According to a study from AYTM Research, 67% of people interviewed have more than one hobby. Hobbies are an excellent way of meeting new friends while learning a craft or skill.
Hobbies, especially anything artistic or creative, are ideal for seniors, as they may find a reduction in stress, improve cognitive function, and even enhance memory.
Watercolor projects for senior beginners offer a creative way for older adults to get their artistic juices flowing while connecting with other aspiring artists. But with so many wonderful types of paintings to choose from, which are the best?
This helpful guide explains some excellent beginner watercolor painting projects for seniors to try.
Watercolor and Pen Paintings
Some beautiful and simple watercolor art projects for seniors involve some paint and a fine-tip pen. After a watercolor painting is complete, add some fine details with a fine-tip pen. People can also use a fountain pen.
Other watercolor tips for seniors include waiting for paintings to dry completely before adding any type of pen. Otherwise, the ink might bleed into the watercolor paint.
Night Sky
The night sky lets seniors practice different watercolor painting techniques, such as splattering. They use the splatter method to recreate stars in the sky, practicing their skills.
Aside from learning new techniques, painting can:
- Enhance a person’s motor skills
- Boost creativity
- Improve concentration
- Aid in self-confidence
- Enhance self-esteem
Seniors in assisted living communities can also add painting to their activity calendar to connect with other residents.
Fruit
Many people find painting fruit to be incredibly relaxing. Any type of fruit will do, but seniors looking to practice their technique a little at a time may want to stick with one group of colors.
Older adults could practice painting:
- Lemons
- Limes
- Oranges
Or any mix of the three. They can even add other fruits of similar colors.
Fall Landscapes
Painting trees and leaves can be incredibly rewarding, especially for those who love being out in nature. Senior living options include plenty of time spent in the fresh air, making it an ideal time to relax outside and draw fall landscapes, painting them afterward.
For this painting, it’s great to practice different painting techniques. One example is wet watercolor painting, where watercolor paint is applied to a wet piece of paper. Just be sure to use a thick piece of paper that can withstand water saturation.
Before painting, use a sponge to remove bubbles and excess water from the paper. Add paint and watch the fall landscape take shape on paper!
Clouds
Sticking with the theme of nature, clouds are another wonderful type of watercolor painting. They can be any color or set against a beautiful background, standing out as a start white contrast.
Once complete, a fine-tip pen can be used to add little whisps to each cloud as a detailed contrast to the rest of the painting.
Dry Brush Watercolor
Dry brushing is more of a technique and less of a project, but it can be an excellent trick to use when painting landscapes, especially grass.
Begin by dipping the entire paintbrush in watercolor paint. Next, remove excess water by blotting the paintbrush against a paper towel. There will be paint on the bristles with limited moisture.
Take the paintbrush and skim it against the paper – don’t press too hard, or this could rip the paper. Use this in conjunction with other painting projects or on its own.
Botanical Paintings
Calling all horticulture enthusiasts! Seniors in search of beautiful floral paintings can create lovely botanical art.
If there’s a garden nearby, use it for inspiration. Additionally, older adults can press flowers, paint them afterward, or save floral stationery to copy into a painting.
Most beginner watercolor guides will say that artists should paint what they love, and flowers are usually a popular choice.
Mountains
Another popular landscape is the mountains, especially with a misty contrast. This can add an interesting contrast set against the sharp peak of a mountain range.
Seniors would start their paintings with a grey wash. This sets the scene for a sky and some hills.
From there, some lovely green trees are added to the landscape’s background. Darker blues can be used for the mountains, along with dark green foreground trees.
Go Abstract
Not all art has to follow a specific flow, and abstract art makes perfect art activities for elderly adults. Instead of setting out to paint a specific landscape, seniors can practice with different techniques, having fun without a set direction for their watercolor paintings.
The beauty of this type of artwork is that it’s filled with imagination and creativity, letting the artist explore their emotions and experiences with various colors and patterns.
Fluffy Birds
Simple art projects for seniors include birds of all shapes, sizes, and colors, as they make for wonderful watercolor painting projects, but fluffy birds add a touch of whimsy to any project.
To begin, seniors would paint splotches using watercolors. These can include multiple colors, essentially creating a series of rough-hewn circles all across their paper.
Once the paint dries, use a fine-tip pen to outline each bird, adding:
- Wings
- Beaks
- Eyes
- Legs
- Feet
- Feathers
And any other interesting details!
Any animal lovers can take this technique a step further and paint watercolor pictures of other types of animals. This might be a pet or wildlife creature they observed while out on a walk.
The Best Watercolor Projects for Senior Beginners
Watercolor projects for senior beginners don’t have to be overly complex – in fact, they should be simple and fun. The goal is to learn about some basic watercolor techniques while flexing those creative muscles.
The best part? Watercolor painting gives older adults the opportunity to connect with other seniors, form friendships, and bond over a love of art.
At Terrabella Thornblade, we pride ourselves on our invigorating activity calendar for all residents. This includes educational classes, local outings, trips to restaurants, and so much more. Connect with us today to learn more about our senior living options and countless amenities.
