Background information
I did it! Drawing for relaxation
by Anna Sandner
Drawing for relaxation – I have a new favourite book
26/2/2026
Translation: Eva Francis
Pictures: Anna Sandner
Drawing until I get into a state of flow, my mind switches off and I relax while I let my creativity run free... A wonderful feeling! Calm Your Mind is a workbook that’s full of inspiring drawing exercises and patterns to colour in, making it really easy to dive into a world of shapes and colours.
Almost two years ago, my series of I did it! articles took me on one of my favourite week-long experiments. While searching for ways to relax and support my mental health, I came across a book about Slow Drawing and tried out drawing to relax. And I fell in love with it.
I’m such a fan of slow drawing that I’m still doodling along quite merrily today, sometimes alongside other activities, sometimes as a deliberate timeout. I let my mind wander while creating fascinating patterns on paper.
Keen to find new ideas, I came across the workbook Calm your Mind – Find your Flow. On almost 140 pages, it offers an impressive wealth of new shapes, patterns and techniques to try out.
Find your flow: creativity and mindfulness
The workbook takes you step by step into the world of relaxation drawing. It starts with a short introduction, information about the material and how to create the best atmosphere to calm your mind while drawing. I work with an ordinary drawing pad, an ink pen and the alcohol markers by Ohuhu. Smooth paper that’s designed for alcohol markers would be even better.
The intro’s followed by ten simple drawing exercises to get you started. This chapter alone already helped me expand my skills and range.
The following 20-page chapter includes instructions and suggestions for drawing flowers, wood grains, trees and leaves. I usually sit hesitantly in front of such pretty drawings and doubt that I’ll ever manage to create anything that looks like that. However, the next moment I’m already immersed in the calming shapes and soon after, I’m surprised to see I’ve created another beautiful picture – all while being switched off and lost in thought.
Mandalas and Zentangles
As a child, I’d often keep a secret mandala under my exercise book at school. While my teacher was talking about Latin vocab or chemistry formulas, I’d be colouring in. Perhaps I already knew back then that slow drawing activated my brain and helped me memorise things.
To my great delight, this workbook shows you how to create your own mandalas – once again with short and clear instructions. It also contains an overview of typical shapes that make mandalas when lined up correctly. When I finish reading, my hand glides over the paper and I dive into creating art.
Later in the book, the author talks about the Zentangle method, a technique based on structured patterns on small squares of thick, rough paper called tiles. Several of these patterns are introduced with step-by-step instructions and ideas on how to combine them.
No worrying about the result
The special thing about this type of drawing is that you don’t need to worry about what it will look like when you’re finished. And you don’t need to have your mind set on anything before you start. You just begin with a line and dive into the process, forgetting everything around you. When I resurface, I’m always in for a surprise: what did I create this time? Even though I’m not consciously controlling the result, I somehow still end up with a coherent picture every time.
A splash of colour
There’s an entire chapter about colouring in. Colourful patterns and shapes are even more eye-catching than black-and-white ones. When I bought the book, I couldn’t wait to get started with something colourful – and ended up creating some vivid drawings to be proud of.
I’ve realised that I usually prefer drawing with a single black pencil rather than using the entire colour palette. Why? Because it’s more minimalistic. I don’t need to make any choices. I just grab a pencil and some paper and off I go. When colouring, I have to think about which colours to use, how many different ones to choose and whether to go for complementary colours or colour gradients. That process is fun, too, but I’d rather switch off my brain. That said, when it comes to the result, I usually prefer colourful drawings.
In a nutshell
Creative calmness on paper
On almost 140 pages, the book Calm your Mind – Find your Flow gave me exactly what I was looking for: an abundance of new shapes, patterns and techniques that eased me into drawing and switching off. The step-by-step instructions are so easy to follow that my creativeness flowed in no time, even when drawing flowers, mandalas or Zentangles – all without having to worry about the result. Overall, the book provides a structured, inspiring toolbox of exercises, motif ideas and techniques for mindful creations in black and white or in colour, from the first lines to more complex patterns.
Pro
- Suitable for beginners
- Helpful instructions that quickly lead to decent results
- Effective to slow down and relax
- Many inspiring patterns, shapes and techniques
Anna Sandner
Senior Editor
Anna.Sandner@galaxus.deScience editor and biologist. I love animals and am fascinated by plants, their abilities and everything you can do with them. That's why my favourite place is always the outdoors - somewhere in nature, preferably in my wild garden.
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