Coloured pencils, fine colour pens, paints (not essential)
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- No pre reading or pre course work is required
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Become involved with the WEA in a range of voluntary work and other activities including campaigning as a WEA member
- Access the WEA What Next? booklet here http://www.wea.org.uk/learn-wea/what-can-i-do-next
Download full course information sheet
