Indulge in the calming art of painting the Northern Lights in watercolors. Discover serenity and capture the enchanting beauty on paper.
As moms, we often find ourselves juggling multiple responsibilities and battling the effects of stress and burnout. But amidst the chaos, it’s crucial to prioritize self-care and discover the transformative power of creativity.
So join me on a journey of mindfulness, overcoming perfectionism, and incorporating art into our lives as moms. This week, we’ll explore the enchanting beauty of painting northern lights with watercolors—an exercise that promises not only a soothing creative outlet but also a profound sense of tranquility.
Remember, you can adapt this exercise to fit your schedule. If time is limited, consider completing one layer each day, allowing the colors to dry before moving on to the next. This way, you can savor the experience and immerse yourself in the therapeutic process at your own pace.
Engaging in this watercolor exercise offers profound mental health benefits. The act of blending colors encourages a calming effect, promoting relaxation and mindfulness. As the pigments harmonize and blend on the paper, you’ll witness your worries and stress fade away, replaced by a sense of serenity and tranquility. This artistic practice provides a sanctuary where you can let go of perfectionism, embrace the flow of colors, and nurture your well-being.
I hope you have some well-deserved creative me-time with this Northern Lights in watercolors exercise!
Please let me know if you’ve tried this one; I would love to see it.
You can find a small video of this exercise on my Instagram @thecreativecooldown
Supplies used:
Watercolor paper 300 grams (Fabriano), Gansai Tambi watercolor (Kuretake), paint brushes (da Vinci and ZenArt), white acrylic marker (Ohuhu), white gelly roll pen (Sakura), paper towel, water in a jar, and washi tape.
Alternative supply suggestions:
You can use your kids’ watercolor paints or other paint.
Don’t have any of those? You can also try it with markers or crayons.
Step 1
Before you start, slowly breathe in and out a few times to clear your head. Then, bring yourself to the present, away from all the day-to-day stress.
If you like, you can add some washi tape around your paper to create a framed effect.
Begin by wetting your watercolor paper, allowing it to absorb the moisture.
Step 2
Now, it’s time to add some color. Choose colors that you like or are soothing.
Using your lightest color, gently paint swirls and wavy lines across the page, creating the luminous essence of the northern lights. Gradually transition to a slightly darker shade of the same color, painting around the lights to enhance their brilliance.
As the colors blend, a captivating harmony will emerge. Finally, add the darkest shade between the other colors, adding depth to your masterpiece. Let the first layer dry completely.
Step 3
Once dry, proceed to the second layer.
Start again with your lightest color, applying it over the existing colors. Repeat this process for all three shades, gradually building the intensity of the northern lights.
To complete the scene, use a dark color like brown or black to paint gentle hills at the bottom of the page, allowing the paint to blend with the sky colors, evoking the serene imagery of trees or grasses on a hill. Let it dry completely.
Step 4
When the second layer is dry, employ a white acrylic marker or a gelly roll pen to add delicate dots resembling twinkling stars in the sky. You can also enhance the landscape by adding more trees to the hilly foreground. Let your imagination guide you as you bring your creation to life.
Discover the restorative power of creativity and embark on this journey of self-care. As a mom, you deserve moments of solace and rejuvenation. Painting northern lights in watercolors not only allows you to tap into your artistic talents but also nurtures your mental well-being.
Embrace the beauty of blending colors, savor the process, and let your imagination guide you to create your own enchanting masterpiece. Find solace, joy, and yourself through art’s transformative magic.
If you liked this exercise, you might also like my mindful cotton clouds exercise.