Drawing from wine stain
If you're not a wine drinker, feel free to go back to your business. Because this little article is for those who love wine. And also for those who want to spend their leisure time creatively.
The title of the note speaks for itself. I think you are familiar with a drawing technique called drawing from a stain. And you also remember this old children's game — smearing paint blots on a sheet of paper, folding it in half, and then getting lost in deciphering these Rorschach-like stains.
The function of rapid image recognition is one of the most crucial for our thinking. This is how a person saves a lot of time by freeing themselves from the need to answer the question every time: “What is in front of me?”. Since childhood, people have loved looking at clouds and saying what they look like. For children, this is a kind of skill trainer. Therefore, when we grow up, these activities are associated with carefree, fun, and engaging leisure time.
The Recipe is Extremely Simple
When we go to watch the sunset on the beach with wine, we also go there for carefree enjoyment and disconnection from problems. And it seems to suggest itself — to combine these two activities. The main thing is to prepare a sheet of paper (anything will do — a paper bag, a napkin, a receipt), and at least a pen or pencil. And wine 🍷
We drip the remaining wine from an empty glass onto the sheet and smear it as we like. You can pour back and forth, tilting and turning the sheet, swirl the glass over the stain, rub with your fingers.
The next task is to try to see an image and draw what you see. This is one of the coolest exercises for creativity. Don't rush, try to forget what came to mind first, look for more. Flip the sheet over. According to our unwritten rules, the image completely inscribed in the stain and occupying exactly its area is the height of mastery.
But if the scene seen is original, even if it sometimes goes beyond the stain or uses it as a component of a larger image, that's also counted. Originality is a valid reason.
After this pastime has become part of our routine, we have started organizing such interactions in companies. The result is usually delightful: everyone can show their creativity and feel like an artist, even if no one has drawn before. Plus, it's a fun activity that easily fosters an engaged and friendly atmosphere.
While we are writing this article, summer is outside the window. And the St. Petersburg summer for those who remain in the city or come to visit is just the occasion to watch the sunset on the bay with a glass of wine, sit on an outdoor terrace of a cozy bar in the evening with friends, walk along the embankments and meditate on the Neva River. And now you know how you can decorate your leisure time and make it not only pleasant but also creative.