Draw Basic Shapes – The First Step to Mastering Doodling

 Welcome to the first blog in our I Love Doodling series, where we explore drawing lessons from the book I Love Doodling by Diane Bleck. At the Doodle Institute, we believe anyone can learn to doodle, and it all starts with simple shapes. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting, mastering basic shapes is essential. These foundational forms not only improve your drawing skills but also unlock creativity as you learn to combine shapes to create more complex designs.

Why Start with Basic Shapes?

Doodling may seem spontaneous, but it’s rooted in a strong foundation of basic shapes like circles, squares, and triangles. Drawing these simple shapes builds muscle memory, enhances hand-eye coordination, and helps you gain confidence. This is why the first thing I always teach is drawing basic shapes – it’s the cornerstone of any doodling adventure!

Basic shapes are more versatile than you might think. Once you master a circle, square, and triangle, you’ll find endless ways to turn them into more complex forms. Start with these three and experiment with adding new ones, like diamonds, hearts, teardrops, clouds, trapezoids, and rectangles. Each shape can be the beginning of something unique.

Exploring Different Shapes in Doodling

In doodling, each shape brings its own personality and possibilities. Let’s take a closer look at how you can use a variety of shapes:

• Circles: Great for faces, flowers, bubbles, and more.
• Squares and Rectangles: Perfect for framing ideas or creating blocky characters.
• Triangles: Versatile for trees, arrows, and decorative patterns.
• Diamonds, Hearts, and Teardrops: Add flair and dimension to your doodles.
• Clouds: Bring whimsy and movement, ideal for backgrounds or accenting designs.

Can You Fill a Journal Page with Basic Shapes?

Here’s a fun challenge: fill an entire journal page with basic shapes! Start with a circle, then add a square, triangle, and see where your imagination takes you. Play with size, layering, and color to add variety. Think of this as a warm-up exercise to loosen up and enjoy the process.

Start Your Doodling Journey

Basic shapes are just the beginning, but they lay the groundwork for limitless creative possibilities. In future blog posts, we’ll explore how to turn these shapes into characters, patterns, and full illustrations. But for now, grab your favorite pen or marker, open your journal, and start filling it with shapes. The simplicity of each shape will open the door to a world of doodling fun!

Stay tuned for more from our I Love Doodling series, and don’t forget to share your shape-filled pages with us at the Doodle Institute. Happy doodling!