Quite often, when I ask HowToPastel subscribers what they struggle with, I hear this same phrase: I don’t know what to paint. I’m always quite shocked (yes shocked) when I hear this. Why? Because there are sooooo many possibilities!! But it recently got me thinking about why – why this sense of uncertainty? And then, how I can help with it?

I decided it was time to have a closer look at what might be really going on around this unease about what to paint.

Often, the problem of not knowing what to paint isn’t actually a lack of ideas – just look around and you’ll see so much subject material! Rather, there’s something underneath that feeling of being stuck. 

Here are some culprits and what to do about them. 

1. The Blank Canvas Paralysis (or “I Can’t Paint That!” Syndrome)

Sometimes, I don’t know what to paint actually means I don’t think I can paint that. A subject feels too complex, so you don’t even start. The trick? Shrink the challenge!

• Instead of painting a whole scene full of things (eek!), pick one object – a single leaf, a teacup, a sink plug, an apple, a shadow on the wall.
• Take the scene and find a part (or two or three) that you like. Crop the scene in a variety of ways to find an interesting composition. Keep it simple!
• Paint it in a monochromatic palette (just blues, for example). Working with one colour eliminates the need to make colour choices. You’re just working with value and form. Ahhhh, more keeping it simple.
• Do a quick sketch to loosen up before tackling a full painting. Make sure to play around with a few thumbnails to get you feeling on solid ground!

2. Overwhelm: Too Many Options!

When everything is possible, nothing feels possible. Ring a bell? The best way to deal with this is to set some boundaries. Strange I know, but it really works!

• Limit your palette!  Using less rather than more colours will help you hone in.
• Pick a theme for the week and paint only that subject eg: trees, reflections, shadows, interiors.
• Keep a “maybe list” of painting ideas that strike you and have them ready for future inspiration. A good place to do this is in your sketchbook, say on the back page.
• Create thumbnails when you’re not in the mood to paint. That way, when the painting mood strikes, you can just flip through your sketchbook, choose one, and boom, you’re off!

3. Your Source Material is Letting You Down (or Holding You Hostage!)

Boring reference photos? No wonder you don’t feel inspired! This can certainly be why you feel you have nothing to paint. But here’s something else—sometimes the perfect photo can be just as paralysing. Too much pressure to “do it justice.” The fix?

• Don’t treat a photo like a paint-by-numbers kit. It’s just a starting point.
• Crop in to find alternative exciting compositions. Sometimes boring photos can have exciting parts!
• Move elements in the photo around.
• Simplify the scene into big, bold shapes before adding details.

4. Paint the Feeling, Not the Thing

Instead of looking for the perfect subject, start with a mood. Ask yourself:

• What colours match how I feel today? Or what was the mood that day? How can I express that?
• What kind of marks express that feeling—soft and flowing or bold and scratchy? Let emotion, movement, and colour lead the way.
• Be in the process rather than invested in the outcome. 

6. Perfection Paralysis: The Pressure to Create a “Good” Painting

Sometimes the fear of making a bad painting stops you from making any painting. You may be using the grumble or sob of “I don’t know what to paint” to avoid getting started. The need for perfection can be paralyzing. Here’s how to break free of that onerous pressure to produce an amazing painting.

• Give yourself full permission to paint something just for practice—no one has to see it.
• Set a timer for 10 minutes and do a quick study. It’s kinda fun!
• Use materials (eg paper and pastels) you’re not crazy about to take the pressure off. You have something to blame when it doesn’t turn out the way you might like!
• Remember: Every painting teaches you something, even the “ugly” ones. It’s TRUE! The more you paint, the more you learn and the more you grow as an artist.

5. Turn It Into a Game!

Feeling stuck? Make it playful! We all need to PLAY more!!! It’s all about the doing and experimenting that will lead you to awesomeness!!

• Write prompts on slips of paper and pull one out and then paint! (We do this for a whole month twice a year in IGNITE!, my online membership. Our next prompt driven Challenge is in April! It’s wildly FUN!)
• Challenge yourself—paint with only two or three colours!
• Or use bold wild colours!
• Start with a random mark and then another and another and see where it takes you. You just never know where it will lead.

The best way to find out what to paint? Look around you and start painting what’s right there. Look deeply to see the painting possibilities! You are the artist so use your artist eyes. The ideas will come once you’re in motion. So grab a sketchbook and go! 

“I don’t know what to paint” – do you ever hear yourself saying this? If so, was this post helpful? I’d love to know.

I’d also love to hear any other tips to move past the paralysis of this feeling of not knowing what to paint so be sure to leave them in the comments!

Until next time!

~ Gail