Back to Yourself Through Art: 7 Day Watercolor Challenge

1. Back to Yourself Through Art Challenge Trailer: Have you ever felt disconnected from yourself as if you've been doing doing but forgot how to feel? I know that feeling well that sometimes we get obsessed with getting everything, right, to be a perfect version of ourselves while building our perfect lives. But the truth is that when we are trying to control everything we lose that feeling of joy of creating and the joy of living. In my previous class, overcoming perfectionism through Watercolor splatters, we learn how to Nap, embrace accidents and let Watercolor teach us that beauty often appears when we stop controlling the outcome. In this class, we will go deeper. I invite you to join seven day Challenge back to yourself through art. I guide you through gentle watercolor and journaling practices that help you reconnect with your intuition and express emotions through color and flow. Hello, I'm Nina Moresoa, also known as uskar. I'm watercolor artist specializing in loose style art educator, and a certified art therapist. Welcome to my new class. Each day, you'll have a short ten, 15 minutes practice, simple, milfon and free. We'll use watercolor not as a tool to paint something perfect, but to listen. To your breath, your emotions, your inner reasons. If you've ever wished to paint more freely, feel more grounded, or just give yourself permission to create without judgment, this class is for you. All you need is your brush, some watercolor, and an open heart. Let's start this journey back to yourself through art together. 2. Supplies: Hello, welcome to the challenge Back to yourself through ARC. I will show you my materials, which I will be using along the challenge. So one of the things is my envelope with watercolor backgrounds, which I have prepared before and I have made prompts, which I'm going to use for this challenge. I will use this kind of sketchbook. It's like 50% cellulose paper, 50% cotton paper, but it's not so important. I will use watercolors, but you can use any materials, any medium which you feel like it could be colored pencils, pastels, whatever. I will use, as I mentioned, watercolors. So you will use different brushes. I invite you also to experiment with different shapes. Take those strange ones which you have never found the moment to put in practice. So just use any brushes which you have and would you feel like that like curiosity. Okay, I will use this ones to see what I will manage to get. It could be watercolor palette for mixing, if you wish, jar of water. And actually, that's all. Mainly, if you need timer, you can use a timer to set up it at 14, 15 minutes. And that's all. Actually, you need to be open to have that feeling to explore and to see what is that message your inner essence has for you. So that is the only thing which you need to be open and find those ten, 15 minutes to create and to listen to yourself. Listen to yourself. And also, I would like to mention that it's important also to have some kind of journaling, notebook or whatever, where you would be able to write down those thoughts which you had while you were painting. This would be really important so that if you would have something where you could fix it and write down your observations while you painting or working on those daily prompts. Because in my case, I'm talking while I will be recording. So you would be able to hear my self reflection process. And I hope it will inspire you and also will help you to join with your like those bits of yourself and to join your process. And if not just write down, it's really important. And you will see that it will be very valuable for you to fix it somewhere, those thoughts which you have while you're painting and then while you are reflecting on your process and your result. That's all. Let's start. In the next I'm waiting for you in the next lesson. 3. Before You Start: Welcome, creative soul for this exciting and self discovery journey back to yourself. Before we start, I would really ask you to take several moments to write down answers to these questions. Why have I chosen to start this journey? How do I feel at the beginning of this journey? And what is calling me to explore myself through art? That is just simple thoughts, but they are really important to have them at the beginning. And I will share for you my personal part that this challenge actually appeared in the moment when I was considering how to combine to my patients that is loose watercolors with art therapy. So that to find that kind of essence, within myself. So that is my main aim for this challenge. And this first stage that is week number one. This first part of the challenge, seven days is actually the first stage that is listening in word, where we dedicate time to ourselves, 1210, 15 minutes per day to slow down and actually just to plant the seed. Presence to dedicate the time when you are actually with yourself. Another thing, what I would like to ask you to do at this moment is you can take just some sketchbook or whatever. It doesn't matter what kind of materials you are going to use for this challenge. For me, it's watercolors, and I will explore some other materials. I will see. It depends how I will feel. And just 5 minutes draw paint your self portrait. That is you at the beginning of this journey. Any colors you feel any materials or whatever, so it shouldn't look similar to yourself. It should be just the way you feel and how you can express what you feel at the moment. Okay, so let's start. I will share with you personal journey. And this is for inspiration and just though that you won't feel so intimidated when starting the first making that first step. 4. Me Before Challenge: First of all, I have taken several moments to think about how I see myself and how I feel at the beginning of this journey of this challenge. And I think that I feel really excited, really, really excited. So and I feel it, like that it's some kind of journey when I'm back to my really playful mode and back to my this essence, which always has been there, but I have been dedicating time to my other areas or let's say, so that I was too serious. And now I really want to connect with that my playful part. I feel a bit like I'm entering into the maybe not forest, but into the secret garden. I would say, yeah, maybe it's like secret garden. It's full of light. And also, oh, maybe more beautiful lexis. Full of light. And flowers? Yeah. That's flowers. And let's say it for here, green. And I feel that I'm little girl. Who is excited and so that, you know, that kind of has that approach attitude, that of excitement and seen in simple things, quite or in ordinary things that you can see some magic, that beauty. So I think that I feel something like that at the beginning. Here is like what I transmit with my colors that it's secret garden. Okay, I will take a bit more of this Color. From here, maybe. Oh, yeah. I really like this color. F here. And so this is that kind of my magic secret garden. And I think that is that image which I have at the moment that I'm like a little girl. Ah, that's part also. I had this kind of idea when I was thinking that I use my brush as a torch. This this kind of symbol is really appealing to me. A bit. So for here and probably, some other color, maybe yellow, yeah. Yeah, I want these kind of magical splatters. Mm hmm. And probably I will let here at the beginning some kind of graph. You don't need to spend long time thinking about what would you like to paint. This should be quickly. Maybe take time to listen to yourself before you will start painting. So then you just will follow your hand, no, because your mind already will know what kind of symbol or metaphor which you have when you starting this journey. But I really, really feel excited. And I do hope to transmit you this feeling so that you also would feel excited about your challenge and about yours is way back to yourself. To that playful mode. Or at least I'm looking for for that playful mode because actually, that's what makes me alive and what brings me so much joy when I'm painting. When I'm creating, when I'm talking with people, I think that I almost have already. Probably for here, I will get more darker shades. Oh, I really like. And then I will leave it so that it will get dry. And here I will place myself. So, still, it's not finished. But that is like this atmosphere, that environment, which I feel at the beginning of this journey. So and now or in several moments, once it will get dry, then I will appear here. And I also looking forward to see myself how I will be there. See you in several moments. Now I have my background dry, and I will move for the next part. I have decided to go with inks, and here will be I don't know. It's like completely free hand and just the way I feel. That's it's going to be some kind of heat. Should be ugly. I think this challenge is also a bit about imperfections. Some kind of flower. You know, you shouldn't look like in real life. I just the way you feel. I think that I feel really with curly hair in this challenge. And For sure, you might all that, Oh, I'm not really good in drawing, painting people. You can see that me neither. But it's just the way you feel, and that's all. That is some kind of adventure to explore and not to judge so much. So I think that like this, probably maybe too big. I think, yeah they are quite big. And for here. It isn't perfect, but it doesn't matter. It's the way how I feel. Yeah, so excited. And that's how transmit my excitement. And mainly that what I wanted is to have here a brush, which will look like a torch. That is me at the beginning of my journey. For me, it transmits that excitement. I'm really excited to start this challenge and to explore and to reconnect to my playful and really joyful part. Mm hmm. So I hope that you also have done this part and we can move to the next one. Hm. Let's see. 5. Prompt Day 1: So are you ready? These are 30 prompts for the week number one, which is dedicated to listening to yourself, slowing down and dedicating that time for yourself. And here I have my envelope. It's really pleasant. Like handmade and with these textures. And let's start. What will be the message for me today? Paint silence. Whoa. That is challenging. You know, that my initial idea was actually to record all these videos for this prompt in SAMR mode so that it would be with sound. And then I decided no, it could be quite more interesting if I would also command so that you would be able to connect and to live the way how I live or perceive this challenge and this process and especially that part of auto reflection. But it's interesting to paint silence. I think that probably I will do this prompt in the way that I will keep silent. You will be able to listen to the sounds because actually, there is no silence and it's curious so that I think let's dedicate those three, 5 minutes what we are going to paint to listen to the sounds around and to paint those sounds which you hear. Yeah. That could be really interesting because, in fact, we never hear silent outside because there are sounds of the wind of cars, of people talking, something falling or whatever I know. But we can reach that silence within ourselves when we are paying attention to what is going on around us and which is more important what is going on inside of us. Oh, I will paint silence what I will hear. I will leave microphone nearby so that you would be able to hear those sounds which are nearby and just we'll see what will appear. So that is how my silence look like. While painting, I have been listening some cars passing by on the street, but mainly, I have been really focusing on some birds singing. It was really soft. And I was thinking that it's really resonated with me that sometimes I think that we are really connected what we feel the way we are. It's like we have that inner song. All the time, like, which is on and on inside of us. And here, this kind of rhythm of that inner song. And actually, it also makes me think about this kind of cardiogram, yeah, like the rhythm of the heart, so that our inner rhythms and for me, it was also surprising that at some point while listening to my proper silence, I have found out that it has many colors. And mainly this is my favorite colors, which is like my color palette, which I use quite a lot in different artworks and that it really it's really me into these colors. And it's really interesting. I think that for me, what has been fixed here on paper, it's some kind of my invisible part. Let's say like this, no, but made it like X ray of my invisible part. Let's say like this. And actually, I think that it helps me while I'm just observing these shades, colors, textures, it really helps me to connect with myself. So that to that feeling when I'm feeling silent, calm and peaceful within myself. So I would be really interested to read your observations, your feelings, and your reflections with this prompt, so please share this in your projects. I'm looking forward to read. 6. Prompt Day 2: Welcome to a new day and new prompt. So let's see. I usually close my eyes so that I won't see what exactly I'm going to take. And I just trust my feeling and my intuition and my hand. Okay, I can open my ears. Whoa. It sounding really long. Oh, that is really funny. Ah, because you know that I was picking the prompter with closed eyes, and here I have the prompt. Paint the first shape that comes to mind with eyes closed. Okay, paint the first shape that comes to mind with eyes closed. I think one of the most typical should be my flowers. I always paint flowers. But this time, I think that I feel something like kind of point. But it's really first shape that comes to mind with eyes closed. Okay. So I really curious to paint with closed eyes that unfortunately it's not really convenient for me to film it, but just let me. Trust me, you will notice that I will paint with closed eyes. And the first shape, I think that I feel like that it's some kind of mountain, blue mountain and that I'm standing on the top. So probably the shape is going to be mountain. And then it's going to be the view, which I can see from the top of that mountain, something similar. Mm. Yeah. So I think that, um I will take my brush with some white white, no, with some blue color, that kind of turquoise, which I like cobal turquoise color. And then I think that I will paint that shape, that my mountain with closed eyes. That is my interpretation, how I feel it at the moment this prompt, you could feel different way up to you. Just take that moment to think or to feel, let's say, I'm better. But do not overthink. So it shouldn't be something really complicated. Even could be a circle, but, you know, that don't compare your process with my process because it's just different. And we are at different stages and different life circumstances. Okay, so I have my eyes closed, and here I have my I wanted to cheat a bit and to place my brush already at some point, but I do it so that I will lose a bit move my hand, so that I will lose a bit the sense of location, so that I don't know where is the paper. I think it's here. And it's really, really interesting the feeling when actually it's like pressure of the brush. And at this moment, with closed eyes, I can first, I can feel the pressure of the brush against the paper. And another thing that I can hear the sound of brush mowing on the paper. And it's like you're connecting or painting with closed eyes. I think that I think it helps to connect with your other feelings. Uh, so that you're paying more attention. But I think the most impressive for me at this moment is that I feel the weight of the brush. Yeah, that is really, really interesting. And I'm just exploring the paper. I have no idea how beautiful it is going to be my result. But the whole challenge is about imperfections and accept your imperfections and to listen. And I think z is really great prompt to listen your other senses, other than visual ones. Okay, so I think Oh It's really releasing. And, um, let's feel whether I feel that my hand still feels like to move, keep on moving, or maybe I've done. Okay. Later, you will tell me how is the result. Ugly. It's really, really satisfying this practice. So I encourage you just be brave and paid. It really helps to listen to yourself. I think it's even the feeling is even stronger compared if you paint in silence or you paint the silence. Okay. I think till this moment, I'm opening my eyes and let's see what I will find. Oh, it's not so bad. Okay. It's really curious. So that at some point, my paint has got finished. Mm. Okay. So this is my inner mountain, let's say, and that I'm staying somewhere over here. And yeah, I think that I would like to paint myself. Standing I'd like to paint myself, standing here. Yeah, like this. And just observing. And probably on the other side, I would like to make the sun. I don't know, probably, yeah, maybe the sun. I will make a bit wet. I really, really liked this prompt. It was so relaxing to paint with closed eyes. I don't remember, actually, last time I was painting with closed eyes. So yeah, something like this. Oh, oh, oh. So beautiful. And I think probably some kind of violet and pinkish. Yeah, it's going to be like kind of sky. Maybe violet, no. I think that I will use the same color. Yeah, observing with sunlight. Hmm. However, I think that I like more before I have died with open eyes things. Yeah. Before it was so much space when I have placed myself in the top of this mountain, and now I feel like I have taken the colors which have made it heavy. Hmm. Yeah, yeah. I think that, for me, it wasn't I should have stopped. I should have stopped once I have eddi myself on the top of this mountain. But I wanted to add sky that I'm looking at the sky. But, in fact, I have been looking in that like white space. Hmm, I think that about the lesson, what I have still, I can do something. I can remove this excess of the color. But I think what it makes me think about that sometimes we are really afraid of this huge open space unknown with lots of white that we tend to feel immediately that white with something. And then once you feel immediately with something, it's like you are losing you are losing some you are losing that feeling of of expansion and the feeling of this like immersive space in front of you. So for me, I think that's I think that I really would like to repeat this prompt, probably. And if I will have that white space, I would stay with that white space, to have that courage to face that white space because now I see that I have immediately filled in that white space with something with something. But it was enough. It was enough the way it was. So there was no need to add this part. I think that the main message from this prompt to myself is that have that courage to face the known, that open space, that white paper, and to enjoy it. To enjoy it. Don't feel that fear, so that fear which urges immediately to fill the space with something. There was no need to place this. And now it feels heavy. I do really feel this block heavy before it was really light, transparent, and so so that I could breathe. And now I feel I feel really like quite heavy block. I'm really curious to read about your impressions about this prompt. But I find it it's quite revealing. This was my prompt of painting first shape that comes to mind with eyes closed. And I do hope that you also have had some kind of discoveries from today's day, and I'm looking forward to read about your impressions. 7. Prompt Day 3: Welcome to New Day. And let's pick up a new prompt. So I'm with my eyes closed. Okay, let's see. After those first two, I'm really excited. Okay. That is something small. Let's see. Whoa. Okay. Quite challenging. Paint only with one brush stroke. Repeat it until it feels complete. Okay. Brush, stroke, repeat it. Okay. So let's see. How will manage this one. One brushstroke. I think I think for this, I will choose some kind of brush which would be a bit different. I haven't used this brush before, but it's because here I have quite a selection of brushes just for any case, I don't know. And that is, like, the set which I'm using at the moment. And so I wasn't prepared. But I think, yeah, this could be interesting. I have never used this dagger. And this shape because my one is a bit different. I usually use striper, but okay, let's see what I will get. And probably I will use this color. Yeah, I think I feel like this color, actually. And let's see what kind of brush took I will get from here. And then to repeat until it feels complete. Repeat, repeat. So Hmm. I think it's really interesting because while we are repeating, I'm run out of water, so I will take more paint. But I think it's quite interesting when we are repeating, we actually or at least I'm actually concentrated on the movement of the brush and the pressure which I'm releasing with the bristles. And I think it helps to calm down. Because actually repeating the fact that I'm repeating the same movements, it's like breathing. Actually, when we breathe, we do not think a lot, but it's the same pattern which we repeat. And I think, yeah, that this prompt reminds me of breathing that I'm breathing, that I'm alive. Mm hmm. And another thing which it makes me think about is that as much effort I'm making to repeat the same brushstroke. In fact, it's impossible to make twice the same the same brushstroke. All of them are different, and it makes me think about now about myself that every day. However, I look very similar to myself of yesterday or two days before, but I'm already not the same that we are changing. And that every moment is unique, like this brush stroke and that in fact, our life is made out of these brush strokes, you know? Like each brush stroke represents one day. And it makes me feel also about to feel and to think about the gratitude. For having the possibility of making these brush strokes for the possibility of being able to share with other people, to inspire the people to make this journey of self discovery. It feels so good to repeat those brush strokes. Mm hmm. Yeah. And I think that, I would like to complete the whole page. And also leaving this white space, it's like negative space, no. It makes me think about that all these brushstrokes, they are connected. No, with this like invisible. And another thing I think that I have completed. It makes me think about is that also, I feel like here, to be able to add different like one day from life or whatever. And I feel like to try to add something like I know some kind of mountains or myself. I don't know. Like each of these brush strokes to fill with something. Yeah. Because however they are similar, they are different. And in fact, it depends on me that how I can feel each of these brush strokes. Now that each day that I decide how I want to feel that day. Yeah. That it is it is interesting. And it makes me think that sometimes such simple things have this interesting effect. No. Okay, I think that I'm done for today with my prompt. I feel quite peaceful and calm. And I really like that compilation of brush strokes. They are beautiful. Mm hmm. And even more like what makes me think that they look very similar and it's like, you can feel that it's like repetition of brush strokes. But look at with water that it has created different kind of shapes within this brush stroke. So, in fact, they are also they are different by shape, different in tens of what is inside. Also, you can interfere and to add something within each brush stroke. And as well here, that they got this kind of pattern made by interaction of water and pigment. Quite interesting. Okay, I'm really curious to know how was your today's prompt. So please share in your project. And I hope that you also had this kind of 10 minutes of really peaceful auto reflection time with yourself. I'll see you next day. 8. Prompt Day 4: Welcome. And let's see which new day has brought us. There are two, but I will take only one. Okay, this big one. Let's see. Okay. Whoa. This is quite challenging. Make an abstract map of your body today. Okay, let me feel. How is my body feels today? Abstract map of my body today. It is challenging this kind of round and it should be abstract. Okay. So I won't think so much and I won't analyze so much. I think just we'll start. What kind of colors could be my body today? Mm. With water. I have no idea. So that is going to be also some kind of experiment. I feel really inspired. So generally, I feel really excited about this challenge. And I think that it makes me think about that actually, my body feels also excited. However, before starting this challenge, I had some health issues, but this challenge feels for me really, really inspiring. I think this feels like this is my excitement and my body feels a bit like that it gives me the wings to fly. So, however, it's not so abstract. But usually when I start, like I have emotional diary, and when I start, usually I use colored pencils for these kind of things for my they're more like inner emotions. And usually I start with some kind of lines. And then those lines as they start to keep the shape. So here, it's the same like my body map of my body. The probably this would be that would be the feeling of my body that I feel like flying. And Yeah, I think I won't think so much. I just will feel. And at the moment, my body feels like this. Mm hmm. Like the wings. Okay, it's abstract. So I can go where the other parts. So I don't know that it shouldn't make any sense, no? What appears under my brush. Because it's yellow, I'm not happy with this yellow. It's abstract. Okay, so I think something my inner light could be. Yeah. That is also part of my body or how I perceive myself. And also, that my body feels in fact, doing this challenge makes me feel alive. And the same for my body. I think that my body is really thankful for having the 10 minutes a day with myself when I don't think about the result. Because also quite often when you paint at some moment, you start to judge, you know, about your results. And you forget about that fun and that joy. I like to paint for the sake of painting. So I think this is my abstract body map. It's like colors. And it's like protected. I feel protected. I feel connected. Yep. And I think I feel thankful with gratitude. So probably this would be gratitude. Hm. Dear. I think for today, that's all. For me, because that's how I feel actually map of my body today in abstract that I feel connected, inspired to fly. And I think like protected, no, that contained or whatever, so that, for me, this prompt transmits me that feeling of protection so that contained, I'm connected, breathing, and also that kind of feeling when you are hugging someone and warms, I think, yeah, that's how it feels like my body today. And with gratitude. That's so great to have body, which allows us to act and to implement our thoughts, which like making something like invisible into visible. So also thanks to my body, I can share with you this painting and a bit of myself. And I'm really looking forward to hear which thoughts and which reflections you have had after today's prompt. So please share your project. 9. Prompt Day 5: So do you feel excited, as I feel to discover the new prompt? Okay, I hope that you are ready. I'll have materials with you and hopefully you will paint with me. I would like. That would be nice. To do it simultaneously. Okay. Whoa. It's so interesting. I really like that. It's like, from different sites that we are exploring. Our feelings like listening to ourselves no so that actually like to start to listen that voice to make it louder. Mm hmm. And that is one of the great parts is like when you are closing your eyes. So I think that I like that feeling. Paint a feeling of close in your eyes. It makes me think about those moments in my life when I usually actually close my eyes and to concentrate totally of what I'm feeling. And this could be like that moment when you're dancing or so that when you're taking a bath and you are feeling the water when you're swimming, when you are kissing someone when you're enjoying food, and it's so tasty, so that usually you close your eyes and like, Mm, it's so tasty. So I think that is that kind of feeling I would like to connect. And also it makes me think about cats. Usually, when they are, like, enjoying the sun, at least my cat when he used to lie on the window sill, I always taking some sun bathing, so he used to do it with eyes closed. And I think that is that feeling which I would like to transmit or to explore today with my watercolors. So let's see what I will get. I think that I will go for yellows. Okay, so I here and let's start. I just wanted to tell you that also, it's important to let yourself that time for reflection. And once I know, take out this prompt, so that usually I also give time myself to reflect and to think always what connects me this prompt. And I mean, I try to do it quickly so that you won't get bored listening to me. But also that it will inspire you or to resonate you with some kind of your feelings. I think I will feel it because I don't know, for somehow, I went for the cat. Probably it's not the best cat portrait. I'm not so good at the moment. Painting cats, but still I feel like I want to transmit that feeling of a cat taking sun bathing. I mean, like, I'm trying to do it. I haven't prepared what I will take today. And uh probably if I would be doing without recording, I would I would take me longer because I will allow myself to go deeper with my thoughts, with my feelings, like, a bit like to meditate, a bit with this prompt before starting to paint. Oh, I even would like. I think that I won't limit myself with one page. Yeah, because it was something like this. And he was lying. Yep. For you, it's like, take your time. I do it quicker. But it doesn't mean that you need to rush the same as me. And for me, also, I think that it's not only that I rush, but it's more that quite often. I think when I act without giving myself too much time to think. So then I do not overthink things. I just do them and I go directly for that for that part, which makes me feel no. And then I start to think and to analyze and for sure, to analyze which option is going to be better or whatever. So then it's like too much mind takes takes part. So I encourage you from one side to let yourself go in your wreath. That is. So your pace and from another point, also, like, do not oversin because when we start over sinking, usually, then we feel blocked, and we finish that, like, I don't know what to paint. You don't need to know. You just need to start. And to paint. Actually, I'm missing now. After I have painted, I start to miss my cat. It's there already more than ten years that he has passed away. And his name was Amour Lave. I was really sunny cat, full of love. So it's really nice to connect. We'll take striper. Mm hmm. So for years, no Yeah. That is my sunny cat. That feeling of happiness with closed eyes. It's not perfect, but it's really loose. And for me, it represents that sun and light. But I don't know, was it to make to add ice or no? Because it's like that feeling of closing eyes. Okay, let's see. What will happen if I will eat ice? Because I'm really feel like I need to add ice, but the prompt is like feeling of closing your eyes. But yeah, I think. Probably fall here a bit. By the way, my cat was completely white, totally white. But the feeling which he was transmitting it was the sun the sun. He was really sunny get. Probably it's also gratitude because he helped me. He was one of my best friends in that period of life. So I think this is my feeling of closing eyes. Yeah, I don't know. Whether he looks like a cat or now I have spoilt. But for me, that is a feeling of closing my eyes. And I feel the sun. Mm hmm. Really looking forward to hear and to read about your impressions about these prompts, and quite curious how looks your feeling of closing eyes. So please share and looking forward to the new prompt. 10. Prompt Day 6: Welcome to a new day. And let's see what will be the prompt today? I think you just already started to feel quite having fun with these prawns. Okay. Oh, paint softness. So simple. I think that quite often, when we get this kind of really simple prompts, they are also the most complicated because they look too simple for our mind. But, in fact, I think they are more challenging because how will you paint softness? Actually, connects again. For me, it connects again me with the feeling of the fur of my cat. So that when you are just feeling that touch of the fur, that it's so so soft, also it could be for me quite often, like with these brushes which are squirrels hairs. They're usually also quite soft. For sure, it connects me talking about watercolors. It connects me with wet and wet technique. Probably I will go with yeah, with this with wet on wet technique. And, but I will use only one part. That's so nice look. Oh, I think that probably I will do this. Yeah. I think that I'd like to play with my my brush with water, and that is going to be for me softness. How does it paint? Really soft brush. Let's see. Okay. I think that I have found that way how to explore how to paint softness. So my softness seems looks like bubbles. Yeah. Bubbles or probably Dandelins that when they are already ready to move, also, it could be some I think I will I would like to add more color, probably stronger. Yeah. So and because I don't like that I have made them like this symmetric. So I will look back to this one and we explore more. Now, it looks more like fireworks. But these two I really like. So probably I will go on with those ones, and I will add a bit more, for example, green for here and for here, and I will convert them into dandelions, I guess. Mm hmm. And let's this one, I think it's got already dry. So this one I will convert into bubble. I think that could be nice. So I will add other colors. I like this. And And for here, probably a bit of yellow. Yeah. So, this one is going to be bubble, but these two, I will convert them into the dandelions. So for here the stem. And usually here they have this kind of Mm hmm. I'm really curious what kind of soft ones, how you will paint your softness Because it's really interesting. This kind of how to transmit these different feelings, no. And another one over there. So One, and for here will be another one. By the way, it makes me think that, in fact, these dandelions, they are really soft. So it could be also really good example of softness. Without thinking, I have finished up with softness. And I think that I will leave it like this because, in fact, if you will have a look that this one has got really, really soft, I know that it's not complete. Or maybe in my imagine No, I didn't have this image in my imagination because actually it was play. While playing, I have finished with this. I think that is my softness, this kind of dandelions and these bubbles. I think that I'm missing one more bubble somewhere over there. But at the moment I will live it the way it is, I think it's imperfect. Like, I would give more definition to this area, but it's soft. And this area is soft. So without I really like when you are open, when you are playing that, in fact, something appears. And while you're connecting with yourself in this moment, because it started, actually, if you will know, follow the whole process, it would be that I have connected with the softness of the mop brush, of the hair squirrels hairs. And then once I have started to I just followed this urge of intuition. And when I started to play with it, then I came up with that movement and thought like, Oh, I would like to make that moment with a paint. And actually, that think of bubbles of dandelins. And I think, yeah, that is really great way to embody this my creative process, which reflects my feeling of softness. Hmm. Quite quite interesting today's process. So I hope that your process also has been quite interesting for you, and I'm looking forward to read and to hear about your experiences. So enjoy today's prompts and see you tomorrow. 11. Prompt Day 7: Welcome to New Day and new prompt. So are you curious what we are going to paint today? I'm really, really excited. So let's see. Okay. Oh, paint the feeling of drinking water. I think that is quite interesting because for me, water, it also connects me with watercolors, actually, no. And quite often, I feel that therapeutic effect of walking along the seashore, listening to the waves or just like the sounds of mountain river. And that's actually what connects me with this more like expansion when I'm painting with watercolors. And drinking water. It could be challenging. Let's see. Let's see what I will get, especially, I think that, you know, it makes me first before I start painting, I also make those like my neuron connections and associations. And one of the things connected with our basic necessities, needs that we can stay alive for two, three days without food or even more. Especially, yeah, if you have been practiced fastening that I did it for five consecutive days, so it was fine without food, any food at all. But drinking water, it's really essential. You cannot survive one day. And I think that I'm connecting actually with that, my experience of fastening that I was drinking water, but I didn't eat anything. So and then you start to appreciate that actually water is like our, like, second blood, let's say, like this. It's something so essential. And I think now I have connected now the feeling of drinking water. I think it's the essence because also, so for me, that feeling is like when I'm actually with myself, no. Something connecting with myself with my essence. Because actually, for me, water is really important, not only with watercolors that I just need them, and I want swipes for really long. Okay, one week without painting, but also it connects me with health. I remember that it was already, I think, like 20 years ago, that I was really impressed by one book. It was about water and something like curing with water or whatever. Where there was, I think that it was in prison. I don't remember where it was already. It was really long ago, that there was but yeah, it was in the prison or where there was one doctor curing the prisoners by water that they didn't have any other medical supplies or whatever. So what he had, it was water. And in that book, he was describing his experience of curing people just with water. So I don't know. I haven't remembered reminding it for really, really long. I don't know. It's quite curious how mind works. So that now, I'm thinking about water and that it's really essential. And what I liked about the book, I will tell you something more. Now I start to remember that he was exploring also the properties of water at different temperatures. So it's not the same when you're drinking water really, really hot or cold or just room temperature. And since that time, I'm drinking really lots of water. I start my day with drinking water, and, and it's really interesting how it affects our taste receptors because then you start to feel a certain moment when you feel thirsty, but you also start to think about what exactly taste of water I'm looking for. It's about my experience. So when I feel thirsty, I already know what kind of taste I'm looking for. When I want to drink water and it depends on temperature. And it's true that depending on temperature, the taste of water is different. So I don't know if you have the same experience, would be interesting to read about your experience in the discussion section, share in the comments. Really interesting prompt. I really like what it comes today with my painting. And I feel actually now when I'm already almost like finishing to paint, today's prompt, I'm actually feeling more like or what I'm connecting with the feeling because the idea of the prompts, you know, so that you would connect with yourself, how you feel, no. And each prompt for each person would be different. So for me, I think that I'm connected. I'm connecting with my feeling of gratitude. Yeah. In fact, yeah. So that gratitude alone the whole life. So that was my intuition for guiding me? No. So I think, yeah, actually, for me, this feeling of drinking water is to connect with my gratitude. It made me think about those people who have some health issues, so that with liquids processing and so on, that it's really great to be able to drink water and that it connects us with this gratitude because actually, water is life and going a bit further that here on our planet, it's, in fact, like this that without water, we won't survive. So it's life. I think it has been very interesting, this prompt for me. I didn't expect that it can connect me with other my experiences. So I'm just plain. Here I have more water. And I think that at the end, I would like Initial planet was that I was feeling like to make like this hands. But I think that at the moment, I'm feeling more like to have hands on the belly. And the colors for me, this is my colors of my intuition of water of our planet, Blue Planet. So I think that probably it's not so and I don't know. Usually, I do not judge my paintings, this kind of paintings with proportions or whatever. But it's really feels powerful. This part quite uh developed. I can see there are muscles. So probably I will make it more rounded like this. So it's going to be softer. Hm. And, um I would say that's it with this prompt. Mm. I really like. What I have here? It's really relaxing and I really curious what you will paint for this prompt. And with what kind of feelings and your experiences you will connect while painting this prompt. For me, now I feel like gratitude and life like that power of life. That is another thing that water when like, usually when lots of amounts of water or water which is, like, coming, no, like drop by drop, and then bit by bit, it starts to destroy or make caves in the rocks that is actually power, really powerful element, and also we have it inside within us. So, in fact, we are also like 80% of that power that we have inside of us. And one more thing that it connects me with really beautiful pictures, photos of I don't remember the author, that he was taking pictures of crystals, Japanese scientists, that he was taking pictures of water crystals, depending which kind of words nearby that water and how it has been structured based on those words. For me, it's like inner power, and I feel like that I want to write. This message for myself in a power. Hm. And another message for me, it's going to be, I feel like, that trust. Orientation. So this is my today's prompt. And I really feel connected with this prompt. I wouldn't think that something so simple as pain the feeling of drinking water will connect me with my other periods of my life, what I have within me, my inner power. And it's like trusting your intuition because actually, I think that for me that water is something so flexible, flowing and actually, it's like intuition, you know. So that is my message to myself. And I'm really looking forward to know what kind of message Water has brought to you. So please share. 12. Reflection on Week1: As we are finishing the week, which was dedicated to listening in word, awareness, breathing, slowing down, and just to be present for those 5 minutes which you are here to paint, to write, and to listen to yourself. So I invite you to take a slow, deep breath. Notice what has changed since you began listening inward, have a look at your paintings, drawings and look back at your journey. In fact, you will notice that somehow it is connected, and perhaps your colors or they got softer or more alive. Like, in my case, I can notice that here I have I can notice that I have started actually with my colors, my coolor palette, and how it has been changing that pay attention not to so much objects, but also there could be some switches in the color palette, which colors more became more dominant. Like here, you see that I'm moving from blues to yellows, some combination, and then back to blues. But these ones are already different blues. They are softer, and maybe the colors became more alive. And just invite you just to reflect in your own words. What did I notice about myself this week? When did I feel most connected to my breath? Okay. What surprised me? What felt uncomfortable and what did it teach me? So I think that we have had quite many challenging prompts. Probably this one known to paint with closed eyes. And this was, for me, the most uncomfortable part, L heavy part from all the prompts when instead of having this open space and light white paper that I have decided to add something more and no more. So but the rest, I I have noticed, actually, that I have been more connected. And this is my favorite part that towards the end of the week, that here, I really felt listening to myself Mmhmm and listening to what I was feeling in that moment. And also, I invite you to make your another self portrait, which would be already after the week of challenge. Just the way you feel. Let your brush paint how it feels to be in this moment. And this self portrait will have the title. This is me when I listen. When you listen deeply, even silence has a color. And we have seen we have painted exactly this week the silence. So I invite you just to play with colors and to create one more self portrait. And let's see how it will differ one from another one. 13. ItsMe Listening Inward: In my case, I think that I will go again for some combination of wet on wet technique with some kind of inking. So let's see what I will get, how I will be. I'm just picking up the colors which are, you know, already you can notice. You can guess the ones which I'm using because, in fact, that is actually, this is a color which connects me really a lot with my inner self. And recently, I feel really like this color. And for me, this color also represents my intuition, the way how I feel when I listen to myself, and I follow my intuition. So I think okay. That now I have the idea that I will make I will transform this into a face. So you see, my original was different that I wanted to combine wet on wet technique with inking, like in the previous one, but my hint and my intuition decided differently. Okay. So here I have. It's really interesting to paint portraits just on wet and wet when you don't really see. How it will turn out, but So I think that for me at the moment, my portrait after this first week challenge, it looks like the power of my intuition. I think it transmits me this message. That's how I feel. You can see the face. And I will have to let it dry for a while so that to be able to add more details. And here I will remove some paint so that to leave white for my probably for here as well. Mm hmm. So I will let this dry and then we'll add some more details. Okay, it has got dry. I bet my intuition phase. And I will add several more. That's like what I feel that now by adding more details, more lines, I actually bring to life my intuition. So it's already not so blurred. And I think it's something also that in my no, how I feel that you could feel different way. And for me, it would be interesting if you will share how you perceive this because for me, I think that we have intuition. Really deep insight. And with that time passes and that the older we become, that we a bit, like, start to forget how to use our intuition or we just do not realize so much. And I think that this image for me is telling that now by adding details, I'm bringing my intuition to life. So that it's not already so blurred and invisible that out of invisible, I'm making it visible. And, in fact, it makes me feel like, I know, but actually almost crying because it's really important part of me, and I think that I was keeping it quite abundant. Thinking too much with my head and believing my head and rational part more than my intuition. So that is for me that meaning of this. While I'm doing this, I feel this way that my intuition has been waiting silently or maybe not so silently, but I didn't hear it so well. But it's always has been with me, but a bit invisible. And now I like, with these details, with this brushwork, I'm bringing it back to life. And actually, I feel this is it's like I don't know, because from one point I really like would like to leave this quite blurred part that sometimes you don't need to add so many details. Because I think that once you add ice, it's already understandable what you want to say. And, yeah, I think that I will keep those areas blurred. Also because I feel like it starts to appear, but still I don't really see everything, all the details. But I start already to feel and to see that eyesight and the eyes. So it's really interesting how it will evolve. For me, but at this stage, it's going to be like this. My intuition, that I start to notice it and to see. But one part I still feel like it's blurred so that it doesn't show up completely. So that's how I feel after this week of challenge. And I really, really curious to read about your observations, how you have changed, what you have noticed, the difference and perception of yourself before and one week later. So here is my This is me when I listen. And I think it's true that once you listen to yourself, you are connected much more to your intuition, no? So this is me when I listen. And 14. Final Thoughts: I want to thank you for being here and for showing up to yourself through art. Even several minutes of painting and self reflection each day can open new doors within you. If this experience spoke to you, I would be grateful if you can find a moment to deliver a class review. This will help other students to discover this class, and it supports my work. Also, I would love to see what you have created. Share your watercolor pages or reflections in the class project section. Your journey might inspire other people to begin. You can also join my 30 day challenge Back to Yourself Through Art, where we meet for live weekly self reflection sessions and for creative support. Or if you'd like more personal experience, I invite you to book a one to one art therapy session with me, where we will go deeper to explore your personal process. Once again, thank you for painting, for feeling, and for growing with me. And remember, your art shouldn't be perfect. What it needs is to be yours, deeply yours. See in my next class. Bye.