Embracing the Cold: New Year, New Mini Painting Challenges

It’s been a chilly start to 2025, and my studio at the back of the house has barely managed to reach above freezing for the past couple of weeks. The cold has been a bit of a challenge, but it’s also sparked some creativity and forced me to rethink how I approach my painting practice during these wintry days.

Rather than braving the frigid studio, I’ve been huddling up at the kitchen table, embracing the warmth of the indoors and taking on mini painting exercises using gouache. For those unfamiliar with the medium, gouache (pronounced gwash) is a water-based opaque paint that’s more similar to acrylics than to watercolors. It dries quickly, making it perfect for spontaneous experiments and small-scale studies that could potentially grow into larger pieces down the line.

The Power of Miniatures

One of my favorite ways to get my creative juices flowing is through mini thumbnail exercises. I have a collection of printed photo thumbnails, roughly 2” x 1”, and I randomly choose one to paint each time. I like to do this without overthinking it, because the randomness pushes me to step outside my usual comfort zone. I’m forced to paint subjects I wouldn’t normally choose, and this brings a fresh perspective to my work.

Sometimes the photos I pick are completely unexpected or even difficult, which only adds to the challenge. This exercise isn’t about creating perfect works of art—it’s about learning and pushing boundaries. I always start by doing a tonal study in black and white to establish the values, before moving on to the color version. Some pieces turn out better than others, but the key takeaway is this: every painting, whether successful or not, teaches me something. No time spent painting is ever wasted.

The Value of Constant Challenge

I didn’t have the luxury of a classical education in art. I dropped out of art school early on to follow a “safer” career path, so I didn’t get the years of uninterrupted practice that some artists enjoy. But over the past 30 years, I’ve made it my mission to teach myself through consistent practice. By challenging myself with small exercises, seeking out mentorship from other generous artists, and embracing an attitude of lifelong learning, I’ve been able to continue evolving my practice. Even now, I find myself constantly experimenting with new techniques, different styles, and unfamiliar mediums.

This is why I truly believe that these mini exercises are a great way to improve as an artist. They require minimal space, time, and materials, yet they offer a huge opportunity for growth. If you’re looking to boost your own art practice, I highly recommend giving them a try.

A Fresh Start

As we begin this new year, it’s the perfect time to step outside of your usual habits and push yourself to try something new—whether it's in art, life, or anything else. The little things we do consistently add up over time, and before you know it, they’ve helped you develop new skills, ideas, and ways of thinking.

Here’s to a year full of exploration, creativity, and the willingness to step outside your comfort zone. I’m excited to see where this journey of mini paintings takes me, and I hope you’ll find ways to challenge and inspire yourself as well!

Happy New Year, and here’s to making 2025 a year of growth and discovery!