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5 great items to get before your next art therapy session

By BethAnn Mayer

Adult coloring books were all the rage in the mid-2010s. When the pandemic hit in March 2020, they were back en vogue. Whether the humble coloring book, often thought of as a way to keep kids busy, is up your alley or not, art therapy is worth giving a shot if you’re in a funk. Experts share it can help people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma.

You don’t need to be a modern-day Picasso to give it a shot. Your art can be personal to you and simply a way to destress or express your feelings on a piece of paper or canvas. No one has to see your work if that’s what you prefer.

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If you’ve never tried art therapy before, you may want to experiment with a few different mediums, such as painting or drawing. Here are a few products to consider for art therapy.

These brightly-colored watercolor brush pens are like sunshine on a cloudy day. The vibrant colors alone are enough to put you in a better mood. They’re also versatile. Use them in coloring books, illustrations, or get creative with calligraphy on greeting and thank you cards. The set comes with a free carrying case, so you can take them to the park or on vacation if you need a change of scenery.
$20 from Amazon

Though painting on paper is fine, a canvas can feel a little more official. These budget-friendly canvas panels were woven in India and are perfect for oils, acrylics, and tempera. Bonus: If you’re a parent or babysitting, you can get the kids involved. Previous reviewers say this product was great for child art projects, too.
$22 from Amazon

People who loved flip books, cartoons, or comic books growing up will have a blast with this product. The professional comes with 480 pages you can divide into eight small or four large flip books. You can choose between creating a series or several individual short animated stories. The card stock is heavy enough to prevent bleeding if you want to use markers.
$17 from Amazon

This 21-piece easel set by Artlicious is a perfect starter kit for someone who wants to use painting to destress. It comes with a small tabletop easel, which works for nearly any sized living space and is portable. You’ll also get a canvas, acrylic paints, and six brushes. Previous reviewers were impressed with the quality of the entire kit, saying it’s a bargain at under $30.
$31 from Amazon $36 from Walmart

Break the mold and try something off the coloring-and-painting-beaten paths by opting for a casting kit. The kit allows you to create a mold of your hands (or use a family member or friend as a muse). It comes with molding and casting powders, gloves, bronze paint, sealant, a knife, detailing tools, sandpaper, alginate molding powder, and a bucket. Previous buyers loved getting their hands dirty and displaying the final product in their homes.
$22 from Amazon

Art therapy can be a great way to destress and distract you from what’s going on in the world (related: thank you gift basket). Experts say it can also help with anxiety and depression. You don’t have to have aced high school art or create something worthy of display in the Museum of Modern Art. What’s most important is what you get out of the experience and how it makes you feel. Set yourself up for success by having the right tools, like easels, paper, and brushes. You may want to try a few different mediums before settling on the one you prefer. Though art therapy is beneficial, it may not fix everything. If you’re struggling, reach out for mental health help.

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BethAnn Mayer
Contributor
Beth Ann's work has appeared on healthline.com and parents.com. In her spare time, you can find her running (either marathons…
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