Artistic Rituals: Habits and the Creative Process

The habits and routines you establish along the way will have a significant impact on how you create as an artist. These habits serve as the cornerstone of your individual path of self-expression; they are not just eccentricities. Gaining insight into the relevance of these behaviors might help one better understand the complex realm of artistic creativity.

Why is it important to have habits in our process? It's important to develop routines and habits in your creative process for a number of reasons. By offering an organized framework, these techniques assist you in navigating the frequently erratic and nonlinear character of the creative process. You may counteract the inherent uncertainty of the creative process by establishing a sense of stability and discipline in your artistic practice.

Rituals and habits help aid in the establishment of a focused mindset for creative work. The ritual of preparation, for example, allows you to move from the “now” of our daily world and to shift into the headspace of the internal world, prepping you for the process of of artistic expression. This conscious shift in perspective can have a big impact on the quality and depth of your work.

Consistent creative practices also promote accountability. Setting clear goals, keeping regulated work hours, and engaging in regular self-reflection all contribute to the formation of a structure that holds you accountable to your artistic ambitions. This accountability, in turn, increases inspiration and allows you to track your progress, ensuring that you stick to your creative goals in the long run. Rituals and habits can help your artistic practice evolve over time. Experimentation, for example, pushes you to try out new techniques, materials, and ideas, which keeps your creative process from getting stale. This willingness to experiment and learn is critical for growth and the development of a distinct artistic voice.

Habits and rituals for artists vary widely based on individual preferences, working styles, and artistic mediums.  Here are some bits and bobs to consider.

Preparation for Work Time…

Set Up Your Workspace:

Arrange your tools and materials in an organized manner before starting your work. A well-prepared workspace can enhance focus and creativity. An tidy and well-thought-out workspace not only reduces distractions but also serves as a visual and tactile spark to your brain, signaling that it's time to engage in the creative act. This ritual is about establishing an environment that promotes focus, inspiration, and a smooth workflow, not just physical order. This is something I’m constantly exploring in my own process and I find it not only good for my pre-work ritual flow, but one that is fun to do.  I love rearranging my workspaces to see what works and what doesn’t.

Take into account a few essential measures that are specific to your tastes and the type of work you do in order to execute this routine in an efficient manner. Start by organizing your area and getting rid of anything extraneous that can interfere with your focus. Organize your supplies and tools logically to provide simple access and seamless task transitions. Try using several storage options, like drawers, shelves, and containers, to maintain an orderly and visually appealing workspace. Decorate your room with things that inspire you, such as plants, artwork, or sentimental items, to create a mood that speaks to your creative soul. Review and adjust the setup often to keep up with your changing projects and demands. By taking the time to carefully arrange your workstation, you may enhance not just the functional parts of your creative process but also foster an environment that encourages artistic expression and discovery.

Pre-Work Meditation:

Take a few moments of quiet reflection or meditation to clear your mind and transition into a creative state. Before beginning your creative process, practicing "Pre-Work Meditation" can be a potent stimulant for developing an attentive and concentrated mentality. To start, locate a peaceful area where you won't be disturbed and give yourself a few deliberate seconds of silence. Shut your eyes and inhale and exhale deeply, letting each breath ground you in the here and now. With every breath, release all the tension in your body, beginning with your shoulders and working your way down to your fingertips and toes.

When ideas come to mind, accept them without passing judgment and gently return your attention to your breathing. To help you further focus, think about using mindfulness exercises like body scans and visualizations. Try varying the length of the sessions—from a quick five minutes to a longer one—and see what suits you the best. The idea is to create a mental space that is open, peaceful, and conducive to creative flow rather than to empty your thoughts. This meditation practice before work can serve as a potent bridge, bringing you from the pressures of the outside world into a place where your creative energy can flow.  I like to use apps like Headspace and Insight Timer (also, the Peloton app has a surprisingly good meditation section if you want an app that can 2 for 1 it with your workouts!)

Some Observation/Inspiration Rituals:

Daily Sketching or Journaling:

Dedicate time each day to sketch or jot down observations. This habit helps you stay connected to your surroundings and captures potential sources of inspiration. Think about implementing this practice by setting aside a certain amount of time every day for a quick writing (I love list making!) or sketching session. Take advantage of this opportunity to record fleeting events in writing, such as a little drawing of the scene outside your window, a fast photo of a bystander, or an analysis of the way light falls on a particular location. Accept the opportunity to try out various topics, aesthetics, and media; this will let your creativity develop naturally.

You may decide to keep a little sketchbook or journal with you all day so you can take advantage of any creative inspiration. This may be writing down an idea that occurred to you during a discussion, depicting the minute nuances of a flower you saw on your walk, or distilling the essence of your daily coffee ritual. It's important to let go of perfectionism and accept these everyday works for what they are—raw and unfiltered.  These notes and drawings eventually turn into a written or visual record of your day-to-day experiences, which can be a source of inspiration or a window into your creative process. By making this a regular habit, you cultivate an ongoing conversation with your environment, improving your ability to observe and discovering a source of possible inspiration in the mundane moments of daily life.

Nature Walks:

Spend time in nature to observe colors, textures, and patterns that may influence your work. Let your senses lead the way as you enter the natural world. Make time to stop and study the patterns formed by the wind on the river, the colors interacting in a dawn, or the subtle textures of the leaves beneath your feet. Let your surroundings guide your creative vision, with each object serving as a possible inspiration for a piece of art.

Setting out specific time is the best way to incorporate nature walks into your routine, whether it's a weekly outing or a daily activity. Pick places that speak to you, whether it's a quiet beach, a neighboring park, or a walk through the woods. I also like to do “laps” around my neighborhood and try to find something new each time I walk my route. Think about carrying a little sketchbook or notepad with you so you may jot down quick notes or ideas as you spend time in the great outdoors. This exercise improves your ability to observe others and provides you with a useful tool for your next artistic ventures.

Embrace the ways that the weather and seasons change; they provide a variety of visual cues. Watch the raindrops dance on the leaves during a downpour, or observe the vibrant colors of the changing foliage in the fall. Change your routes and times of day to take in the subtle variations in natural light, which can help you increase the vocabulary you have for images. The aim to observe without necessarily seeking a certain result is the key to this practice. Your teacher is nature, which offers a never-ending lesson plan filled with different hues, textures, and patterns. Permit these insights to permeate your creative mind, impacting your brushwork, ideas, and color scheme. Regular walks in the great outdoors not only help you develop a strong connection with the environment, but they also lend a rich diversity and beauty to your artistic expression.

A Fun One! Let’s Do Some Experimentation.

Try New Techniques:

Regularly experiment with new artistic techniques or mediums to keep your creative process dynamic. Incorporating new techniques into your artistic ritual process involves actively exploring different methods and materials to keep your creative approach fresh and dynamic. (And let’s admit it—it’s so fun to go to an art supply store, or browse online, to see what’s new and exciting in the shops, or something we haven’t tried before!) Develop an attitude that sees experimenting as an essential part of your creative process. Make time every day to experiment with methods or media that you are not familiar with in order to support the continuous development of your creative process.

Begin by trying out approaches that spark your interest, even if they are outside of your typical comfort zone. If you usually work with traditional mediums, this could involve experimenting with atypical materials, trying out alternative brushstroke techniques, or learning about digital art. Set up particular times in your schedule for experimentation only. This will give your learning process structure and promote a creative process that is playful.

One useful strategy is to record your attempts in a sketchbook or journal, documenting both the successes and the setbacks. If you follow me on youtTube, you’ll probably have noticed that I start my new materials with color swatch tests. I like to do this not only to see the saturation of the color but to get a sense of “how” it works. This document is an invaluable resource for continued education and development. To complement your own research, take advantage of local art classes, workshops, or online tutorials to learn about a range of techniques. Work together with other artists to create a community that is supportive of ongoing experimentation by exchanging discoveries and learning from one another's experiences.

Accept mistakes as a necessary part of the process and have patience with the learning curve. Accept the process of learning and let the new abilities naturally impact and improve your current creative style. You may breathe new life into your creative practice and make sure that your artistic expression is always a living, breathing representation of your creative spirit by constantly experimenting with different techniques.

Random Creations:

Set aside time for spontaneous, unstructured creative sessions without a specific end goal. Set aside particular periods of time in your daily schedule for these spontaneous artistic explorations. Accept the freedom to create without the expectation of a certain result, letting your hunches and inclinations lead the way.

Think about starting experiments or projects that come to you naturally as you go. Try blending several materials in a single piece or set a goal for yourself to do a series of abstract sketches using only one color scheme. Practice making marks intuitively by allowing your hand to move freely and without any prior ideas. Investigate how different textures interact, try out layering strategies, or even attempt creating art in collaboration with other artists. Try experimenting with non-traditional tools to add textures and patterns to your work, such as discovered things or found objects (one of my favs!). Let chance and improvisation come into play, whether it's via using methods like frottage or monoprinting or by creating planned accidents like paint splatters or drips. Accept that these sessions are erratic, as this frequently produces unforeseen and fascinating creative revelations.

Setting a timer and creating within a limited duration could be another technique, providing a sense of urgency and forcing you to make decisions swiftly. Alternatively, to enter a state of creative flow, participate in meditative methods such as doodling or free-form writing. These haphazard creations not only serve as a break from planned endeavors, but also as a way to dig into your subconscious, revealing new ideas and expressions that may inform your more deliberate works.

The goal is to enjoy the process itself, enjoying the thrill of creation without attachment to the end result. These unstructured sessions not only foster spontaneity and creative intuition, but they also serve as an important source of inspiration for your overall artistic practice.

I Suppose We All Need a Little Discipline and Structure…

Scheduled Work Hours:

Establishing scheduled work hours for your creative endeavors lays the foundation for a disciplined routine, offering structure and intentionality to your artistic practice. Begin by finding times during the day when your energy and focus are greatest for creative work. This could be in the early morning, during the tranquil evening hours, or at any time that suits your natural pattern.  This can take some experimentation too.  I used to be more of a night owl but am slowly figuring out I am, instead, a very early bird for my work flow.

Set up these precise time blocks for your creative work, and treat them with the same amount of dedication as you would a professional appointment. This deliberate scheduling not only prioritizes your creative practice, but it also signals to yourself and others that your artistic endeavors are worthy of your time.

Consider breaking down your creative process into smaller, achievable activities during your allocated work hours. This method can help you avoid overwhelm and make your creative ambitions more attainable. Having a defined plan for each session, whether it's drawing, brainstorming, or focused project work, boosts productivity and develops a sense of success. Check out the Pomodoro technique. I use this a lot when I have a lot of screen time/design work to do as it not only helps keep the creative juices flowing but gives my eyes a rest.

Establish a welcoming workspace within these designated hours, which we chatted about at the beginning of this. A well-organized and inspiring setting can substantially help your creative flow. Reduce distractions by shutting off alerts or establishing a physical border that indicates to others that you are in your designated creative zone. Recognize the significance of consistency in sticking to your work routine. Consistency promotes your dedication to your trade and aids in the development of a rhythm that supports your creative pursuits. These set work hours become a ritual over time, a consistent area in your day when you may fully immerse yourself in the thrill and discipline of artistic creativity.

Daily or Weekly Goals:

Set realistic goals for your artistic practice, whether it's completing a certain number of sketches or finishing a section of a larger project. Setting daily or weekly goals is a strategic method to instilling discipline and purpose into your artistic routine. Begin by considering the overall goals of your creative journey and breaking them down into smaller, more manageable milestones. These objectives could range from completing a predetermined number of sketches to completing a specific section of a larger project. The important thing is to be realistic about your existing workload and creative capacity.

Setting daily or weekly goals gives your artistic practice a road map, reducing abstract aspirations into concrete, actionable tasks. This technique not only keeps you focused but also gives you a feeling of direction, transforming your creative goals into doable tasks. If you're working on a larger painting, for example, you could set a weekly goal to finish the underpainting or experiment with a new color palette.

Consider the balance between challenge and attainability as you set these objectives. While it is important to push your creative limitations, adopting unrealistic goals might lead to frustration. Break down larger activities into smaller, more manageable components to ensure continuous progress while feeling accomplished. Reassess your goals on a regular basis to ensure they are in line with your changing artistic vision. This adaptability enables you to deal with unexpected problems or alterations in your creative process. Celebrate the completion of each objective, regardless of its size. Recognizing and acknowledging your accomplishments, no matter how minor, creates a good and inspiring environment.

Share your goals with a trusted friend or fellow artist to create a sense of accountability (accountability buddies!). This outside support system can offer encouragement, constructive critique, and a fresh perspective on your development. Setting daily or weekly goals, in the end, transforms your artistic journey from an abstract quest into a tangible, step-by-step inquiry, supporting both progress and fulfillment in your creative practice.

At work, we like to use the SMART criteria – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound – to frame your goals. This approach ensures that your objectives are clear, quantifiable, realistic, pertinent to your artistic vision, and bound by a specific timeframe.  It also helps to break down a project.

Set your goals in order of relevance and impact on your whole artistic path. Identify and prioritize essential objectives that match with your long-term vision. This methodical technique assures that your efforts contribute significantly to your artistic development.

If you're working on a large project, divide it into smaller, more doable jobs. This method avoids overpowering feelings and helps you to concentrate on certain areas of the project, resulting in a more manageable and less intimidating creative process. For my design classes, I like to have the students work backwards in their breakdown. When’s the project due? Write that on the calendar. When’s the midpoint assessment? Mark it on the calendar.  When do you then need to have first, second, and third iteration of the project? You guessed it, put it on the calendar.  Then fill in the needs from there. This is a great way to keep larger projects on track.

Another system that works great is time blocking.Schedule time in your calendar just for creative activities. Time blocking aids in the development of a regular routine by ensuring that you set aside particular periods of time solely for achieving your artistic goals. It can be especially useful for integrating creative projects into a hectic schedule.

Set aside defined timeframes for testing within the context of your aims. Allowing time for research and play in your creative process can lead to unexpected discoveries and unique breakthroughs. This intentional incorporation of research and play not only adds a sense of spontaneity to your routine, but it also fosters an environment conducive to unexpected discoveries and unique breakthroughs. These specialized experimental sessions serve as a playground for your innovative ideas, allowing you to test the limits of your existing approaches. This deliberate playfulness creates a sense of curiosity and invention, whether it is experimenting with unusual materials, exploring different composition processes, or working with diverse color palettes.  Allow yourself the opportunity to depart from your routine, allowing for trial and error. The insights gained during these trying times help to your artistic development by providing new perspectives and broadening the breadth of your creative practice. You create doors to undiscovered creative realms by thoughtfully integrating experimentation, creating the path for fresh artistic expressions and unexpected avenues of inspiration.

It’s also important to reflect and adapt. Reflection is essential in the process of establishing and accomplishing artistic goals. Take regular breaks to step back and critically examine your progress. Consider what went well, what obstacles you faced, and what you learnt from each goal. This introspective technique allows you to gain vital insights into your creative process and make educated judgments about your future ambitions.

This one’s important because it’s the one we can miss the most in our rituals. Celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how tiny, as you reflect. Recognize the work you put out in attaining each goal, as well as the progress and skill development that occurred along the way. This positive reinforcement strengthens your commitment to your creative practice and motivates you to take on new tasks. Importantly, be willing to change your goals in response to your reflections. If you experience unanticipated challenges or discover that particular goals no longer correspond with your artistic vision, don't be afraid to make changes. The capacity to pivot and adjust your goals indicates adaptability and a responsiveness to the changing nature of your creative path.

Consider keeping a journal or digital record of your reflections and adaptations. I use a daily bullet point list style journal where I track what I’ve done in the studio that day (then you can see a weekly/monthly/year overview with enough entries). Take note of any patterns or tendencies you notice in your artistic process, as this information can help you set future goals. For example, I wasn’t aware of how much my process ebbs and flows. I have some rather long “drought” periods, but when I am in the process of a series, I create with a speed and urgency that makes up for those droughts. Accept the learning opportunities that come with both triumphs and failures, and use them to fine-tune and improve your approach to creating and attaining artistic goals over time

Final Thoughts…

Rituals are important in shaping your self-expression in your artistic activities. These habits, which range from organizing your workstation to watching your surroundings, serve as the foundation for your focused and adaptable creative process. Incorporate experimentation, set clear goals, and allow for reflection and adaptation to infuse energy into your routines. Nature walks, spontaneous inventions, and set experimentation periods enrich your artistic path by encouraging unexpected discoveries and ongoing development. These rituals and routines can help you overcome obstacles in the creative process and develop a deeper relationship with your work. Consider these rituals as practical instruments for your focused practice, to help you with your studio time.