About Nik Daum’s Dordles

A Dordle is not quite a drawing and not quite a doodle. Each mark of lacerating genius is thoughtfully recorded in the margins of advertising briefs, discarded printouts, or the company stationary. The turds are then scanned, colored, composed and polished on computer. Hopefully, this preserves the playfulness and stupidity of the drawings while giving a bit more depth. Idle hands are the Dordles’s playthings, the tools driven to craft through boredom and profound soul-crushing dissatisfaction. I hope these dordles provide you as much excitement as what drove me to draw them in the first place.


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Number of Dordles: 466/1000

Dordle FAQ

  • Why are they called “Dordles”?
  • How the hell should I... Oh wait, because doodle sounds too silly and drawing sounds too formal. Plus, the “r” is for “really lame.”
  • Some of your Dordles suck.
  • That’s not a question, but I agree.
  • How long does each Dordle take from start to finish?
  • Between 15 minutes and a few hours.
  • What software do you use?
  • Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator. I recently got a Wacom Bamboo tablet.
  • What traditional supplies do you use?
  • The shittiest set of brushes, Higgins black ink, some quill pens, markers, colored pencils, tape.
  • Did you really draw them all at work?
  • No. But most of them.
  • Can I post about them on my blog or in a publication?
  • Yes! Please yes! Just mention this URL.
  • Are prints available to buy?
  • Not now. Someday there will be a book made of all of them (note: I need a publisher).
  • Is there a way to view and rate them on Facebook?
  • Well now that you mention it, yes. Just visit http://apps.facebook.com/dordles
  • What if I’d prefer to see them on Tumblr?
  • Good grief. http://dordles.tumblr.com
  • How many do you plan on drawing?
  • There’s no set number, but I hope to reach 1,000. I know, at this rate I’ll never finish.
  • Why 1,000?
  • I don’t know. It just seems like a nice round, excessive amount.
  • Did you go to art school?
  • Yes. But for whatever reason I hate drawing. I love coloring and composition though. I’m not sure if my education was put to good use or not. Only my student loans know for sure.
  • Can you be booked to make commencement speeches?
  • Only at non-Ivy League schools. Fees negotiable.
  • Do you have ten favorite Dordles? Why?
  • Well this is tricky, but if I had to pick:

    I think this Dordle most accurately captured the mood I was in when I drew it.

    I like most of my invention Dordles, but this is my favorite.

    The advice of a loner at heart.

    One of my first pen and ink drawings. And one of my first worm drawings.

    One of the only Dordles that feels like it could be a scene in a movie or book.

    I like the simplicity of the drawing and the muscular legs.
    I have many scabs, maybe even a nice one.

    A very American dog.

    I'm pleased with how fleshy he looks and the futuristic lighting effects.

    Spooky mood.

    Now what are some of your favorites?

Congratulations on making it to the bottom of the page! You have far more scrolling stamina than any man, no god, that I have ever known. If you’re a publisher, please contact me. If you’re not a publisher, please contact a publisher and have them contact me. If you don’t know any publishers, welcome to the club. All Dordles © 2011 Nik Daum.