How to do pointillism painting for mindfulness

22 Sep 2022

The Mental Health Foundation’s Mental Health Awareness week runs from 26 September to 2 October and aims to help Kiwis understand ways to improve their wellbeing and mental health.

Studies have shown that arts and crafts activities, including painting, can be a way to reduce stress and anxiety.

.“Arts and crafts can act as circuit-breakers for stress,” says Dr Fiona Crichton, a health psychology specialist for mental health app Groov.

“When we are under the pump, feeling pressured or stressed, engaging in activities that require a bit of creative focus and energy can provide our overwhelmed minds with a break. In addition, being present in a task such as painting can act as a respite from worrying and overthinking.

“Artistic endeavours often require attention, which means we are no longer caught up in worries about the future or ruminating about the past – we are in the moment.”

One painting technique to try for stress relief is pointilism. This neo-impressionist painting style was first developed by Seurat in the 1880s and involves using tiny dots of various colours to create a bigger picture. This time consuming technique is perfect for Resene testpots – and requires a lot of concentration – making it ideal for mental wellbeing says Fiona.

“Tasks that absorb your attention and provide an achievable challenge can lead to what’s been termed a ‘state of flow’,” she says. “When you find your flow, you are completely in the moment, and time disappears. There have been comparisons with meditation.

“Creative activities that are challenging but doable, such as mastering painting techniques like pointillism or repetitive line design, can be beneficial for wellbeing.”

This pointillist-style artwork was painted using a cotton bud to create dots in Resene Wanaka, Resene Wedgewood, Resene Comfort Zone, Resene Coconut Cream and Resene Gulf Stream. Wall and shelf in Resene Eighth Bison Hide and vases in Resene Half Spindle and Resene Coconut Cream.

To try pointillism, paint a canvas, furniture or vase using small dots. Trace or sketch a design in pencil onto your canvas or vase and apply the paint by dipping a cotton bud into a Resene testpot or tip the paint into a squeezy bottle to create the perfect dot. Don’t know where to start? Download this free stencil  to trace the outline of the flowers and start filling in the blanks with dots.

Download the stencil here

Read more on Mental Health Awareness Week here: https://mentalhealth.org.nz/our-campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week

Download the Groov app at www.groovapp.com

Published: 22 Sep 2022