Art Prompts

Divide your page in half. On one side, doodle everything you strive to be — the perfect, put-together you. On the other side, let loose and doodle your deepest desires, even the ones you wouldn't normally admit.

Draw a series of bubbles, each containing a situation or person that triggers a strong negative emotion in you. Decorate the bubbles with symbols or colours that represent the emotions.

Imagine yourself looking into a mirror. On the reflection side, portray your shadow self as a monster or creature. What features does it have? What emotions does it project?

Give your inner critic a voice. Doodle a personification of your inner critic, complete with what they want to say to you and how they make you feel.

Imagine a forbidden fruit tree. On it, draw different types of fruit, each representing a hidden vice or something you secretly crave but hold back from.

Doodle a series of masks, each representing a different persona you put on in various situations. What hides beneath them?

Let loose! Doodling can be cathartic. Imagine a room where you can express your anger freely. Draw what you'd smash, tear down, or yell at in this space.

Think of someone you envy. Doodle a picture of them surrounded by the things you envy. Then, next to it, doodle a picture of yourself with your own unique strengths and blessings.

Imagine yourself carrying a heavy backpack. What's inside it? Are there negative thoughts, past hurts, or unaddressed issues?

Imagine transforming your shadow self into something positive. What does it become? How does this change make you feel?

Imagine yourself stepping into a dreamscape that reflects your shadow self. Draw the landscape, creatures, and symbols you encounter.

Create a spotlight that shines down. In the centre, doodle something you feel intense shame about, even if it's irrational. Around the edges, doodle ways to challenge or overcome that shame.

Draw yourself as a marionette puppet. Who or what controls your strings? Are there strings you'd like to cut or take control of?

Draw an iceberg, with the tip representing the part of yourself you readily show. What lies hidden beneath the surface, unseen by others?

Divide your page into sections and assign each a colour that represents a strong shadow emotion (jealousy, anger, or greed). Doodle freely within each section to express that emotion.

Imagine an animal that embodies a hidden aspect of your shadow self. Draw this animal and its environment, taking into account both its strengths and potential dangers.

Imagine a beautiful garden with a high wall surrounding it. What precious things do you keep hidden inside? Are there weeds or neglected areas in the garden?

Draw yourself sitting across from a shadowy figure, representing your shadow self. Imagine you're having a conversation. What are you trying to negotiate?

Draw a shattered mirror that reflects your image. Each shard shows a distorted version of yourself. What are the revealed insecurities or negative self-beliefs?

Draw a shadowy landscape. Somewhere within this darkness, show a tiny flicker of light. What does this light represent? How can you cultivate it further?