Cognitive Health Benefits of Painting
Painting is the artistic expression of ideas, using colors and lines to create images that convey a sense of movement, volume, space, light or other elements. It can represent a natural scene or object, tell a narrative, or be wholly abstract. Painting is one of the oldest visual arts and continues to play a vital role in many cultures across the world.Painting has numerous cognitive health benefits that help improve the overall quality of life. Artistic hobbies like drawing and painting build a strong mental health in individuals of all ages, providing an emotional outlet for stress. Additionally, people who paint and engage in other creative activities are shown to have a lower chance of developing memory loss illnesses, such as Alzheimer's disease, as they age.It also helps to stimulate the brain, improving focus and attention. In addition, when people pick up a brush and paint, it requires fine motor skills that are strengthened over time. These hand and finger dexterity exercises become physical shortcuts the brain implements throughout daily tasks, making the job of completing other chores easier.The act of painting is also thought to promote creativity, and even inspire problem solving. This is because it requires the individual to think and plan what they want their artwork to look like before putting it on the canvas. It is important to remember that it is okay to make mistakes when painting, as this can help add an element of uniqueness and flair to the final product.Another positive attribute of painting is that it can be used as a form of communication between two individuals. It can be a way for shy individuals to let their personality shine through without having to speak, which can be helpful when socializing with others. In this case, the painted image can be understood as a symbol of an individual's personality that the other person can look at and identify with.Painters can choose between the atelier or academy approach, which is effective for those who wish to create realistic paintings or the self-expressionist, or "let-the-kids-do-what-they-want" method, which is helpful for those who wish to work on emotional levels. The atelier approach is best suited for those who want to achieve photo-realistic scenes, while the self-expressionist method may be better for children or beginners.Before beginning any painting project, it is important to prep the surface by washing walls with sugar soap and water. This will remove any grease and dust that could interfere with the proper adhesion of the paint. After cleaning the surface, painters tape should be applied to the edges of walls and woodwork, and protective coverings should be placed over floors to prevent staining or damage. Finally, it is recommended to apply a good coat of primer to the entire surface before applying any paint to help ensure a smooth and even finish. Once the primer is dry, it is important to wait a few days before proceeding with any further painting projects.