The Power of Surrender: 5 Benefits of Letting Go While Painting
Soma 
In this post, we'll explore the three primary benefits of letting go of control and unlocking a more creative and intuitive approach to painting.
“When you let go of the need for any and all outcomes life becomes a creative magical adventure.”
— Deepak Chopra
Students often ask me what 'letting go' means in the context of art. I say to them that 'Letting Go' means opening your mind to possibilities and having fun as you create.
It means to avoiding obsessing over perfection and instead allowing yourself to learn through exploration. When we practice the idea of ‘letting go’ in art, we also subconsciously affirm it, so it is ready to be applied to day-to-day life situations.
Letting go while painting can be an incredibly important part of the creative process. As an artist, it can help you break through creative roadblocks, open your mind to new possibilities, and help you explore new techniques and styles of expression. For those looking to take their creative practice to the next level, understanding the benefits of 'letting go' while painting can be invaluable. In this post, we'll explore the three primary benefits of letting go of control and unlocking a more creative and intuitive approach to painting. Through the exploration of these elements, we will gain insights into how letting go can lead to a more meaningful creative journey.
Freedom to express oneself: Letting go opens greater creative potential by allowing your own true style to be expressed. Also, you need to consciously choose to paint without fear of judgement from others or your own self. For some of us, painting can often be a nerve-wracking experience, especially when you're just starting out. You might worry that you'll make the wrong stroke or choose a colour that clashes with the rest of the painting. But hey, that's why it's called "creating" art!
With the freedom to make mistakes without judgement, you can let go of all that anxiety and just have fun. Who knows? You might create something beautiful out of those "mistakes." Or what Bob Ross would have referred to as “Happy Accidents”.
Clarity of thought:
Allowing yourself to experiment with different techniques and tools not only releases tension and stress, but also leads to clearer, more concise ideas and results.
When you let go of focusing on the outcome of a painting, it allows you to focus on the process of painting and avoid obsessing over perfection or fearing mistakes. You'll be able to lose yourself in the creative process, paving the way for finding creative directions and pathways to follow. Whether you are a practicing artist or someone keen to build skills, then this can be beneficial in the long run as it can help you to further hone their skills and create more consistent work.
If you are pursuing art as a well-being activity, then experiencing such an immersive process might enable you to get away from negative obsessive thoughts for that moment in time. It could also provide the opportunity to process thoughts and feelings without the associated anxiety and stress.
Opportunity to explore: Letting go of the need for perfection allows for greater exploration. Finding new methods of expression and discovering unexpected results can be incredibly rewarding and inspiring. You learn what works and what doesn’t because of the experiments that are unique to your way of artmaking.
So, when you make more art, devoid of self-criticism, fear, and judgement, you enable yourself to feel liberated and recharged at the end of such art sessions. Research shows that regular consistent time spent in immersive art experience lowers stress levels, improves memory and builds self-esteem. And more importantly when we regularly engage in exploratory forms of art you practice an attitude of being open to new experiences. This attitude may extend to other areas of life in a beneficial way.
#3 EASY TIPS TO PRACTICE THE ART OF LETTING GO
1. No rules to follow - just let the paintbrush take the lead
One of the best things about "letting go" while painting is that you don't have to follow any rules. You can just let the paintbrush take the lead and let your creative juices flow. No more agonizing over the "right" colour or texture; no more worrying if you've chosen the right brush size; no more agonizing over which brush stroke to use. Just take your brush, dip it in the paint, and start painting! It's liberating and can be so much fun to just let go and let the paintbrush lead the way. Who knows, you might even find yourself creating an amazing masterpiece!
What this equates to in the context of day-to-day life, is that you are practising the mindset of letting go of situations we have no control over in life and allowing life to take you to a deeper, truer rendition of yourself.
2. Get creative and explore colours you never thought you'd use
If you’ve been stuck in a colour rut, it’s time to break free and explore the rainbow of possibilities that await you. Get creative and experiment with hues you never thought you’d use. Who knows, you just might discover your next favourite colour!
Splash your favourite colours after making it more fluid with water. Spray more mists of water on it. Let it drip. Watch it mix and swirl. Let it dry and then start again if you feel you have unfinished things to say through paints. Expressing yourself through colours and marks is a fun way to paint intangible thoughts, ideas, and emotions. You can vent and get negative emotions out of your system through paint on canvas. It’s a way to practice creative self-care.
And it is ‘OK’ if it all turns into a muddy mess, since muddy or earthy neutral colours are the perfect backdrop for accentuating other colours. So, you could easily paint over it or create something new and vibrant whenever you feel ready to do so.
Letting go as you express your deepest darkest or muddled up thoughts through colourful paint on canvas can be a cathartic release for many. The canvas won’t judge you for what or how much you share with it – no information shared during your creative self-care sessions is considered TMI (too much information). So go ahead and try this especially if you feel creatively blocked in any way.
3. Letting go of expectations and embracing the unknown
Ah, expectations. They can be a real buzzkill when it comes to painting. You’re going in with a specific vision of how you want your painting to look and then it ends up looking completely different! Instead of stressing out about it, just let go of obsessing on the ‘outcome’ and embrace the unknown. If you encounter an unexpected result, be curious, take a risk, and look for ways to try a different creative path.
You may discover a new technique or find that you’re more pleased with the new outcome than you would have been if it had turned out the way you had originally planned. Plus, it’s a great way to flex your creative muscles, practice patience and learn to roll with the punches.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, letting go while painting is a great way to explore new techniques and find a sense of freedom in your work. By allowing yourself to let go of any judgement or expectations, you can be creatively open to whatever comes to you, and ultimately enjoy the process of creating art. It is a great way to unleash your inner artist and tap into a joy that comes with taking risks, experimenting, and exploring.
Categories: creative me-time, Paintyourhappy, Wellbeing
