Notes from Nature and the beauty of small art

Hi Reader,

The Beauty of Small Art

Some days you only have ten quiet minutes and a small square of paper.

It is easy to believe that real art needs a large canvas, a free afternoon and a burst of inspiration.

When life feels full, creativity can quietly slip to the bottom of the list.

But what if a single small card was enough?

What if a tiny surface could hold your attention, your color choices and your thoughts for the day?

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Notes From Nature

Affirmation Cards

Lately I have been enjoying the Notes from Nature affirmation cards by Johanna Basford.

You may know her from her intricate coloring books filled with botanicals and woodland scenes.

This deck includes 30 gentle affirmations to color in her signature back to nature style.

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I am Grateful for Every Day

I chose three to begin with. “I am grateful for every new day” felt like early morning light, so

I used soft Faber Castell Polychromos pencils and built the color slowly from the center of each flower outward.

On small cards, a light hand matters.

Layer gently.

Let the pigment grow gradually.

The act of coloring became a quiet gratitude practice all on its own.

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I Stand Tall and Proud

“I stand tall and proud” features sunflowers, which always remind me of Vincent van Gogh and his bold blooms.

For this one I used Winsor and Newton colored inks with a fine brush.

Ink asks for confidence.

Test your dilution first, let each layer dry, then deepen the center.

Strength in a small space comes from contrast and restraint.

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I Embrace Every Season

The third card, “I embrace every season,” reflects the natural rhythm of the year.

I colored it with muted Tombow markers, starting with the lightest tones and building slowly into the darker shades.

On a small surface, hold back a little. Let the white of the paper breathe. When you think in seasons, your creative life begins to feel less rushed and more cyclical.

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Micro Art

Working on these cards reminded me why I love micro art.

I often create Post-It artworks at 76mm by 76mm, mini canvases at 65mm square and my own hand cut cards from Strathmore Bristol board.

One small piece completed in a day builds consistency.

A collection of small pieces builds confidence.

Read the full story

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Over to You

Modest Moments

As I finished these small cards, I was reminded that creativity does not have to be grand to be meaningful.

It does not need a large canvas, a full afternoon or a perfect plan.

Sometimes all creativity asks of you is a single card, a handful of colors and your quiet attention.

I believe that one small piece completed with care is enough.

In those modest moments of making, we can build consistency, confidence and a gentle creative life that grows one thoughtful card at a time.

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Your Thoughts

I would truly love to hear where you are on your creative journey.

Have you already spent happy hours with the work of Johanna Basford and her coloring books, or is this your first introduction to her world?

Tap reply and let me know.

Read More

You can read my full Notes from Nature article on AlisonHazelArt.com where I share the close up images of the three cards which I colored and all the details about sizes, tools and techniques.

P.S.

If these tiny cards and gentle affirmations have sparked something in you, pop over and enjoy the complete article. Let it inspire your next small, doable art session today.