When I wrote about adult coloring books last month, it generated a lot of interesting comments and discussions. Chief among them was the argument that coloring is a fun, easy and quick way to beat the stress.
My argument is that the best way to beat the stress is with art.
Well, what if I told you that over a period of about a month, maybe even less, you could have a painted canvas ready to hang on your wall? You need no prior art background, you don’t really need to know how to draw, and all it will take is 5-10 minutes a day. The set-up and clean up is also super easy and very quick.
Painting this canvas will also help you to be mindful, it will help you to beat the stress while creating a piece of original art, and maybe even help you to experience a bit of art therapy.
Sounds interesting?
Let me introduce you to intuitive painting.
I started this in the summer of 2015 and finished it in February 2016 – but only because I came back to it after a gap of months sometimes. It looks richly layered and finely detailed, doesn’t it? You would imagine that it would have taken me hours. Well, collectively perhaps.
But I did it in 5-15 minute sessions over a period of about 20 days {spread over the summer of 2015 to February 2016. Yes, I really did leave it untouched for months!}
It started like this:
Hard to believe? But it is very doable no matter how little space you have and no matter how busy you are.
Want to get started?
Read up about intuitive painting, brush up your knowledge of color theory and you’re ready to go!
Want more guidance?
Sign up for Gypsy Wanderings, my monthly newsletter. You’ll get my free ebook on art journaling, which will give you all the basics to help you get started.
Think you might be interested in purchasing an short intuitive painting walk through with detailed notes and instructions? Drop me a note in the comments and I’ll see if I can make it happen!
I’m going to try this. Haven’t painted for years but daughter wants a canvas so will make her one . Will share the journey with you when I do. Thanks for the inspiration
Yay! Please do share the journey, I’d LOVE to see!!
I would love to try this. I am at present painting my flower posts and some bottles, redesigning them. I think soon going to join you Jini!!
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Awesome!! Would love to see what you’re painting currently too. 🙂
For some reason, I’ve never been that attracted to the coloring or painting for adults. My particular love is photography, although I have no formal training in it. But I “never say never” anymore. Sharing this!
Photography is fun too!! I used to do a lot of photography, now I like doing digital artistry 🙂
That looks amazing. I find it hard to believe that it’s possible without art background though. Totally agree with you on art being a de-stresser. 🙂
I have no formal art training. I’ve read books, followed YouTube videos, and taken a few online art classes. It may take some practice, but it’s possible! 🙂
I have done something very similar using an app – ArtRage – on my Galaxy Note 5. Nice thing about that is that it’s very portable and I can work on it from a waiting room or during a work break; I can work on it on an airplane or riding in a car. There’s no messy cleanup. Don’t get me wrong – I paint, too, but this is for the lazy and the times when hauling out all the painting supplies seems a bit daunting (I prefer to do that only if I can spend at least as much time painting as washing up).
I’ve heard of the app! I think you can import a photo and paint over it, so it looks like it’s painted, correct? I enjoy digital artistry too. It’s my go-to in the hot,summer months when I don’t want to sweat it out over the easel! 🙂
That’s how I did this one: https://www.instagram.com/p/BHFe_EDgvLD/ I was sitting in the doctor’s office – snapped a quick pic of the glass top table and planter, and did a trace painting with ArtRage. 🙂
Oh, that’s lovely! I may just have to look into this app 😉
You should! It was the first phone app I ever paid for, I think. (It’s especially nice on my Galaxy Note 5, since it comes with a stylus – turns it into a little drawing tablet.)
This looks interesting..I love painting but with so many things on my plate right now..it is the last thing on my mind..But would surely take your guidance if I start again 🙂
Any time Deepa!
Loved the painting. I always paint or draw whenever possible .It helps always.
Thank you Amrita! And yes, art is my stress buster!!
Jini, this is a breathtakingly beautiful creation! I’ve been gazing at it for some time now and can’t take my eyes off it! There are so many tiny details in it…its like everytime I look, I spot something new! Love, love, love it!!
Thank you so much Kala!! Your comment made my day!! It’s one of my favorite paintings too. 🙂
This is something new to me. Will love to learn more on this.
Awesome! I have some plans, let’s see. 🙂
A beautiful, and calming painting, Jini. It soothes the eyes , and mind instantly. Lovely!
Thank you so much Mayuri!! Makes me so happy to hear that! 🙂
Art, Music and Cooking are my stress busters ! Not art exactly, but I love doodling 🙂 Wonderful post !
Doodling is fun!! And music is an excellent stress buster too. I used to enjoy cooking, but for some reason, don’t anymore!
ohh the colors!!! absolutely beautiful… you are so good at picking colors and combining them. I have got a canvas and oil paints rotting in my collection for over four months now. Gotta take them out.
Thank you so much Raj! Oil colors are much easier to work with. They have a long drying time, so it’s easy to fix any mistakes and to blend colors well. Do pull them out – I’d love to see what you come up with!
This is so amazingly beautiful. Maybe this is what S does in his book all day. Now I know how to encourage him more.
Thank you so much Jai!! 🙂 And yes, do encourage him to do more art!
I feel calm just looking at it!
Yay! Thank you!!