Intuition in the Art Process

There’s a part of artmaking that you can’t explain. You just know when something is working, even if you don’t have the words for why. You know when a piece needs another layer, or when it’s done...even if it doesn’t match the vision you had in your head. That’s intuition at work. It’s one of the hardest things to define, but one of the most important things to develop in your creative practice.

Intuition in art isn’t about having some mystical sixth sense. It’s more like an internal compass that guides you when you’re making. You build it over time, by paying attention, experimenting, and...this is a big one...getting out of your own way. Because let’s be real, the hardest thing about trusting your gut is the part where you actually have to trust it.

For a lot of artists, intuition shows up in small ways. Maybe you’re layering colors, and something tells you to throw in a shade you hadn’t planned on. Or you’re adjusting a composition, and even though it doesn’t make total sense, you shift something just a little to the left and suddenly everything clicks. That’s not magic, and it’s not luck. It’s experience, mixed with instinct, mixed with a little bit of not overthinking it.

But trusting your intuition isn’t automatic...it takes practice. If you’re new to this, you might second...guess every choice. You might feel like you need to justify everything, like every decision has to be backed up with a logical reason. And I get it. We’re taught to analyze, to explain, to make sure things “make sense.” But in art? Some of the best decisions don’t make sense at all. They just feel right.

So how do you actually start trusting your gut more? First off, make a lot of work. No shortcuts here. The more you create, the more patterns you’ll start to notice in what resonates with you. You’ll recognize your own rhythms, your own way of balancing color, form, or texture. You’ll start knowing when to add something, when to hold back, and when to walk away.

So How Can You Strengthen Intuition in Your Art?

Make without judgment – Set a timer for 15-30 minutes and create something without stopping to question your choices. Let yourself work quickly and instinctively.

Experiment regularly** – Try using materials, colors, or compositions you wouldn’t normally go for. Push yourself into the unfamiliar and see what happens.

Step away from your work – If you start overthinking, take a break. Come back later and trust your first instinct about what needs to change (or not change at all).

Keep an intuition journal – After working on a piece, jot down moments where you trusted your gut versus times you hesitated. Over time, you’ll see patterns in how your instincts work.

Engage in blind exercises – Cover part of your work and make marks or adjustments without looking at the whole thing. Then reveal and respond to what happened.

Let go of perfectionism – Create something with the intention of throwing it away or destroying it. This removes the pressure of making it “good” and frees you up to explore.

Observe without analysis – Look at art that moves you and take note of what draws you in. Don’t analyze too much—just absorb it and let it influence you naturally.

Follow impulses in your process – If you feel an urge to try something unexpected, do it. Even if it doesn’t work, it’s worth exploring.

Speaking of walking away...learning when to step back is huge. Intuition isn’t just about what to do next, it’s also about knowing when to pause. Ever stare at a piece too long and suddenly everything looks off? Yeah, that’s when it’s time to step away. Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your work is to not look at it for a while. When you come back, you’ll see what needs to be done more clearly.

Another thing: play. If everything you make has high stakes...if every piece has to be a masterpiece, or a sellable work, or a portfolio piece...you’ll start shutting your intuition down. Because the second you put pressure on yourself to “get it right,” you start second...guessing. That’s why sketchbooks, experiments, and unfinished projects matter. They give you space to try things, to make mistakes, to follow an idea just to see where it leads.

And then there’s the difference between intuition and insecurity. This one’s tricky. Sometimes, it’s easy to confuse gut instinct with fear. If you’re making changes because you’re afraid the work isn’t good enough, that’s not intuition...that’s doubt creeping in. Intuition feels different. It’s more of a quiet certainty, even if you don’t have the words to explain why something feels right.

Looking at other artists’ work can also help. Not in a “compare yourself and feel bad” way, but in a way that makes you more aware of creative decisions. When you see something you love, ask yourself why. Is it the color balance? The composition? The energy? The more you train yourself to notice these things, the more naturally you’ll start making those calls in your own work.

One last thing...intuition isn’t about knowing everything upfront. It’s about being open. Open to letting go of a plan. Open to making unexpected choices. Open to not needing a reason for every decision. The more you allow yourself to work this way, the more natural it becomes. And honestly? That’s when things start getting really good.