Draw guided by the shadows.

A slide from my inspired art class on shadows and light.

The winter solstice is a wonderful time to pare down and create art with just light and shadow, black and white, yin and yang. 

During this short day and long night, why not be inspired and yet grounded? Find a quiet room, light a candle then draw guided by the shadows. 

I like to draw with my eyes either closed or in soft focus and to keep the tip of my pen constantly in contact with the page. Slowly, I let my hand glide into shapes, and feel into the images and emotions I experience. 

Below is a sample of what I mean:

After I spent about five minutes drawing very slowly, I opened my eyes and, still in a meditative state, drew an aura around the word "aura." I added other small elements to areas where I wanted more clarity. 

For this exercise, all you need is a pen and a sheet of paper. Dim the lights and touch the pen onto the page, but don't draw until you feel guided to. Give yourself the freedom to make random connections, or create surreal imagery.

You may speak about what you're experiencing and record it, or simply journal about it afterward. Speak or write as if you're describing a dream—as if anything is possible. 

You may be inspired to write a poem or draw a diagram or suddenly stop and not move your hand for minutes. Just give yourself time for this exercise as long as you're interested—then, when you lose interest, open your eyes and don't judge what you've drawn. 

Your drawing may not be an amazing work of art, but not everything we create is for hanging on the wall. 

Your drawing may be full of private symbols or simple shadowy marks and that's fine. Add to it as you like, but not with an idea to improve it. Just to feel more deeply into what you've drawn. 

View it as a testament to your ability to be guided, to sit quietly for a time with no other purpose but to see what happens at the moment you put pen to paper.