Exploring Emotions Through Mindful Art Short Course
Course description
Course overview
The Exploring Emotions Through Mindful Art Short Course is a hands-on, experiential journey that combines the art of drawing and painting with the practice of mindfulness. This 25-hour course is designed to help participants cultivate calm, clarity, and mental well-being through creative exploration.
Join renowned artist and teacher David Rycroft for an inspiring course where art and mindfulness meet. This unique workshop invites us to explore the interplay between creativity and emotional balance, uncovering our natural capacity for self-expression and wisdom.
Drawing inspiration from key examples in art history and mindfulness principles, the course invites students to discover fresh perspectives and experiment with new ways of seeing the world. Through guided artistic exercises, individual feedback, and group sharing, participants will:
- See the world from fresh perspectives, breaking free from habitual concepts
- Explore emotions and abstract expression through drawing and painting
- Tap into their intuition and inner wellspring of inspiration
- Cultivate relaxation while maintaining clarity and focus
The course offers a supportive environment to unlock inner creativity and explore how art can deepen our understanding of both our inner and outer worlds. No prior experience in art or mindfulness is needed - just curiosity and a willingness to explore. All materials are provided. Once you are back home, your rich sketchbook and paintings will serve as a vivid reminder of how to work - and play - with your emotional life.
Who this course is for
This course is ideal for anyone curious about how painting can support emotional health. Whether you are a seasoned artist and meditator, or completely new to painting and mindfulness, this course provides inspiration and guidance for those eager to deepen their understanding of creativity, perception, and their relationship with the world. No prior experience in art or mindfulness is necessary - just an open mind and a willingness to explore!
Key information
Topics covered
- Drawing (pencil, ink) and painting (acrylic on paper / on board)
- Mindfulness instruction
- The art of looking: space, shape, and colour relativity
- The power of composition: abstract art and emotions
- Creativity and mental wellbeing: how to tame the inner critic
Learning outcomes
- Have a sketchbook filled with a series of art experiments exploring different states of mind, intuitive shapes, and vibrant colour combinations
- Be familiar with simple, practical mindfulness exercises
- Develop a heightened awareness of how perception shapes reality
- Feel more confident using abstract art to explore and express emotions
- Have at least three acrylic-on-board paintings showcasing your explorations of 'wisdom in colour'
- Have insights into techniques employed by influential artists throughout history
- Experience the transformative connection between art and emotional health
- Befriend the contents of your mind and evolve your relationship with emotions towards wisdom
- Digital badge and certificate of attendance.
Materials
- All materials will be provided
Tutor
David Rycroft
David Rycroft is an international artist whose paintings celebrate the vitality, balance and naturalness of both the physical world and the human spirit. He has been teaching both art and meditation for over 20 years. After exhibitions in Paris (UNESCO) and London, his most recent work, "Arbres de Lumières", can be seen at the Galerie Ancien Courrier in Montpellier.
David has Masters degrees both in Art History and in Buddhist Studies. He is co-founder of Mind With Heart [mindwithheart.org], a charity bringing tools for emotional health into schools, and the director of Teach Peace [teach-peace.org].
David leads ‘Art & Meditation’ retreats internationally. For more on his approach to painting, visit davidrycroft.com.
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