The blank canvas

Episode #6 of the course The random word doodle: boost your creativity and exercise your mind by Rich Armstrong

That dreaded scenario—being given a blank canvas. Blue sky. So many options. Freeze. What to do?

Just start. Doodle. You can always start again. Start creating. Just go! And then do it again, or edit. You’ll know what you’ve done right and what you’ve done wrong. You’ll know what you still need to do. I mean, this is the 4th time I’m writing this very paragraph—but it was quicker writing it 4 times than waiting for the perfect paragraph to materialize in my head!

And what doodling random words does, especially under time pressure, is get you started! It gets you going, and it’s much easier to change direction when you’re moving. As soon as you put pen to paper, it’s no longer a blank canvas; even just drawing a circle, a squiggle, or a few lines will help you get going. As humans, we’re great at editing, filling in blanks, and doing the best with what we’ve got. Everyone has an opinion on something that’s made, but so few have the guts to put something out there. So put pen to paper and get something to work with. And if you want, doodle more than 1 word, or doodle the same word more than once.

Doodling quickly and without much thought will make you way more spontaneous and more likely to take risks—risks with your work, your life, and even your cooking. Because you realize that you can change it at any time. The worst is stewing over a decision without knowing what it actually looks like. Try it. Start. Begin. Get going. And now, get going with these words:

1. Inheritrix
2. Fautor
3. Facsimile
4. Izanagi
5. Edwardian
6. Urceolate
7. Begum
8. Swink
9. Gastrointestinal
10. Cambial

So try this today: Just start with a line, a circle, a square, or some squiggles. I normally like making characters out of everything, so sometimes I start with eyes and a mouth. And if you finish quickly today, keep on doodling. Make use of all the time you have.

Marvellous! Well done on conquering the blank canvas. Now share your creation, and conquer your day!

Recommended book

“Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” by Betty Edwards

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