Malaysian artist creates daily doodles for children to pass time at home

'Our frontliners are fighting hard for all of us. Since I don’t have that power to be them, I thought I should do something with my skill and share it with the world, ’ says doodle artist Amir. Photos: Amir Sabri

As we move into the extended period of the movement control order (MCO) in Malaysia, many are looking for fun activities to do with children at home.

Amir Sabri, who is a self-taught artist, has come up with a daily series of doodles that you can print and go wild colouring with your creativity. He is committed to draw all the way to MCO's last day on April 14.

Amir's tribute to the nation's frontliners.

“Our frontliners are fighting hard for all of us. Since I don’t have that power to be them, I thought I should do something with my skill and share it with the world. I think of the parents who are working from home, who have to come up with activities for their children...that’s where the idea of my free printable daily colouring doodle came about, ” says Amir.

On his Do.Da.Doodle Facebook page, Amir calls these print-ready pieces “kid-friendly doodles” because it has thick outlines and large colouring spaces for those little hands.

But he concurs that adults can also tap into their inner child and get to colouring.

After all, what’s stopping you from printing multiple copies to work on?

A fun thing to look out for: In each doodle, he has “hidden” seven hearts within the drawing, with instructions to colour each one in red.

“It is to symbolise how it really is the little things that matter, the things we take for granted. I want people to realise that life’s greatest things can be found in our daily routine. It is in a cup of coffee, it is in the smile of our friends and family. It is hidden in everything, if only we care to search for it, ” he says.

It is also a personal message to himself, as his family has seven members in total - four siblings and his parents.

“We are not together at this point in time, my little brother and my sisters are away from home. But we will get through this together. No matter where we are, we will pray for each other and keep in contact regularly, ” he says.

Amir is taking this MCO period as a time to reflect on the little things in life and develop new artistic projects.

Amir, who works in the architecture industry by day, is keeping himself busy at home by making more art than ever before.

He is using this opportunity to learn new kinds of doodles and illustrations, with Youtube tutorials being a staple learning platform during the MCO.

Besides fun colouring doodles, he has also posted “appreciation doodles” for the frontliners to thank them and to offer moral support.

“Please stay at home if you are supposed to. Some people don’t have that privilege, especially our frontliners. Keep calm, stay informed, and don’t panic. Take a deep breath and colour!” he says.

Check out his art on Instagram (@do.da.doodle) and Facebook (Do.Da.Doodle). He will be uploading a new colouring doodle daily, throughout the MCO.