FAQs

Q. I’m not creative, can I still do this?

Yes you absolutely can. No skill or prior experience is needed. But we do also encourage you to challenge the idea that you’re not creative. We believe everyone is inherently creative, but many have just had their creative sparks squashed by school or the pressures of adult life. Hopefully we can help you let go some of those preconceptions.

Q. I don’t have any specialist materials or equipment.

You don’t need any. All you require is blank paper and a drawing implement.

Scrap paper, note paper or recycled sheets from your office printer will do. Ink pens work best as the ink flows nicely, but you can use anything you have to hand - biros, pencils or old felt tips. Do prioritise something that feels nice to use, if you can. This should be a pleasurable tactile experience, so we don’t want a scratchy or squeaky pen that sets your teeth on edge!

Lastly, if you find big blank pages scary (and who doesn’t?) you can use post-it notes, or the back of an envelope. We’re not going to exhibit our work, this is purely for fun, so use anything to take the pressure off!

Q. I really struggle with perfectionism. Can I do this?

Of course. One of the purposes of this technique is to gently challenge your perfectionist tendencies and allow you the space to make ‘mistakes’. The outcome is not important here - we aren’t creating masterpieces for Tate Modern, we are simply playing with lines and shapes, and seeing where they take us.

Q. I don’t have time to sit and draw; I’m simply too busy.

Finding time to be creative can certainly feel like one more chore to add to our never-ending to-do lists. And doing chores is never enticing. But ask yourself honestly - how much time do you actually spend mindlessly scrolling through social media? Doom-scrolling does serve a purpose - it helps us switch off from everyday life when things feel overwhelming. But it can also detach us too much. At best it numbs us to our emotions, at worst, it fills us with anxiety and the dreaded comparison-itis.

Next time you reach for your phone out of habit, try picking up a pen and giving this a go instead. Limit yourself to five minutes, or even three, and see what happens.

Time away from screens is alway beneficial, as it the chance to do something tactile to bring our attention back to our bodies and ground us in the present moment instead of ruminating on the past or future.

You might be pleasantly surprised what that five minutes will give you.

Q. What will I get out of this?

Firstly, we need to release the idea that productivity is the be all and end all. It’s ok to just exist without an aim or a goal in mind.

But beyond that, you will enjoy a precious chance to hit pause. To breathe. To not overthink. To master a new skill, however basic. To make something simple and pretty, however imperfect.

And most importantly, you will gain a new tool in your toolbox to draw upon (pun intended) whenever life gets hectic and loud.