You do not need 1000 painting ideas when you’re depressed. You only need a few to take your mind off your problems for a while.
These painting ideas for when you are depressed will take more than one day to complete and hopefully will give you the strength to keep painting and working through your mental health challenges.
Easy Depressed Painting Ideas
Painting Your Emotions
Sometimes, it’s hard to tell people how you’re feeling. That’s where art comes in. Grab any type of paint—watercolors, acrylics, whatever you have—and let your feelings out on the canvas.
If you’re feeling blue, you might use lots of blues and grays. If there’s a spark of hope, maybe add a dash of pastel yellow.
It’s all about showing your emotions without having to find the perfect words.
A Self Portrait
You’re unique, and your journey is too. Paint a self-portrait, but focus on adding elements that show how you feel inside.
You don’t have to make it look perfect. If you’re feeling fractured, maybe paint that literally. Think about artists like Frida Kahlo; she didn’t hold back in showing her emotional and physical pain. Your portrait could do something similar for you.
Paint Your Ideal Day or Activity
Imagine a day or an activity that makes you happy or calm. Maybe it’s a picnic in the park, a day at the beach, or just reading a good book.
Paint that scene. It’s like a mini-vacation for your brain. This can remind you of good times and maybe inspire you to plan something fun.
Paint Happier Times
Dig into your memory and pull out a moment that made you feel light and happy. Paint that. This isn’t just about nostalgia.
It’s a way to remind yourself that the sun has shone on you before and it will again.
Paint Flowers
Flowers can mean a lot of things—growth, beauty, new beginnings. Choose a flower you love or one that means something special to you.
Paint it in any style you like. You could go for a detailed look or just capture the essence of the flower with bright bold colors and shapes.
Flowers often make people feel calm and happy. That’s always a good thing.
Paint Animals
Got a favorite animal? Paint it! Animals can be symbols of different emotions and traits. Lions for courage, doves for peace, or even a loyal dog for companionship.
Paint your spirit animal or just an animal you think is cute. It’s your art.
Paint Landscapes
Think of a place that makes you feel at peace or happy. It could be a real place or somewhere you’ve dreamed up.
Paint that landscape. This can be a great escape, and you don’t even have to pack a bag. Plus, nature scenes are usually calming to look at.
Paint Abstract Expressionist Style Art
Abstract art is great because there are no rules. Feeling a mess? Your painting can be too. Use colors and strokes to show what’s going on inside you.
Don’t worry about making something that others understand. This is for you. It’s about letting your inner world out in a rush of color and shape.
Remember, painting is more about the process than the final product. It’s a way to work through what you’re feeling and maybe find some peace along the way.
Just grab a brush and some paint, and let your heart lead the way.
Inspiration for Depression Painting Ideas
Using Colors to Express Emotions
When you’re feeling down, colors can be your best friends. Think of them as a way to speak without words.
You don’t need to be an art class star to use blues to show sadness or reds to express that built-up anger.
Grab any type of paint – watercolors, acrylic paints, it doesn’t matter – and let your feelings splash onto the canvas.
Light colors like pastel yellow might bring in a whisper of happiness or calm. It’s all about what you feel inside.
This kind of painting is like using an emotion wheel without the fancy terms. Simple, right?
Symbolism in Depressive Artwork
Depression art with deep meanings often leans on symbols. A cracked vase might show how you feel broken.
A lone tree could represent feelings of loneliness. It’s not just about what you paint but the story it tells.
As I mentioned earlier, Frida Kahlo turned her pain into powerful paintings full of symbols. You don’t have to be Frida, though.
Start with depression drawing easy steps. Even drawing a simple empty chair can mean a lot. You’re sharing your story, your way. This is art therapy in action.
Nature-Themed Paintings for Healing
Nature has a way of healing, even on canvas. Think about painting a Zen garden to find some peace or a stormy sea to let out your inner turmoil.
Nature-themed paintings can show how you’re feeling or how you want to feel. Want calm? Paint calming colors like the sky right after the sunset.
Need to scream? A thunderstorm can be your voice. You’re making your feelings visible, and sometimes that’s the first step to feeling a bit better.
Remember, it’s not about making a masterpiece. It’s about letting your brush do the talking. Whether you’re into depressive oil paintings or cheerful watercolors, it all counts. This is your journey, one stroke at a time.
Exploring the Connection Between Art and Mental Health
Benefits of Art Therapy for Depression
Think of art therapy as your cozy blanket on a chilly day. It’s there to comfort you. Painting or doodling, it doesn’t matter.
When you’re feeling down, picking up a brush or a pencil can work wonders. It’s like talking without having to find the right words.
You get to splash your feelings on a canvas, and in doing so, you might feel a bit lighter. Art lets you express those hard-to-say feelings, turning confusion into color.
How Painting Can Help with Managing Depression Symptoms
Ever feel like you’re stuck in your head? Painting can be your escape hatch. It pulls you into the present, focusing on what’s in front of you rather than what’s swirling around in your mind.
Whether it’s the stroke of the brush or mixing the perfect shade of blue, painting demands your attention.
This can give you a break from those annoying depressive thoughts. Plus, there’s something about creating that can make you feel a bit proud of yourself. It’s like saying, “Take that, depression!”
Why Depressed People Make Art
It’s not just about making something pretty, happy or distracting. For many, it’s a survival skill. When words in your head are like tangled headphones, art becomes the untangler.
It’s a way to say, “This is how I’m feeling,” without actually having to say it. Sometimes, when you’re feeling low, the idea of doing anything can seem huge. But a doodle? That’s doable.
And before you know it, one little doodle can lead to another, helping lift that fog of depression, even if just for a bit.
Why Painting Is Good for Depression
Here’s the scoop: painting can be like a mini-vacation for your brain. It’s not about creating a masterpiece; it’s about letting your guard down and just being in the moment.
You choose the colors that match your mood. Feeling blue? Splash it on. Annoyed with orange? Go ahead and smear it.
Painting allows you to take control, offering a sense of calm in the storm of emotions. Plus, seeing your feelings right there on the canvas can make them seem a bit less scary.
Using Art Therapy
So, how do you dive into art therapy? Easy. You start. Grab any type of paint, watercolors, or acrylics.
No need to aim for a masterpiece. It’s all about letting those emotions flow onto the paper, even if it’s just abstract blobs and lines.
Think of it as your personal emotional wheel, where each color and stroke represents a different feeling.
From lonely greys to happier shades of pastel yellow, let your mood guide your palette. In art therapy, it’s not just about the art.
It’s about what happens inside you while you’re making it. So, give it a go. Who knows? You might just find a little peace, one brush stroke at a time.
Techniques to Create Personalized Depression Paintings
Feeling blue or tangled up in grey? Let’s dive into some art ideas that might just be the mood lifter you’re looking for.
How To Illustrate Depression
Ever thought about grabbing a brush to show how you’re feeling inside? It’s not as tough as it sounds.
Start with what painting represents depression for you. Maybe it’s a stormy sea or a lonely path. There’s no right or wrong here.
Depression drawings with deep meaning can come from anything that feels true to you. Paint what gets under your skin, even if it’s just splatters of grey and blue.
How To Represent Depression in Art
You’re not alone if you’re wondering, “How do you represent depression?” A good place to start is with colors and shapes that feel heavy or dark.
Loneliness can look like a single tree in a vast open space. Mental health problems might be a jumble of lines heading everywhere and nowhere.
If the usual scenes don’t do it for you, abstract art lets you show those feelings without having to spell them out.
Sometimes a whirl of dark colors can say more than a detailed drawing.
Abstract Painting as a Therapeutic Outlet
Speaking of abstract, it’s a fantastic way to let loose without worrying about the end result. Think of it as art therapy.
You just see where your mood takes you. Use acrylic paints or watercolors, whatever feels good.
Splash, dab, and drag those feelings across the canvas. Abstract painting is in the emotions it frees up, not in the precision of the brushstrokes.
Incorporating Texture and Layers for Depth
To make your paintings pop with emotion, try adding texture and layers. It’s like making a sandwich but way more fun.
Use a palette knife to slather on thick paint for angry or intense spots. Light brush strokes can add a soft touch to more tender areas.
Layers can turn a flat painting into a story. Each layer is a part of what you feel, building up to something deep and personal.
Mindfulness and Meditation in Painting
Painting can be your zen garden. Slow down and breathe. Focus on each stroke and how the colors blend.
This mindfulness can be calming. You’re in control here. Let art be a break from the chaos. It’s like meditation but with a lovely picture to show at the end.
Colors that Reduce Stress, Anxiety and Depression
Colors can be powerful mood shifters. Art class 101: blues and greens are your friends. They’re the calming colors. Want to lift your mood? Splash some pastel yellow into your art. It’s like sunshine on canvas.
The idea is to use colors that make you breathe a bit easier. Your painting might end up a mix of moods, and that’s okay. It’s all about what helps you feel a bit lighter.
Remember, these ideas are just starting points. Mix them up, try something new. Art is all about you and how you choose to express what’s inside.
Whether it’s the emotional dynamics in a family sculpture or the peace you find in creating a personal emotion wheel, your art is yours alone.
So, grab your brush, pick any type of paint, and let’s brighten up those grey days.
Joseph Colella
Joseph Colella (Joe Colella) is an Editor and Writer at WastedTalentInc. As a frustrated artist with over 40 years experience making art (who moonlights as a certified Business Analyst with over 20 years of experience in tech).
While Joseph holds a Diploma in Information Technology, in true wasted talent fashion he spent years applying for various Art degrees; from the Accademia di Belle Arti (Napoli), to failing to get into the Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts) at the University of Western Sydney.
While he jokes about his failures at gaining formal art qualifications, as a self-taught artist he has had a fruitful career in business, technology and the arts making Art his full time source of income from the age of 18 until 25.
His goal is to attend the Julian Ashton School of Art at The Rocks Sydney when he retires from full time work. Joseph’s art has been sold to private collectors all over the world from the USA, Europe and Australasia.
He is a trusted source for reliable art advice and tutorials to copyright/fair use advice and is committed to helping his readers make informed decisions about making them a better artist.
