5 Things I think All Artists Should be Doing

Hey there, artists! Whether you're just starting out or you've been at it for a while, it can be tough to stay motivated and focused on your craft. But if you want to improve your productivity and create your best work, there are certain habits that can make a big difference. In this article, I'm sharing my top recommendations for habits that all artists should cultivate. These are habits that have helped me stay disciplined, focused, and motivated on my artistic journey, and I think they'll do the same for you. So if you're looking to take your art to the next level, keep reading! 1. Establish a regular creative routine. It can be helpful for artists to set aside dedicated time each day or week to work on their craft. This can help them develop discipline and stay focused on their creative goals. As an artist, it can be all too easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life and let your creative pursuits fall by the wayside. But if you want to truly excel in your craft and continue to grow as an artist, it's important to establish a regular creative routine. First and foremost, having a set time each day or week to work on your art can help you stay disciplined and focused. It's all too easy to get sidetracked by other responsibilities or distractions, but by setting aside dedicated time for your art, you can ensure that you're consistently making progress. In addition to keeping you on track, a regular creative routine can also help you get into the "flow" state more easily. The "flow" state is that elusive mental state where you're completely immersed in your work and everything else falls away. It's a state of heightened productivity and creativity, and it's something that all artists strive for. By establishing a consistent routine, you can train your brain to enter this state more easily, which can lead to better, more inspired work. But establishing a creative routine isn't just about setting aside time to work on your art – it's also about creating a positive and supportive environment for your creativity to thrive. This might mean setting up your workspace in a way that's comfortable and conducive to creativity, or it could involve finding ways to minimize distractions and interruptions. So how do you go about establishing a regular creative routine? Here are a few tips: Set aside a specific time each day or week to work on your art. It doesn't have to be a large chunk of time – even just 30 minutes a day can make a big difference. Make your creative time non-negotiable. Treat it like any other important appointment or commitment you have. Create a dedicated workspace that's comfortable and conducive to creativity. This could be a studio, a corner of your living room, or even just a small desk. Minimize distractions as much as possible. Turn off your phone, log out of social media, and do whatever else you need to do to create a distraction-free zone. Experiment with different approaches to see what works best for you. Some people might find it helpful to start their creative routine with a warm-up exercise, while others might prefer to jump right into their main project. In conclusion, establishing a regular creative routine is essential for any artist who wants to stay disciplined, focused, and productive. It's not always easy to carve out time for your art, but the benefits are well worth it. By setting aside dedicated time to work on your craft and creating a supportive environment for your creativity to thrive, you'll be well on your way to becoming the best artist you can be. 2. Experiment and take risks. Creativity often involves trying new things and taking risks. Encourage yourself to try out new techniques, materials, or styles, even if it means making mistakes. As an artist, one of the keys to creativity and growth is the willingness to experiment and take risks. It can be easy to get comfortable in your artistic process and stick to what you know works, but if you want to truly push your boundaries and evolve as an artist, it's important to step outside of your comfort zone. Experimenting with new techniques, materials, or styles can be a bit intimidating, especially if you're not sure how it will turn out. But it's important to remember that making mistakes and experiencing failure is a natural part of the creative process. In fact, some of the most groundbreaking and innovative art has come about as a result of experimentation and taking risks. So how do you go about experimenting and taking risks as an artist? Here are a few tips: Start small: If you're feeling nervous about trying something new, start with something small. This could be as simple as using a new brush or trying out a different color palette. Keep an open mind: When you're experimenting, it's important to approach things with a sense of curiosity and openness. Don't get too attached to any one outcome, and be open to where the process takes you. Embrace mistakes: Mistakes are an inevitable part of the creative process, and it's important to learn from them rather than getting discouraged. Remember that every mistake is an opportunity to learn and grow. Seek out new challenges: If you're feeling stuck in your artistic process, try seeking out new challenges or projects that push you out of your comfort zone. This could involve taking a class or workshop, collaborating with other artists, or trying out a new medium. Don't be afraid to take risks: It's natural to feel a bit anxious about trying something new, but it's important to remember that taking risks is an essential part of the creative process. Don't be afraid to take a chance, even if it means making mistakes or experiencing failure. 3. Stay organized. Keeping your work area clean and organized can help you stay focused and be more efficient. It can also be helpful to keep track of your projects and ideas so you can easily access them when you need to. As a creative person, staying organized can be a bit of a challenge. It's easy to get caught up in the creative process and let things like clutter and disorganization slide. But the truth is, staying organized is an essential part of the artistic journey. Why is staying organized important for artists? For one, it can help you stay focused and productive. When your workspace is cluttered and disorganized, it's easy to get distracted and lose track of your projects and ideas. By keeping things organized, you can stay on top of your work and make the most of your creative time. Staying organized can also help you save time in the long run. When you know where everything is and how it's organized, you can find what you need quickly and efficiently. This can be especially helpful when you're working on a deadline and need to access certain materials or resources quickly. Of course, being organized might look different for everyone. Some people might prefer a very structured, minimalistic approach to organization, while others might thrive in a more chaotic, creative space. The key is to find what works best for you and your creative process. So how do you go about staying organized as an artist? Here are a few tips: Find a system that works for you: Whether it's a physical system like file folders or a digital system like a project management app, it's important to find a way to organize your projects and ideas that works for you. Declutter regularly: It's easy for things to accumulate on your desk or in your workspace, so make an effort to declutter regularly. This can help prevent clutter from getting out of hand and keep your space feeling fresh and inspiring. Keep track of your projects: Whether it's a physical notebook or a digital file, it can be helpful to keep track of your projects and ideas in one place. This can help you stay on top of what you're working on and avoid losing track of any good ideas. Be mindful of your space: Pay attention to the physical space you work in and how it affects your creative process. Do you work better in a clean, clutter-free environment, or do you thrive in a more chaotic space? Staying organized is an essential habit for artists. It can help you stay focused, productive, and save time in the long run. While being organized might look different for everyone, it's important to find a system that works for you and your creative process. By decluttering regularly, keeping track of your projects, and being mindful of your physical space, you'll be well on your way to staying organized and creating your best work yet. 4. Stay inspired. Stay open to new ideas and sources of inspiration. This could involve reading, visiting museums or galleries, or seeking out the work of other artists. Staying inspired is essential to your creative process. Without inspiration, it can be difficult to come up with new ideas and stay motivated to work on your craft. But with so much going on in the world, it can be a challenge to keep that creative spark alive. So how do you stay inspired as an artist? One of the best ways to stay inspired is to seek out new sources of inspiration. This could involve visiting museums or galleries, reading books or articles about art, or following other artists on social media. By exposing yourself to new ideas and perspectives, you can keep your creative juices flowing and stay inspired. Another way to stay inspired is to experiment and try new things. This could involve trying out a new medium, taking a class or workshop, or collaborating with other artists. By stepping outside of your comfort zone and trying new things, you can keep your art fresh and exciting. It's also important to remember that inspiration can come from unexpected places. It could be a conversation with a friend, a walk in the park, or even a dream. Keep an open mind and be open to inspiration wherever it might come from. Finally, it's important to make time for your art. If you're feeling uninspired or burnt out, it can be tempting to put your art on the back burner. But it's important to make time for your craft, even if it's just a few minutes a day. By consistently making time for your art, you can keep your inspiration alive and continue to grow as an artist. For an artist, staying inspired is an essential part of the artistic journey. By seeking out new sources of inspiration, experimenting with new things, being open to inspiration from unexpected places, and making time for your art, you'll be well on your way to staying inspired and creating your best work yet. 5. Persevere and practice. Like any skill, becoming a proficient artist takes time and practice. Don't get discouraged if you don't see immediate progress, and continue to work hard and seek out opportunities to improve your craft. It's natural to want to see progress and improvement in your work. But the truth is, becoming proficient in your craft takes time and practice. It's easy to get discouraged when you don't see immediate progress, but it's important to remember that improvement takes time and that it's okay to make mistakes along the way. One of the keys to improving as an artist is to persevere, even when things get tough. This might mean pushing through a creative block, sticking with a project even when it's not going as planned, or simply continuing to practice and work on your craft, even when you don't feel like it. By staying committed and persevering, you'll be better equipped to handle the ups and downs of the artistic journey. Another key to improvement is practice. The old saying "practice makes perfect" might be a bit of a cliche, but it holds true when it comes to art. By consistently putting in the time and effort to practice your craft, you'll see progress and improvement over time. But practice doesn't have to be a chore. In fact, it can be enjoyable! By setting aside dedicated time to practice and focusing on the process rather than the outcome, you can turn practice into a positive, rewarding experience. So how do you go about persevering and practicing as an artist? Here are a few tips: Set realistic goals: It's important to have goals and aspirations as an artist, but it's also important to be realistic about what you can achieve. By setting realistic goals, you'll be more likely to stay motivated and persevere. Stay committed: When things get tough or you hit a roadblock, it's easy to get discouraged. But it's important to stay committed and keep working, even when it's not easy. Make time to practice: It's important to set aside dedicated time to practice your craft. This could be a few minutes a day or a few hours a week – the key is to be consistent. Focus on the process: Rather than getting too caught up in the outcome, try to focus on the process of creating and practicing. This can make the experience more enjoyable and rewarding. Perseverance and practice are essential habits for any artist who wants to improve and grow. By staying committed, setting realistic goals, making time to practice, and focusing on the process, you'll be well on your way to becoming the best artist you can be. In conclusion. Cultivating the right habits can make a big difference in your artistic journey. From establishing a regular creative routine to staying inspired and practicing regularly, these habits will help you stay disciplined, focused, and motivated as you work on your craft. While it might take some effort to develop these habits, the benefits are well worth it. By incorporating these habits into your artistic routine, you'll be better equipped to create your best work and continue to grow as an artist. So don't be afraid to challenge yourself and try out new habits – you might just find that they make all the difference in your art.