I started painting in my late 20s with no formal training—just curiosity, a paintbrush, and my dog Alys keeping me company in our little home studio. No deadlines, no teachers, no real plan—just a quiet pull toward creating. And while it’s been one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done, I’ve definitely had those seasons where the creative well felt completely dry. and too be honest I didn’t find dealing with creative block easy at all.
No ideas. No energy. No spark. Just a quiet kind of frustration and the voice in my head saying, “Maybe I’ve forgotten how to paint.”
If that sounds familiar, know this: creative block (art block) is not a sign that you’re not an artist. It’s a sign that you’re human. And that your mind might need a little space, softness, or shift in rhythm.
It’s so easy to fall into the trap of thinking your next painting has to be meaningful, original, or somehow better than the last one. That pressure can get so heavy that you don’t start anything at all. I’ve been there.
But here’s a truth I keep returning to: the perfect idea rarely shows up before you start painting. It usually comes while your brush is already moving, while your hands are experimenting, and your mind is too busy exploring to overthink.
🤍 Let go of the pressure to impress – Paint for you, not the internet.
🤍 Start with something simple – A piece of fruit, a tea cup, an eye perhaps…
🤍 Your art doesn’t need to be profound to be worth making.
When I feel blocked, I don’t try to force inspiration—I return to my rituals. There’s something calming about doing the things that usually surround your creativity, even if you’re not feeling creative yet.
I always paint with a cup of tea beside me. Alys is usually curled up at my feet. I play soft music, open my Pinterest boards, and flick through reference photos. These quiet cues tell my brain, “We’re creating now.”
☕️ Brew your tea, set your space – Let the atmosphere do the heavy lifting.
🎵 Put on your favourite playlist or podcast – Ease into the zone.
🤍 Lean into comfort – Let your space feel like a soft landing. I have a whole article about setting up a studio space right here for you.
This one’s big—especially for self-taught artists. Without formal structure or feedback, we often put a lot of pressure on ourselves to make something “worthwhile.” And that pressure can be paralysing.
One thing that helps me is reminding myself that not every painting needs to be “good.” Not every page has to be shared, framed, or finished. You’re allowed to make art that’s just for you.
🙃 Paint something silly or “bad on purpose” – Break your own rules.
✏️ Limit your tools – Try 3 random colours or one brush.
🖌 Make ugly art – Try things that don’t work. Take the pressure off each piece needing to be perfect.
📓 Keep a sketchbook just for play – no expectations, no judgement. I have a whole article on the benefits of keeping a sketchbook, you should check it out if you’re interested!
🧠 Remind yourself: progress comes from play, not perfection. – Not every painting has to be your best. In fact, most of them won’t be. And that’s completely normal.
When all else fails, I go back to frogs. Not because they’re trendy or difficult or impressive—just because I’ve always loved them. And when I’m painting something I genuinely enjoy, the pressure starts to fall away.
What’s your version of frogs? Maybe it’s florals, still life, portraits, or skies. Return to the subjects that make you smile. Even if you’ve painted them a hundred times before.
🐸 Revisit your comfort subjects – Paint for joy, not growth.
📷 Scroll your Pinterest boards – What are you drawn to today?
🎨 Your favourite subjects are your safe place – use them.
Sometimes a creative block is your brain’s quiet way of asking for a little variety. If painting the same subjects or using the same colour palette has started to feel stale, try shaking things up.
🎨 Switch up your medium – try gouache, ink, or even coloured pencils for a day.
👩🏽🎨 Try painting a new subject – some suggestions could be animals, people, flowers, objects around your house
🖼 Paint on a different surface, or change the size and format of your paper.
👁️ Rearranging your tools or painting in a new part of the house (or even outside!) can also refresh your perspective.
You could even follow a painting tutorial you’ve never tried, or sketch with a time limit just for fun. It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece—it just has to be different. Sometimes, a new tool, subject, or colour is all it takes to wake up your curiosity and get things flowing again.
This is the tip no one wants to hear, but it might be the most important: sometimes you need a break. A real one. Not the “I’m avoiding my sketchbook and feeling bad about it” kind, but the intentional, restorative kind.
Go outside. Read something slow. Cook something new. Let your mind breathe. You’re not being lazy—you’re giving your creativity space to rest and reset.
🧘🏽♀️ Rest is part of the process – You’re not a machine.
🧠 Your brain is still working – Creativity bubbles away even in stillness.
🌻 Inspiration often returns when you stop chasing it.
As a provisional psychologist, I’ve learned that creative block is often less about creativity and more about what’s going on internally.
It can come from fear—fear of not being good enough, of wasting time, or of disappointing yourself. It can come from perfectionism, mental overload, or plain old decision fatigue.
🤍 Neuroscience shows that creativity flows best in calm, focused states (Dietrich, 2004).
🤍 Your brain needs safety and playfulness to explore ideas.
🤍 Be kind to your mind – Creative blocks aren’t failure, they’re feedback.
When you’re self-taught, there’s no roadmap. No curriculum. No one checking in. It’s both freeing and lonely—and sometimes both at once.
But here’s the beautiful part: being self-taught means your art is yours. It comes from your curiosity, your voice, your process. And that’s powerful.
🫶🏽 You don’t need permission to be an artist.
📖 Your journey is just as valid as anyone with formal training.
✨ Every brushstroke is proof that you’re learning and growing.
If you’re in a creative fog, take the pressure off. Here are a few ways to gently ease back in:
🖌 Paint a small study, not a masterpiece – Keep it light and playful. Focus on enjoying the process, not the outcome.
🫶🏽 Revisit a subject you love – Go back to your version of my frogs. Familiarity can reignite joy and confidence.
🌿 Step away and rest (guilt-free) – Let your mind wander. Creative insight often happens when we’re not actively seeking it.
☕️ Set the scene with your favourite rituals – Tea, music, soft lighting—create the mood even if you’re not ready to paint.
📓 Keep a sketchbook just for practice – not perfection. Check out my article on the benefits of daily sketching!
🤍 Be kind to your creative brain – Blocks aren’t bad. They’re just signals that it’s time to slow down, reflect, or try something new.
if you’re in the mood to keep reading, check out this article on discovering your own artistic style. If that doesn’t interest you, you can browse through all my other articles for more artsy goodness 👩🏽🎨😌✨
☼ Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1996). Creativity: Flow and the psychology of discovery and invention. Harper Perennial.
☼ Dietrich, A. (2004). The cognitive neuroscience of creativity. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 11(6), 1011–1026.
☼ Runco, M. A., & Richards, R. (1997). Eminent creativity, everyday creativity, and health. Ablex Publishing.
☼ What causes creative block as a self-taught artist?
☼ How can I ease back into painting after a slump?
☼ What small steps help when I feel stuck in art block?
☼ What does psychology say about creative block?
☼ Is it okay to take a break from art?
☼ What are some creative ways to shake things up when I feel uninspired?
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hi, i’m sarah, an australian artist head-over-heels for watercolour & creative practice- it truely is good for your soul.
& this ↑, is my girl alys.
i am completely self-taught in all the mediums i use & i am here to share everything i know with you!
i write about all things creativity, watercolour, gouache, hand-made ceramics, collecting art, & my own artistic process. I have degrees in human psychology & veterinary medicine- so you might find some sporadic related facts in my writing.
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