My Go-To Art Supplies (and Non-Art Supplies) for a Calming Creative Mindfulness Practice
Stress reducing.
Minimalistic.
No right or wrong.
The above are the primary drivers when selecting art supplies and products for a painting for mindfulness session.
SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS
When it comes to selecting art supplies for a painting for mindfulness practice, I try to keep it simple, reduce decision overwhelm, and make it so easy to set up so that I’m more likely to sustain this creative mindfulness practice.
MAKE IT LOVELY
I also want it to feel special and beautiful to make this practice time feel like such a treasure. So in addition to art supplies, there are some of the non-art supply items I always have around that help indulge different senses:
A candle or diffuser (don’t forget to blow out the candle at the end of your practice!)
Music - I usually prefer ambient or spa music for my mindfulness practices
Mug of tea or coffee (just make sure not to dip your paintbrush in your drinking mug vs. the water cup for paint)
Crystal - usually rose quartz for energy and vibrations of love
Notebook - I like to jot down an intention before the practice and journal some brief reflections afterwards
MY FAVORITE ART MEDIUM FOR MINDFULNESS PAINTING
There are many different art media, but my favorite medium for a creative mindfulness practice is watercolor because:
The ease of set up and clean up relative to other paint media such as acrylic or oil
The approachability (and consequently, less intimidating nature) of watercolor because many people are more familiar with it than other paint media
The beauty and magic of the interactions that bloom between watercolor paint and water
But pick what art medium excites or feels good for you.
KEEP IT SIMPLE AND STRESSLESS
There truly is not a wrong way to go about selecting your art supplies for a painting for mindfulness practice. I try to keep the choices at a minimum to help cultivate a more present awareness during the practice rather than be distracted or stressed out with so many choices.
Here are my go-to art supplies for my painting for mindfulness practice:
2 paint colors - Indigo or Prussian blue is usually among the color options because they’re my favorite paint colors. Indigo feels calming and grounding for me and Prussian blue feels dynamic and exciting.
1 round paint brush - usually a size 8 to 12. Bigger sized brushes (bigger number = bigger size) encourage you to be looser with your paint strokes.
Watercolor paper - usually a 5x7 to 8x10 size and not larger because I find larger papers tend to be more intimidating (that age old “white canvas/paper/page syndrome” that tend to cause creative paralysis)
That’s it! Keep it simple, and most importantly, practice consistently in order to gain the benefits of mindfulness. You got this, my friend!
Want to know exact details and brands I recommend or use for my watercolor supplies for mindfulness painting?
Get the FREE Minimalist Art Supplies for Mindfulness Painting here!
