No art supplies, no problem — making art online has never been easier

You can flex these creative muscles at an easel or computer

Born into a family of artists, I had a love-hate relationship with art. I liked the idea of it, but my mediocre, unsure strokes were mocked to an extent that even the sight of a blank paper got my belly churning. So when art was dropped as a subject in the 9th grade, I swore to never pick up a brush again. It was a promise that didn’t last long.

I wound up studying psychology and my course involved attending arts-based therapy sessions. In the first class, I saw the brushes, plain papers, colors, and glitters — it was truly a waking nightmare for me. I had the option to sit it out, but my facilitator’s words echoed.

“You can keep your paper blank or you can fill it however you want. There’s no right or wrong here.”

For perhaps the first time in my life, I painted, colored, and sketched like no one was watching. In a group full of people, I channeled my vulnerability as well as my anxiety and let it land on the paper. That one colorful hour full of exploration and expression showed me the immense power art holds.

Art and well-being

Communication began with art. Early humans informed, educated, and shared stories with graphic cave signs. Today, art has maneuvered into a medium that can help us to heal and transform ourselves. As we grow up, we’re taught to be rational and practical. But our mental health needs and capabilities too often remain untapped. Art offers us a path into our emotional selves — one that we don’t have to explore, but doing so can be deeply rewarding.

According to Jade Chung, an arts-based therapist and podcaster, “Through our journey of development, certain blocks and traumas stunt our growth. Most of us aren’t able to dialogue with these parts of ourselves and we require a hint of childlike curiosity to explore them. Art introduces us to this sense of play and exploration, deepening our connection with ourselves.”

Each stroke is a mindful moment that can relieve stress and anxiety and, for some, restore our sense of inner balance. In fact, studies have shown that engaging in art activities reduces cortisol (stress hormone) levels. The various tools, supplies, colors, and methods of expression provide those who make art with a free-flowing space that can yield an elevated understanding of and care for self. But creating art isn’t the only way to boost your health. There’s a lot to be said for consuming art and you don’t have to go to a museum to do it.

Ways to create art online

There are all kinds of ways to create and consume art online, making the act of engaging in visual arts more accessible and easy. Platforms that allow users to make art online simultaneously erase the need for additional steps, like buying supplies, which can sometimes be too much of an obstacle. Sites, apps, and other tools that encourage expression and provide easy access to art-making are plentiful. When making art in this way, the screen is the canvas and every brush and color you need is right there.

For Lucy Lloyd, a mindset coach, resorting to apps was a matter of convenience. “I wanted to get back into art without buying all the materials as I was traveling at the time.”

While arts-based therapy is relatively commonplace offscreen, digital mediums of art can be a healthy and affordable way to regulate, release a broad spectrum of feelings, and simply enjoy life a bit. “The app really helps with stress levels and anxiety. By re-awakening my creativity in the past few years, I feel more content and I’ve noticed a positive correlation between art apps and my mental well-being. It has made me feel more confident,” adds Lloyd.

Art through digital mediums makes this healing avenue more accessible for some. In fact, digital art mediums are more inclusive and convenient for certain populations. Chung elaborates, “For those who might have aversions to extreme sensory stimulation, such as people who struggle with obsessive compulsiveness or some children with special needs, digital art experiences may be more clean, logical, and comfortable.”

Do art your way

Engaging in art digitally also might help to reduce self-consciousness for many. For instance, Color Page ASMR offers simple and straightforward instructions, leaving little room for errors or performance anxiety. To experiment with a more free-flowing art, apps like Tayasui Sketches and Art Set 4 present a wide array of realistic tools that come close to a physical experience in many respects. Such apps are for both seasoned art enthusiasts and newcomers who want to set their creativity free.

You can also get more specific and look for apps that promote a mindful activity, like coloring mandalas, which has been shown to enhance mood. Mandala Color By Number has guided instructions while STAEDTLER Mandala Creator helps you create your own mandala from a range of designs. While digital art apps aren’t a perfect alternative to arts-based therapy, they can be therapeutic and an effective first step toward improved health.

**Artist** **Ivan Carvalho** **says of using digital art tools to create his work: “It is my fuel so i don't get discouraged. I seek to improve myself more and more in my work and even in the way I see life."**

The best way to leverage digital art tools

It’s worth it to play around with online art-making platforms. Here’s how you can get the most out of your digital art journey:

Know your purpose: Ask yourself why you want to indulge in art. Is it for fun, self-care, exploration, or something else? This gives you a direction or goal to keep in mind and work toward.
Set an art routine (and stick to it): Even 15 minutes a day can make a difference, but the key is to stay consistent.
Focus on your feelings: A simple emotional check-in before, during, and after art-making allows you to understand if and how the activity is helping you.
Be open to inspiration: Your phone, an emotion, a song — just about anything might inspire you if you’re open to it. But if it takes some time, that’s fine! Even professional artists often have an ebb and flow to their creative cycle.

Whether it’s a simple doodle or an intricate mandala, digital art is just a click way. Try it! You might enjoy it more than you think.