The Making Hour .2

Another week and another hour carved out to do something creative. This time the little boss helped out too.

Originally, we were going to make a dinosaur from socks following kit instructions we were given, that was a bad idea haha. Sewing needle and a two and a half-year-old is just stress. So we canned that, chucked on some wellies and headed to the woods.

Ah, that was better! It was spitting rain and windy but once we were in the trees it was lovely. We collected pine cones and leaves from the ground and hid in dens left by others.

The bit I really enjoyed was the tree rubbings. There were so many different types of trees within such a short distance of each other. Their barks all twisting and turning in different directions. Some were like rocks on cliff faces and the others looked like running water.

We took them home popped the kettle on and continued to draw. I won’t lie by this point Fin had lost interest, mean how can I compete for a toddler’s attention when there’s a train set.

I kept it simple with just basic drawing materials; graphite stick, compressed charcoal and black acrylic paint. Playing about with such restricted colour and media let me just focus on the marks I saw. Mark making really is one of the quickest and easiest ways for me to unwind. Especially with no pressure to create a thing, just drawing to describe on paper what I’m seeing, what patterns, textures and line I’m focusing on. I kind of get lost in it, like a little trance or meditation. And just like that the morning of grumpy faces fades away and contentment returns.

Mark making is for everyone, every age and ability. I feel that sometimes we get put off drawing incase we get judged but mark making is drawings no pressure pal. Grab something that leaves a trace (pencil, pen, used match stick or whatever!) and give it a go. You might just end up in your own wee trance.

Don’t be put off by the turning weather, wrap up and pop out. It’s worth it. Plus, it makes the cup of tea and biscuit, you have when you get home, taste even better.

- Mhairi