A Two Step Process

In this chapter I introduce a two-step process that will help you unpack your own natural creativity. I call it doodling and noodling, but it would be more accurate to say “doodling and then noodling.” Think of the doodle as the first stage— the generating stage. To doodle is to get something on paper- no matter how rough, incomplete or simple.

The second stage, which I call “noodling,” is the transforming stage. It involves tinkering with your doodle. The term is an old illustrator’s expression, meaning something like, “employing patient technique.” If an illustrator was particularly good at precise and detailed work, he or she would be called, a “noodler,” as in; “He can noodle like a madman,” or; “Don’t noodle it to death.” Noodling includes such operations as shading, silhouetting, reversing, repeating, and many others. These operations refine, develop or radically change your original doodle.

Doodling:

Let’ say your original doodle is all straight lines and angular shapes like the example below. We’ll call it, “Maze”

Noodling:

Now for a little noodling. We give the shapes some thickness and then fill in all of the planes on one side to indicate shading. Also we add some little cast shadows. (see 3D thickness and shading steps at left). So we now have, "Maze in the Shade".

Note here that the 3D shading was an afterthought. It came after the original doodle was completed. I could just as easily have done something else to the original- like decorated it, or silhouetted it. What is key here, is recognizing the two-step process involved. You begin with “doodling” - making original marks, squiggles, icons or motifs. “Noodling” refers to the added algorithms, procedures, and general messing around that transforms your doodle into something new.