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In this second blog post for Mindfultober 2023, we’ll explore the “Circle” prompt through an alternative watercolour painting technique that uses the circle as a container for your brush-strokes, encouraging you to be fully in the moment as you place marks on paper.
Begin by gathering the following materials:
Begin by drawing a circle on your watercolour paper. This circle will be the container for your artwork, providing a defined space to make your marks within. Chose a size you feel happy working within.
Apply masking, painter’s, or washi tape all around the edges of your circle making sure it is firmly stuck down. This will create a boundary for your artwork and ensure a clean edge when the tape is removed later. Break off small pieces of tape and layer them methodically as you go around. This should hopefully give a more satisfying tape peel experience 😁.
Squeeze out your three chosen paint colours onto your palette if using tubes. If using pans, activate them with a drop of water, wait a short time, then swirl your brush around the pan to pick up the colour and transfer this to your palette. Take a moment to appreciate the colours you’ve chosen and how they look on your palette.
Using one of your brushes, lightly splatter a bit of water on your circle at random. This will create an unpredictable surface for your paint to interact with and make the process more dynamic. You can dry any areas that seem too wet with a paper towel or rag.
Dip a brush into one of your favourite colours and begin making marks within the circle. Don’t overthink it. Whether it’s delicate strokes, bold lines, or gentle washes of colour, trust your instincts and get colour down on the page.
Continue to apply your marks, building up layers using different colours and brushstrokes. Enjoy the rhythmic flow of the paint and the satisfaction of putting marks on a page.
Switch to a different brush and create new and interesting marks within your circle. This change can add a different texture or dimension to your artwork.
Let yourself get sucked into this painting process. Fill the entire circle with your chosen marks, allowing the colours to mingle and blend where they will.
For extra texture and unpredictability, add more water as needed. You can experiment with blending, softening, and allowing the colours to flow organically within the circle.
Pause and observe your painting. Reflect on what you feel it needs and add any additional marks or details that speak to you in the moment.
Allow your artwork to dry completely before moving on to the next step. You can use a heat tool, hairdryer or simply let it air dry naturally.
Peel off the tape from the edges of your circle. Maybe it will reveal a clean, defined border that beautifully frames your artwork. Maybe you’ll be left with interesting smudges and places where the paint has leaked. If you have the latter, lean into their weird little unintentional marks and even add to them if you like.
To add a finishing touch, splatter a little more of your colours onto the painting. This can be a fun way to add some additional texture and life to your work.
Once your artwork has dried, step back and appreciate the beauty of your creation. Then thank yourself for making the time to do something just for you.
You can watch my real-time example of this approach here – it’s just under 29 minutes long:
If you enjoyed this approach for Mindfultober Circle, consider trying my Skillshare Class: A Mindful Approach to Practicing Watercolor: Values, Palettes & Brush Control If you don’t have a Skillshare membership, this link will give you 1 month’s free access to Skillshare, where you can take this class plus thousands of others. (If you choose to continue your access after a month with a paid subscription, I’ll be paid a small commission.)
This alternative approach to the “Circle” prompt for Mindfultober 2023 focused on experimentation and mark making. I look forward to seeing what you create. Happy painting!
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