How to Drop Back Into Your Art – Ep 167

How do you reconnect with your artistic practice when you’ve taken some time out from it?

This week, I’m digging into the three central challenges that can disrupt your flow: studio disconnection, the swift drop in self-confidence when you take time away from artistic practice, and the ever-present comparison trap.

As artists, breaks can often lead to a temporary disconnect, making it challenging to return to making art with enthusiasm. I’m sharing my advice for facing and embracing the uncertainties of rekindling your creative spirit after a pause. Resistance to getting back into the studio is normal, but these strategies will help you work through it and maintain and start up your creative practice again.

Listen if you are interested in…

• Join the free Art of Your Life workshop from March 3-7(00:00)
• Not actively making art halts your artistic momentum (05:46)
• It’s essential to stay engaged in creative work even when you’re taking a break (09:37)
• Prioritize personal work that energizes you without excessive effort (13:23)
• Thoughtful preparation for new projects helps your personal growth (16:26)
• Learning to navigate artistic challenges with clarity greatly enhances your work (19:24)

Momentum in Creativity

Sustaining a creative practice goes beyond looking for perfect conditions for making art. It’s about simply making something—whether it’s marking a canvas or doodling in a sketchbook—because the act of doing fuels inspiration, confidence, and ideas. You create an environment of creative growth and self-expression by nurturing this momentum.

Maintaining that flow isn’t always easy, especially after taking a break. Resistance, uncertainty, and even the crushing weight of comparisons can take hold. Understanding why these challenges arise is crucial to overcoming them and immersing yourself in art again.

Why Stepping Away Creates Obstacles

Artists explore unfamiliar ideas, experiment with unseen possibilities, and navigate risks. For people who constantly push themselves to learn and create, returning to the studio can come with feelings of hesitation. It’s easy to question the quality of your previous works or your ability to produce something meaningful.

Time away from your art can lead to a noticeable drop in self-confidence. Without tangible evidence of recent accomplishments, such as completed works or ongoing projects, doubt creeps in. Even short breaks can leave artists feeling disconnected from their creative identity, making the return to the studio feel daunting.

The solution to restoring confidence lies in simplicity: just start. Whether it’s twenty minutes of playful sketching or organizing your workspace, any small, manageable action will shift you back into a creative mindset and naturally rebuild your confidence.

It’s important to take breaks from art to free up time to consume inspiration from museums, social media, or other creators. The key, though, is focus. Inspiration is important, but excessive comparison leads to distraction. Instead of fixating on others’ work, reconnect with what ignites your passion and unique perspective.

Strategies to Reignite Your Practice

The simplest way to return to your art practice is to take small, unpressured actions. Wilton highlights the effectiveness of tasks like reorganizing materials, refilling paint bottles, or even painting the edge of a canvas. These low-stress activities ease you into a creative mindset without demanding immediate perfection.

When you’re trying to reignite your artistic process, reflect on what excites and energizes you. What aspects of your work light you up? What do you enjoy most when creating? Simply revisiting this question can draw you back into what feels meaningful.

Take time to envision what’s ahead—what do you want your work to feel like in the future? What materials, skills, or ideas might you need? Planning isn’t just logistical, it’s an opportunity to engage deeply with your creative aspirations, building excitement and clarity for the journey ahead.

Resources Mentioned

• 5 Day Art of Your Life Workshop

Connect with Nicholas Wilton and Art2Life

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