🎨 Creative & making

Painting & drawing

You don’t have to be “good at it” to enjoy painting. In an open group a pleasant kind of concentration settles in, and the talking happens by itself.

You don’t have to be “good at it”

The commonest misconception is that painting is only for the gifted. In truth it has less to do with talent than with the pleasure of doing it. Drawing a line, mixing colours, capturing a subject in your own way – it does you good, quite regardless of the result. Let go of the demand to produce something perfect and painting reveals itself as a relaxing, satisfying occupation.

The kind of concentration that helps

Painting and drawing bring on a particular calm. You go deep, forget the time, and the mind goes quiet – much as in meditation. In an open group the talking happens alongside, without pressure, because everyone is occupied with their own sheet. That mixture of shared activity and relaxed chat is what makes painting together so pleasant.

Easier to learn together

In a group or a class you pick up techniques from one another, find inspiration and dare to try something new. Whether life drawing, watercolour or simply free sketching – practising together takes away the self-consciousness and keeps you at it. And the lovely part: in front of the same subject everyone produces something different, which makes comparing all the more rewarding.

Tips for getting started

Let go of the demand for perfection – in painting it is the doing that counts, not the result.
Start with simple means: a pencil and paper are enough to begin.
Paint briefly and often rather than rarely and at length – that is how a feel for it develops fastest.
In an open painting group you pick up techniques and are far likelier to keep going.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need talent to paint?

No. Painting is above all practice and the pleasure of doing it. Over time almost everyone develops a feel for line, form and colour – talent is overrated.

What is the best way to start?

With a pencil and paper, or a simple watercolour set. Expensive materials are unnecessary at the beginning; what matters more is simply making a start.