Meditation for Artists - The Automatic Drawing Technique

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"Just do it, it doesn't have to be anything, just move the pen and let it free, don't get pressured, it's very relaxing, stay relaxed, it's alright" Me: (Never been so pressured to stay relaxed)

After learning stuff about art technically, especially in art school, you kind of become stiff, you stick to certain rules and principles... you always think about the subject, content and form but when you do this, you just let it flow. As a student artist, this is actually very healing.

“When your mind is relaxed, it’s the most creative.” -Moebius This is so important, I find this so helpful and it’s wonderful to watch. It doesn’t have to make sense, you can see something there, but it doesn’t need to be anything. You know? It needs to free you, more than anything. Thank you.

My automatic drawing consists of making little circles, his is amazing.

I just filled a 104-page sketchbook with automatic drawings and illustrations from my dreams. I've been doing this every morning for the past few months, and I'm in love! My next challenge is to fill a 200-page sketchbook, then do this for a year! I'm so excited to see how this technique will grow and enhance my art and the other areas of my life. Thank you so much for sharing this!

My curves became flowers, with petals that became wings, and the wings led to angels.

His strokes are out of this world, insanely firm and straight forward.a guy who has been drawing and painting for probably 55 years.

I have this weird impression that for anyone who wants to become an artist, this is the most important video in the world.

"When your mind is relaxed, its the most creative."

I'm actually relieved that he said that it will be hard at first. It really took the pressure out of the first few drawings

This is how I started discovering the art in myself when I was a teenager, and I think it saved my life. I had studied and practiced drawing from an early age - I was a shy and withdrawn child. I never realized until now that this is a "thing" - so suddenly, after all these decades, I feel like I exist in something that's shared. I think this "automatic" drawing is an expression of one's true identity, when it comes after maybe learning at least some basic portrayal skills. That is, I think you can tell that when this gentleman does his automatic drawing, he's been practicing controlled methods as well, and for a long time. So - it's all good, for EVERYONE to do. But the more you do on BOTH sides of the coin (controlled, and automatic, both) the further you're going to go in turning your art into YOUR SELF expression. (hope that makes sense) Thanks for this video - so much!

"oh yeah the korean guy" lol

I just started doodling for the first time in months. I am speechless. I have been way too stressed out to draw lately cause I have been so focused on perfection, so trying to draw has been overwhelming. But here I am, doodling weird tree snails, and I am surprised to be happy while doing it. I just wanted to say thanks! This may have helped fix my art block. I am very grateful for the help and encouragement I didn't realize I needed until now!

I’m a musician and I liken this to free jazz! No rules, yet incredibly expressive and meditative! Love it

"when your mind is relaxed, it's the most creative"' I love that quote

Musicians do the same thing, we “riff” nonsense and things just come out. Great info!

I just started drinking again this evening cuz everyday I am so sick and tired of TRYING to force myself to find “joy or a reason” to draw… then I saw this vid in my feed…… omg … this is amazing… started doing this exercise before the vid was even over … this may even help end my frustration and depression… Ty very much for this vid!

I used to do this in art class in high school, and my art teacher would have me do this in art club on her chalk boards (the entire surface) with coloured chalk. I always just said I was making lines that felt right, and she was riveted by the work... interesting to see a video glorifying it like this, and I think it's time I start doing this again

Okay, honest to goodness, I have entire sketch books filled with this free style sketching that I've never shown anyone. I thought it was odd and didn't count as 'real' art because I would draw completely useless fractal pages full of this kind of sketching exercises I'd do warming up for class or teaching....good to know I'm not the only one!