Participatory Methods

Representación abstracta de la metodología participativa Dibujo vivo colaborativo. Collage moderno con trazos a lápiz, círculos de personas dibujando juntas, siluetas en movimiento y hojas con marcas superpuestas, representando la creación colectiva desde múltiples miradas.

Collaborative Live Drawing

Collaborative Live Drawing is a creative dynamic where participants engage in a collective drawing session with a live model. The activity encourages observation, artistic collaboration, and spontaneity, as the drawings are intervened by several people over multiple rounds. It’s ideal for fostering group creativity, collective work, and breaking the ice in educational, cultural, or community settings.

Preparation

  1. Define the purpose:
    • Stimulate group creativity through drawing.
    • Practice observation and collective work.
    • Break the ice and build trust in new or diverse groups.
  2. Prepare the materials:
    • Large sheets (A3 or bigger) for each participant.
    • Pencils, markers, chalk, charcoal, brushes, or other drawing tools.
    • Chairs arranged in a circle or semicircle.
    • Space in the center for the model or object to observe.
    • Timer or clock to mark the time for each round.
  3. Set up the space:
    • Arrange the group in a circle, leaving the center free for a volunteer or object as the focal point.
    • Ensure everyone can see clearly and has a surface to draw on (tables, boards, or hard surfaces).
  4. To carry out the activity virtually:
    • Use collaborative drawing platforms where everyone can work on the same digital canvas or exchange files.
    • The model can be a shared photograph or a fixed camera showing someone posing live.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Introduction to the activity
    • Explain that the group will participate in a drawing session with rotating artworks.
    • Encourage participants to enjoy the process more than the final result.
  2. First drawing with a model
    • A volunteer from the group takes a position in the center.
    • Each person has 2 minutes to begin their drawing from their perspective.
  3. Rotation
    • After the set time, each person passes their sheet to the person on their right.
    • The new participant continues the drawing without erasing or modifying the previous work.
    • Repeat the process for several rounds (3 to 5 rounds per drawing).
  4. New models or objects
    • Change the live model or central object if desired, to bring new perspectives.
  5. Collective gallery
    • Display all the drawings on a wall or floor so everyone can see them.
    • Reflect on how the drawings evolved collectively.
Recommendations

Practical Recommendations

  • Prepare the materials in advance and have extras available.
  • Encourage respect for previous marks: do not erase or cross out what others have drawn.
  • Emphasize that the goal is to have fun, not to judge the artistic results.
  • Choose a comfortable and well-lit space.
  • Include a group closing where participants can share emotions or surprises from the process.
Inspiration

Inspiration

Ideas for thematic and stylistic variations:

  • Draw objects with emotional value (family photos, toys, memories).
  • Collective scenes: a party, a trip, a market, a protest.
  • Costumes: models can wear hats, fabrics, masks, or special clothing.
  • Only one line style: only continuous or dotted lines are allowed.
  • Only one color per person: each participant uses a different color and cannot repeat it.
  • Blind exchange: participants draw without knowing what the previous person did.
  • Use only unusual materials: cotton swabs, cardboard, rubber brushes, etc.
  • Add words or letters to the drawing as part of the linework.
  • Create a final collective mural by piecing the sheets together like a puzzle.
  • Draw against the clock: rotate every 30 seconds to encourage spontaneity.

Ideas for the collective closing:

  • Organize an impromptu gallery with all the drawings on a wall or floor, creating a visual journey.
  • Allow each person to find the drawing they contributed to the most and share it with the group.
  • Do a silent walk observing the drawings, followed by a space to share emotions.
  • Select a few drawings at random and have the group imagine a story that connects them.
  • Photograph or scan the artworks to create a collaborative digital exhibition.

Guiding questions for reflection:

  • How did you feel seeing your drawing modified by others?
  • How did your perception of the drawing change as new hands joined in?
  • What did you discover about your way of collaborating or letting go of control?
  • Were you surprised by any transformation in the drawing? Which one and why?
  • What value does a collective creation have for you compared to an individual one?
  • How are the group’s multiple perspectives reflected in these drawings?
  • Is there a line or detail made by someone else that felt like your own?
  • What similarities and differences do you observe between the drawings?
  • At what moment did you feel most connected to the process?
  • How could you bring this collaborative experience into other areas of your life?
Materials
  • A3 sheets (one per participant)
  • Pencils, pens, markers, charcoal, or others
  • Timer or clock
  • Chairs and drawing surfaces
  • Costumes or objects if you’d like to enrich the activity
Online platforms
Purpose
The purpose of Collaborative Live Drawing is to stimulate collective creativity through art, foster visual listening and group trust, and promote new forms of shared expression. This dynamic seeks to break away from the idea of individual authorship and open the space for spontaneous co-creation. Movement, observation, and the rotation of drawings invite a participatory and fun experience that strengthens the bond among participants.
Type of activity
Collective ReflectionParticipatory InteractionParticipatory Learning
Level of participation
Collaboration, Exchange of perspectives, Direct action
Target audience
Educators, Facilitators, Students, NGOs and social collectives, Business teams, Creative designers
Fields of application
Education and training, Community development, Health and social well-being, Art, culture, and creativity, Sustainability and environment, Innovation and design, Conflict resolution, Citizen and social participation
Estimated duration
30–60 minutes
Ideal number of participants
From 6 to 20 people
Topics related to this activity
Active LearningAnálisis participativoArt TherapyCollaborative DrawingCollaborative GameCollaborative LearningCollaborative ReflectionCollective ConstructionCollective LearningCollective ReflectionCreative CommunicationCreative ExerciseCreative Problem SolvingCreative ReflectionExperiential LearningGroup CreativityGroup EnergizerIcebreaker ActivityKnowledge GenerationParticipatory AnalysisParticipatory StorytellingPerspective ExchangePractical CreativityProblem SolvingTeam CreativityVisual CommunicationVisual Creation
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