Are you getting back into painting after a break?

At the end of summer, it is always difficult for me to get back into a daily painting practice. I have that inner voice telling me that I am terrible, my brain wants to do outdoor things and it really is hard to start back up after a break! These are some of the things that I do to help brush off the cobwebs. These tips will work no matter what time of year you are trying to get back into the swing of things creatively.

First and foremost- be KIND to yourself. Just like an exercise routine, it is difficult to get the abstraction muscles back into shape after taking time off. Understanding that this is part of the process can help you calm any frustrations. You wouldn’t expect to be able to run the same lap time after taking a few weeks off, would you?

Second, watch your project size. I start small, often in a journal or on paper to warm up. Use your non-dominant hand and some less expensive art supplies and experiment and play. I love crayons, pastels, markers, paint pens and colored pencils for these drills. Don’t spend too much time on each “sketch”. Work fast and carefree.

Finally, take breaks. Yes, that’s right. Take breaks. Sitting yourself down for a 2 hour painting session that you start after a long break in an invitation for disaster. I paint standing. Therefore, I am walking around all day and painting here and there when something else in the household is calling me.

You got this. In my online workshops, a lot of students are frustrated when they come back from break. The inspiration is all around us on social media, in galleries, etc and it is very tempting to jump in full steam ahead! Hopefully these painting tips will help you have a more pleasant experience.

Thank you for reading my blog today!