Discover how using a limited colour scheme can simplify your group painting sessions while keeping the art visually engaging and cohesive.
🎙️ Podcast Shownotes — Episode 14: What Are the Best Colour Schemes for Collaborative Art Projects?
In episode 14 of Easy Collaborative Art, I talk about how keeping your colour scheme simple helps your group relax, focus on creativity, and produce striking results without the stress of colour choice overload.
You’ll discover how a few smart choices make painting easier for everyone — from beginners to confident painters, and especially for you as the instructor.
I share practical examples and colour scheme tips from my Pattern Play Collaborative Art process.
What you’ll discover in this episode:
• Keeping your palette to 3–4 colours removes overwhelm and prevents muddy results.
• Small variations between layers can add visual interest while staying true to your limited scheme.
• Pre-planned colour schemes reduce decision fatigue and make group painting smoother and more harmonious.
🔗 Links and Resources:🎨 Read the full episode transcript:
Episode 14: How Limited Colour Schemes Make Collaborative Art Easier and More Striking
📘 Grab your free Beginner’s Guide to Collaborative Art
🎧 Podcast Home: Easy Collaborative Art
https://paintingaroundisfun.com/podcast
Happy Painting!
Charndra
Your Inclusive Social Art Guide
Tips for Collaborative Art Projects for Art Therapy or Mental Health Groups
Imagine you’re running a group for people in an art therapy or mental health setting — perhaps a mix of individuals who are feeling anxious, uncertain, or out of touch with their creative side.
Here’s a structure you could follow:
Step 1 – Messy Playing
Collaborative art can gently support mindfulness, emotional expression, and group connection. It’s inclusive and beginner-friendly, helping participants feel safe and confident even if they haven’t painted in years.
One of the most powerful aspects is that noone’s work stands out on its own. Each person contributes marks, and patterns that blend into a shared artwork, allowing participants to “hide” their individual painting within the collective creation. This removes the fear of judgment that can come from having personal art on display.
In time, people start to relax and enjoythe process — copying marks they see, experimenting with colours, and realisingthat together, they’re creating something unique and beautiful. This shared creative experience helps build confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging within the group.
Invite participants to make broad, expressive marks on a shared canvas or set of canvases placed together as one.
Limit the colour scheme to two or three harmonious colours to reduce overwhelmand encourage flow.
Step 2 – Exploring
Encourage layering simple shapes, common symbols, or easy patterns. Repetition and variation in size build rhythm and cohesion. My Pattern Play prompts can provide gentle guidance.
Step 3 – Bling!
Add final touches — think decorative embellishments by doodling using paint pens. This stage is calming and gives a sense of accomplishment. Painters mindfully add patterns and decorate the lines and shapes, chatting companionably and feeling pride at their creativity.
Therapist tip: Using three brushes, three colours, and three stages provides structure, making it easier to guide participants while keeping the experience open and creative.
Why This Works
This simple framework makes collaborative art projects easy to run in community groups. It gives structure without stifling creativity, so every child can feel included. Best of all, it turns artmaking into a shared experience of play and connection.
Pattern Play Collaborative Art is all about connection and creativity.