Exercises in Art Therapy

 

Art is an amazing tool for therapeutic practices, and it can be used to help people feel better. Art is a form of expression, and art does not exist without emotion; this being said it is natural that art is used as therapy. We all have emotions that we need to get out sometimes, and I recommend using art as the tool to do so. This article will discuss an art therapy exercise that I often enjoy.

Watercolor paint is a great way to express your emotions because it is so vivid and alive itself. Watercolors blend and blur in ways that are very representative of emotions. For this project you will need watercolor paints, paint brushes, a cup of water, paper towels, and a calm place where you can relax. I also suggest that you have a cd player or a way of listening to music to help you get in the mood.

Put on some music and get comfortable. It is important to have music that helps you touch the emotions you are feeling. Do not try to hide or push away your emotions; embrace your emotions. Sometimes you need to feel emotions that you do not necessarily want to feel, and putting these emotions into art is a productive and positive way to use your negative emotions.

Now start by wetting your paper; wet the entire piece of paper because this will help the colors blend. Add water to the paints to get them ready to use, and pick a color that feels right. Now start by making a brushstroke on the paper, and watch how the colors move. Make some more brush strokes and shapes, and use other colors as well. Keep adding colors and different lines and patterns until the entire paper is colored. While you are adding these colors think about your emotions, and think about why you are upset. Put these feelings onto the paper through the use of the colors.

Now while the paper is still wet you are going to take away these vivid and intense colors. While doing this I want you to imagine letting go of these feelings. I want you to visualize washing these feelings away. Now use the paper towel to blot different areas of your picture. This will remove most of the colors. You can even add more water to the area of the paper that you want to remove more color from. Keep removing the colors until you feel relaxed and pleased with this piece.

The visualization techniques in this exercise are important to help you release your pent up emotions. This article will help you use art to feel better.