How about some #100TinyTreasures

I came across a youtube video a while ago (beginning of the year…), about an art teacher @LeslieStroz who encouraged people to join her on a challenge to create 100 tiny pictures a year. My first thought was, “how am I going to be able to draw that small” as the paper size was less than a half of a post card.

First ten images in. That time in April, I had still 90 to go…

I got intrigued to the chance to use my aquarelles again and to paint every day. So I put to my Bullet Journal a task to cut out the paper pieces for tiny art work, for me and for my kids, as I know I am not going to be allowed to do such a fun thing just by myself :D …and I was right!

So I chopped some of my 300 g/m² aquarelle paper in “rau, naturweiß” (rough & natural white) in to small treasures, to have dimensions of 5cm by 6,5cm. And I started to capture my daily life in small images. Just like taking instant photos. But just in a way cooler way :)

my daughters teddy bear

I started with just pencil sketch and watercolour on top, but I feel I can capture more if I use inkliner additionally. So now, I first soft sketch with a pencil, then trace it softly with a thin 0.1 Pigment liner from Staedter, then remove the pencil and colour the image with watercolours. My palette I put together with Schmincke pans. I am sure I will change a bit my composition throughout the year but I love the feeling of freedom and creation as I select my next object.

This is my Tuesdays’ creative break while kids do their hobbies 🩷

The best part is, that I don’t need any gadgets to this. Just my paper, palette, brush and some water. I can sit down outside in sunny spring weather and explore my surroundings — and my creativity.

My view from the terrasse.

My tip: even if I am capturing on the go, I like to take a photo of my object just to have it available, just in case I get interrupted in between and I need to continue later.

The second best part is, that my kids love the tiny treasures too, so now we have more capacity to save their artwork, when the size per artwork is reduced from earlier A4 to 5x6,5 cm pieces :D

When I first wrote this post in April, I was 10 images in, which left me 90 more to go for 2025. Today I am only 36 images in but still totally enjoying these little creative bursts that enlighten my week. I will not manage 100 this year, but that is ok. I will keep my gear with me and keep on tapping on the inspiration in front of me. It is so much fun to captivate the surroundings in such a small image, and to see how much I develope and improve my work on a daily basis. You should too!

So get inspired and join the #100TinyTreasures challenge! 🥰