As artists, we’ve all experienced that moment when we sit down to paint but nothing comes to mind.
You’ve cleared your schedule, prepared your materials, and yet the question still lingers: What should I paint today? It’s frustrating—but completely normal. As Kerrilyn Cheah often shares, creative block happens to everyone.
In this post, Kerrilyn Cheah will share five painting ideas that always help her break through creative blocks.
These ideas will help you return to your canvas with ease, spark inspiration, and start creating without the stress.
Contents
The Struggle with Finding Inspiration
The Painter’s Dilemma: Excited but Blocked
It’s a beautiful morning, the sun shines, and the artist feels pumped to paint. The artist has set up everything – their brushes, paints, and paper are ready.
But then, the artist picks up their brush, and the excitement fades. What should the artist paint?
That question keeps running in circles in the artist’s head. The artist feels stuck, with no inspiration coming their way.
This scenario happens more often than many artists like to admit. Painters plan their day around painting, but they hit a creative wall the moment they sit down.
Everyone knows how this feels: waiting for the perfect idea, only to find themselves in the same spot all day, unsure where to start.
The Trap of Endless Scrolling
To break the silence, the artist often turns to their phone. The painter starts scrolling through Pinterest or Pixabay, hoping a painting idea will magically appear.
But instead of getting inspired, the artist finds themselves endlessly scrolling, losing hours. Sound familiar?
The problem with this approach is that it doesn’t spark true creativity. The artist wastes time searching for anything to paint without really getting into the groove of painting itself.
The artist struggled with this until realizing that the best inspiration doesn’t come from a phone but from other places – places that give real ideas and excitement.
Getting Inspired Beyond the Screen
Pre-Pandemic Inspiration Walks
Before the pandemic, the artist often took a break from the indoor studio and stepped outside.
Sometimes, the artist would take their dog for a walk in the park or visit a nearby beach to get some fresh air. Nature is full of color, light, and textures that instantly inspire the painter.
The beautiful thing about stepping outside was how easily the artist could find something to paint by observing their surroundings.
The soft colors of the sky, the textures of leaves, or the movement of water—it was like the world was giving the artist endless ideas for their next painting.
The Reality of Restrictions
However, with the pandemic, outdoor inspiration wasn’t always possible. Many artists were stuck indoors, unable to visit their favorite spots or enjoy nature as they once did.
In these times, finding new ways to spark creativity was essential, even when the usual sources of inspiration were unavailable.
5 Painting Ideas to Try When the Artist Feels Stuck
Let’s dive into the five ideas the artist turns to when unsure what to paint. Each one has its way of breaking through the creative block and helping the artist get back into the painting zone.
Idea #1: Paint What Makes the Artist Happy
When the artist is stuck, the painter paints something that makes them happy. It doesn’t have to be complicated or something they are good at.
For the artist, expressive, loose florals are a favorite. It’s a subject that flows easily for the painter, and all they need to do is choose colors based on their mood.
Maybe the artist feels like pinks today, or perhaps yellows are calling their name.
The key here is to enjoy the process. When the painter focuses on happiness, the pressure of perfection fades away. Painting should bring joy, not stress.
So, the artist paints what feels right—a random doodle, a cute pet portrait, or even something abstract. The goal is simply to have fun.
Sometimes, the painter finds themselves doodling just for fun. Others, like the artist’s friends, enjoy painting pet portraits. The artist knows a few people who find it therapeutic to focus on the details of fur, brushstroke by brushstroke.
What makes an artist happy to paint will always be personal. Whatever sparks joy, they should go for it. There’s no need to worry about creating a masterpiece—just create what feels good.
Idea #2: Paint What the Artist Is Good At
Another way the artist tackles a creative block is by painting what they are good at.
When the painter chooses subjects aligned with their strengths, they feel more confident and much more likely to enjoy the process.
It feels natural, and there’s a sense of satisfaction in knowing they are good at something.
Whether it’s landscapes, still lifes, or florals, painting something the artist is skilled at can really boost confidence.
Plus, the artist feels motivated to keep painting and pushing themselves to refine their technique.
To level up, the painter often looks for other artists with similar strengths. The artist studies styles and techniques, noting what they like about each approach.
Maybe another painter uses a different brushwork technique or uniquely mixes colors. Watching how others paint with similar strengths can give the artist new perspectives and ideas to apply to their own work.
There’s always something to learn from other artists!
Idea #3: Paint What the Artist Is Not Good At
Sometimes, when the artist feels stuck, it helps to tackle something they’re not particularly good at. For example, the artist has always struggled with painting humans.
But painting people can bring the painter’s landscape paintings to life. Adding figures can make a scene feel more vibrant and full of energy.
Recognizing weaknesses is the first step toward improving them. Focusing on what the artist isn’t great at opens opportunities to grow.
It’s all about pushing oneself out of the comfort zone.
If the painter wants to improve in a specific area, they might take online courses or study artists who excel at that skill.
There are plenty of online classes that can teach the artist how to paint more realistic portraits or work with figures in a way that adds depth to their landscapes.
Practice is essential, and with the right resources, the artist can improve in areas that once seemed intimidating.
Idea #4: Paint the Artist’s Surroundings
If the artist is in a place where they can go outside, painting their surroundings is an excellent way to find new inspiration.
The painter loves painting the little things they see when sitting at a café: a steaming cup of coffee, a delicious pastry, or even the plants in the café’s window.
These small, everyday subjects can make for beautiful, simple paintings.
Whether at a café, in a park, or on a walk, the world around the artist is full of interesting details. Painting what they see can be incredibly grounding and rewarding.
Another great way to break free from creative blocks is to paint with friends. If the artist knows someone who shares their love for art, they can invite them to paint together.
They can take their art supplies to a café, get a cup of tea, and paint whatever catches their eye. Having a companion makes the process more enjoyable and less stressful.
Idea #5: Paint Something Simple
When in doubt, the artist always turns to something simple. The painter loves painting small, uncomplicated subjects like leaves, single petals, or a simple potted plant.
While it might seem tedious, the artist finds that simplicity can open up a world of creative possibilities. These small subjects give them room to play with composition and colors without overwhelming themselves.
Before diving into a large painting, the painter often creates a small thumbnail sketch or A5/A6-sized painting. It’s a great way to test compositions, lighting, and moods.
The artist can quickly sketch different versions and explore new ideas without the pressure of a big project.
Simple paintings can also be a fantastic warm-up. When feeling stiff or disconnected from the brush, the artist will do a quick, easy painting to get back into the flow.
It helps them practice brushstrokes and water control without pressure to create something complex.
Closing Words
The artist can try one of these five ideas next time they are wondering what to paint. Whether the painter is painting something that makes them happy, tackling a weakness, or exploring the world around them, there’s no wrong way to get creative.
Painting should be fun and freeing. If the artist is still unsure, they can just start with something simple—it’s the best way to warm up and get into the groove.
What’s the artist’s go-to painting idea when they’re stuck? Share it in the comments—the artist would love to hear from you!