Overview of themes and sub-themes derived from journal and interview data
| New or unfamiliar materials | Expectations | Responses to the MAB | Sight change |
| Adding to the materials provided | What’s in the box | Positive reactions | ‘Accessible’ materials |
| Familiar materials | Expectations of researcher or others | Excitement | Assistance from others |
| Putting other art activities on hold | Feeling encouraged | Surprise | Change in/limited colour perception |
| Benefits of unfamiliar materials | Expectations of self | Negative reactions | Not wanting to experiment |
| Adaptability | Creative circles | Disappointment | Past leisure activities |
| Experimentation with materials | Social | Lack of motivation | Positive impact on MAB experience |
| 'Giving it a go', a new way of working | Sharing of art | Overwhelming | Tactile nature of materials |
| Skill development | Wanting feedback or help | Not enough guidance | Technology making art accessible |
| Negative reactions to new materials | A social outlet | No clear end point | VI as a limiting factor |
| Concern over mess | Learning from others | Not sure what to think or do | Participants’ artwork |
| Giving up | Shared experience | Importance of time | Feedback from others |
| Intimidated by new materials | Overwhelming | Not enough/too much time | Meaning attached to piece |
| Limited by physical space | Beliefs about own and others' abilities | Right amount of time | Positive self-assessment |
| When things go wrong | Feeling judged | Thinking time | Aesthetically pleasing |
| Walking away/waiting a while | Limitations of virtual delivery | Initial reactions to MAB | Colour, shape and composition |
| Positive impacts on the individual | Logistical and technology challenges | Planning and progress over project | Does not need to be aesthetically pleasing |
| A challenge | Mood | Comparison to others’ progress | ‘At ease’ with medium |
| A new experience | Impact of art making on mood | Engagement changing over time | Negative self-assessment |
| Therapeutic | Expectations of researcher’s understanding of mood | What is art? | Quality, ‘bad’ |
| Inspiring other creative activities (and vice versa) | Mental health | Art experience and knowledge | Sources of inspiration |
| Freedom | Depression | Colour | Artists and other artwork |
| Keeping busy (COVID-19 context) | Journalling | How is art talked about | Nature |
| Negative impacts of participation | Unsure what to journal | Imagination | What’s in the box |
| Regret | Methods of journalling | Individual | Instructions |
| Self-expression through other art forms | The artistic process | ||
| Planning sessions |
MAB, mystery arts box; VI, visual impairment.