Painting began as a way to capture moments, people, and places. It has evolved to be so much more than that. Painting is a way to express yourself, be creative, and practice mindfulness. The beauty of the art form is that it truly is for everyone due to its subjective nature.
If you’re considering painting, let this be the push to get you started. Here are 4 reasons why you should start painting.
Creativity
Painting is a fantastic way to unleash your creative side. While classic painting styles have rules, modern art has shown how there isn’t one set way to paint. There are no limitations to the scale, colors, or what you paint. If you feel as though your creativity has hit a block, a painting kit can be a fantastic source of inspiration. There is also plenty of inspiration you can find online and even around you.
Being creative isn’t limited to the ideas you have. You do not always have to have a plan with painting and that is the beauty of it. Pick up a paintbrush, dab some paint on it and go. You could be surprised by what you create.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of making yourself aware of your surroundings and yourself. It is important to practice mindfulness to support your well-being and help relieve some of the stress and anxiety you may be facing. The practice of mindfulness is often linked to being still, but there are so many more ways in which you can be mindful.
Paining is one of them. When you practice still life painting, landscape painting, or even use a live model, you still practice mindfulness. You do so by focusing your attention on your immediate environment. While focusing on your painting, you often forget about trials and tribulations within your life. Instead, you focus on the immediate surroundings and engage with them, making you much more present in your surroundings. It is a fantastic way to unwind.
Self-Esteem
You may be wondering how painting is linked to self-esteem. Well, the act of painting itself is therapeutic and mindful and when you combine this with the work produced, it can lead to higher levels of self-esteem. This is particularly true if you find satisfaction from physically seeing what you have accomplished. The painting you produce on paper, canvas or wood, is a tangible way to showcase your achievement.
Art therapy is also common. It has been used to support and facilitate mental health treatment. It is often harder to say what you feel and easier to show it. This is where painting becomes an expression of emotions and the process of painting helps with self-realization. Painting can be a powerful tool to express your feelings.
Relaxation
The motions of painting are generally small, soothing strokes on a page. The process and actions are extremely relaxing as the motions are repetitive yet you produce entirely unique strokes every time. The thought process behind the painting actively stimulates creativity and relieves mental strain by focusing in a different way.
Though small strokes of paint were mentioned, this also applies to bigger pieces and strokes. The actions are similarly repetitive, relaxing, and help soothe the painter. Painting has been used as a form of therapy and a way to remove yourself from your struggles, to focus solely on the piece you create.
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