Discover the joy of this easy flower painting for moms exercise. Boost mindfulness and add a splash of creativity to your self-care routine.
As summer comes to an end, let’s give it a vibrant send-off with an exercise that’s both rejuvenating and creative. Yes, we’re talking about painting flowers—but wait! Before you dismiss the idea, thinking you’re ‘not artistic enough,’ hear me out.
This exercise is simple, fun, and therapeutic. You don’t have to be Monet; you just have to be you. So let’s soak up nature’s beauty one brushstroke at a time.
Please let me know if you’ve tried this easy flower painting for moms exercise; I would love to see it.
You can find a small video of this exercise on my Instagram @thecreativecooldown
Health benefits of drawing nature
Enhanced Connection with Nature
When you paint flowers, you form a deeper connection with the natural world. This can lead to an increase in feelings of relaxation and well-being, something known as ‘biophilia.’
Focused Attention
Unlike doodling, painting nature requires you to observe and capture the details of each flower. This heightened level of focus can have a calming, meditative effect.
Boosts Mindfulness
Being present as you study each flower’s form and color helps you cultivate mindfulness, letting you appreciate the beauty around you in a new light.
Emotional Release
The act of painting from nature can serve as an emotional release. With each brushstroke, you’re not just capturing a flower, but also expressing your own emotions.
Develops Observational Skills
Painting nature forces you to slow down and truly see what’s in front of you, a skill that can help you become more present in other areas of life as well.
Supplies used:
Watercolor paper 300 grams (Arches), watercolor (Kuretake Gansai Tambi), paint brush (ZenArt), paint brush (Prima Marketing), 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.
Step 1: Take a walk and get inspired
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 taking a leisurely walk outside. Enjoy the sunshine on your face and focus on the flowers and plants you come across. If a particular flower catches your eye, take a moment to really study it. Snap a photo on your phone for later reference, so you can capture its essence when you paint.
Step 2: Paint the basic shapes
Once you’re back, grab your art supplies. All you need is some paper and paint. Don’t overthink it; this is about expression, not perfection.
Now, look through the photos you’ve taken or recall the flowers you observed. Start by identifying their basic shapes. Is it more circular, oval, or maybe even triangular? Take your brush, dip it in paint, and gently make that shape on your paper. Remember, this is a loose and relaxed exercise. Even a simple dot can represent a smaller flower. You’re building the base of your floral art.
Step 3: Build your garden
With your basic shapes laid down, it’s time to let your garden grow. Add as many flowers as you’d like, letting the composition evolve naturally. If you feel like adding leaves or stems, go ahead.
There’s no right or wrong; you’re crafting your personal garden on paper.
Step 4: Final Touches and Details
Once you’ve filled your paper with shapes, you might want to add some additional touches. Add a second layer of paint to give your flowers more dimension, or dab a different color in the center for added depth. This is your time to experiment, so enjoy the process. If you’re happy with a simple approach, that’s perfectly fine too.
So there you have it, a simple yet profoundly rewarding way to mark the end of this beautiful season. Even if you’ve never picked up a paintbrush before, this is a perfect starting point. And remember, the aim is not perfection but joy in the process. So let’s end this summer on a colorful note, shall we?
If you liked this exercise, you might also like my Flowy lines watercolor exercise.
