Be Patient
They say that “patience is a virtue,” and in painting, it’s a requirement. So our next watercolor wisdom - lessons I’ve learned through watercolor that can be applied to life – is…
Be patient…
The art of watercolor requires patience; there’s no doubt about that. In watercolor, we use a variety of techniques. Some involve lots of water and others a dry brush. When we use a lot of water, that’s when patience becomes part of the painting process. For example, when we use the wet-on-wet technique in which we wet the paper and drop in the paint, we can create some gorgeous goodness. But when you need to add another layer of different colors or values, you have to let the current layer dry or you’ll just end up lifting or muddying it. So wait you must. Some people like to use a heat gun or hair dryer to speed up the process. But sometimes using some patience is good for us.
When we let the paint dry naturally, we can rest or work on another painting or do a little straightening of our studio or work on some marketing ideas or scan a finished painting or… In other words, as we wait, we’re given an opportunity to use that time differently. We might think about the painting and decide to take a different approach with the next layer. Or we might spend some unexpected time with a family member. Or we might use the time to relax and give our body and mind some much-needed rest. And in this way, patience, which at times is so challenging, becomes a gift.
In life, we often find ourselves rushing from one task to another, getting frustrated in traffic, becoming irritated when something takes longer than expected, desiring immediate gratification, etc. Patience often is not on display. And this isn’t good for our physical and mental health. When we learn the practice of patience, we can reduce our stress, anxiety, and frustration. When we are impatient, we are often quick to anger or frustration which negatively impacts those around us through our words, actions, and body language which can put stress on relationships. When we learn the practice of patience, we learn to wait before we respond which helps us respond in a more positive way and can even transform relationships.
In painting and in life, don’t rush the process; be patient and enjoy it. As you wait, find those special moments and connections or give yourself some rest. But in all things, do your best to be patient.