Painting
Expressions
Explore color, movement, and imagination
through the joy of painting.
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Relaxation: Slow down, unwind, and enjoy the creative process.
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Build confidence: Don't worry about mistakes or perfection.
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Spark imagination: Discover new possibilities.
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Self-expression: Express ideas without needing words.
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No experience necessary: Paint at any skill level.
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Create at your own pace: Adapt your time, energy, and abilities.
Take a moment, choose a color, and let your brush wander across the page. With no plan, a perfect picture, or even a finished project in mind. Enjoy the colors, the movement, and the experience of creating.​​
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Begin where you are, use what you have, let curiosity lead.
The goal isn't perfection. It's the joy of discovering what happens when you allow yourself to create.
Why Paint Expressively?
A creative approach that encourages you to explore color, movement, shapes, and emotions with no pressure of creating a recognizable image. Rather than focusing on the perfect finished piece, your experience becomes an opportunity to experiment and express yourself freely.
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Through flowing lines, spontaneous brushstrokes, and the unexpected, you discover new possibilities as each mark becomes part of your creative journey.
Painting With Expression
What you will need
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Watercolor Paints: I started with a $16 Amazon set that came with a floral book.
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Acrylics: Hard body BASIC brand is great for beginners. ​
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Watercolor Paper or Practice Book: Quality paper is worth it, if you can afford it.
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Acrylics: Canvas boards or pad. GESSO if a smoother surface is preferred. ​
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Container for water: Any jar will do.
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Brushes: Some paints come with a brush set. You can also buy them or ask a neighbor.
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Sponge or Paper Towel: To dab or dry-brush, helping control paint flow and effects.
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Creative Space: Table, desk, or even a bedside table.
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Time - Patience - Practice - Letting go - Being kind to yourself.
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Favorite Watercolor Supplier: CozyLark.com
Where I get the practice book from
Getting Started
Let your creativity flow!
Choose Your Colors
Select three to five colors or a color theme. Example: Reds + blues, or reds, blues, + purples, since red and blue make purple. So, blends don't get muddy. Look at a color wheel if need be.
Make Your First Marks
Wet your brush, paints and paper. Begin making lines, swirls, and broad strokes. If needed, choose a simple spiral or wave shape. Experiment with movements, brushes, pressures, and water amounts. See where they take you.
Explore and Experiment
Overlap colors, change brushes, add water, and turning your paper in a different direction. Notice how each change creates something unexpected. Look a the patterns in nature to help guide you.
Follow What Happens
Observe the shapes, lines, patterns, and blends emerging on the page. Add more color or water if you need to, or leave it exactly as it is after drying.
Add your personal touch
Add finishing details using a smaller brush, your fingertips, paper towel or even a sharpie going over distinct lines. Emphasize interesting shapes, or introduce new textures. Let your imagination guide you without worrying about the outcome.
Know When To Stop
Your painting doesn't need to look like anything recognizable. Stop whenever you feel ready, whether you've painted for five minutes or an hour. Create with your core!
With Acrylics
Let your creativity flow!
Choose Your Colors
Select five colors or a color theme. Example: Reds, blues, + purples, since red and blue make purple. So, blends don't get muddy, or wait till paint dries before adding the next color on top. Look at a color wheel if needed.
Make Your First Marks
Wet your brush, paints and paper. Begin making lines, swirls, and broad strokes. If needed, choose a simple spiral or wave shape. Experiment with movements, brushes, pressures, and water amounts. See where they take you.
Explore and Experiment
Overlap colors, change brushes, add water, and turning your paper in a different direction. Notice how each change creates something unexpected. Look a the patterns in nature to help guide you.
Follow What Happens
Observe the shapes, lines, patterns, and blends emerging on the page. Add more color or water if you need to, or leave it exactly as it is after drying.
Add your personal touch
Add finishing details using a smaller brush, your fingertips, paper towel or even a sharpie going over distinct lines. Emphasize interesting shapes, or introduce new textures. Let your imagination guide you without worrying about the outcome.
Know When To Stop
Your painting doesn't need to look like anything recognizable. Stop whenever you feel ready, whether you've painted for five minutes or an hour. Create with your core!
Tips to Experiment With
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Start from light to dark.
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Light brings shapes forward. Dark brings shapes to the back.
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With nature: Distance is lighter. Closer to you is darker, except for the ocean. ​​​
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Draw out simple shapes first with a pencil even if you don't use all the lines.
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​With watercolor you can also use a thin Sharpie for a different effect. ​
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Try not to use white or black to darken or lighten colors.
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With watercolor, you'll use water to lighten.
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Mix your color pallet with the primaries: Yellow, blue and red instead.
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Observe where shadows fall with the sun or moonshine.​
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Observe texture and patterns in nature and objects.
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Not every painting will turn out and that's ok.
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Find what you love to paint the most and follow your heart!
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Every Brushstroke Is a Discovery
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Take a moment to appreciate what you've explored. You discovered new color combinations, enjoyed the movement of your brush, and found a few minutes of peace.
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Your painting is meaningful without being perfect or recognizable. What matters is the journey of curiosity, imagination, and enjoyment you experience
creating from your core!