Feeling creative but don't know where to start? Painting, drawing, crafting, handicrafts, colouring: there's a whole host of creative ways to spend your time.
Looking for creative activities to help you unwind, a spot of outdoor painting to develop your artistic side, or an opportunity to craft something with your own hands? Follow our tips to find the creative hobby that's right for you!
COLOURING AND CALLIGRAPHY: RELAXING CREATIVE HOBBIES
Do you think creative hobbies should be all about relaxing? Choose a creative activity that will help you unwind and take a well-earned break from your day or week, like colouring, calligraphy, collage, scrapbooking or embroidery.
● Something to write or colour with on your paper. You're spoilt for choice: pen, coloured pencils, pastels or felt-tips.
● If you fancy trying your hand at calligraphy, choose the right tool for the job, like Technalo or Grafwood pencils, a fountain pen or a Fibralo felt-tip pen.
HANDMADE PROJECTS AND CRAFTS TO MAKE WITH YOUR OWN HANDS
Are you a fan of handmade crafts and keen to have a go at decorating or crafting? Customising a pencil case, painting terracotta flower pots, creating little decorative pieces and fashion accessories or making jewellery - there are lots of ideas to choose from. What's more, these kinds of activities are also a great way to spend time with your children.
The ideal equipment for crafting:
● A suitable surface that can be recycled: a box, fabric, cardboard, glass jar, etc.
● Various media for drawing or painting on all types of surface (graphite pencil, coloured pencil, felt-tip pen, Neocolor I pastels, paint).
● Some basics like coloured paper, a glue stick, masking tape and scissors.
WATERCOLOUR AND PAINTING: CREATIVE HOBBIES FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE COLOUR
Painting is a creative activity that can be enjoyed at any age, and you'll love it if you have an artistic streak and a love of colour. Watercolour, gouache or acrylic paint: different techniques for a wide range of fun.
The ideal equipment for painting:
● Paint with the right texture for your artwork.
● A surface to paint on, like canvas or heavyweight paper.
● Paintbrushes or watercolour pencils if you want to learn to draw with watercolours. If you're painting outdoors, take a look at brushes with water reservoirs, which are very handy for watercolour painting.
● A palette to mix your colours.
DRAWING: A REWARDING CREATIVE HOBBY THAT SPARKS THE IMAGINATION
Love drawing? Drawing lets you relax and express your creativity in complete freedom. However you go about it, drawing is a rewarding way to develop your artistic skills and spark your imagination.
Try out different activities to find your favourite creative hobby
Torn between drawing, painting, watercolours and crafting? Try out different creative hobbies as the mood takes you. Whether you're doing it alone, with your children or with friends, at your kitchen table or in the great outdoors, explore different creative hobbies to discover your creative passion! Making a creative diary, customising clothes, taking a painting workshop with your children, sewing, knitting or crocheting: there are so many great ways to get creative.
💡 Sign up to a creative workshop to try out a new activity. Caran d’Ache runs a range of workshops throughout the year in selected stores. These are an opportunity to learn and discover specific techniques with expert artist guidance.
You can start off with ready-made arts and crafts kits. This allows you to try a new activity without having to invest in a lot of equipment. Our Creative Box has everything you need to get started.
Establish a creative routine
For your creative hobby to become part of your everyday life, you need to get your brain used to regularly holding space for your creativity to flow. Plan your creative routine and set aside a specific time each week for your creative activity.
Set yourself up somewhere you feel comfortable and where you can spend some time getting creative without being disturbed.
Fit your creative hobby to the space you have available
Before buying new supplies or bulky equipment, make sure you have enough space. Once you've got your space sorted, it'll be easier to pick out a creative hobby that suits you and your lifestyle.
💡Store all your creative materials in a small suitcase or large storage box to save space. You don't need a dedicated room enjoy drawing, calligraphy, scrapbooking or colouring. Set aside some space in your living room as your hobby corner and grab your sketchbooks,
colouring sheets and crayons whenever the creative urge strikes.
Would you like some expert advice on how to get started with an artistic activity? Do you want to learn watercolour painting and how to use the range of Caran d'Ache drawing media? Take a look at our Creative Class online workshops run by professional artists and instructors. Let your creativity flow with Caran d'Ache!