I need some motivation to paint?

Question

i always have a desire to, but when it comes down to actually setting everything up, getting an idea and following through, I jsut never really do. Help!

Answer 1

Oh boy, Paper Clip, you have a very common problem which is probably ageless. An exercise my mentor once taught me works most of the time. First thing every morning (perhaps over breakfast) grab a pencil and paper and just force yourself to doodle. Pay attention to your doodles and try to see things there that you may not have intended. Do this every day. A ballerina doesn't dance cold and an athlete doesn't play without a warmup. Then when inspiration does strike you will be better prepared to do something about it.

Answer 2

I had an instructor last semester for canvas painting who said I plan too much. He made it analogous to a golf game. He said, you dont plan the whole game up front. All you can do is choose your iron, and take your first shot. The rest of the game is predicated on that shot. Also, I was leaving space for the elements I planned to add. He said no, just paint over the background. Start with a "field" of color (if you want to). Feel that color. (Pretend you are Rothko)...or maybe a grid in the background. Then add an element on top. From then on, the painting will tell you what it needs. Also, if you intentionally paint disparate things (things that dont typically go together) your subconscious mind will be driving, and you too will be constantly surprised. Go to google images and look at the works of Vernon Fisher and David Salle for inspiration. You can keep your own personal iconography, but mix it up. It will be exciting for you, and your work will be interesting and contemporary too. Good luck!

Answer 3

It does not matter what you paint, what matters is that you do. Forget about motivation, that's an excuse not to paint. When you really need to paint, you will...but you can apply yourself by stop fretting about outcome and concentrate on the journey. The joy of painting comes from discovery more so if not the same as viewing the results. In fact, what is important is not the result but how you achieved it. That is painting, not the finished artwork. Anything you see is subject matter. Look at what's around you (look in a mirror if you must) and paint a selected area of it. What you learn and what you'll appreciate, is how you go about putting the paint on the canvas. Do it. NOW!

Answer 4

Oh, I know what your saying. You see what you are after as far as results go and then you buy the stuff and you go to bed thinking "I will get up in the morning and I will start the project right then and there" you get up and "well, I am kinda tired, I better fix something to eat and well, I will do it next weekend".
So, to help you out try doing most of the set up one day, put the tape on, drop cloths down, clear everything except the things needed to paint. Then when you get up1/2 the battle it done, add some music and a friend it might be easier. . Good luck. After reading some of the answers I may have thought you were painting a room in your house, sorry if I misunderstood.

Answer 5

I always get motivated by a drive in the country. Take your materials with you and when you find a nice pace you would like to paint,stop, and set up and do it. Even if you just carry sketching materials with you. Sometimes you feed a block by not trying. I hadn't painted for years and I realized I was just afraid to start. Once I realized this, I was able to overcome it. Pastels are good or color pencils. Something that is neat to do is to sketch with watercolor pencils then use a brush with just water to draw the paint out into a painting.

Answer 6

I know what you mean! Sometimes it's hard to get motivated. I think I like having painted more than actually painting. & I hate the setting up (getting the paints & brushes out, water for brushes, canvas ready, covering the floor in case of splotches, putting on my painting clothes) part. I would suggest you just force yourself to do it. Set up your stuff, then put on some really inspiring music. Whatever moves you (dance music for energy or classical music to uplift you). I find music helps. & paint whatever you love. It should be fun. Just start painting. If you don't like it, you can always paint over it. Don't be afraid of a blank canvas!

Good luck!

Answer 7

Spend some time just clearing your mind and meditating. You don't really need to start with an idea, just pick up a brush, easel and start with a few strokes. It will come and develop as you begin. 'Starts with the first stroke'. Hope it works for you. You can do it if you don't make a big project out of it. Just relax and enjoy what you are doing.

Good luck. Maybe you can send us all a pic when you finish.

Answer 8

Yeah, I used to have that problem a long time ago. I found that if you keep everything kinda handy it helps getting to it. Go get youself a toolbox or some kind of a case that you can keep everything "set up" in. have everything you use in it including your cups for water, rags, everything. Keep a space cleared and ready in your room or where-ever you work. Keep your easel up and if you have to keep a canvas on it ready to go. That way whenever you want to do something all you have to do is open the box get water and go to work. If you keep it organized your setup time will take about a minute.

Answer 9

Switch to a cleaner medium, like color pastels. Look at the brilliant color Edgar Degas and Mary Cassatt got from pastels. You don't have to sacrifice color at all, just because you don't want the mess of oils or acrylics. Of course, pastels handle differently than liquid media, but the results can be painterly.

Good luck.

Answer 10

IT'S CALLED PAINTERS BLOCK