Colour Pencils Healing Powers

by Ewa Adams

I would like to share with you my story about how art and colored pencils help me on a daily basis to heal from complex PTSD. I am a victim and survivor of domestic violence that I grew up with as a child for 17 years. There was a time in my life when I saw nothing good in myself. That thought haunted me a lot. I looked inside and saw nothing, except one good thought that came to my mind: I knew about God. I felt useless and of no value. It was a dark place with only the hope that perhaps God would help somehow at some point. Some people say that they reach a place where only God can help; I was in that place of darkness and complete defeat. I had no dreams, favorite colors, or hope. I didn’t know how to communicate my thoughts and feelings, but art found me, and things started to change. Drawing gave me a voice, and I was able to tune in to my feelings and express them on paper.

At that time, I wasn’t aware that I was suffering from complex PTSD; that realization and diagnosis came later.


Dreamer -colour pencil drawing on Stonehenge fine art

I discovered art and started to create every day for about three years, and what a joy it was! A joy I hadn’t truly felt before. My skills weren’t yet developed properly, nor did I have a style, but I discovered a pattern. More often than not, I drew animals as my main subject. Nature and wildlife felt safe. I also noticed that my mind started to become calmer. Living in a zone of constant threat, whether real or not, was a big deal for me. I welcomed positive feelings.

“Art found me,and things started to change”

No matter my drawing skill level, the benefits of drawing have a healing impact on me. I noticed that my love for pencils began to grow. I learned that colored pencils are a slow medium, which helped me develop patience. I learned from other artists to look for the things I was proud of in my work and concentrate on those, and more and more positive thoughts started to fill my mind. I started to feel happiness, and my sense of worth grew so much that I am now confident enough to show my work publicly, feeling proud of it and accepting compliments. More importantly, I believe in myself now. Who would think that art can change your world? But it can; it’s happening to me.


Otters in love - prismacolor pencils on drafting film

Drawing led me by the hand into a better life within myself. I developed perseverance and faith, but I had to make decisions and stick to them. For example, when I started to feel down and my motivation went on holiday, I made the decision to start a new drawing each Friday. I had to make a plan; otherwise, my feelings would rule my world, and I couldn’t afford that. I found that as soon as I put pencils to paper, I felt like drawing and my motivation returned. Often, I spent hours on it. Another benefit of drawing is that the motion of drawing itself brings me back to my body, so I’m connected body and mind at the same time. I didn’t know how to achieve this before, as I had developed coping mechanisms that caused me to dissociate.

I started experimenting and taking small risks in the safe environment that drawing provided for me. Joining art groups and sharing my art with a community of other artists helped me develop a sense of worth and belonging. I am still in the process of healing. I’ve been an artist for over seven years, and I’m properly hooked on colored pencils. My favorite style is hyperrealism, and wildlife and domestic animals are my favorite subjects. This year, I’ve also started to draw humans and horses. My first colored pencils were Prismacolor Premier, and I love how soft and buttery they are. Over time, I’ve collected a few professional-grade sets and love them all for different reasons, but mainly I reach for Faber-Castell Polychromos, Caran d'Ache Luminance, and Pablos. And today I have favorite colors, not just one. I love a warm palette and light reflecting on the subjects I draw. I love yellows, oranges, and pinks.


Sparrow - this work has spiritual meaning for me. colour pencils on drafting film

There’s incredible joy in my heart when I sit down to white paper, and from it comes a beautiful leopard or sparrow. I want to share my love for art and pencils with everyone. I’m absolutely delighted and honored to announce that my original work has been featured in Ann Kullberg’s CP Treasures 9 book.

If you struggle with inner criticism, and it tries to stop you from creating, let me remind you of what a great artist once said:

“If you hear a voice within you say, 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” — Vincent van Gogh.

EWA ADAMS:

Ewa is a wildlife and pet portrait artist. She lives with her family and three huskies in Lincolnshire, U.K. She loves to draw animals of all kinds, from fearsome predators to cute otters. Each of her drawings receives her full attention to detail. She likes to study each stroke, each tiny piece belonging to the animal she draws, to recreate exactly what she sees. Hyperrealism is what she strives for.

Facebook: ewa_adams_art