DAY 10: FANCY A CUP OF TEA?

Welcome to Day 10 of the Painting Challenge!

Have I told you that you’re brave? When you’re bravely follow my guidance in your Painting Challenge and inviting more colorful joy into your life, sharing your beautiful creations etc. it can stir up some big feelings and resistance. You are continuing to be courageous instead of choosing your old ways. That’s why today I want to honor your feelings and return to a place of inner calm and meditative joy.

I take comfort in drinking hot tea. There’s a long history of tea as a meditative practice. According to Peace Awareness*, Zen monks as far back as the 12th century would drink tea not only to remain awake during meditation but to heightened the awareness and an open heart.

I painted this tea cup and saucer for an online auction many moons ago and I still really enjoy the simplicity of the layout, and the intricate decorations. It reminds me of the meditative joy I feel when I drink tea early in the morning, with friends or together with toast as comfort food. If you’re not a tea drinker, imagine you’re about to fill this with a hot brew of coffee or why not cold Elderflower tea?

Note: if you are feeling extra courageous today, feel free to paint your favorite tea cup or coffee mug.

The Painting Practice

Remember to turn off your phone notifications before you start.

  1. Sketch a rectangular the size of 4×5 or 8×10 inches on your paper.
  2. While looking at your reference photo as your inspiration, do a simple outline of the flower on your paper. Note that my saucer and cup aren’t perfectly round because of the perspective, and even that isn’t perfect. Drop the perfection and invite play for this session. This is a delightful painting because of how it speaks to you.
    • Note where you want the bottom of the cup to be. Then draw the body of the cup , the top edge and then the ear.
    • Now move on to the saucer.
  3. Choose your colors: While I painted poopies on this tea set, decorate how ever you want it, or leave the decoration and simply paint the various hues of the white porcelain.
  4. Grab some water and your brushes, and don’t forget a towel to clean off your wet brush.
  5. Now, set a gentle timer and paint for 20 minutes for some meditative joy and playful painting.
  6. Sign your painting to bring your intention out there that you want more colorful joy in your life, and maybe more cups of tea?

SHARE YOUR CREATION:

Take a photo of your finished challenge and share it on social media (tag #studioeriksdotter so I can see it), and then tell me: How was it to paint a tea cup and saucer, and did it bring some comfort to your day? Let me know when you share your photo. Reminder, if you feel called to continue painting past 20 minutes, please do so and let us know when you share it.