Scribble Find

The What

Scribble Find is a great two-stage technique. First, you create random scribbles on a page. It can be one line or dozens, layered or sparse, however it feels right. Then, you let your eyes and mind wander across the chaos, searching for images, faces, animals, objects, or anything that emerges from the tangle of marks. Once you see something, you develop it: outline it, add color, flesh it out, turn the accidental into the intentional.

The technique works with literally any medium. I typically use bullet tip paint markers and tempera paint sticks, but pens are another great option. The results are always different…sometimes you find one clear image, sometimes a whole scene emerges, and sometimes nothing but simple shapes develop (which is fine too).

The Why
I love the randomness of the scribbles and the unconscious imagery that pops out when I let my mind wander. There's something magical about seeing a face or animal that wasn't consciously drawn. It feels like discovering a secret hidden in plain sight.

The technique is a brilliant way to break decision paralysis. Instead of staring at a blank page wondering what to draw, I start with chaos and let the image reveal itself. No planning, no pressure, no perfectionism, just curiosity and discovery.

The How

Materials:

• Literally anything! Pens, pencils, markers, paint sticks, crayons—whatever you have on hand
• Paper or any surface
• Optional: additional supplies for coloring/developing your finds

Step-by-Step:

1. Pick up your tool of choice. Any medium works, but I tend to use bullet tip paint markers and tempera paint sticks.
2. Just scribble. Close your eyes if it helps. Make random marks across the page like loops, zigzags, swirls, overlapping lines. Scribble as much or as little as feels good in the moment. One line or dozens…there's no right amount.
3. When done, step back and look. Sit with the scribbles for a moment. Let your eyes wander without forcing it. Don't try too hard, just relax and see what pops out at you.
4. Find your image. Faces? Animals? Objects? Abstract shapes? Whatever catches your attention. Sometimes you'll see something immediately; other times, nothing at first. Try rotating the page.
5. Then develop it. Take your desired supplies and start drawing, coloring, and fleshing out what you see. Outline the shape, add details, bring it to life. The images don't need to be related to each other and can be scattered randomly across the page.
6. Finish when it feels finished. There's no timeline. Some Scribble Finds resolve in minutes; others might evolve over days.

Tips & Tricks:

• Sometimes I decide on a color palette ahead of time, which this gives me a little structure without limiting the discovery process. It's a nice middle ground between total randomness and planning.
• I've noticed certain shapes tend to become specific things. For example, any time I make a loop in the scribble, I almost always turn it into an eye. Once you notice your own tendencies, you can play with them or subvert them.
• Rotate the page. The same scribble can reveal completely different images from different angles. Don't get stuck on one orientation.
• For added randomness (or a fun challenge), have someone else scribble however they want, then see what you find in their marks. You'll often see things they didn't intend, and vice versa.
• This is perfect for sketchbook warm-ups. Scribble Find is an excellent way to start a creative session. It gets your hand moving and your brain in a receptive, playful state.
• Don't force it. If you're not seeing anything, set it aside and come back later. Sometimes your eyes need fresh perspective.
• Scribble once, find something, then scribble again on top and find more. The layered effect can create fascinating depth and hidden details.

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