Hello friends,

When the new year arrives wrapped in cold, dark days, it’s easy for motivation to hibernate too, making it harder to summon the energy and warmth needed to begin painting again. Why not take a small pause before your next brushstroke and reflect on your creative journey and what you achieved in 2025. Progress isn’t always loud or polished, but it always matters — every painting attempted, every experiment made, every day you showed up when motivation felt low has meaning. There’s no “right” reason to paint — whether it’s for expression, growth, calm, play, or curiosity — your reason is enough, and it’s allowed to change as you do.

Instead of big resolutions, choose one small creative action this week: paint for 15 minutes, try one brushstroke, doodle without pressure, or simply sit with your materials. Small steps rebuild momentum, confidence, and joy. When unhelpful thoughts appear, meet them gently — learning is not failure, and growth isn’t a race. Switch “Everyone is better than me at painting”   to “All artists develop at their own pace.” Or, “This painting isn’t good enough” to “This painting is part of my learning.” You are exactly where you need to be today.

As you move forward, hold a soft intention — curiosity, calm, courage, playfulness, patience — and let it guide your practice, not control it. Your art doesn’t need to be perfect to be meaningful. What you create is enough. Your growth is unfolding in its own time. And every time you show up, you’re becoming more fully yourself as an artist. 🌿🎨

I've got some new classes in the pipeline for 2026, but in the meantime a couple of uplifting ones that you may not have already tried are:

Watercolour Landscape painting: Northern Lights - Aurora Borealis, Sky and Snow for All Levels - the wonderful northern lights that illuminate our dark, wintery skies, we've been getting some wonderful light shows here in the UK lately.

Watercolour Bird & Landscape Painting: Heron by Moonlight for All Levels - it's a frosty night, for the lonely white heron but see how proud he stands in the shimmering moonlight

Watercolour Wildlife Animal Painting: Snow Leopard Masterclass for All Levels - or what about the elusive snow leopard, he braves the fiercest of icy weather - painting him is a lot easier than it might look!

And finally, remember in 2026 its not just about learning new skills and techniques, its also about learning to enjoy the ride! I am immensely grateful and honoured to have played a part in your 2025 art journey, and I’m really looking forward to sharing space, ideas, and growth together over the coming year.

With very best wishes for your 2026 painting adventure, Carrie

https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/watercolour-landscape-painting-northern-lights-aurora-borealis-sky-and-snow-for-all-levels/1476788719/projects?via=teaching

https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/watercolour-bird-and-landscape-painting-heron-by-moonlight-for-all-levels/1553586700/projects?via=teaching

https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/watercolour-wildlife-animal-painting-snow-leopard-masterclass-for-all-levels/2072439157/projects?via=teaching

Carrie McKenzie

creating painted visions

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