Creative prompt: How to make a drawing from abstract shapes

Box of Chance

This practice is inspired by the exhibition Brent Harris: Surrender & Catch, curated by Maria Zagala and co-presented with the Art Gallery of South Australia. Explore the unexpected in this automatic drawing exercise which is designed to unlock the unconscious and encourage imaginative mark-making in a free and expressive manner. It is suitable for first time drawers or artists wishing to explore the unexpected within their own practice.

You will need: 

• A pencil and paper
• A shoebox
• Various items that you find around the house or cut out from paper or cardboard
• Coloured pencils or markers

Step 1:

Put your cut up shapes into the shoebox. Look inside the box and observe the shapes within.

Step 2:

Gently shake the box to rearrange the items inside.  

Step 3:

Draw the shapes in the box just as you see them.

Step 4:

Once you have drawn the shapes, stop and look at your drawing. What a random composition you have! Can you use your imagination to turn this composition into a colourful work of art? Use line, pattern, colour, texture and tone to bring your work to life. It can be anything you like; realistic, abstract, surreal, or mysterious! 

We’d love to see what you’ve created!  Once you’ve finished you can send a photo of your creative responses and send it to museum@twma.com.au  or @TarraWarraMA #TarraWarraMA