Winter can be tough. The days are short, it gets dark super early, and the cold gray skies seem to go on forever. All of this can really bring down your mood. But what if there was a simple way to feel better? What if painting could actually help chase away those winter blues?
Painting isn't just something to do when you're bored. It's a way to bring light, warmth, and happiness into your life during the coldest, darkest months of the year. And here's the best part: you don't need to be good at art to do it.
Why Painting Actually Helps Your Mood
When you paint, something cool happens in your brain. Scientists have found that doing creative activities like painting can lower your stress levels and make you feel happier. When you focus on colors and putting brush to canvas, your mind gets quiet. You stop worrying about other stuff and just focus on what you're doing right now.
When winter makes everything feel dark and gloomy, painting gives you control. You get to decide what colors to use and what to create. Your kitchen table or desk becomes your own creative space where you're in charge.
Why Being Creative Is So Important
These days, we spend so much time on our phones and computers, especially in winter when we're stuck inside. But creativity offers something that screens can't give you: the awesome feeling of making something real with your own hands. When you paint, you're not just scrolling through content - you're actually creating something. You're not just watching - you're doing.
Being creative is part of being human. It's how we deal with our feelings and make sense of the world around us. When we paint, we tap into something that everyone has inside them, whether they think they're "artistic" or not. What matters isn't the final painting - it's the act of creating something.
During winter, when lots of people feel sad or low-energy, creativity becomes even more important. It gives you something to do when you feel stuck. It gives you a reason to look forward to each day. Most importantly, it reminds you that you can create color and beauty, even when everything outside looks gray and dead.
Paint By Numbers: Anyone Can Do This
Here's something you need to know: you don't need to know how to draw or take art classes to enjoy painting. Paint by numbers kits are perfect for anyone who's ever thought "I'm not creative" or "I can't paint."
These kits make painting easy while still giving you all the good feelings that come with it. You still get to choose colors, hold a brush, and watch a picture come to life through your work. The numbered sections are just helpful guides - like training wheels on a bike that help you build confidence.
Paint by numbers is basically meditation disguised as art. Each numbered section is one small, easy task. You're not worried about the whole big picture - just this one section, this one color, right now. Filling in the spaces becomes relaxing and calming. Hours can pass, and you'll forget all about the dark winter evening outside.
Here's the cool part: paint by numbers doesn't stop you from being creative - it actually helps you learn. As you work on a kit, you start to notice things. Like how this blue makes that yellow really pop. How shadows aren't just black - they're purple and brown and dark green. How light changes everything. These things you learn are building blocks for understanding art, whether you keep using kits or try painting on your own later.
ArtSpark Paintings Perfect for Winter
Not all paint by numbers kits are the same, and picking the right design can really help your winter mood. ArtSpark has a great collection designed to make you feel better during the darker months.
Blooming Spirits is perfect when you miss flowers and gardens. This beautiful floral design is full of life and color, bringing the feeling of spring into your home when everything outside looks dead. The bright flowers seem to glow, reminding you that nature is just sleeping, not gone forever. It's medium difficulty, so it's challenging enough to be interesting but not too hard for beginners.
If you want something softer and more relaxing, Peony Muse has gorgeous flowers in gentle pinks and whites. Painting peonies is super calming - all those layers of petals become like meditation. This is an easy-level kit, perfect if you're new to painting or just want something chill to do in the evening.
Ready for something harder? Garden Aura is a challenging design that looks amazing when you're done. It has lots of details with light, shadow, and plants that create something you'll actually be proud to hang on your wall. Working on a hard kit through winter gives you a big project to work on - something that gets more beautiful every time you paint.
Four Seasons is unique: you paint all four seasons in one picture. This challenging design reminds you that winter is just one part of the year's cycle. As you paint summer's warmth and fall's colors along with winter's beauty, you're reminding yourself that this cold season will pass.
If you like nature scenes, Mountain Stream shows the crisp, clear beauty of cold landscapes. Sometimes the best way to deal with winter is to paint it - to find what's beautiful about it instead of just complaining. The blues and whites of rushing water and snowy pine trees can actually feel warming to paint.
And if you just want pure warmth and color, Red Roses gives you bright red flowers that feel full of life and energy. Painting them fills your space with their warmth.
Growing Your Creativity
Many people find that paint by numbers wakes up something creative inside them. After finishing a few kits, they want to try new things. Maybe they change some of the colors to match their mood. Maybe they add extra details that weren't in the original design. Some people eventually stop using the numbers and start painting their own ideas.
You don't have to do any of that - it's totally fine to just enjoy paint by numbers exactly as it is. But here's the important thing: creativity isn't something you either have or don't have. It's like a muscle that gets stronger when you use it. Every time you pick up a brush, you're feeding your creative side, whether you're following numbers or making up your own stuff.
Make Painting Part of Your Routine
Setting up a regular time to paint during winter gives you structure and something to look forward to. Make it special: light some candles, make hot chocolate or tea, put on music or a podcast you like, and make this time just for you.
You don't need to paint for hours. Even 30 minutes can totally change your mood for the day. The trick is doing it regularly - making painting a habit that helps you when the winter blues hit hard.
Paint by numbers is perfect for regular practice. You can stop after just a few sections and pick up exactly where you left off tomorrow. There's no stress about what to paint or worry about messing up. You always know what comes next.
Connect With Others Through Art
Being alone too much in winter can make you feel even worse, but painting can help you connect with people. Invite friends over for a paint night with hot chocolate. Join online groups where people share their finished paintings and encourage each other. Post your progress on social media - you might be surprised how many people get inspired by what you're doing.
Start a winter painting challenge with friends where everyone does the same ArtSpark kit but makes it their own way. Seeing how everyone's turns out different adds fun and connection to the darkest weeks.
Give your finished paintings as gifts. There's something really special about giving someone art you made yourself. Your Blooming Spirits painting isn't just flowers - it's proof that you spent hours thinking about them and making something beautiful for them.
Start Today
As winter darkness falls early again today, remember that you have the power to create your own light. Whether you've painted before or you're opening your first paint by numbers kit, painting is a way to fight back against winter's gloom.
The paints are waiting. The numbered canvas is ready to become something beautiful through your own hands. And somewhere in the calming rhythm of brush on canvas, in watching white spaces fill with color and life, in the proud feeling when you finish each section - winter's grip loosens, just a little bit.
Winter blues might be unavoidable, but they don't have to control your season. Paint your way through. Paint your way forward. Paint yourself back to happiness.
Check out ArtSpark's full collection of designs that beat the winter blues and find the perfect kit to brighten your days. From easy flower designs to challenging landscapes, there's a canvas waiting to become your creative escape this season.
Your creative journey is waiting. The winter blues don't stand a chance.
