Although I’m still learning the basics of doodling, one thing I’ve started to do in the last couple of weeks is be more intentional about collecting patterns and borders to use as inspiration and to develop my own style (rather than just copying others).
As I was working on these pages in my sketchbook, I thought they would make fun printables as well.
Whether you’re an experienced doodler or wondering whether this is a hobby you would enjoy, use these pages to begin practicing and collecting patterns. They’re great for kids too, but they’re not intended just for kids. Remember, practice—not perfection—is the goal!
To find inspiration for my designs, I started with my collection of doodling books, but now I’m finding inspiration everywhere I look…
Table of Contents
Inside a box of Yogi tea:
Or the box with my Stitch Fix order:
In other people’s art:
source: The Burlap Bag
This image was shared without a source on Facebook; please let me know if you know who created it!
On my daughter’s shirt:
Or my own:
I once read (maybe in Shauna Niequist’s Bread and Wine?) that the best way to make a recipe your own is to follow a three step process:
- Make the recipe exactly as written.
- Make it again, tweaking it for your own tastes and preferences.
- Make it again without following the recipe.
I love the wisdom in this, and I think a similar process can be used for doodling:
- Copy someone else’s doodle or pattern.
- Do it again, but this time add your own flare to the design.
- Draw it a third time without looking at the original at all.
I keep saying this because I think it’s so important: six months ago I would have said I couldn’t draw a stick figure, and I’m pretty proud of how far my doodles have come in that time. The key? I just had to start.
Click the links below to download or print the doodle prompts:
I’d love to see your doodles as well. Come back and upload a picture here in the comments or tag me (@mandiehman) on Instagram!
