Mindful art is all about slowing down, tuning in, and letting creativity double as meditation.
En plein air painting, the French for “in the open air” is the art of painting outdoors in natural light. When you combine the two, you get a practice that’s half art, half therapy, and all kinds of good for the brain.
Every spring, Australians search for things like mindful art exercises, mindfulness art therapy in Australia, and plein air kits in Australia. That’s exactly why we made this guide.
This isn’t a dry lecture about art therapy or meditation. It’s a practical, step-by-step look at how to actually practise mindful art outdoors, including what it is, why it works, what supplies you need, and three simple activities you can try straight away. We’ll also throw in a few Tips from the Shed (straight from real artists), and a shopping list of mindful supplies to chuck in your tote.
What is Mindful Art?
Mindful art is creativity with intention. It’s the act of paying attention, to the sound of your pencil on paper, to the feel of the brush in your hand, to the colours blooming on your page and you can’t ctrl+Z a passing bird.
Unlike “art therapy” in a clinical sense, mindful art is accessible to anyone, whether you’re scribbling circles or sketching a café latte.
Research backs it up: mindful art activities can lower cortisol (the stress hormone), reduce anxiety, and improve mood.
Tip from the Shed: Forget perfection. Mindful art is about the process, not the product. If your sketch looks like a lopsided budgie, laugh and keep going.
Why Combine Mindfulness & En Plein Air?
Painting outdoors naturally forces you into the present moment. The sun shifts, the wind flicks your page, birds squabble over chips in the distance, you’ve got to pay attention. That’s mindfulness, without even trying.
Benefits of mindful en plein air painting:
Connection to nature: Fresh air and sunshine boost serotonin.
Stress reduction: Focusing on colour and line slows your nervous system.
Creative flow: Removing judgement frees your brain to explore.
Spring magic: Nature is bursting with colour and life — the perfect mindful palette.
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Supplies for a Mindful Plein Air Session
Outdoor painting? It’s all about art that’s light, lovely, and low-fuss. Here’s your Shed-approved mindful kit—assembled with heart and made for calm.
Core Art Kit (Keep it simple, keep it beautiful)
Portable Easel – Mont Marte French Box Easel if you're serious, or the teeny Mini Display Easel if you’re just dabbling.
Eco-Friendly Surfaces – Art Spectrum Recycled Pads for guilt-free creativity.
Travel Paint Kits – Go with the Mont Marte Watercolour Half Pan Set for fuss-free watercolour whims, or splash out with the vibrant Kuretake Gansai Set.
Sketching Staples – A handy Fineliner Marker Set to capture every mindful doodle mid-nature.
Mindful Extras (Bring the zen into your art)
Mindfulness in Book Form – Think colouring meets calm: the Large-Print Colour & Frame Colouring Book for Adults and the soothing Draw to Relax—Patterns & Line Art. Perfect for pre- or post-painting chill time.
Floral Focus – Haven’t tried The Bouquet in a Book yet? This sell-out gem doubles delight and makes for the perfect nature-inspired companion.
Clay Calm – The Mindful Moulding DIY Body Vase Clay Kit has everything to co-create something tactile and meditative.
Fluid Flow Zen – Our fluid art Starter Kit lets you lose yourself in colour swirls that feel like liquid mindfulness.
Pre-Made Art Kits – We’ve got a full range of curated Art Kits & Bundles that are perfect for travel, mindful moments, or just a creative reset. Browse options that suit every medium and mood.
Colouring Canvases – Intricate mandala, flora, and animal designs ready for meditative paint sessions. A mindful activity disguised as fun.
Mixed Media Magic – Our Mixed Media Selections Kit tosses inks, acrylics, soft pastels, and collage elements in one blissful mindfulness box.
Sketching & Drawing Details
Sketching Wallet – Carry your line art essentials wherever you roam—lightweight and organised.
Oil Pastels – Go soft with the Mont Marte Oil Pastels, perfect for bloom-style layering and exploring texture.
Eco Brushes – The Art Spectrum Vegan Brushes offer smooth strokes with eco-conscious flair—nice for guilt-free mindfulness.
Pro Tip from the Shed: Less is more, your mindful plein air kit should zip into your backpack (not bulldoze it), so you can focus on zen strokes, not lugging gear.
Mindful Exercises for Outdoor Painting
1. Bloom From the Negative
Write how you’re feeling on a piece of paper. Circle any "negative" words (like anxiety or loneliness) with oil pastels. Turn those circles into flowers, colour them in, add petals, and create a garden blooming from your worries.
Why it works: Transforming negative language into visual art helps reframe thoughts, a proven mindfulness and art therapy technique. You’re literally turning stress into beauty.
2. The Solo (or Duo) Art Date
Take your sketchbook to a café, park, or riverside. Sketch whatever you see: a cyclist, your coffee, a flower poking through concrete.
Why it works: Observation drawing anchors you in the moment. Research shows it builds gratitude and trains your brain to notice details, a natural mindfulness hack.
3. Squiggles into Waves
Draw random squiggles. Fill the spaces with hundreds of tiny lines, slowly. When it looks like rolling waves, add a little boat on top.
Why it works: Repetitive mark-making lowers heart rate and boosts focus, similar to meditation. You can do it anywhere, with just a pen.
Tip from the Shed: Don’t aim to finish quickly. The whole point is slowing down.
Bonus: Colour Walk Sketching
Go for a short walk and only sketch colours you notice, bright spring greens, a yellow dandelion, a pink shopfront. Use pencils or watercolours to make a colour diary.
Why it works: Directs attention to the sensory richness of spring art, boosting mindfulness and colour awareness.
Comparing Mediums: Which Works Best for Mindful Art?
Oil Pastels → Great for Bloom From the Negative. Creamy, tactile, forgiving.
Watercolours → Perfect for colour walks. Flowing, unpredictable, forces surrender to the process.
Fineliners & Pens → Ideal for squiggles/waves or café sketches. Portable, precise, meditative.
Each medium encourages mindfulness differently. Beginners might start with sketching supplies, while those craving flow may love watercolours.
Tip from the Shed: Try mixing mediums in one session. A pastel bloom garden next to a pen-and-ink café sketch keeps your practice playful.
Tips from the Shed (Extra Nuggets)
Don’t fight the weather — if the breeze smudges your page, call it texture.
Choose bright, seasonal colours. Spring is your free palette.
If your sketch looks “off”, remember: it’s not for Instagram, it’s for you.
Mindful Art FAQs
1. What is mindful art?
Mindful art is a creative way to practise presence. It’s not about the end result—it’s about the process. Whether you’re colouring, painting, or sculpting, it’s art that helps you slow down, focus, and breathe.
2. How does mindful art differ from art therapy?
Art therapy is guided by a trained professional to support mental health. Mindful art is something you do on your own—no qualifications needed, just a pen, some paper, and a willingness to go with the flow.
3. Can mindful art reduce stress and anxiety?
Absolutely. Mindful art helps calm the nervous system, quiet busy thoughts, and ease tension in the body. It’s like meditation with a splash of paint.
4. Do I need special art supplies for mindful art?
Nope! You can start with just a pencil and a piece of paper. But if you want to level up the experience, things like watercolours, pastels, or textured papers can make it even more soothing and sensory.
5. What is mindfulness-based art therapy?
It’s a formal therapeutic method that combines mindfulness with art-making. But don’t stress—everyday mindful art still offers plenty of benefits, even without the official label.
6. Is mindful art suitable for beginners?
One hundred percent yes. Mindful art is for everyone, especially if you’ve ever said, “I can’t draw.” It’s about enjoying the moment, not creating a masterpiece.
7. What are some easy mindful art activities I can try?
Try repetitive mark-making, simple colouring pages, squiggle-to-shape exercises, or sketching what you see around you. These low-pressure activities are perfect for beginners and don’t require fancy materials, just a quiet moment and something to draw with.
8. What art mediums are best for mindfulness?
Go for what feels good, oil pastels for buttery texture, watercolours for flow, clay for grounding, or fineliners for calm repetition. The best medium is the one you enjoy using.
9. What’s the difference between mindful art and other expressive therapies?
Mindful art focuses on presence, stillness, and gentle awareness. Expressive therapies often aim to process emotions through drama, movement, or music. Both are helpful, just different vibes.
10. How often should I do mindful art?
There’s no rule. Even 10 minutes a week can make a difference. But if you can build it into your daily wind-down or weekly ritual, your mind (and your stash) will thank you.
Conclusion
Mindful en plein air painting is part art, part therapy, and all joy. It’s about taking your sketchbook outside, breathing in spring, and letting the act of creating become a meditation. Whether you’re blooming negative words into flowers, sketching your flat white, or filling waves with lines, these mindful art activities bring calm and colour to your day.
At Art Shed, we’re here with the plein air supplies, portable easels, and eco-friendly pads you need to get started. Same-day dispatch, real artist support, and a whole lot of cheek.
So chuck your kit in a tote, find a sunny patch, and let spring guide your brush.
