mei 2026.

creating a habit. Around 30 days ago, I started a daily practice of painting. I have started daily habits before, and I have stopped them before as well. What I liked was that spending a little time each day created a sweet and precious moment of peace. What made me stop in the past was the pressure I felt after a couple of days.

To get myself going, I thought of themes. Landscapes seemed like a good place to start.

To keep the habit small, I decided to choose my materials wisely: a small A5 sketchbook for painting, a gouache set, and a few brushes. Everything was gathered in a lovely little fabric bag.

At this point, my mind already wanted to turn it into something bigger. Knowing myself, it is wise not to make the goal too ambitious or drift away from the original intention. Back to the goal.

setting the goal.

The goal is to create a daily habit. Through this habit, I would like to find an easy way to create something every day, preferably while practicing different painting styles.

A little goes a long way, right?

So each day, I paint a little and try new things.

I might start the day with a bit of me-time, or perhaps check in with myself in the evening. At the kitchen table, on the couch, in my atelier, or outside—it doesn't matter. I can create wherever I am.

To commit to myself, I wrote a small list for this painting practice:

• It doesn't have to take long.

• It doesn't have to be big.

• It doesn't have to be perfect.

• Keep your eye on the goal: a daily painting practice.

• Be kind to myself.

  
  

While deciding on this habit, I set up a 60-day schedule. Since habits are often said to take around 40 days to settle in, I wanted a good amount of practice time. On day 30, I added an extra task: evaluation.

I wanted to review what had worked and what had not.

the 30-day evaluation.

At this point, I have reached the 30-day mark. The days I did not create something, I did not count. So effectively, I have completed 30 days of painting or drawing.

Drawing?

Yes, drawing.

I noticed that the painting habit did not go as planned. Painting was not always the easiest way to sit down and create. Paint needs to go onto a palette, water is required, and there is more cleaning involved. It made the simple habit a little less simple.

I also noticed that I did not feel up to painting every day. Looking at examples of what I could paint did not inspire me. When painting large canvases, I am used to getting into a flow state and searching for a certain feeling. It is liberating.

The opposite was true in my sketchbook.

I did not feel free; I felt restricted.

So I decided to let go of painting as a learning exercise and instead paint landscapes as they came to me. The Holbein gouache I use works beautifully for this.

Alongside these discoveries about painting and the limitations I experienced during the first few days, I decided to add a square Sakura sketchbook and a Sigma Micron pen, size 01, for drawing.

The sketchbook and pen are incredibly accessible. I can start right away.

I began with a flower, and it quickly became a theme and medium that suited me well.

At this point, I have completed 17 flower drawings. Some of them have taken more than one day to finish.

I also noticed that I was waking up earlier and wanting to draw more. I love the flower theme, and my little sketchbook is always ready to go. Flowers are everywhere at this time of year, and I enjoy being outside.

Drawing flowers in the garden. Or when I am out and about, quietly looking for more inspiration.

I have continued painting on multiple days as well. I still paint, but less often than I draw.

What I enjoy most about painting is creating small landscapes, sometimes with houses in them, experimenting with different colour schemes. This works especially well when I am well-rested and have the time to sit, relax, and settle into a freeing state of mind.

When that happens, time flies by.

That is what painting is for me, and I do not think it can be confined to a small daily habit.

Thirty days in, the habit looks different than I expected—but perhaps that is exactly the point. The goal was never to paint every day. The goal was to create every day, and that habit is beginning to take root.

looking ahead.

As I will be travelling for three months this year, I want to bring this habit into my travelling life as well.

I can safely say that the little Sakura sketchbook and a pen will do just fine.

It is compact, lightweight, and easy to use. I can start anywhere. Whether I am waiting for transport or on the move, I can quickly begin drawing or pack everything away just as easily. A daily drawing of my travels.

Sounds like a decent plan to me.