Right now, it’s July, which means it is World Watercolor Month!
A beautiful time. A global invitation. Artists, dreamers, and creative souls everywhere are picking up their brushes. Celebrating color. Honoring creativity. Making space for connection, both on the page and within themselves.
Watercolor is wonderfully unpredictable. It flows, blends, and blooms in ways that often surprise us. And that’s part of the magic. When we work with watercolor, we’re also practicing how to let go of perfection, how to stay present in the moment, and how to trust the process even when the outcome is uncertain. It mirrors so much of life, and for many people, it becomes a kind of moving meditation.
But what makes World Watercolor Month especially heartwarming is the sense of community that forms. All across the globe, people of all ages are experimenting with color, sharing their creations online, and cheering each other on. There's no pressure to be a "professional" artist. Just a shared love of creativity, curiosity, and honest expression. In a world that often feels busy and disconnected, painting together, even virtually, feels like a breath of fresh air.
In this post, I’ll share a few simple watercolor tips, the story of how this magical medium helped shift my perspective, and a special limited-time offer on one of our most loved creative classes. Whether you’re hoping to spark inspiration, find a few minutes of peace, or deepen your personal art practice, my hope is that this encourages you to pick up your brush and simply begin.
Let’s explore how watercolor and mindful art can help you relax, play, and reconnect with your creative voice, right where you are.
What Is World Watercolor Month?
World Watercolor Month is a worldwide celebration that takes place every July. It’s not just for professional artists, it’s for everyone who enjoys being creative with color and paint. This special month is all about exploring watercolor as a form of art, mindfulness, and fun. Whether you’re a beginner or you’ve been painting for years, July is the perfect time to reconnect with your creativity.
Artists from all around the globe join together to paint every day, experiment with new styles, and share their artwork online. You’ll find beautiful watercolor paintings popping up on social media, in art groups, and in cozy corners of people's homes. It’s a time when creativity feels alive and connected, no matter where you are in the world.
But World Watercolor Month is about more than just painting. It’s about taking time for yourself, even if it’s just for 5 or 10 minutes a day. It’s a reminder to pause, breathe, and do something that feels good for your heart and mind. Watercolor is a gentle art form that invites you to let go of control, enjoy the surprises, and be present in the moment.
Whether you paint every day or just dip your brush in water once a week, this month gives you permission to play. There are no rules. Just color, curiosity, and connection. And best of all, you’re not doing it alone — you’re part of a global community of mindful, creative humans who are painting their way through July with joy, expression, and heart.
So pick up your brush, open your journal or watercolor pad, and let the colors flow. There’s no better time to begin than right now.
How Watercolor Helps You Let Go and Be Present
One of my favorite things about watercolor is how it gently teaches us to let go of control.
Unlike other types of paint that stay exactly where you put them, watercolor has a life of its own. The paint moves with the water. It drips, swirls, blends, and often goes in directions we didn’t expect. Sometimes it mixes in surprising ways, creating shapes and patterns that we couldn’t have planned, and that’s part of its magic.
Watercolor reminds us that art, just like life, doesn’t always follow a straight line. Things shift. Colors bleed into one another. Edges blur. And instead of trying to fix or control it, we can simply pause and watch what happens. That’s a powerful practice in mindfulness.
When we use watercolor, we’re invited to slow down. We get to trust the process, layer by layer. Each brushstroke becomes a small act of courage and curiosity. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being present. Present with the water, the color, the page, and most importantly, with ourselves.
This is why watercolor is such a healing and reflective art form. It creates space for us to breathe, to notice, and to enjoy the moment without needing to have it all figured out. It helps us soften our inner critic and embrace the beauty of the unknown , both in our art and in our lives.
Whether you’re painting a sky, a flower, or just flowing color across a page, watercolor gently whispers: "It’s okay not to be perfect. Just be here."
How I Fell in Love with Watercolor
Years ago, I didn’t always love watercolor. I thought it was soft, pale, and too light for my style. I preferred bolder mediums like acrylics. But over time, I discovered that watercolor could be bold too. It could be vibrant, moody, and full of texture and movement.
Now, I love both the soft and wild sides of watercolor. The surprises, the layers, the unpredictability, it’s all part of what makes this medium so fun and freeing.
Why World Watercolor Month Is the Perfect Time to Try Something New
This special month is the perfect time to explore, experiment, and let yourself play with new ideas. It’s not about creating perfect art. It’s about getting curious and letting yourself enjoy the process.
Here are a few simple ways to start or refresh your watercolor practice:
1. Start with Simple Supplies
You only need a few things to begin:
A watercolor set (basic is fine!)
Brushes in a few sizes
Watercolor or mixed media paper
A small jar of water and a paper towel
Even better if you have an art journal. You can keep all your pages in one place and look back on your progress later.
2. Build in Layers
Start light. Let the first layer dry, then add more detail or color. Watercolor is great for layering. The more you play with it, the more you’ll discover how colors interact and create depth.
3. Try Fun Techniques
Watercolor can do more than you might expect. Here are a few techniques you can explore:
Wet-on-wet: Add wet paint to a wet surface for dreamy blends
Dry brushing: Use less water for texture
Splattering: Tap your brush for playful drops
Salt or tissue paper: Sprinkle salt or dab with tissue for surprising effects
Alcohol or masking fluid: Experiment with texture
I share all of these and more inside my Magical Mixed Media Masterclass, where you can mix watercolor with ink, drawing, collage, and more.
4. Embrace the "Mistakes"
There are no mistakes in watercolor. Every drip, blend, or “oops” can be part of the magic. When we stop judging our art, we make space for joy and creativity.
How Watercolor Helps You Hear Your Inner Voice
Watercolor is more than just paint on paper. It’s a way to slow down and hear the “still, small voice” within you, the part that knows what you need, what you love, and who you truly are.
Years ago, during my time living and volunteering at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, I spent my days in mindfulness, movement, journaling, and nature. I trained in Restorative Yoga, Somatic Expressive Arts, and trauma-informed teaching. I taught mindful art, led women’s circles, and reconnected deeply with myself.
That experience helped me develop the tools I now teach in the Mindful Art and Meditation Teacher Training. The creative practices we use, like BreathDoodles™, AquaDoodles™, intuitive collage, and Muse Journaling™—all grew from that time of listening, healing, and creative play.
Watercolor became a tool for transformation. It gave me space to hear my own truth again. And I want to help you do the same.
Special Limited-Time Offer: Save Almost 50% on the Magical Mixed Media Masterclass
In honor of World Watercolor Month, I’m offering a special flash sale on our popular Magical Mixed Media Masterclass. This course is perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike.
Inside the course, you’ll explore:
Watercolor foundations and techniques
Mixed media layering
Pattern play and intuitive mark-making
Light language and color theory
Drawing, inking, and collage
You’ll create artwork that’s bold, playful, and totally your own. And you’ll build confidence with every page.
Join the Mindful Creative Muse Community
At Mindful Creative Muse, we help people like you explore creativity, practice mindfulness, and share your gifts with others.
We offer:
Online art and meditation workshops
Mindful Art and Meditation Teacher Training
Free creative events
Resources for teaching and facilitating mindful art classes
Whether you want to deepen your personal practice or become a certified teacher, we’re here to support you with practical tools, inspiration, and heart-centered guidance.
Ready to go deeper?
Join the Magical Mixed Media Masterclass
Explore our Teacher Training Programs
Sign up for free resources and upcoming events
Let watercolor help you let go, listen deeply, and create with joy. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to begin.
Happy World Watercolor Month!