"Creativity doesn't wait for that perfect moment. It fashions its own perfect moments out of ordinary ones" ~ Bruce Garrabrandt

Hey creative friend!

Quick question: When was the last time you sat down to create just... because?

Most of us stop making art the moment it starts feeling like "work" or—even worse—when we realize we aren’t the next Picasso. We buy the fancy supplies, stare at the scary white paper, and then go back to scrolling on our phones because it’s easier than being a "beginner."

Let's fix that this week.

I’m starting a 7-Day Micro Art Challenge, and I’d love for you to jump in. This isn’t about masterpieces; it’s about 5-minute scribbles and messy paint splashes. We’re using basic pencils and watercolors to make tiny art (think postage-stamp sized) so there’s zero pressure to be "good."

Welcome to all the new subscribers, if you are on this list you attended one of my workshops and we are now art friends - stick around we are going to have so much fun together!

7 Days, 5 Minutes: The "Anti-Perfectionist" Art Challenge

The vibe:

• Zero Skill Required: If you can draw a wobbly circle, you’re overqualified.
• Micro-Commitment: 5–10 minutes. That’s it.
• Messy is the Goal: We’re actually trying to let the paint bleed and the lines be crooked.

I’ve listed the prompts below. Grab a cup of coffee (or tea), find a scrap of paper, and let's just make some stuff. No stress, no judgment, just some fun colors.

Who’s in?

The Essentials

• The Paper: A small Watercolor or Mixed Media pad (thick paper won't wrinkle when wet). Scraps of thick cardstock work too!
• The Pen: Just a standard Ball point pen or a Fine liner pen for doodling. No need for fancy drawing kits.
• The Paint: A basic watercolor set (or watercolour pencils).
• The Brush: One small round brush (or a waterbrush).

The Setup

• A Cup of Water: For cleaning your brush, and activating the watercolour paint.
• Paper Towels: For blotting your brush.
• A "Mini" canvas: Use a mini watercolour journal or cut watercolour paper (or cardstock) into small squares/rectangles.

The Prompts:​
​Day 1: The "Blobby" Blooms

• Watercolor: Take a very wet brush and drop 3–4 round "blobs" of color on your paper. Let them dry.
• Pen: Once dry, doodle messy petals or stems around the edges of the blobs. Don't aim for realism; aim for "whimsical scribbles."

Day 2: The Summer Silhouette

• Watercolor: Paint a tiny horizontal strip of yellow at the bottom, orange in the middle, and a dark purple or blue at the top. While wet, tilt the paper to let them bleed together into a smooth sunset.
• Pen: Wait for it to dry (or use a hair dryer!). Draw a few simple "V" birds drifting into the distance.
• The Tree: On one side, draw a single vertical line with a few "Y" shaped branches for a minimalist summer tree silhouette.

Day 3: Continuous Line Critters

• Pen: Without lifting your pencil from the paper, draw one continuous "micro" squiggle that looks vaguely like a cat, bug, or fish.
• Watercolor: Dab one bright color (or a mix or colours) inside the shape. It’s okay (and encouraged) if the paint goes outside the lines.

Day 4: The Mossy Stone

• Pen: Draw a wobbly, imperfect oval (a rock). Add some cross-hatching (diagonal lines) on one side for "shadow."
• Watercolor: Drop some green and brown paint onto the rock. Let the colors pool and create their own texture.
• Optional texture: sprinkle salt into the wet paint to make unique textures. Once dry gently rub the salt off.

Day 5: The "Tea Bag" Doodle

• Pen: Draw a simple rectangle with a string and a tiny tag (a tea bag!).
• Watercolor: "Fill" the tea bag with a messy splash of color that matches your favorite tea—maybe a warm amber for Earl Grey, a soft green for Matcha, or a bright pink for Hibiscus. Let the color "leak" out of the bag slightly onto the paper.

Day 6: Geometric Jellyfish

• Watercolor: Paint a simple semi-circle (the jellyfish head).
• Pen: Draw long, wiggly, "lazy" lines coming down from the center of the head. (Watercolour pencils will also make amazing tendrils)

Day 7: Day 7: The "One-Leaf" Wonder

• Pen: Find a leaf in the garden, sketch the basic shape of your leaf using no more than 10 quick lines. Don't worry about making it perfect; keep it loose and "scribbly". (Use your non dominant hand for a more messy scribbly look)
• Watercolor: Pick one or two colors and add a "halo" or a messy splash behind your sketch. You aren't trying to color inside the lines—you're just giving your sketch a background to make it pop.
• Texture: If you're feeling fancy, add a few sprinkles of salt into the wet paint for added texture. Let dry completely before gently removing the salt

The Final 7-Day Lineup (download your checklist below)

1. Day 1: Blobby Blooms (Wet blobs + messy scribbled petals).
2. Day 2: Summer Sunset (Yellow/Orange/Purple wash + "V" birds & tree silhouette.).
3. Day 3: Continuous Line Critters (One-line squiggle + a single dab of color).
4. Day 4: The Mossy Stone (Wobbly oval + a pool of green/brown paint).
5. Day 5: The Tea Bag Doodle (Pencil rectangle + a "flavor" splash).
6. Day 6: Geometric Jellyfish (Half-circle + lazy, wiggly pencil legs).
7. Day 7: The One-Leaf Wonder (10-line leaf sketch + messy "halo" wash).

Here is your check list: ​​7-day No-Skills-Required Micro Art Challenge.pdf​

And that’s it! Seven days of tiny, messy, zero-pressure art. You didn't make a masterpiece—you made a habit. Keep that sketchbook (paper scraps) nearby for the next time you have five minutes and a cup of coffee. See you in the next one!
​PS: I will be posting my set up for this challenge and my 7 days of art on my YouTube channel - join me there (QR code in the check-list)

Thanx for joining me on this creative journey.

Have a fabulously creative day!

Theresa