We’ve all been there:
It’s been weeks since you last painted.
Your brushes are still in the sink, you’re out of paper, and your mind is empty.
You are doomed.
Okay, maybe that’s a wee bit dramatic, but that’s how it feels when you’re trying to get out of a painting rut. If you really want to improve your art, it’s important to stay consistent by painting as often as possible. Every time you sit at the easel, you learn new techniques and strategies—and if you stop practicing, you can easily forget these tiny nuggets of wisdom and have to re-learn them all over again the next time. Infuriating! I’m not even exaggerating when I say that if I go a month without painting, I come back feeling like I don’t know how to paint at all. And the longer I put it off, the more likely I am to lose momentum or even start dreading it altogether. Thankfully, if you’re looking to get into a habit of painting more consistently, there are several things you can do to help. Spoiler alert: it’s all about preparation.
1. Have your supplies ready to go
When inspiration strikes, you do not want to be caught without the tools you need to take action. So many times I have suddenly had an idea for a painting, only to find that my paint is dried out, or my brushes are dirty, or I don’t have any blank canvases. By the time I am able to grab all these supplies, I might have lost the window of availability I had to actually engage in my painting practice. So make sure you have everything ready—even if you don’t plan to paint today!
2. Prime your canvases in advance
Hot take: There is nothing more satisfying than wanting to paint and then actually having a canvas primed and ready to go. For some people, this may mean buying canvases that are pre-primed, but if you’re painting in oils, it’s always a good idea to do additional layers of gesso to prevent your canvas from eroding. Keeping a stock of fully primed canvases means you can dive into painting at a moment’s notice.
3. Have a designated art space
I’ll admit, this is a bit of a luxury, but having a separate space that is always reserved for painting makes a huge difference. Maybe you don’t have the space or finances to have a separate studio (I certainly don’t!) but carving out a portion of your living area for your painting practice is such a gamechanger. For me, this looks like an L-shaped desk with lots of drawers and a desktop easel. All of my paints, paintbrushes, and mediums are within reach, and my lighting is consistent. This means I don’t have to sort out where or how I’m going to paint every time I want to start. It might not seem like a big deal, but any obstacles preventing you from getting started can become massive barriers to remaining consistent. When you have a designated space to paint, all you have to do is sit down and begin.
Keep your art space well defined, clear of clutter, and within reach of your art supplies
4. Schedule time to paint
Have you ever noticed that it’s way easier to complete a task if you always do it at the same time? For example, I do my laundry every Friday after work (yes, I lead a thrilling life, thank you). But the thing is, it’s now so ingrained in me to do this that it’s almost automatic. It feels less like a chore because I’m so consistent with it. What would happen if I didn’t schedule my laundry? I would put it off until there was a teetering pile of clothing on my bed and a Great Underwear Crisis. It’s the same thing with painting—forming a habit makes it automatic and easier over time. Maybe you only have time to paint Tuesday evenings from 7–9 p.m. That’s okay! Pick a recurring timeframe that works for you, no matter how small it is. Just make sure you put it in your calendar and keep that time available. If someone invites you to a movie on Tuesday night, you’re not available—you’re painting!
5. Keep a bank of painting references
The best thing you can do to keep motivated is to always have ideas readily available for paintings. For some people, this may be an album of images on their phone or Pinterest board. For others, it might be a box of magazine clippings or photographs. I save inspiration by taking lots of photos when I’m out and saving them in a digital album. That way, even on days where I’m in a creative lull, I have a bank of images that can get my artistic energy flowing. Sometimes even just scrolling through my image bank helps get me excited to make art because I’ll see ideas I had and forgot about.
When it comes to staying consistent with your art and avoiding procrastination, the key is preparation. So keep your supplies ready, designate an art space, make a schedule, and always save your ideas for a rainy day.