Paint More in '26 with Ali Kay Studio: 5 Paintings

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Paint More in '26 with Ali Kay Studio: 5 Paintings

Happy New Year!

2026 is going to be great and it's your year to paint more!

I’m genuinely excited to share an upcoming online event from Ali Kay Studio called Paint More in ’26.

It’s a simple, approachable way to start (or restart) a creative habit—without pressure, overwhelm, or unrealistic expectations.

The start of a new year has a certain kind of energy to it!

Not the loud, overhaul-your-life kind—but the quieter pull toward starting something meaningful.

For many of us, that something is creativity.
And yet, creativity is often the first thing to fall off the list once real life kicks in.

It’s a simple, approachable way to start (or restart) a creative habit—without pressure, overwhelm, or unrealistic expectations. The start of a new year has a certain kind of energy to it! Not the loud, overhaul-your-life kind—but the quieter pull toward starting something meaningful. For many of us, that something is creativity. And yet, creativity is often the first thing to fall off the list once real life kicks in.

Why the New Year Is a Great Time to Learn a New Skill

Starting a new skill in January doesn’t have to mean big goals or long-term commitments.
In fact, the most sustainable habits often start small.

Learning something creative—like painting—can help you:

Reset mentally after a busy season
Create space that’s just for you
Build confidence through progress, not perfection
Reconnect with play and curiosity

Unlike traditional resolutions, creative challenges work best when they’re flexible.

That’s where Paint More in ’26 really shines.

SIGN UP FOR PAINT MORE IN '26 HERE!

WHAT IS FRESH PAINT? Looking for a new hobby? Have you always wanted to paint? Are you curious about Fresh Paint by Ali Kay Studio? Let me answer all your questions. Fresh Paint is an online membership portal with 100's of vibrant and colorful acrylic painting lessons. Each lesson is accompanied with templates, reference photos and color charts. Ali has a list of recommended paints, supplies and tools to use when painting, but you can start with whatever you already have. The membership program is either paying month to month (Fresh Paint) or paying for one full year all at once (Fresh Paint VIP). The VIP program offering 12 new seasonal lessons (as well as the library to all the past VIP lessons) and open studio hours each month to ask questions and watch Ali paint live. If you can possibly swing it, pay for the VIP membership. It saves you money in the long run and gives you many more lessons! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In one year of Fresh Paint, I completed over 100 paintings! 72 are Ali Kay lessons, 28 pictured are my own solo pieces.

What Is Paint More in ’26?

Paint More in ’26 is a 5-day online painting challenge hosted by Ali Kay, an acrylic painter and instructor known for her encouraging, down-to-earth teaching style. If you’re familiar with Paint Week (her popular fall event), this experience is similar—but designed specifically to kick off the new year in a gentle, doable way.

Each day includes:

One live painting lesson (just 26 minutes long)

strawberry, pretzel, donut, popsicle and fortune cookie paintings!

Small, approachable painting projects
A focus on progress over perfection
A supportive creative community

And if live sessions don’t work for your schedule? No problem. All lessons are recorded so you can paint at your own pace during the week.

SIGN UP FOR PAINT MORE IN '26 HERE!

What Is Paint More in ’26? Paint More in ’26 is a 5-day online painting challenge hosted by Ali Kay, an acrylic painter and instructor known for her encouraging, down-to-earth teaching style. If you’re familiar with Paint Week (her popular fall event), this experience is similar—but designed specifically to kick off the new year in a gentle, doable way. Each day includes: One live painting lesson (just 26 minutes long) strawberry, pretzel, donut, popsicle and fortune cookie paintings! Small, approachable painting projects A focus on progress over perfection A supportive creative community And if live sessions don’t work for your schedule? No problem. All lessons are recorded so you can paint at your own pace during the week.

Designed for Real Life (and Real Schedules)

One of the biggest barriers to starting something new is time. Paint More in ’26 removes that obstacle by keeping each session short and focused. You don’t need hours of uninterrupted time, advanced skills, or special supplies.

This challenge is intentionally beginner-friendly. Whether you’re brand new to painting or returning after a long break, the structure helps you build momentum without feeling behind.

Easy Access, even If Tech Isn’t Your Thing
If online events make you nervous, don’t worry—this experience is very accessible. Whether you’re a longtime student or completely new, Ali Kay Studio has systems in place to help.
If you’re an existing student, logging in is straightforward
If you’ve forgot account details, recovery is simple
Creating a new account is quick and beginner-friendly

Everything is designed to make showing up feel easy.

SIGN UP FOR PAINT MORE IN '26 HERE!

TRENDS ARE FIGHTING BACK AGAINST AI:

HUGE AI Backlash trend: People are actively seeking proof something was made by a real person.

People want to see real art:

“Painted by hand” callouts
Visible brushstrokes
Imperfections celebrated
Process photos & videos outperforming polished renders
Signed, dated, numbered artwork

SIGN UP FOR PAINT MORE IN '26 HERE!

TRENDS ARE FIGHTING BACK AGAINST AI: HUGE AI Backlash trend: People are actively seeking proof something was made by a real person. People want to see real art: “Painted by hand” callouts Visible brushstrokes Imperfections celebrated Process photos & videos outperforming polished renders Signed, dated, numbered artwork

More Than Painting: It’s About Creating a Rhythm

What makes Paint More in ’26 special isn’t just the art—it’s the mindset. This challenge isn’t about becoming a “better” painter in five days.

It’s about building a creative rhythm that fits into your life.

Many participants from past events share that they painted more in one week than they had in years—not because they pushed harder, but because the structure made it feel possible.

A Simple, Meaningful Way to Begin the Year

If you’ve been craving creativity but unsure where to start, this is a beautiful entry point.

For just $9, you get five guided lessons, replays you can return to during the week, and the encouragement of painting alongside others who are also choosing to begin the year creatively.

Starting a new skill doesn’t have to be intimidating. Sometimes, it just takes 26 minutes, a little paint, and permission to begin.

If that sounds like something you’d love to make space for this January, Paint More in ’26 might be exactly what you need. 🎨✨

SIGN UP FOR PAINT MORE IN '26 HERE!

A Simple, Meaningful Way to Begin the Year If you’ve been craving creativity but unsure where to start, this is a beautiful entry point. For just $9, you get five guided lessons, replays you can return to during the week, and the encouragement of painting alongside others who are also choosing to begin the year creatively. Starting a new skill doesn’t have to be intimidating. Sometimes, it just takes 26 minutes, a little paint, and permission to begin. If that sounds like something you’d love to make space for this January, Paint More in ’26 might be exactly what you need. 🎨✨

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Learn more about FRESH PAINT AND LOOSE ACRYLIC PAINTING HERE:

Fresh Paint by Ali Kay Studio: Paint Week 2025 Online

Fresh Paint by Ali Kay Studio is an online painting membership program that I have been part of for the last year.

I joined Fresh Paint's VIP membership after completing Paint Week 2024 and now it's time for Paint Week 2025.

Fresh Paint by Ali Kay Studio: Paint Week 2025 Online Fresh Paint by Ali Kay Studio is an online painting membership program that I have been part of for the last year. I joined Fresh Paint's VIP membership after completing Paint Week 2024 and now it's time for Paint Week 2025. If you have always wanted to learn how to paint, how to paint colorfully and how to paint fast and loose, this is the class for you!

How to do Loose Acrylic Painting (Beginner Tutorial)

Loose acrylic painting is fast, quick drying paint in layers, creating depth and contrast in colors.

Back during the last week of September 2024, I picked up a new favorite hobby of loose acrylic painting!

I'm going to walk you through the basic steps of loose acrylic painting as a reference or guide, but as always, if you are excited about loose acrylic painting, sign up for a class or a course.

(More info below)