Discover how to paint simple watercolor mountains and find stress relief through creative expression. Perfect for busy moms seeking mindfulness.
Hey busy mom! Between juggling family, work, and personal time, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Taking a break to engage in a creative activity can be a wonderful way to find some tranquility.
Today, I want to share a fun and easy watercolor exercise that can help you unwind: painting simple watercolor mountains.
Don’t worry, you don’t need any special skills. It’s all about experimenting, having fun, and relaxing.
Why Watercolor?
Watercolor painting offers a gentle and soothing way to express your creativity. You don’t need to be a professional artist to enjoy it; this exercise is about the process, not perfection.
The repetitive nature of painting simple watercolor mountains is incredibly calming, helping to ease stress and bring a sense of peace.
Why This Exercise is Good for Your Mental Health:
- Reduces Stress: The repetitive motion of painting simple watercolor mountains can be very calming and meditative, helping to reduce stress and anxiety.
- Enhances Focus: Concentrating on the small details of your painting can improve focus and offer a break from multitasking.
- Promotes Mindfulness: Painting encourages you to stay present, promoting mindfulness and helping to quiet a busy mind.
- Boosts Creativity: Engaging in creative activities can lift your mood and give you a sense of accomplishment.
- Encourages Relaxation: Creating something with your hands is both relaxing and therapeutic.
Have fun with this simple watercolor mountains exercise! 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 (da Vinci), 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. I actually have an exercise in which I draw this with alcohol markers.
Instructions for this watercolor mountains exercise:
Step 1 – Start with the furthest mountain range
Find a cozy spot where you can paint without interruptions. Lay out all your supplies and take a few deep breaths to relax.
Begin by creating a wobbly line towards the top of your paper to represent the furthest mountains. Use a very light shade of your base color, diluted with plenty of water. Color in the area below this line to form your first layer of simple watercolor mountains.
Step 2 – Add the next mountain range
Once the first layer is dry, mix a slightly darker shade by adding a bit of grey or black to your base color. Draw another wobbly line overlapping the first, slightly lower down the paper. Fill in this new mountain range with a darker shade.
Step 3 – Continue adding mountain ranges
Repeat this process, making each new mountain range slightly darker than the last. Ensure each layer is dry before adding the next. The gradual change in shades creates the illusion of depth, with lighter mountains appearing further away.
Step 4 – Add simple details
After painting your mountain ranges, add simple details like trees using a fine-tipped brush or pen. You can also paint a soft wash of color for the sky and add birds to bring your painting to life.
Remember, the goal is to enjoy the process rather than aiming for perfection. Let go of any expectations and simply have fun with the shapes and colors.
Remember, this is about taking time for yourself and enjoying the creative journey, mama. Give this simple watercolor mountain painting a try and see how it makes you feel.
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 painting!
You might also like my watercolor mindfulness exercise if you enjoyed this exercise.
