5 Things that Can Boost Your Art Practice

It's so easy to get stuck in a rut. Do you feel like you're living the same day over and over again? Wake up, have breakfast, read the news, paint, have lunch, call a friend, paint, have dinner, watch TV, head to bed, repeat. Sound familiar? 

I've found that the absolute best way to break out of this feeling of monotony is to try a few new things, and this can start with your painting practice! Invigorating your creative process with a few new exercises can truly change your entire mood and your entire day (and give you a real feeling of accomplishment that you'll carry forward!). Let's shake things up a little bit and dive into five new things you can try in your studio this week! 

1. Try this timed painting challenge to let go and work with looser and freer brushwork. 

Pick a simple object you have around the house—it could be anything from a piece of fruit to a vase, or anything in between. It doesn't matter exactly what it is as long as it's not too complicated and it has a few different color values.

Set a timer for 30 minutes. Your challenge is to paint whatever item you've selected within those 30 minutes, using as few brushstrokes as possible. Use a large brush and work with bold, loose, gestural strokes. This exercise is an absolute game changer in freeing up your strokes and helping you let go! 

Here’s a short video I did about values but you can see a little how I use my brush loose…this is a good example:

2. Create a painting with a different color scheme than you're used to using. 

Getting adventurous with color is so much fun. If you usually paint in a realistic style, and you're used to capturing true-to-life hues and shades on your canvas, try a small piece with an out-of-the-box color scheme this week! Try one of these:

Analogous: this scheme uses harmonizing colors (such as red-orange-yellow or green-blue-violet). These are colors that are next to one another on the color wheel. 

Complementary: this scheme uses colors that are opposite one another on the color wheel. 

Here’s an example of a complimentary color scheme:

Triadic: This color scheme uses colors evenly spaced around the color wheel (like orange, green, purple). 

Have fun with the colors, and get out of your color rut! Remember—as long as you have a mix of light, medium, and dark values, the color will look great! 

3. Join a community of like-minded artists, network, participate regularly, and don't be afraid to ask for support. 

Connecting with other artists, getting their advice on your work if you need it, and showing them your accomplishments can completely re-invigorate and inspire you! I know it does for me. 

I’m both a member in virtual artist groups as well as the host of a dynamic online abstract painting membership, The Painterly Way. I shower my members with lessons, feedback, guest speakers, and more—and there’s a warm community spirit among the members that I cherish. If you’re an abstract painter looking for support and community, I invite you to join me—doors to the membership are open until February, 9, 2022.

When I meet with the members in my membership The Painterly Way or interact with artists in other groups that I’m a part of, I always feel uplifted, full of joy, and ready to get back to the studio. I've made some great artist friends in virtual groups, and you may do the same! 

4. Create an entry in an inspiration journal. 

This absolutely doesn't have to be “perfect"—in fact, it doesn't even have to be "good"—as long as it feels fun to you and allows you to put a few things on paper that inspire you! Whether it's scribbling something down in gestural cursive, spattering some of your favorite colors on a piece of paper, gluing down paper clippings that spark something in you, painting over a flower or a leaf, or some combination of all of these, just let go and get something on the page. 

This is the absolute best thing to do if you're feeling stuck or uninspired; you literally have nothing to lose by doing it, and you're the only person who will see it! 

If you need some extra help getting started with an inspiration journal, I have a free resource that will guide you through this powerful process. 

5. Meditate. 

If meditation isn't something you've tried before, or you've tried it but weren't sure if it's for you, I highly encourage you to give it another go. Meditating doesn't mean sitting still and doing nothing; it's all about invigorating your mind and getting into the mind frame you’re seeking. Tune out the outside world for a few moments, become more mindful, and refresh your thoughts! 

There are tons of guided meditations online. I enjoy listening to guided "gratitude" or guided "happiness" meditations. They leave me feeling joyful, thankful, and feeling positive. Starting to paint from a positive headspace is incredibly productive, and allows the inspiration to flow! This is a great first meditation if you want to experience guided meditation practice:

Which of these things will you be trying this week?

Or will you be giving all of them a try? Let me know how it goes in the comments below. I hope this sparks creativity and helps you to shake up your painting practice!

Free 2022 Artists Planning Guide

I want to share my method with you so you can reach your art goals in 2022! I’ve created a free resource just for you: The Caryl Fine Art 2022 SMART Planning Guide! Download this guide and then get planning!