Creative Prompts #3
Being consistent
Welcome to my new series of monthly posts with creative prompts devoted to different topics, techniques and processes.
Art making is first and foremost a practice and finding consistency can be a tricky thing, because, well, sometimes life happens and sometimes it’s not that easy to get into the creative flow for whatever reason. I am very interested in the creative process as it plays a vital role in how we develop our original style and voice, but it is also of highest importance when it comes to regularly working in the studio. Developing a specific routine, being in a certain mindset, and understanding what and how you’re going to create can help you to be more consistent in your practice.
Here are some ideas that help me to regularly show up in my studio space. None of the prompts are aimed at producing finished works of art, instead they help me to get into the creative flow, explore new ideas and practice:
Commit to creating a certain number of pieces. Don’t focus on each piece being finished or good, just practice as much as you can. Feel free to choose a specific theme, such as landscapes or practicing values. Join a challenge - The 100 day project, World watercolour month, Inktober, etc.
Create and regularly update a pin board with ideas. Add all sorts of visual inspiration to your board: colour swatches & mixes, sketches & studies, collage papers & mark-making examples. I feel that it serves as an instrument for finding and refining my voice through a continuous process of addition and subtraction. Also, the board allows me to have visual references at all times.
Write down a plan and outline specific goals. What do I want to explore this week or month? What skills I want to improve? What body of work I am working on at this moment? Have your sketchbooks, studies and finished works on hand. When I am not in the mood to paint, I flip through my old work and search for common threads in my art, write down thoughts and ideas for future work.
Introduce limitations to your practice - choose specific supplies, substrates, colours and subject matter - at least for some time and experiment with them, also adjust if needed. It will help you to overcome decision-making fatigue, move towards your specific goals and create work that is more cohesive visually. Limitations also help to be more expressive and push the boundaries of the supplies you chose.
Have an “anything counts” mindset - a little drawing, quick sketch, colour swatch and even looking for reference and inspiration - all count as showing up.
I want to emphasise that being consistent and regularly showing up doesn’t necessarily mean every single day. I often read that many artists recommend a daily practice, but I think it’s not for everyone (it doesn’t work for me). It is important to find what works for you personally and focus on spending quality time with your art, no matter how many hours you have. Try new things and focus on the process, not the result. Share your work and interact with other artists - it really makes a difference!
Thank you for reading and being here! Everyone is welcome and appreciated in this space.
Feel free to share these prompts with a creative friend. I’ll be happy to hear from you in the comments! What are your tips for a more consistent practice?
Further inspiration
Until next time!
Lisa
Nice ideas to be consistent Lisa, I apply the last 3 most of the times 😊
This was such a helpful reminder and I like the idea of keeping a mood/inso board in my studio. My goal is typically to do some creating once every week. Some weeks it’s one day and other weeks it’s 5 days depending on my time and painting goals. Thanks for all you write and share!