Discover the therapeutic benefits of combining watercolor and parallel lines. Unleash your creativity, find tranquility, and inspire fellow moms with this engaging artistic exercise.
As a mom who understands the challenges of stress and the importance of self-care, I invite you to embark on a creative journey that combines the soothing qualities of watercolor and the mesmerizing effect of parallel lines.
In this week’s exercise, we dive into the soothing world of watercolor lines—a simple yet powerful practice that can help you find inner calm amidst the chaos of motherhood.
We will explore the art of creating tranquility through simple yet captivating techniques. Let’s dive in and discover the joy of artistic expression.
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
Benefits of Drawing Lines and Playing with Watercolor:
Stress Relief: Engaging in artistic activities, such as drawing lines and working with watercolors, offers a therapeutic escape from the stresses of everyday life. It allows you to focus on the present moment and find solace in the creative process.
Mindfulness and Relaxation: Drawing lines requires concentration and attention to detail, which can help calm a busy mind and bring a sense of peace. The gentle flow of watercolors adds to the soothing experience, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the present.
Creative Expression: Drawing lines and exploring watercolor techniques provide a unique outlet for self-expression. You can experiment with different colors, shapes, and shading methods to convey your emotions and unleash your artistic voice.
Confidence Building: As you create and explore, you’ll discover the joy of embracing imperfections and letting go of perfectionism. This exercise encourages you to embrace your unique style and trust in your creative instincts.
Self-Care and Well-Being: Taking time for yourself and engaging in creative activities is an act of self-care. It allows you to recharge, rejuvenate, and reconnect with your inner self. Through this exercise, you’ll nurture your well-being and prioritize your mental and emotional health.
Supplies used:
Watercolor paper 300 grams (Arches), watercolor (Winsor & Newton), brush (CreaArt), fineliner 0.3, 0.05 (Ohuhu), mechanical pencil (Pentel), tortillon, paper towel, 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, crayons, or colored pencils.
You can use a cotton swab instead of a tortillon.
Step 1: Paint a Random Shape or Blob with Watercolor
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.
Start by embracing the freedom of watercolor and let your creativity flow. Use gentle brushstrokes to create a random shape or blob on your paper. Allow the colors to blend and mingle, forming beautiful abstract patterns. This initial step sets the foundation for your tranquil artwork.
Step 2: Draw a Wavy Line from Top to Bottom
Take a moment to connect with the gentle rhythm of your breath. With a pen or fine-tipped marker, draw a wavy line from the top of your watercolor shape to the bottom, right in the center. Let the line flow naturally, mirroring the soothing curves of your imagination. This wavy line will be the guiding path for the enchanting parallel lines to come.
Step 3: Add a Dot and Draw Parallel Lines
At the first corner where your wavy line goes down, place a small dot. This dot will serve as your anchor point. With a smaller-tipped pen or marker, draw parallel lines radiating from the edge of your watercolor shape toward the dot. These lines will take on a circular shape, creating a harmonious and captivating effect.
Step 4: Fill your Watercolor shape with Parallel Lines
Continue this process on both sides of the wavy line. Fill your blob with the mesmerizing pattern of parallel lines by placing dots on the corners of your wavy line and connecting the parallel lines.
Step 5: Create Shadows and Depth
Now, let’s bring depth and dimension to your artwork. Take a pencil with a tortillon or a cotton swab and delicately create shadows along the middle of your parallel lines. With gentle strokes and smudging, add shading to enhance the illusion of depth and tranquility. Feel free to experiment and explore different shading techniques, allowing your artwork to come to life.
As you admire your completed artwork, take a moment to immerse yourself in its tranquil beauty. Allow the parallel lines to guide your gaze and create a sense of calm and serenity. Embrace the flow of the lines and the soothing energy of watercolor. Feel the weight of stress lift from your shoulders as you connect with the tranquility that art can bring.
Through the magical combination of watercolor and parallel lines, you have tapped into a world of tranquility and artistic expression. As a mom, this creative exercise provides a much-needed respite from the demands of daily life. Embrace the flow, explore the possibilities, and let your art be a source of inspiration and rejuvenation. Discover the power of parallel lines and watercolor to bring peace and serenity to your creative journey as a mom.
If you liked this exercise, you might also like my Embrace imperfections one line apple watercolor exercise.
