Discover the calming benefits of drawing simple sea urchins. A creative exercise perfect for busy moms to relax and recharge.
Hey mom! Life can sometimes feel like you’re swimming in a sea of responsibilities, with little time to just breathe. But what if I told you that you could capture a bit of that tranquil ocean vibe right at home—no beach trip required?
Today, I want to introduce you to a soothing and simple drawing exercise: creating sea urchins.
This exercise is all about slowing down, embracing imperfection, and finding a little moment of peace in your day. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or someone who hasn’t picked up a pen in years, this is a perfect way to let your creativity flow without any pressure.
Why This Exercise Is Good for Your Mental Health:
- Promotes Relaxation: The repetitive motion of drawing dots and lines helps to calm the mind and relieve stress. It’s like giving your brain a little massage!
- Encourages Mindfulness: Focusing on the simple, repetitive patterns of the sea urchin encourages you to stay in the moment. This practice of mindfulness can help quiet racing thoughts and bring you back to the present.
- Embraces Imperfection: This exercise is a wonderful reminder that things don’t need to be perfect to be beautiful. Wobbly circles and uneven dots add character and charm, teaching us to embrace flaws both in art and in life.
- Stimulates Creativity: Playing with colors and patterns can ignite your creative spark, even on those days when you feel drained. It’s a gentle way to ease back into creativity without any pressure.
- Connects You to Nature: Even though you’re at home, drawing sea urchins can evoke the calming atmosphere of the ocean, helping you feel more grounded and connected to nature.
Have fun drawing simple sea urchins! Please let me know if you’ve tried it; I would love to see it.
You can find a small video of this exercise on my Instagram @thecreativecooldown
Supplies used:
Watercolor paper 300grs (Baohong), watercolor extra fine Mineral Marvels (Daniel Smith), brushes (ZenArt), silver gelly roll pen (Sakura), fineliners (Ohuhu and Copic), cup of water, paper towel, washi tape.
Alternative supply suggestions:
See if you can borrow any paints from your kid(s). No paints? Try it with markers, crayons, or colored pencils.
Instructions for drawing simple sea urchins for relaxation:
Step 1 – Draw your circles
Start by drawing a few circles on your page. Don’t worry about making them perfectly round—let them overlap and go with the flow.
Think of these as the base for your sea urchins. Remember, the ocean is full of unique shapes, so embrace those wobbly lines!
Step 2 – Add color
Lightly color in your circles with your choice of medium—pencils, markers, or paints. Keep it soft and light; we’re aiming for a gentle, oceanic feel.
Next, color the background in a contrasting darker shade. This helps the sea urchins pop off the page.
Step 3 – Create the central details
In the center of each circle, draw a small, irregular black hole. This doesn’t need to be perfect—think of it as adding character to your sea urchins.
Step 4 – Add dotted lines
Now, grab your pen and start adding dotted lines from the center of each circle out to the edges. Make these lines slightly bent to give the impression of a round, textured surface.
Go slow and enjoy the process—this is where the meditative magic happens.
Take a step back and admire your sea urchins! If you feel like adding more details or colors, go for it. The beauty of this exercise is that it’s entirely up to you—there’s no right or wrong way to do it.
This exercise isn’t just about creating something pretty—it’s about taking a moment to breathe, to create without judgment, and to reconnect with yourself. Plus, it’s a great way to bring a bit of that serene seaside feeling into your home, even if you’re miles away from the coast.
So, grab your paper and pen, and let’s dive into some creative self-care. Trust me, you’ll emerge feeling refreshed, relaxed, and maybe even a little bit more inspired.
If you’d like to share your creations or have any questions, feel free to comment below or send me a DM on Instagram.
Happy drawing!
You might also like my quick flower drawing if you enjoyed this exercise.
