Week  1 — Exercises

Exercises - lesson 1

Exercise 1

 

Emotion in Color Wash

Purpose:  To identify and express emotion through color without verbalizing it.

Full Sit in stillness for two full minutes
Keep your hands away from materials
Focus on your breathing

Ask yourself: “What am I feeling right now?”
Do not answer in words

Select one color that feels connected to that emotion

Prepare your paint by adding water until it becomes soft and fluid

Place your brush on the surface

Begin moving slowly

Cover the entire page

Do not stop once you begin

Do not create shapes or objects

Continue until the page is filled

 

Completion Indicator:
The page is fully covered and you have remained in continuous movement

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Layered Emotional Response,

Exercise 2

Full Instructions:

Allow your first painting to rest for several minutes
Look at it without judgment

Ask: “What does this need?”

Choose a second colorm

Apply lightly over or within the first layer

Do not cover all areas meAllow both layers to remain visible

 

Stop when the painting feels complete

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------:---::

Week 1 reading

Expressin Emotions

Through Art Your Body Gets Involved

When you create art, your body naturally gets involved. Your hand moves, your breathing changes, and your focus becomes sharper. This physical activity helps to release emotions that you might be holding inside.

Everyone expresses this differently. Some people might make quick, strong marks on the page. Others might slowly add many layers of color, building up depth. Some might press down hard, making bold lines, while others might move gently but continuously, letting the movement guide them.

There is no right or wrong way to do this.

The Importance of Movement

What matters most is that something is moving. Emotions that stay trapped inside without any movement can build up pressure. They can feel louder, heavier, and much harder to deal with. But when you express them, even if it's not perfect, they start to change.

They might not disappear completely, but their form changes. They become something you can see, something you can look at from a distance, something that isn't entirely stuck inside you anymore

Externalization: Getting Feelings Out

This is a key part of releasing emotions through art: externalization. When a feeling is only in your mind or body, it can feel endless. But when you put it on paper or a canvas, it becomes separate from you. You can observe it.

You can take a moment to breathe. You can decide how close or far you want to be from it.Safety and ControlAnother important benefit is safety. Art allows you to control how intensely you release your emotions.

You can work slowly, focusing on small parts, and pausing whenever you need to. Or you can move quickly and freely, letting everything come out at once. You are in charge of the pace. You decide when to stop.

This makes art a safe way to process emotions because you always remain in control of the experience.