A Gentle Watercolor Practice for January

Briana Zonas
Jan 9
2 min read

Flat lay of a watercolor painting setup with a travel watercolor palette, brush, water jar, paper, and a dried orange slice on a white surface.

January carries a quiet kind of energy. The pace slows, the air feels crisp, and there is space to breathe after the rush of the holidays. For many people, this time of year brings reflection and a desire to reset.

That is why January is one of my favorite months to return to a gentle watercolor practice, one that helps clear the mind and invite calm into the new year.

Why Watercolor Feels Right This Time of Year

Watercolor is especially well suited for this season. It encourages softness, patience, and letting go of control. With just a small set of paints, water, and paper, you can create space for reflection and ease.

If you are looking for a simple watercolor set, this is the one I use: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006FHNE3C

The January Watercolor Practice

This project is designed to be slow and approachable. It works for beginners and experienced painters and can be done with a basic watercolor set.

Step One: Choose a Calm, Winter-Inspired Color Palette

Choose a calm, winter inspired color palette from your watercolor set. Soft blues, muted greens, warm neutrals, pale lavender, or gentle gray tones work beautifully. Limit yourself to three or four colors to keep the process simple and quiet.

Step Two: Begin With a Loose Wash

Begin with a loose wash. Wet your brush generously and allow the color to move freely across the page. Let the water create natural blends and soft edges. There is no need to plan the composition.

Step Three: Add a Second Light Wash

Once the first layer dries, add a second light wash in areas that feel open or unfinished. You can deepen the color slightly or introduce a subtle shift in tone. Work slowly and allow each layer to dry before continuing.

Step Four: Use Simple, Repetitive Brush Marks

Use your brush to add simple marks with watercolor only. This might be gentle lines, dots, soft curves, or minimal shapes. Repetitive brush movements help settle the nervous system and bring focus to the present moment.

Step Five: Pause and Reflect

Pause and reflect. You may choose to add a single word using watercolor paint or simply sit with the finished page. Let the piece represent how you want to begin the year.

Words that often fit January include reset, ease, clarity, quiet, or begin.

Letting Go of Pressure at the Beginning of the Year

The beginning of the year can feel full of expectations and pressure. Watercolor invites a different approach. It reminds you that not everything needs to be controlled or fixed. The paint moves on its own, and the beauty comes from allowing that movement.

Even ten minutes of quiet painting can create a sense of grounding and calm. This watercolor project becomes less about the finished image and more about how you feel while creating it.