001.30 ZEN OF SEEING
This activity helps us be aware while drawing. It also asks us to let go of any attachment we have to how the drawing turns out
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Source: This activity is from Frederick Franck’s Zen of Seeing.
DRAW
ZEN OF SEEING
Preparation
This is a solo activity.
You will need at least 10 minutes.
Grab a piece of paper and a pen or pencil.
Instructions
Look around, let your eyes land someplace.
Close your eyes for a minute or two. Settle.
Open your eyes, and place your pen on the page.
Without looking down, draw what you see.
Tips
This activity works best with living things.
Decide to throw away the drawing afterward so that you let go of what it looks like and just look.
Redraw specific parts repeatedly without starting a new drawing or a new sheet of paper.
Consider
What did you notice about what you drew?
Which parts did you linger on, and which parts did you draw quickly? Did you avoid any details?
What was it like not to look down?
What did it feel like to finally see what you drew?
Did you draw anything you didn't realize you saw?
Do you experience a difference between drawing living things vs. inanimate things?
