Charlie Mackesy Walk and Draw
Designed by Bearmore
Inspired by Charlie MackesyFeel the difference when you’re being really present.
Walk a bit, then draw a bit, some creativity without needing to be productive. A Burst inspired by Charlie Mackesy, drawn from his interviews about how his ink drawings come out of time spent being truely present.
The runsheet
Walking and looking outside
Being in natureCharlie's drawings come out of walks with his dogs, looking at small things rather than scanning the view. Walk somewhere with ground, sky and a bit of weather. No phone in your hand.
30 min activityBearmore’s thoughts on doing being in nature before reading (mindful)
This works well because the settled, attentive state from outside can carry into reading and make engagement feel easier.
Reading to prompt thinking
Reading (mindful)Charlie quotes Rumi, Mary Oliver, the Bible. A short read of poetry or a chapter of something that rings true.
15 min activityBearmore’s thoughts on doing reading (mindful) before visual arts
This can be a good pairing because reading can prime ideas or moods that visual art work can express.
Drawing
Visual artsA sketch, a doodle, a line of ink. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse drawings began like this. The aim is not a finished thing; it’s whatever the walk inspired you to draw.
20 min activityTime well spent.
1h 23m spent doing something good for yourself.
The breakdown
Burst evaluation
Wellbeing focus
About this Burst
Charlie Mackesy is a British artist and author of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, the global bestseller adapted into an Oscar-winning short film. He works in ink, oils and sculpture, and shares his drawings widely on Instagram. His work centres on friendship, vulnerability and hope.