Let’s get in closer

Let’s get in closer

Hi there

Thanks for popping in! Blogging on my phone is quite a challenge ! But if I can navigate 3 cameras when streaming Facebook Live every day, whilst doodling intricate hot air balloons – then blogging from a piddly little I-phone must be a cinch!

It never ceases to amaze me how much more there is to learn! In all my 61 years, I haven’t even started to scratch the surface!

This morning We tackled a new doodle: a hot air balloon. Started out with a big heart – and went from there. That’s how it works in my head; break down the object into easy shapes, then rebuild it. If I look at a house, I can see the house as is, or I can see the shapes that go together to make the house. The latter is the only way I could possible attempt to draw the house. Or anything else for that matter!
With the balloon, what I saw was a heart. So I drew the heart, then padded out the top – and hey presto ! Then it was just a question of pattern and decoration.

Here’s the sketching sequence from this morning. Or you can watch it develop on YouTube – whichever works best for you.
draw a heart first. Sorry. Forgot that picture!

Tomorrow we’ll finish the patterning, add the shading and learn the weaving doodle on the gondola. That should focus the mind!

I have to admit, these daily doodle sessions have fast become a vital part of my new routine, of my own coping mechanism. It is improving my drawing no end too!

Stay safe, keep calm and carry on crafting!

love and hugs

Barb xxx

27 thoughts on “Let’s get in closer

  1. I love doing the doodles Barbara. I’ve been telling my son and his partner about it and now they want the links. When all this is over we can then all share what we’ve been doing. Mind you, he is ace at drawing, but to join in with everyone and to encourage Jo to doodle too – can only be a good thing. Connecting.

    It has been such a good thing you started, bless you for it x

  2. Loved the balloon today thank you Barbara, it really does help to focus on something different to the horror going on in the world and if along the way we learn new techniques and create something beautiful then that’s all the better. Looking forward to the shading tomorrow. Enjoy your evening x

  3. Loving the daily doodles , although do catch up later in the day as still working , looking forward to the colouring , thanks for keeping us sane during this crisis .keep safe and well x

  4. Great doodle session even if I did make a real pig’s ear of it. Still trying hours on! I have begun a journal with the doodles and made positive notes. Thank you. It certainly helps a great deal.

  5. I just wanted to say a huge thank you Barbara, I am struggling at the moment as this time last year my husband of 52 years was taken poorly after being fit and healthy. Within 8 weeks he had died of heart failure and kidney problems. So at the moment I am reliving everything, as much as I try not too. Your daily sessions are a real help to me, I soon lose myself into doing the doodle of the day. Can you imagine what a good therapy doodling would be for people who struggled with anxiety. I look forward to whatever you have in store for us over the next few weeks. Stay safe love Pat xx

      1. Hello Patricia, You don’t know me, but I was very moved by all you have been through, and so suddenly. I send a virtual hug. Sue

  6. Loving the daily doodles, Barbara! Something to get up for each morning, and so enjoyable. Thank you so much for all the time and talent you are putting into this, it’s very much appreciated! xx

  7. I’m going to give this another go tonight. It is about all I have the energy to do after planting onions and beetroot. Had to prepare the ground first! However, that is another job done and it was a beautiful day to be in the garden. Not hot but warm enough to have bare arms when working! We are made of tough stuff up here!! Lol. Anyway, I’m going to see if I can improve on a pumpkin before tomorrow! Lol. Take care. Stay safe and creative. Hxx

  8. I’m loving these daily doodles even if I am rubbish – my first balloon looked more like a cow pat! but I kept going and had another go and hey presto something resembling a balloon (well it’s round anyway) can’t wait for tomorrow to finish it off. Thank you so much for taking the time an effort to bring us all together.

  9. Hi Barbara, I do love the doodles too. I have just ended no 4. This and last week I am on “holiday” at home and then I will be send home from work untill the start of June.I will be home on full wages. So I am very much looking forward to having a lesson to join every day. Thank you so much

  10. Just about to try this doodle. I told my friend about these sessions this morning, we have been pals since we were both 11 years old. She was always brilliant in our art lessons at school really put me to shame. My grandaughter is going to have a go as well once she has got her art coursework finished. Word spreads. xx

  11. Whew, today’s doodle was a toughie for me. I started to get very frustrated, which is exactly the opposite of the aim of these sessions, so I left it for a while. It is my granddaughter ‘s 13th birthday today and as she and her mum live with us, it gave us something special to focus on.Her amazing friends arranged a Zoom virtual party, sent wonderful videos and messages and I made cake, with a promise to send them all some when they can get together in person. I am so happy that she really enjoyed her day.
    Anyway, I then went back and watched your session again and this time, with my head in a better place, I made a half decent job of it. I can’t wait for tomorrow, to add the shading and finish the art work. Thanks Barbara, for helping to make this a happy day. Hugs. Annette X

  12. Just a bit of doodling to finish, realised the bottom of my balloons are a bit wide so have added an extension & an extra line of doodling otherwise my basket would be so big it wouldn’t get off the ground !!
    See you at 10 am tomorrow.

  13. Improving my drawing too. I was never very good but since doodling with you there has been progress. Also done some more cards with Zentangle patterns. We think you’ve kick started something in this ere locked down habitat.
    Love the look of this balloon but it will have to wait – the missing bits for my craft furniture are turning up tomorrow so we will be busy re-organising. Yippee!!
    We are actually finding that this lockdown is not too bad for us. It has given us the freedom to do as we please, getting up late, pottering instead of rushing around, and so on.
    Keep smiling 😊
    🍒🍒🍒

  14. After initially not being impressed with my “scallop” balloons, I am now reasonably happy with them after stepping away from them for a few hours. I have spent a lot of today sewing, so it’s been very creative. Hubbie did the shopping and has cut the grass, so a very productive day for both of us.

  15. Having studied the step by step, I think i’ll have another go tomorrow, only starting from the middle, ‘skinny’ heart and work outwards after dotting in the shape I want. Mine looks as if a cow (the one that jumped over the moon) landed on it!! One very strange result of the doodling is that my handwriting has vastly improved (I write in my diary every night -have done for 50+ years) and I take it more slowly so now I can actually read it, which is much harder when I look back to this time last year! I need to study it through a magnifying glass to make it out, but now I can read it easily.

  16. Evening Barbara.
    Loved the balloon today! I really look forward to seeing what you have planned for us. I hope I can get it to look as good as yours.
    Hope your evening has been pleasant.
    Love and hugs xxx

  17. Hi Barbara
    Addicted to your doodling class, I really struggled with the heart today?!! Been working on it and have just redone it and completed the smaller one too. Ready for the next stage in the morning. Thank you so much for this little time too forget what is going outside and therapy at the same time. Xx

  18. Hi Barb,
    Really enjoyed watching the doodle video this morning – I was a bit daunted when I first saw the picture! Haven’t had a chance to do the doodling yet . I was watching you while I was ironing! Gone back to the beginning and am now onto episode 3, so got lots of catching up to do. I think it’s brilliant that you are giving up your time for us. It’s been blooming freezing up here today which came as a shock after yesterday, and the temp is due to get below freezing tonight! Stay safe and well, love Alison xxx

  19. Hi Barbara
    Had a go at the doodle today for the first time as decided to have rest today when I showed my Mum who is now living with us since our move to Somerset she said it looked like a balloon which was impressive as her eyesight is fading so I’m pleased she got the gist of what it was. We have been attempting to put up a garden office since lockdown as no one was available to erect it. Never let anyone know tell you your too old to do anything if two 60 year old ladies can erect a 14 ft by 11ft cabin then there is hope for everyone mind you the bruises are a lovely shade of yellow. The pottery cabin will soon be ready for use just the garden to go. Well done for all your effort and patience in doing the doodle sessions it has brought peace and happiness to us all. Thank you xx

  20. Hello Barb, I managed to watch most of the Balloon doodling and tried a bit myself whilst working. Brilliant it was. So many great comments. And dare I say it Art from the Heart. Look forward to my catch ups. Take care and stay safe all. Bx

  21. Thank you so much Barbara for the daily ‘lessons’. I was made redundant after 32 yrs, just before the lockdown. I loved the job so much & having a hard time coming to terms with the situation & now with this on top, too much spare time to think about it! So you’re doodling & laughter has really helped. Not that good at drawing but perciervering! Surprised myself with some of pictures. Look forward to seeing you’re friendly face each day. Mary

  22. I’ve been crocheting a rainbow and making pompoms today (don’t ask) so no doodling for me. Maybe tomorrow … Loving seeing all the balloons though. It’s like a balloon fiesta!

  23. Good evening Barbara
    Well today’s little doodle was a bit of a stretch for me
    I will go back to it tomorrow and see if I can rescue my attempt at your wonderful balloon 🎈
    I hope you are now settled down with your lovely Dave and just chilling
    Take care and stay safe. 🤗

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