Emotional Drawing Technique: A Step-by-Step Guide

Select a piece of music that resonates with you emotionally. The song should feel significant in the moment—uplifting, calming, sad, energizing, etc. Use headphones or speakers to fully immerse yourself in the sound.

Step 2: Prepare to Draw. Sit with a blank sheet of paper and a pen or pencil. Relax your hand and let go of the need to "draw well." This is about self-expression, not just art.

Step 3: Draw to the Music. As the music plays, begin moving your hand in response to what you feel. Let the rhythm and emotion guide you to create continuous, flowing lines—similar to an ECG (heartbeat) pattern. Don't overthink it; just allow your subconscious emotions to flow through your hand. This process is a form of emotional drawing that can be deeply therapeutic.

Step 4: Observe the Drawing. When the song ends, pause and look at what you've drawn. Take a moment to reflect on what you see and how it might represent your inner emotional state.

Step 5: Identify Emotions

Using a list of emotion words or your intuition, name the feelings that surfaced during your emotional drawing. 

• Write these emotions near the drawing or in a journal entry. 

Step 6: Reflect (Optional)

Ask yourself reflective questions related to your music therapy experience: 

Why did this song move me? 

What patterns or spikes appeared in the lines? 

What do these emotions tell me about my current mental/emotional state? 

Be honest and open—there's no right or wrong answer. 

Step 6: Reflect (Optional)

Continue to ask yourself these reflective questions: 

Why did this song move me? 

What patterns or spikes appeared in the lines? 

What do these emotions tell me about my current mental/emotional state?

Practice this technique regularly to enhance your emotional drawing skills, foster creative flow, and deepen your self-awareness through self-expression. Over time, you may notice patterns or shifts in your emotional landscape, which can be further explored with music therapy.