Grid Art with Constraints: Exploring Circles

A simple creative exercise using circles as a limitation

This video is part of my Grid Art series, in which I explore different ways of working within a grid.

Sometimes I experiment with materials. Sometimes with techniques. And sometimes with constraints.

A constraint is simply a rule you give yourself while creating. It might sound limiting, but in practice, it often does the opposite. When you reduce the number of choices, it becomes easier to start and easier to play.

In this grid art experiment, the constraint is simple:

Circles.

Small circles, large circles, overlapping circles, painted circles, drawn circles, or even drips that naturally form circular shapes.

By limiting the shapes, the focus shifts to texture, layering, materials, and movement on the page.

Materials Needed:

You can keep this exercise very simple. For example:

• Watercolor paint

• Acrylic paint

• Pencil

• Brush

• Stencil with circles (optional)

• Makeup sponge (for stenciling)

• Paper or sketchbook

• Tape to create a grid

Instructions:

1. Create a grid
   Use tape or a pencil to divide your paper into several squares.

2. Choose your constraint
   For this exercise, the constraint is circles. That means everything you create will relate to circles.

3. Start with large shapes
   Begin with a large circle or partial circles that move across the grid.

4. Add variation
   Create different sizes: small circles, large circles, overlapping circles.

5. Use different materials
   Paint circles with watercolor or acrylic, draw circles with pencil, or stamp them using a stencil. Get creative, maybe you got some other tricks up your sleeve ;)

6. Work across the grid
   You can keep circles inside each square or let them move across multiple squares.

7. Experiment with layering
   Add circles on top of wet paint, dry paint, or combine different media.

8. Introduce contrast
   Try adding darker or lighter circles to create movement and depth.

9. Allow imperfections
   Circles don’t have to be perfectly round. Slightly irregular shapes often make the page more interesting.

10. Reveal the grid
    When you remove the tape, each section frames part of your experiment.

Final Thoughts:

Using a constraint like this can be surprisingly freeing.

Instead of deciding what to draw next, the rule already guides you. And when you work in a grid, every square becomes a small playground where you can try something new.

Some squares might feel messy. Some might surprise you, but often you’ll discover textures, shapes, or combinations that you want to use again in future artwork.

So give yourself a simple rule and see where it takes you.

What's Next?

Explore further

If you enjoyed this process, you might also like other blog posts where I explore similar techniques, materials, and ways of working, always focused on play, process, and creative freedom. If you're new to Grid Art, this framework might help you.

Try a variation

Choose a different constraint: only triangles, only lines, only one color, or even only one tool.

Reflect & continue

Take a moment to notice what surprised you during this process. What worked? What felt uncomfortable? What would you like to explore next?