When the temperatures drop, most people tend to look for indoor activities to keep them occupied.
And finding engaging indoor activities can be especially important for seniors, as winter weather can cause an increase in mobility challenges.
If your elderly loved one is on the hunt for a new cold-weather hobby, watercolor painting may be the perfect solution.
Perfect for all ages and skill levels, it’s a great way for seniors to express themselves in a personal way, and potentially develop a passion for art that lasts all year long.
Finding Self-Expression Through Art
Being able to express thoughts, emotions, and experiences is something that people of all age can struggle with.
And, for centuries, painting has provided people with a way to do just that in a non-verbal manner.
By helping your elderly loved ones express themselves through art, you’ll also be helping them reduce stress and encourage mindfulness as they work through the artistic process.
Assistance from Senior Helpers
If your parents or grandparents are currently in a senior care facility, you may be worried about the logistics of diving into a new activity.
Fortunately, as verveseniorliving.com mentions, well-reputed senior care facilities will have assistants available to help allow your loved ones to explore new hobbies.
Trained senior helpers may be able to assist with everything from color choices and basic techniques to group workshops that allow your loved ones to develop their skills.
Needed Materials for Watercolor Painting
One of the best things about watercolor painting is that the materials needed are both minimal and inexpensive.
To get started, nothing more is needed than the paints themselves, brushes, paper or canvas, and water.
If your elderly loved ones start to develop a passion for watercolor painting, looking into higher-quality materials may be a good idea.
However, while expensive watercolors can be fun to work with, they’re certainly not necessary. Beautiful results can be created with budget materials.
Techniques in Watercolor Painting
Aside from affordability, one of the reasons watercolor painting is so popular is because of the many techniques that can be used.
Some of the most popular methods of painting include “wet on wet,” applying wet paint to a wet surface for a soft, diffused edge, “wet on dry,” used to create detail and sharp edges, and “glazing,” adding a thin layer of transparent color to the entire painting.
Playing around with the different ratios of water to paint is one of the most enjoyable things about watercolor painting, and can be a fun way to experiment without caring about results.
Encourage your loved ones to try new things, play with different techniques, and find the way to paint that they most enjoy.
Benefits of Watercolor Painting
Caring for a senior loved one is no easy task. But introducing fulfilling hobbies, like watercolor painting for seniors, can help in a variety of ways.
Painting as a hobby has been shown to improve fine motor skills and coordination, issues many seniors can struggle with.
It can also stimulate cognitive functions, such as memory, problem-solving, and concentration. It encourages seniors to use their imagination and creativity, which can be beneficial for brain health.
Finally, watercolor painting for seniors provides a powerful way for your loved ones to share their stories without needing words.
One of the most rewarding things about painting is that it’s a hobby that doesn’t recognize age limits.
So, if your senior loved one is looking for a hobby to occupy themselves when colder weather keeps them indoors, watercolor painting may be an ideal option.
Start out with a few inexpensive supplies and some simple painting techniques, and let your parent or grandparent’s creativity shine.