This exercise came to me while I was sitting in my living room, watching birds flit by the window. It’s a simple yet meditative way to connect with nature and translate movement into marks on paper. Here’s how you can try it yourself:
Gather Materials:
- An artist’s journal, unlined notebook, or piece of paper
- A sharpened pencil
- A timer
This exercise needs to be done during the daylight hours when you can see the birds.
Today’s Exercise
- Sit comfortably in front of a window. For this exercise, I sat cross-legged on the floor looking up at my living room window.
- Set the timer on your phone for 5 minutes
- Make a mark on the page for every bird that flies across your field of vision.
Reflections on the Exercise
- There were times of quiet when no birds were flying past the window and I found this to be very calming and relaxing
- The marks reflect a variety of movements: swoops, flapping wings in flight, landings, hops, and glides
- Sometimes the birds would come in and out of my vision so some of the marks begin or end partway through the frame
I enjoyed doing this and like you found the gaps between birds quite soothing. Didn’t seem to be many birds about so I included people walking by too.
I used a few different colours of drawing pencils on black paper and the introduced some heavier pastel lines – and I liked the flight of the lines and the mix of colours and textures. Tried framing a few sections and liked that. Lots of fun here and potential.
I enjoyed this as well! what a great idea! very ‘soothing’ and mindful!!