Doodling is good for you. It’s a kind of mindfulness, I think, or meditation. And best done when you’re not thinking about the drawing. This woodgrain doodle is a good one to start with. It’s something you and a child can do together, even working on opposite sides of the same doodle.
Start with a ‘nearly straight’ line – maybe a child could draw this. Then it’s a matter of drawing a line as close as possible to that line, slightly exaggerating any bump or dip you come to. A woodgrain or hair effect soon emerges. You can add a blob if the dips get too dippy. If you want. Have fun.
Dr Toni Risson is a storyteller and a cultural historian who has penned everything from children’s picture books to a PhD on the Magic of Lollies. An expert on the Greek cafe phenomenon, Toni curated Meet Me at the Paragon for the State Library of Queensland, and her latest book, Brisbane’s Greek Cafes: A Million Malted Milks, was a finalist in the 2019 Queensland Literary Awards. Having encountered the elegant Paragon Cafe in Katoomba as a child, Toni developed a fascination with silky oak panelling, bevelled mirrors and Art Deco wall lights long before she understood the stories behind Australia's iconic Greek cafe. She continues to document our lost café culture.
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