Come Back to Art with Coloured Pencils

Did yI feel more connected to myself

Isn't it time you gave yourself permission?

When was the last time you did something purely for the joy of it? Not for work, not for anyone else, but just because it made you feel good, calm and content. For many of us those moments get replaced by busy lives and responsibilities, but since we are half-way through yet another year weighing us down, perhaps it’s time to reconnect with your creative self.

All you need is a handful of colour pencils and a short amount of time.

Relighting my creative flame

Like many ex-creatives I was always drawing as a child. I went to Art College in my teens and my first job was in a drawing office. But by the tender age of 21, life had already taken over and I had stopped drawing. For nearly three decades, I didn’t even think about it. Sound's crazy to think of it now, but it's true.

My return to art happened almost by accident. When I left my job to care for my husband I knew I would need something to take my mind off things, and I remembered that I used to like drawing. My leaving gift included some pencils and a sketchbook, and I distinctly recall that first page, those scratchy scribbles. I didn’t expect much. But something unexpected happened – I felt something deep inside, a flicker of a flame started to burn brightly and I fell in love with art all over again.

Those quiet drawing sessions became a lifeline over the next decade. Focusing on the smallest point where the pencil met the paper helped me find peace amid all the stresses; cancer, chemotherapy and caring for my husband, and, latterly, dealing with his death. In those first few months at home a simple colouring book cleared space in my own head to think and process and reflect. I would draw whenever I could.

Now, when I sit down with my pencils, I still remember those early feelings and the realisation that art was my refuge even in the hardest of times.

‘Martha’ – 2017 one of my earliest colour pencil drawings after a few months of regular practice

Build a rhythm

One of the joys of colour pencils is their simplicity. I didn’t need a studio, expensive materials, fluids, mediums, or hours of uninterrupted time. A small selection of colours, a sketchbook, and a corner of the kitchen table was plenty to get started. Ready whenever I felt like it, and easy to set aside when life called.

Even ten minutes a day made a big difference. Over time, those small creative breaks built into a steady rhythm of self-care, and ultimately a lifeline of creativity.

The Beauty in Slowing Down

Coloured pencils are great at encouraging us to take things slowly. The sound of the pencil on paper, that soft blending rhythm is almost hypnotic. Those early moments were not about creating something beautiful, they were about allowing myself to stop overthinking enough to notice the beauty in the process itself. When you focus your whole being on the creativity, and the rest of the world fades away, it’s soothing, grounding, and incredibly rewarding.

Creativity and Wellbeing

Many of us instinctively know that creativity is good for our mental health. Drawing and colouring can lower cortisol (the stress hormone) and increase dopamine (the feel-good chemical that boosts motivation and mood).

The steady, repetitive motion of shading encourages slower breathing and relaxes muscles similar to meditation. This is often called  “flow” -  a calm, focused state where worries fade into the background and time seems to slow. Regular creative practice has been shown to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and support emotional balance.

When you draw, you give your mind permission to rest. You create a little space for the old you to return.

2020 Lockdown Selfie

Finding lost joy

Colour pencils are a wonderful way to begin that return. They’re affordable, portable, and endlessly forgiving. Most importantly, they remind us that creativity doesn’t require a grand plan, vast studio, or endless free time, just a willingness to begin.

Perhaps the back-half of 2026 could be your year to reconnect with creativity. To find ten quiet minutes here and there, a cup of tea beside you and a few coloured pencils to brighten your day.

Because in those quiet minutes you might find, as I did, not only does colour appear on your page, but joy returns to your life.

My Birthday was spent with Colour Pencil Friends online

5 Easy Ways to Get Started with Coloured Pencils

If you’re thinking about picking up coloured pencils after years (or even decades!) away from art, the key is to start small and make it easy. Here are five gentle ways to relight your creative flame.

1. Find 10-Minute Pockets of Time

You don’t need whole afternoons to get going, just a willingness to begin. Look for tiny windows in your day - the time it takes to drink a coffee, ten minutes before bed or waiting for dinner to cook. Even ten minutes of quiet colouring can lift your mood and give you a sense of calm, especially if you do it regularly.

2. Create a “Grab-and-Go” bag

You don’t have to draw at home. Any inviting spot will work, and it could be anywhere. Set up a soft case that fits in your bag or coat pocket and take it with you when you leave the house. If you have your materials with you, you’re far more likely to use them.

3. Start Simple and Small

Don’t talk yourself into creating finished artworks straight away. Sketches, colour swatches, or simple shapes are great ways to warm up. The point is to play, not to perfect.

Arty Farty Party with @Naptrapped_Art where we just play and have fun with art supplies

4. Let Your Mind Wander

As you draw, notice how your breathing slows and your thoughts soften. Let them come and go without judging or analysing. It’s okay if your mind drifts, that’s part of the process. Use this time to help sort through thoughts or simply rest your mind.

5. Celebrate the Process, Not the Product

Try not to focus on making it “good.” Instead, notice the sound of the pencil, the look of the colours together and how the act of drawing makes you feel. Take photos of your progress or keep a little visual diary, not for anyone else to see, but to look back and remember these thoughts and feelings.

If you're reading this and feeling drawn (heheh) to giving art and creativity some space in your busy schedule, then just start! That's the biggest hurdle. You'll find a sence of achievement, joy and friendship is just around the corner. But above all, have fun! You deserve it.