The Simple Art Technique I Just Can’t Stop Doing
Dear Wonderful, Creative You:
If you’ve been hanging around in the Mindful Art Studio community for any period of time, you know about my passion for dots. I’ve enjoyed doing simple patterns for some time, but since discovering high flow liquid acrylic paints, it’s gone to a new level.
Drawing on tiny works of art has become an essential part of my daily art and creative self-care practice. Once I start making dots, it’s hard to stop. Making dots has become a meditative activity for me. I can tune into the staccato of the pen hitting the page, the sound of my breathing, and the colors and images emerging before me.
Take for example, the image below. I chose a painted circle with a nice sense of movement and some interesting shapes. Using a white gel pen, and without any plan or pre-conceived notions, I began making dots, some big, some small. I let my intuition guide me, and after a while, I saw a penguin emerge at the bottom of the page. Art surprises are the best, aren’t they?
What I love about simple art techniques like dots is that they make art accessible to everyone. In my new class, Fluid Art, we use high flow paints to make tiny paintings with organic washes of color. We then develop these into mini masterpieces using simple patterns like dots, lines, and circles. Whether or not you take the class, there are some principles that I hope you try out.
Simple Art Techniques:
- Keep it simple: Make dots, lines, circles, or triangles, and repeat them to make patterns.
- Work small: I like to keep my small art work 4 – 5 inches or less.
- Create with abandon: I frequently get the best results when I pretend I don’t care what my art looks like. When I try too hard I get stuck.
- Let it flow: Use fluid art materials that take advantage of the natural properties of water and let them work their magic. Consider watercolors, alcohol inks, or high flow liquid acrylics.
I’m having a great time mixing and matching all the mini masterpieces I produce. Below is a pic from what I call my “percolation station.” I keep some of these little pieces on my table and then play with putting them together in different combinations. It’s kind of like an art game. I play frequently throughout the day. If you work at a desk in an office, these are tiny enough to bring to work and keep to the side, ready to provide you with a mental break when you need one.
Fluid Art is on available now! You’ll get lifetime access to this self-paced class.
Here’s one of the little books you’ll learn to make in the class. I love playing with all these different elements!
What are some of your simple art techniques that help you get creative? How do you take advantage of simplicity in your art? Tell us about it in the comments. Drop by and say hello on social media @AmyMaricle, and if you like this post, please share it with someone who could use an infusion of inspiration today.
Creatively Yours,
Amy
[bctt tweet=”This art technique is simple, beautiful, and fun. Why didn’t I start using it sooner? #mindfulartstudio #artjournaling #fluidart” username=”amymaricle”]
*Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you choose to click and purchase something, at no extra cost to you, you will be supporting the work of Mindful Art Studio to empower the artist in all of us. Thank you!
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Yes! Art surprises are the best!
Love your adventures with fluidity, Amy.
Hi Sally:
Thanks for being here with so much “art and soul!” Have a creative weekend!
Amy
Amy… it really appears you have found “your style”…. your thing, your unique piece of the art world… I sincerely hope to get there someday. This is so you. I just cannot wait to take your Fluid Art course myself. So much happiness for you. You are such a true inspiration with your authentic line drawings/patterns. Thank you for all you teach💟.
Hi Jeanine:
That is so sweet. I’m so excited for you to take this class. What I love about these techniques is their flexibility – I know that you will explore and express so much, and I’m so excited to share it all together. Thank you for being a part of this community and for your kind words!
Amy
wow basically a watercolorist, but have made ai ‘creations’ too.. I was curious if those circles are cd’s? Of which I have a bunch…grins
lovely works
HI Ellen:
Thanks so much for being here and for taking the time to comment! For the circles I use a hole punch in various sizes like this 2.5 inch one. I’ve included the affiliate link for your reference. I think tracing the cd’s is a great idea for a perfect circle though! Maybe using that an a good scissor? I use mixed media paper for mine.
XO Amy
Amy, About a year ago (I think) I signed up for this class but then never took it. I cannot locate my receipt. Do you happen to have it on file? I would like to take it now.
Thank you!
Terry
Wichita, KS
Hi Terry:
I’ve already sent you the info for your class. Can’t wait to have you dive in! XO Amy
Is this Fluid Art Class still available?
HI Christine:
Oh I’m so happy this technique has piqued your interest. It’s such a fun, portable way to make art. So playful too! Fluid Art is an open enrollment class where you work at your own pace. I’m here if you have any other questions. Cheers XO Amy
Thank you for responding so quickly. I do very tightly structured drawings and have been creating index cards with different media every day during January to try and learn how to be more relaxed and creative (and “fluid”!). I’m excited to learn more about this technique and hopefully it will help develop my spontaneous side alongside the more detailed, controlled work I love to do.
Christine I’m so excited for you! What a great adventure this will be! XO Amy