Criss-Cross Doodle

Written by Ellen Forney

This meditative drawing game is soothing, easy for any skill level, and satisfying, even just for relaxing and making something pretty. Studies show that drawing calms our brains in many ways*, so it’s scientific, too. Rest, flow, take your time, draw.

Criss-Cross Doodle: A sweet and simple solitaire drawing game, by Ellen Forney. 1. The basic idea: 1) Doodle a shape without lifting your pen from the paper. 2) Where the lines touch, they need to cross at a distinct angle. 3) Finish by closing the shape.2. Add color. The weave of the lines makes a tidy checkerboard pattern. Examples: one color, multiple colors, all filled in. An option: multiple overlapping shapes.
3. Or, just color. Download and print these if all you really want to do is color: three coloring pages.
4. A demo, including some variations:
5. You might also sweeten your other senses: listen to music or a podcast, use paper and markers that you like, concentrate on breathing deeply, maybe something yummy, smells nice. A calming playlist I made: Rock Steady: Set On Down.
6. A li'l criss-cross doodle gallery. A few of mine, for inspiration!
Four small criss-cross doodles in colored pencilFive criss-cross doodles in green, blue, yellow, red and brown colored pencilA sketchbook spread of small colorful criss-cross doodles connected by one long lineA two-page sketchbook spread: angular criss-cross doodles in green and blue, and curvy ones in red and pinkTwo flower and leaf photos, each paired with a criss-cross doodle in matching colors
Download Coloring Page: Large Shape
Download Coloring Page: Filled Page
Download Coloring Page: Small Shapes

*Malika Gharib, “Feeling Artsy? Here’s How Making Art Helps Your Brain,” NPR, January 11, 2020

Ellen Forney https://RockSteadyTherapy.com
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