DAY 6: Chillin’ and Chattin’

Day 6 is here, can you believe it? You’ve spent six days making time for your creativity and saying yes to yourself. Well done, my friend.

As I mentioned on Day 1, this painting practice is here to nurture you, inspire you, and help you reconnect with your creativity.

I hope this little painting I created many years ago invites you into a moment of calm as you paint the silhouettes of birds resting on a wire at dusk.

Chillin' and Chattin' - original

The Painting Practice

Remember to turn off your phone notifications before you start.

  1. Sketch a rectangle measuring 8×8 inches (or any small square) on your canvas paper.
  2. Begin with the background first (the silhouette of the birds and wires come last). While looking at your reference photo as your inspiration, decide how you want to paint your sky.
  3. Choose whatever colors inspire you today. I love this combination of grayish blues and whites, with a dab of vibrant blue towards the bottom, but perhaps your sky will be filled with pinks, oranges, or purples instead.
  4. Grab some water and your brushes, and don’t forget a towel to clean off your wet brush.
  5. Now, set a gentle timer and paint for 20 minutes for some meditative joy and playful painting. We’re going for fun and not perfection.
  6. After you’ve painted your sky, now you focus on the silhouette. Feel free to use a pencil and sketch out the silhouette first and then go back with a black paint. Add some grays or whites on the wires as they catch some of the last rays of light.
  7. Claim your creativity and honor your journey of showing up for yourself by signing your art work.

 

Celebrate Your Progress:

Take a photo of today’s painting and share it with your community. I’d love to celebrate your progress with you.

As you share, I’d love to hear:

  • What colors did you choose for your sky, and why?
  • How did painting today’s peaceful scene make you feel?
  • If these birds could be having a conversation, what do you imagine they would be saying?

I can’t wait to see your version. If you feel inspired to continue painting beyond 20 minutes, please do. I’d love to hear about that, too.