Exercises

The main exercises for working with effects used by professional art therapists in their work:

1. Drawing on wet paper. On a pre-moistened sheet of paper, a drawing is applied using watercolor. It is desirable to use the maximum possible palette of colors. The patient watches how the colors mix with each other, feels his feelings that arise in the process of observation. Further, the patterns formed on a sheet of paper are given a name. At the end, the drawing is analyzed together with an art therapist.
2. Contrasting pattern. In one composition, the client must combine contrasting shapes, colors and styles, creating a striking pattern. The bottom line is that in the process of creating a drawing, radically change the strategy of work to the opposite, using when creating a drawing, using all known contrasts and ways to create contrasts in the process.
3. Exercise “Imprints” It consists in creating a picture using a print of any objects that the client wishes. The client’s imagination is used to the maximum. The objects can be prints of the client’s body parts, accessories, clothing, etc. The place where these items will be brought from does not matter.
4. Creation of a composition on paper. Using adhesive tape, glue, scissors and paper, the client creates a three-dimensional composition. You can cut out figures from newspapers and magazines, making a story out of them. It is also possible to use candy wrappers, wrapping and toilet paper, cardboard boxes, etc. to create a composition.
5. Drawing with mixed colors. At the beginning of the exercise, the client mixes several thick paints of the shades he most likes. The main thing is to give free rein to your imagination and mix a few colors, even if they are not initially suitable for each other. Subsequently, the client creates a drawing from the resulting shades.
6. Monotypes. The client creates an image on the glass with the help of thick paints, and then prints it on a sheet of paper. At the end, the results are discussed.
7. Paint blowing technique. The client applies a water-soluble paint with a high percentage of water content to a sheet of paper and blows up the resulting pattern with a straw. It is important when performing the exercise to use the maximum possible palette of colors. At the end of the task, the client makes an attempt to recognize and understand the resulting image, and the results are analyzed.
8. Ink stains. The client picks up a thin sheet of paper, drips a few drops of ink on it and folds it in half. Next, the client unfolds the paper and observes the resulting image. The results of the work are discussed with the art therapist.
Author: Anton Yasyr