Have you ever noticed in the beginning of making your art that everything feels easy and then, after working for a while it gets more difficult? You simply are not sure what to do next. Progress slows and then interest wanes. Being stubborn, I usually will just continue to try harder and harder. Sometimes this works, but more often than not, things just become messier, and I become more muddled. It is a part of making art that I find really frustrating.
Over the years, because I so dislike this situation, I have spent a lot of time thinking about it why it occurs. For me, it turns out this problem has nothing to do with what kind of materials I am using, what I ate for lunch or whether I am feeling confident or not.
It feels like I temporarily have lost my creativity. But how could that be? I finally figured out the problem. It has mostly to do with losing objectivity.
I define “objectivity”, in relationship to art making, as the ability to perceive the art you are making not just from the artist’s perspective, but also as the viewer, the person who is seeing the art for the first time. To wear both these hats is tricky, especially for the artist. We just get so immersed in the process of making the art that we simply lose this outside perspective. It is this outside view, however, that provides us with the ability to make a lot of the bigger decisions needed to move the work towards completion. Without it we can become lost in the minutiae of the process.
This was such a problem for me that I had to change the way I make Art. These three changes have helped me maintain objectivity longer and have lessened the occurrences of becoming lost along the way.
1 Work on multiples
I always work on several paintings at the same time. Switching to another artwork as soon as I start to feel my interest waning allows me to stay engaged in my process. Interestingly, once I embark upon a second painting with a completely different set of problems, this somehow allows me to better understand the problems of the first. When things get hard I just move on to another painting. I always have at least 3 paintings going at the same time.
2 Work in more intervals
I finally figured out I am way more productive, especially if things are not going easily, if I work for an hour three separate times, instead of working one time for 3 hours.
[Tweet “Not knowing what might happen next is an essential feeling to have in order to make Art that you love. – Nicholas Wilton”]
Having breaks, doing new things between the times I am making art allows me to come back to my art with a refreshed objectivity. I just never have enough time to feel bored in the process because I don’t stay too long. Objectivity is always strongest, for me, in the beginning, when I first return.
3 Experiment along the way.
I noticed that if I was really engaged in what I was making, that my decisions were not only better, but also more easily made. In other words, if things were happening in my art that were new and different for me I could better know what to do. My problems would seem to happen more when I was becoming bored from doing something I had done before. So in order to fix this I now make a concerted effort to spend some time experimenting in my process. I take way more risks and simply try to do new things along the way. I now know that not knowing what might happen next is an essential feeling that I just simply must frequently feel if I want to easily and consistently make art that I like.
Making Art is a process that is so personal and very nuanced. It can be super challenging or it can feel incredibly light and easeful. How do you maintain objectivity in your process? What helps you make the art you love?
In gratitude, Nicholas
63 Comments
Hi! I’m
Nicholas Wilton
the founder of Art2Life.
With over 20 years experience as a working artist and educator, I’ve developed a systematic approach that brings authenticity, spontaneity and joy back into the creative process.
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This is good info. I have many paintings which I have started and are now stalled out. I like your suggestion of working in 1 hour increments instead of 3 hour ones. I think I should limit myself to just three paintings… At a time , because I’m feeling feel overwhelmed by trying to do too many….. In any case, Back to it!
Yeah I am surprised how easy it is for the brain to do 3 things at basically the same time..For me it is easier…kind of like having a spare tire in case one goes flat! Ha…
This is good info. I have many paintings which I have started and are now stalled out. I like your suggestion of working in 1 hour increments instead of 3 hour ones. I think I should limit myself to just three paintings… At a time , because I’m feeling feel overwhelmed by trying to do too many….. In any case, Back to it!
Yeah I am surprised how easy it is for the brain to do 3 things at basically the same time..For me it is easier…kind of like having a spare tire in case one goes flat! Ha…
All great points….I do pretty much as you….and one way I regain objectivity when ‘stuck’ is I photograph the piece and then look at the photos of the work. This reframes it for me and provides distance. Thanks for keeping us thinking!
Ok I forgot that one…YES! that is worth a blog just for that one..thanks for reminding me–I really do this one too…
All great points….I do pretty much as you….and one way I regain objectivity when ‘stuck’ is I photograph the piece and then look at the photos of the work. This reframes it for me and provides distance. Thanks for keeping us thinking!
Ok I forgot that one…YES! that is worth a blog just for that one..thanks for reminding me–I really do this one too…
I agree. As far as the creative process goes working in many smaller
time segments is much more productive that one long block of time. I
depend on that first “hit” when I return to work on a piece. That’s when
I have fresh eyes to see whether it’s brilliant or needs help. It’s an
interesting relationship that develops with any creative endeavour.
Initially, I put energy into the piece and get it started. Eventually,
the piece takes over and starts to tell me what I should do and where it
should go. That is if I am listening. And like any relationship,
sometimes you just need a break to be able to hear clearly.
Perfectly said-I like the idea of “like any relationship” It is true we are all deeply involved in relationships with our work–thanks
I agree. As far as the creative process goes working in many smaller
time segments is much more productive that one long block of time. I
depend on that first “hit” when I return to work on a piece. That’s when
I have fresh eyes to see whether it’s brilliant or needs help. It’s an
interesting relationship that develops with any creative endeavour.
Initially, I put energy into the piece and get it started. Eventually,
the piece takes over and starts to tell me what I should do and where it
should go. That is if I am listening. And like any relationship,
sometimes you just need a break to be able to hear clearly.
Perfectly said-I like the idea of “like any relationship” It is true we are all deeply involved in relationships with our work–thanks
This is a very interesting post Nicholas and it concerns me deeply. I find after a couple of hours I can’t ‘see’ it to know what to do next. Sometimes I abandon a painting for days after this before being able to continue. And of course this isn’t very productive!!! Now you have given me the clue…to work on more than one painting at the same time…I’ll give it a go.
And thanks once again for a great post!
OH totally–do try these things–really helped me when I got stuck…let me know what happens!
This is a very interesting post Nicholas and it concerns me deeply. I find after a couple of hours I can’t ‘see’ it to know what to do next. Sometimes I abandon a painting for days after this before being able to continue. And of course this isn’t very productive!!! Now you have given me the clue…to work on more than one painting at the same time…I’ll give it a go.
And thanks once again for a great post!
OH totally–do try these things–really helped me when I got stuck…let me know what happens!
Sometimes I put them away for long periods of time, and some of them never come around. But just last week we had Open Studios so I put all kinds of work up on the wall, mostly finished, some in question. it seems like the mostly finished work began to pull the unfinished work along after a time—- I could see what the unfinished work needed, seeing it in this bigger context. If I am feeling discouraged, then I REALLY cannot find solutions, so I try to get up and change the energy if discouragement is getting entrenched. But even just moving away from a piece and coming back to it a few hours later, can be, as you say, enough of a refresh. Another opinion can help me get unstuck too…
That is a great idea…just hang it all together. Then let it speak to you….btw your work has gotten so great! I just love what you do–the other day a student pulled your work out saying her favorite artist of all time was you and had I heard of you before? I had to smile…
And I am smiling right with you! How great is that? Sometimes it is a long time between rewards in this business and having your work appreciated is so replenishing to the spirit. Deepest gratitude to you and to this student!
Sometimes I put them away for long periods of time, and some of them never come around. But just last week we had Open Studios so I put all kinds of work up on the wall, mostly finished, some in question. it seems like the mostly finished work began to pull the unfinished work along after a time—- I could see what the unfinished work needed, seeing it in this bigger context. If I am feeling discouraged, then I REALLY cannot find solutions, so I try to get up and change the energy if discouragement is getting entrenched. But even just moving away from a piece and coming back to it a few hours later, can be, as you say, enough of a refresh. Another opinion can help me get unstuck too…
That is a great idea…just hang it all together. Then let it speak to you….btw your work has gotten so great! I just love what you do–the other day a student pulled your work out saying her favorite artist of all time was you and had I heard of you before? I had to smile…
And I am smiling right with you! How great is that? Sometimes it is a long time between rewards in this business and having your work appreciated is so replenishing to the spirit. Deepest gratitude to you and to this student!
Everything you wrote sounds familiar to me Nicholas! From you, I’ve learned to have at least a couple of paintings to switch between when I get stuck on one, but sometimes I still get that feeling between confusion and boredom because I’ve lost the vision. Two things help me. i photograph the work and use an app which allows me to play around with the image, adding lines and colour in the wildest ways i can imagine. Doing this for 10 minutes over a break away from the work often leads to new and fresher directions. When I’m finding it extra challenging I also set a timer at the start of working. Even 20 minutes when the going is tough gets my mind more focused. (Useful if I’m working to a deadline!) If I’m in the middle of a flow when it dings I ignore.
Thanks for all your wonderful information and generous sharing of ideas Nicholas, and other commenters too. Always love finding a discussion to read!
I agree about reading what others say too–this is the big payoff for me–I get to learn something by hearing everyone else…glad it helps!
Jenny, what is this app? Sounds very interesting to me cause I want to get crazy when I get stuck but I don’t want to destroy the piece in the process— thanks!
Everything you wrote sounds familiar to me Nicholas! From you, I’ve learned to have at least a couple of paintings to switch between when I get stuck on one, but sometimes I still get that feeling between confusion and boredom because I’ve lost the vision. Two things help me. i photograph the work and use an app which allows me to play around with the image, adding lines and colour in the wildest ways i can imagine. Doing this for 10 minutes over a break away from the work often leads to new and fresher directions. When I’m finding it extra challenging I also set a timer at the start of working. Even 20 minutes when the going is tough gets my mind more focused. (Useful if I’m working to a deadline!) If I’m in the middle of a flow when it dings I ignore.
Thanks for all your wonderful information and generous sharing of ideas Nicholas, and other commenters too. Always love finding a discussion to read!
I agree about reading what others say too–this is the big payoff for me–I get to learn something by hearing everyone else…glad it helps!
Jenny, what is this app? Sounds very interesting to me cause I want to get crazy when I get stuck but I don’t want to destroy the piece in the process— thanks!
Yes, I like your three ways you describe to make it a little easier to make art. Yet, for me, I think the struggle is actually an important part, and although I do all the things you mentioned (very helpful for sure), I know when I am struggling, there is something important for me to understand or learn in order to solve the “problem” and grow a little bit more. Some paintings just happen and that’s a great joy and welcome surprise. But, more often, risk taking and lots of experimentation take you to unfamiliar territory and rougher waters. As much as I enjoy those paintings which “just happen”, it is the difficult ones which keep me coming back for more as they are challenging in an enlightening way. The works that have caused me the most heartache, headache, backache and every other kind of ache are the ones which I’m ok with letting hang on a wall for as long as it takes until inch by inch, I can find solutions that will stand the test of time. I just don’t really think making art, which is a lot like life, is meant to be all that easy. Like life, it is a struggle, but a necessary one to grow. If art were easy, I probably wouldn’t want to do it.
Again well said–thanks. Yes the struggle needs to be there -I guess the issue is just how much?
I agree – so please keep those suggestions coming, Nick! Ideas to make things “easier” make it easier, but not easy – a big difference! Thanks, Nick!
Yes, I like your three ways you describe to make it a little easier to make art. Yet, for me, I think the struggle is actually an important part, and although I do all the things you mentioned (very helpful for sure), I know when I am struggling, there is something important for me to understand or learn in order to solve the “problem” and grow a little bit more. Some paintings just happen and that’s a great joy and welcome surprise. But, more often, risk taking and lots of experimentation take you to unfamiliar territory and rougher waters. As much as I enjoy those paintings which “just happen”, it is the difficult ones which keep me coming back for more as they are challenging in an enlightening way. The works that have caused me the most heartache, headache, backache and every other kind of ache are the ones which I’m ok with letting hang on a wall for as long as it takes until inch by inch, I can find solutions that will stand the test of time. I just don’t really think making art, which is a lot like life, is meant to be all that easy. Like life, it is a struggle, but a necessary one to grow. If art were easy, I probably wouldn’t want to do it.
Again well said–thanks. Yes the struggle needs to be there -I guess the issue is just how much?
I agree – so please keep those suggestions coming, Nick! Ideas to make things “easier” make it easier, but not easy – a big difference! Thanks, Nick!
This was very helpful for me. I’ve just about given up on art because I don’t do the three things you recommended. I get to a point where I don’t know what to do next. Then I start critiquing my work and see only flaws. Then I get disillusioned and completely stop.
But I always find myself doing some type of art, whether it’s doodling that becomes an interesting piece, or pen and ink,which I do between tasks at my job.
I’m always going to be an artist. I always have been, and I can’t resist a blank page.
Thanks for your new perspective on my old problems.
sounds like you will always be making art! If you really focus on making the art you actually can’t critique yourself while doing it–when in doubt just make art–make what you love and that will help a lot-it is only problematic when we stop making art…
This was very helpful for me. I’ve just about given up on art because I don’t do the three things you recommended. I get to a point where I don’t know what to do next. Then I start critiquing my work and see only flaws. Then I get disillusioned and completely stop.
But I always find myself doing some type of art, whether it’s doodling that becomes an interesting piece, or pen and ink,which I do between tasks at my job.
I’m always going to be an artist. I always have been, and I can’t resist a blank page.
Thanks for your new perspective on my old problems.
sounds like you will always be making art! If you really focus on making the art you actually can’t critique yourself while doing it–when in doubt just make art–make what you love and that will help a lot-it is only problematic when we stop making art…
So hard to keep experimenting! Thanks for the reminder.
So hard to keep experimenting! Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks for this reminder. I find, however, that a lot of my students don’t focus ENOUGH on process, and instead try to be the “objective” viewer too much. In this mode they tend to evaluate the piece, try too hard to bring it to conclusion rather than letting the process unfold in a more organic way. I agree with you totally that you have to go back and forth between looking at the trees and looking at the forest, but I find I have to emphasize the trees. Still, I am going to send my readers over to this post because you reinforce a lot of what I “preach”. THANKS!
Interesting-yes I could see how people could be way too much in the analytical space—super hard to make art in that space! Sounds like your students are lucky to have you-thanks!
Thanks for this reminder. I find, however, that a lot of my students don’t focus ENOUGH on process, and instead try to be the “objective” viewer too much. In this mode they tend to evaluate the piece, try too hard to bring it to conclusion rather than letting the process unfold in a more organic way. I agree with you totally that you have to go back and forth between looking at the trees and looking at the forest, but I find I have to emphasize the trees. Still, I am going to send my readers over to this post because you reinforce a lot of what I “preach”. THANKS!
Interesting-yes I could see how people could be way too much in the analytical space—super hard to make art in that space! Sounds like your students are lucky to have you-thanks!
great tips! thanks
great tips! thanks
I find making art is like putting a puzzle together. You’ve worked and worked only to find out the last piece is missing. It’s only one little piece so what difference could it make…….but it does and this searching for that last piece however long it may take is what makes painting such a glorious Agony. mraz
Glorious agony…so sweet though when you actually get all the pieces!
I find making art is like putting a puzzle together. You’ve worked and worked only to find out the last piece is missing. It’s only one little piece so what difference could it make…….but it does and this searching for that last piece however long it may take is what makes painting such a glorious Agony. mraz
Glorious agony…so sweet though when you actually get all the pieces!
There’s a lot to be said for objectivity…which seems to use a different part of the brain than your artistic side. It does help to view your work in progress in a mirror and take digital images to look at occasionally too. It’s kind of shocking how different something can strike you to when you simply view it or really study it objectively.
Yes….
There’s a lot to be said for objectivity…which seems to use a different part of the brain than your artistic side. It does help to view your work in progress in a mirror and take digital images to look at occasionally too. It’s kind of shocking how different something can strike you to when you simply view it or really study it objectively.
Yes….
So many great things here, Nicholas – thanks always for your insight about how you work best! I once told you how much I like to keep trying new mediums . After reading your newsletter, I recognize that it is because I, too need what I’m doing to be new, different, and “not knowing what might happen next” is much like the feeling of opening a package on Christmas morning, I don’t want to open the same gift every day – I want it to be a surprise! Thanks again, Nick!
So many great things here, Nicholas – thanks always for your insight about how you work best! I once told you how much I like to keep trying new mediums . After reading your newsletter, I recognize that it is because I, too need what I’m doing to be new, different, and “not knowing what might happen next” is much like the feeling of opening a package on Christmas morning, I don’t want to open the same gift every day – I want it to be a surprise! Thanks again, Nick!
It’s funny that I should come across this post on the very day when I feel stuck, not knowing what to do next. I’m impressed by the way you anlyze your feelings and thoughts and find some ways to get over. Thanks for sharing it all, it’s all very helpful, at least to know that i’m not the only one getting stuck sometimes, and that my creativity is not gone.
It’s funny that I should come across this post on the very day when I feel stuck, not knowing what to do next. I’m impressed by the way you anlyze your feelings and thoughts and find some ways to get over. Thanks for sharing it all, it’s all very helpful, at least to know that i’m not the only one getting stuck sometimes, and that my creativity is not gone.
This is a terrific post. Another thing I find useful is to do something easy. Usually there is an aspect of the work that needs doing that you know you can carry out without too much difficulty – covering a bit of background territory, for example, or cropping the work… This gives my mind a break from whatever knot of problems I’m trying to tease out, but even more importantly, it changes the work significantly enough to re-energise it. Often enough, solutions become more obvious with the change, and they are usually not the sort of solution I had hitherto been considering, but something quite unexpected!
Also, I usually try to leave the studio, at day’s end, with something straightforward still undone, so that I don’t begin the next studio day with too much thinking! The answer is usually in the doing.
This is a terrific post. Another thing I find useful is to do something easy. Usually there is an aspect of the work that needs doing that you know you can carry out without too much difficulty – covering a bit of background territory, for example, or cropping the work… This gives my mind a break from whatever knot of problems I’m trying to tease out, but even more importantly, it changes the work significantly enough to re-energise it. Often enough, solutions become more obvious with the change, and they are usually not the sort of solution I had hitherto been considering, but something quite unexpected!
Also, I usually try to leave the studio, at day’s end, with something straightforward still undone, so that I don’t begin the next studio day with too much thinking! The answer is usually in the doing.
As a psychotherapist and an artist AND a person with ADHD, I can say wholeheartedly that you are right on target! Working in a series has helped me, until I’m no longer interested. I keep a few different projects open at a time so I can switch to another medium if I need to. The result is a messy studio, but prolific outcomes! Being present, going with the flow and drinking water and green tea are also needed.
As a psychotherapist and an artist AND a person with ADHD, I can say wholeheartedly that you are right on target! Working in a series has helped me, until I’m no longer interested. I keep a few different projects open at a time so I can switch to another medium if I need to. The result is a messy studio, but prolific outcomes! Being present, going with the flow and drinking water and green tea are also needed.
And here I thought I was the only one with this problem. Gung ho to go and after a while I am wondering what happened. You’ve described it very well. My studio is in my home so I go and have a cuppa or fold the laundry and then back at it again or work on another one.thanks for your post.
Bente Hansen