The Dao of Drawing

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Provide a quiet transition that resets group attention through non-competitive, non-representational drawing.

Use it when: Use when a group needs a calming break between high-energy discussions or after an intense working block.

Skip it when: Skip when the group is sluggish and requires physical movement to wake up, or when participants lack a flat surface to draw on.

Group arrangement: Individual drawing followed by optional whole-group viewing

Timing: 10 minutes as specified in UNICEF Adolescent Kit source.

Materials and tools

• 1 blank sheet of paper per person
• 1 pen or pencil per person
• 1 pre-drawn demonstration sheet with compliant lines on one side and touching/crossing lines on the reverse
• Optional music playback device with lyric-free instrumental audio

Before participants arrive

1. Prepare the demonstration sheet: draw non-touching, non-crossing wavy or straight lines on front, and intersecting lines on back.
2. Distribute one sheet of paper and one writing utensil to each seat.

Say this to open

In this activity, we are all going to draw, but our goal is not to depict an object or a scene. We are going to draw lines that do not represent anything. There are three simple rules: first, your lines must never touch or cross each other. Second, keep drawing continuously until time is up, moving as fast or slow as you like. Third, we draw in complete silence.

How to run it

1. Introduce the rules and show examples 2 minutes

   Deliver the opening script. Show the demonstration sheet: display the front side showing lines that do not touch or cross, then flip to the back side showing lines that cross or touch as an example of what to avoid. Emphasize that participants do not need to copy your shapes.

2. Draw continuously in silence 4 minutes

   Signal the start. If using instrumental music, start playback now. Draw alongside the participants on your own sheet. Ensure the room remains silent. Watch the clock and call stop when four minutes elapse.

3. Share volunteer drawings 2 minutes

   Invite 1 or 2 volunteers who wish to hold up their page. Remind everyone that sharing is optional. Ask the room: 'What does this pattern bring to mind?' Keep commentary descriptive and supportive.

4. Debrief the drawing experience 2 minutes

   Lead a brief whole-room reflection with the prompt: 'What was it like to draw without trying to create a specific picture?' Take two quick responses, then transition to the next agenda item.

Debrief questions

• What was it like to draw without trying to create a specific picture?
• How did the rule against crossing lines change where your pen went?

Finished output: Individual abstract line drawings; sharing or displaying work is voluntary.

Remote

Ask participants to bring a piece of plain paper and a pen. Hold your demonstration sheet up to the webcam. Run the silent drawing period while muted or playing background audio over computer sound. For sharing, invite volunteers to hold their drawings up to their cameras.

Hybrid

Both in-person and remote participants work on their own physical paper. Hold the demonstration sheet up to the room and webcam simultaneously. When sharing, alternate between an in-person volunteer showing their sheet to the room and a remote participant holding theirs to the webcam.

Access and participation choices

• Participants may choose any drawing implement, grip, or line style that fits their physical comfort.
• Displaying or explaining one's drawing is entirely optional; participants may simply set their paper face down when finished.

If the session gets stuck

A participant's lines accidentally touch or intersect.

Remind the room gently that perfection is not required; simply redirect the pen and continue without restarting.

Participants try to draw recognizable figures such as faces or trees.

Acknowledge the habit and invite them to let go of outlines, focusing instead on parallel, curved, or drifting lines that do not form objects.

Terms used here

• Non-representational: Visual work that does not attempt to look like a real-world object, figure, or scene.