Never in your art studio? 5 tips to start painting now

We are all in different walks of life: student, single, employed, married, parent, etc. Each of our callings in life demand different kinds of responsibilities and varying amounts of time. It’s no wonder that painting can easily slip away into something “I used to do”. We make choices in our life that impact what we add onto our plate and what we let go. For some of you, letting go of art may be the best thing for your life, but for those of you who are called to art, or need it for a creative outlet, here are some tips to get you back in your studio. 

Make a plan

“That’s not going to work, I am not a planner”. I hear you, I’m not much of a planner either, but luckily there are varying levels of planning that we can make. I am suggesting that you plan how often you want to paint. Is once every two weeks all you need? Once a week, twice a week? Determine how often you need to be in your art studio. Once you decide this then you can look at your week and find where you can carve this out. Tell someone who knows your need for art about your plan. Not everyone will understand your desire to create, but everyone can respect how you choose to spend your time. 

Show up 

Great! You made a plan and you have an hour or so to paint. Next comes the most crucial step. If you really want to be an artist, you have to show up. Respect your plan and get in your studio! Do this every time, without fail. This will create a habit that will break some mental barriers attached to your studio. Be sure to pat yourself on the back for staying true to this part. Facing the studio can be the most challenging obstacle to overcome. Now that you have made the effort to stick to your plan we start the painting process.

Dress up 

I want you to put on your getting-ready-ritual. Everyone has their own method of entering into their creative space, and if you don’t have something special you do to prepare for art, I encourage you to find something meaningful to you. Before I begin to paint, I fill up my cleaning jug with water and I tie my apron around my waist as though I were putting on armor for battle. I turn on some music that compliments my mood, place my canvas on the easel and open my paints. When you finish your ready ritual please congratulate your efforts. When you are starting out, I would let this be your goal. Allow yourself to prepare for art without actually having to paint. I’ve been known to walk around the house with everything ready to go before I even start painting. See what works for you. 

Paint Anything

Now that you're physically ready to paint, you are most likely standing or sitting in front of your easel. If you have something in mind to paint the next step will be easier, but for those of you who have no feeling for what you want to paint today, this tip is for you. 

Go ahead and spend time in front of your canvas and dream a little. Flip through your photos or paintings of other artists that you enjoy. Turn on some of your favorite music that encourages you towards your creative flow, or just sit in front of your canvas and calmly breath. Maybe you’re fine with grabbing the first thing you see for a still life exercise. When all else fails, embrace this moment as an opportunity to be still and rest. If you have given this a shot for 15-30 minutes and you would rather tear your hair out then perhaps today isn’t the day. Thank yourself for allowing a moment of creative thought and come back to your next scheduled date. If, however you are ready with an idea, you are ready for the final tip. 

Play with art

We are going to play with our medium of choice. That means we let go of all expectations of what we want to create. Even if we have an idea and are determined to get it done, I still encourage you to play with your underpainting.  Feel the paint on the canvas or the roll of a pastel on paper, and let the colors you lay down speak to you. Allow yourself to waste time with color. I want you to take any amount of frustration, pressure, or any anguish and let the negativity sail out your studio window. There is not enough room for it anyway. Your only task in order to be successful at this moment is to put paint on the canvas. Playing with art and having fun with the early process is your best bet to ignite that inspirational spark, but don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t. Great paintings have come from uninspired artists. 

Those are the steps I take when I am in a rut or am too hard on myself. I find that when I follow these steps, the easier the whole process becomes and the more often I end up painting. I would love to hear YOUR secret tips on how you maintain your painting routine.