8 WAYS TO GET STARTED PAINTING WHEN YOU WANT TO SHOP ONLINE FOR SHOES

Sometimes I don’t feel like painting. 

A lot of artists and makers can’t wait to get in the studio. Oh, I’m inspired when I’m at a museum or a gallery or scrolling Instagram. It makes me want to paint.

But if I’m not in my studio or at my easel, it’s easy to think “I want to paint.” 

It’s hard to stare at a blank canvas and make into something fresh and beautiful and unique. EVERY DAY.

Kind of like cooking dinner for a family….. 

It’s so EASY to scroll through Instagram and look at other people’s art, or pretty interiors, or other people’s kids, and vacations. But later I’m mad at myself for not getting started. When you work as an artist, you can’t wait for inspiration to strike, even if you do, it won’t come looking for you. 

However, when I get started, suddenly I DO want to paint. Deadlines help too, self-imposed or otherwise, which I also often create. But this is more about finding inspiration and ways to jumpstart the creative process.

Here are a few things I find helpful to get my phone out of my hand and my behind in front of the easel. 

1. Treat yourself before you get started. 

Get a favorite beverage, a cup of coffee or hot tea. Wine is always good too. No judgment here. Select a favorite playlist. I have one on Spotify I cleverly named ‘ painting songs.’ Close the door if you can. Make it a joyous place to be.

2. Treat yourself when you’re finished. 

Often I tell myself that I will paint for an hour (or two or 30 minutes or whatever). I set a timer on my phone and paint. Most of the time I keep going after the timer goes off. When I’m done, I’ll reward myself with a walk, a nap, some mindless scrolling, or an enjoyable meal. I’m almost always surprised when the timer goes off.

3. Get Started. This sounds easy, but try not to overthink it. 

Not every piece going to be fabulous. It’s just not. But if you put in the time, and keep at it, keep painting ugly paintings, or making wonky pots, or whatever it is you do,  one of them will be good. Maybe even two or three.

4. Peruse Magazines. 

I still subscribe to a ton of magazines. I’m a paper person. I like the tactile feel of a newspaper, magazine, or an actual book in my hand. Anyway, I tear out pages of color schemes I like or flowers that are pretty, or anything inspires me for whatever reason. It doesn’t have to be something you want to paint, but a jumping-off point. Again, set a timer or it will become another distraction. Select a page and start painting, whether a color palette or a subject you like. Read all the home decor magazines in the library. Save catalogs. Fill you mind with your ideas. Write them down. 

3. Draw something. 

Take 10 minutes. I like to listen to ‘spa music’ on Spotify and light a candle. Make a coffee or a hot tea. Get out a non-precious sketchbook, or a piece of printer paper and a Sharpie. Draw something. Even if you don’t draw. Pick an object and draw the outline of the shape. Or a label of something in your pantry. Ketchup. A cereal box. Get the juices flowing. I like to get out my markers and draw a little illustration and color it in like a coloring book.

4. Markers.

Pull out your kid’s markers (or your own) and make color combinations you like. Block out squares or circles and color them in. Play with color. Draw shapes. Pair up colors. Use them as a starting point for your painting.

5. Collage. 

Remember Modge Podge? Go back to that stack of magazines. I save old greeting and holiday cards. They have great lettering. Cut out a bunch of things you like. You don’t even have to know why. Sort them into groups and glue the groups together in a sketchbook. Get out the Washi tape. Not as finished work, unless you are a collage artist, of course. Then translate those pages onto a canvas in your own way, whether its an abstract group colors or a subject matter that you are drawn to.

6. Art Books.

I have tons of old art books. You can buy them used and cheaply. Flip through a Cezanne or  Matisse book.  Study the color palette and style and start painting. Put the book aside and make it your own. 

7. Hardware paint swatches.

I bought paint decks and tear out swatches and glue them in a sketchbook. Try mixing colors to matching the swatch. Thank you, Braitman Studio.

8. Paint over an old painting.

It’s much easier than starting with a blank canvas and it’s kind of cool to see colors from the older painting show through. 

Want to read more about color and inspiration?