On its own, painting is a stress-relieving hobby. When painting with your partner, your activity morphs into quality time full of laughter, conversation, playful banter, and shared creativity. Like last week, a photo inspired this 52 Love tip. During my pre-draft research, I discovered that couple’s painting is an established (marketed and monetized) pastime. In the interest of our 52 Love intimacy goals, we’ll focus on a cozier at-home experience.
Painting can be as messy as it is fun. Collect your materials before cracking open your acrylics: canvas(es), easel(s), brushes, aprons, palette (even a paper plate will do), and of course, a variety of colorful paints. Purchase completed kits online or shop hobby stores that offer budget-priced supplies.
Consider your options for how you’ll create together. Share a canvas: you and your partner work together, dipping into paint, blending colors, and brushing strokes toward a single collaborative goal. Or design a tandem diptych: place separate canvases side by side. You and your partner paint half a single picture on your respective canvases. When joined, they create one image. Like you and your partner, the two become one.
Acrylic washes off skin, but stains clothing. Wear something appropriate, or if you don’t wish to risk your apparel, decorate your canvas au naturel. Depending on how wild you plan to get, a tarp may be in order.
Allow at least two hours. You can’t rush great art. See where your creative juices take you. Stroke your canvas at a slow and steady pace. Score your affair with music to set the mood. Pour your favorite libations. Keep snacks on hand to keep up your energy. Then ease into an experience teeming with romance and relaxation.
There’s no pressure to paint the next Picasso. Choose simple designs that please your eye. Take a familiar image and alter the colors. Enlist the help of an online step-by-step tutorial. Or let your imaginations run wild as your collective passions splash the canvas. No matter your (or your partner’s) level of artistic skill, your painting will make a lovely memento you both can treasure forever. Almost as much as you do each other.
If you try this intimacy tip or have a better recommendation, let me know in the comments. For weekly suggestions on how to show your partner love, sign up for my blog, 52 Love, in the sidebar.
You have such a clever way with words, Tonya. Even though I am a widow and none of this applies to me, I enjoy reading your posts. Glad you are writing your weekly. I know this was a goal for you. Keep on writing!
Thank you! I hope you’re doing well. <3