Why I Almost Quit My Daily Watercolor Painting Practise - How I Found Motivation Again

[@peterbryantorres7096]

Sometimes we plan goals for ourselves that are initially meant to be fulfilling but turn out to be stressful and distracting. We don’t need to do anything other than to work within our own limits. We don’t need to put timelines on our own goals. We’re only responsible for being consistent with those elements in our lives that truly matter-family, friendships, and our means of supporting those elements. I remember beating myself up if I didn’t finish a project or simply just didn’t have the motivation on a particular day. I would feel despondent and guilty. On days when I worked on it at my own pace -without a timer-I accomplished more of what I really wanted to achieve. I felt refreshed at the end of it because I didn’t feel like I was bent over a grindstoneI-it truly felt like that sometimes. On those projects where I felt that pressure I was never happy with the end result. I haven’t been creative in so long and I think that is because I set such high standards for myself. I have forgotten that it should be fun. It should be enjoyable. It should be about the process of creating. I have watched you journal and you’ve been inspiring. It doesn’t matter if you post one a day or one a week-you’re moving towards your goal. Enjoy it. And thank you for sharing this with us. P.S. the backyard painting with the clothesline is one of my favorites. I don’t see what you found childish about it at all.

[@paintandjournal]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a heartfelt comment. I deeply appreciate the advice and am flattered. I really hope you pick up a brush again soon.

[@levisimpson516]

As a guy in his mid 40s who enjoys art making and also watercolor I feel this. I think a lot can be at play here with how you feel, but I don't think you should give it up. Art as I've come to understand it over the many years is about finding enjoyment in the process and even the struggle of it. I battled against that not really understanding it for so long, and still do really. But being diligent and reminding myself that when I'm frustrated or feeling down about my work, it's okay, it's natural, it's part of being an artist, being human. For myself, one thing I like to do is change it up, I don't just pick the one thing and go all in, I have several. If I'm feeling burnt out on watercolor I'll let myself play with another medium. Or just put the watercolor down and focus on just my drawing, with pencil, or pen, or whatever. Experimenting and playing with art is so important in these situations I find. The watercolor will be right there waiting. Anyway, keep it up, and have an outstanding trip. I hope you're able to find enjoyment in painting during your travels. Don't be discouraged if your work isn't perfect, most sketches are not. Even the greats like Turner would mostly sketch like it's note taking and only do the pretty stuff back in the studio. All the best!

[@paintandjournal]

Thank you so much for taking the time to give me this advice. I appreciate it. I will wrap up my 100 day challenge this week and look forward to simplifying things. Thanks again.

[@photo-ctr]

It should never be about the end result, the process, enjoyment and experience should be the focus

[@paintandjournal]

Agreed.

[@annenglish2935]

Your post caught my eye!!! I painted watercolor for 2 years ... stress and illness stopped me cold, & I haven't painted for nearly 2 years... I have all my supplies and continue to watch utube tutorials. Just can't now. I love colors ... the first time I put paint on paper thrilled me... pure joy! I bought paint for friends and family. I'm not sure when... but I will paint again!!! I'm 71 ... never did any kind of art before. Im working on a different mindset... not comparing. Bless you as you continue to share your gift... as a journey! ❤

[@paintandjournal]

Thank you. I’ll continue to share.

[@susanH1986]

Put paint to paper! Make marks. Doesn't matter what.Don't have to show anyone. Paint something for yourself. Something that inspires you. Don't watch too many videos as u will never paint.❤

[@annenglish2935]

@susanH1986 Thank you for sharing!!! I have (in the past) made swatching and just seeing favorite colors makes me happy! I should try that again... I agree that not showing anyone is freeing! A California friend!!!

[@awatercolourist]

1:28 “But it’s a good try” 😂. That is so sweet!

[@twocreativehands]

Ah yes, the art of juggling a busy life. I'm 63 and have been there myself (retired now). I can only offer suggestions on what worked for me while having a job, raising two kids (with their activities), spending time with spouse, keeping a large garden, and some how carving out time for myself. I sat down, wrote out my whole week on paper and looked at how to get art time in. It turned out that the beginning (before everyone was up) and end (after everyone was in bed) of the day were the best times for me. I also took advantage of when everyone else was out of the house (classes, soccer, etc.). I added my art time on the family calendar. At first getting up an hour early was hard but after a while I got used to it and really looked forward to it. In fact I still get up early, between 5am and 6am (earlier than before I retired) and head off to do art. I learned that doing art in the evening was way too hard for me because after a full day I was exhausted and all I wanted to do was to do nothing at the end of the day. Though, there were times I was highly inspired and did stay up but that was a problem because as you know that once you are in the zone/flow you forget about time and then your brain is wired awake when you try to go to sleep and you have work in the morning. I have my art time calendared out and it's mandatory for me to keep my art dates. However, I have a rule that if I really don't feel like doing art on that date I HAVE TO do something that is art related instead. Like tidy up my art space, look through art books, go to art galleries, visit artist studios, etc. Whatever I do, it has to be art related. I tell myself it's ok to skip doing art but only if I fill up the time doing something art related. And I always find that I get inspired to do art while I'm doing those other things, even when I clean and organize my art space. One of my favorite quotes is "Practice doesn't make perfect. Practice makes progress." Breakthroughs will only happen when you keep practicing. Failures are not failing but are vital stepping stones in learning and helping you get closer to your intentions. No athlete was born proficient at sports. They had to train to become proficient at sports. It's the same way with artists. We have to train to become proficient at art. So, don't beat yourself up over perceived art failures (Most people don't see your art that way. We are our worse critic.) but think of them as stepping stones and ask ourselves what it was that didn't work. Write it down. Tape it to your art or better yet write on your painting your notes. I do both, taped notes and written notes right on the painting. Keep all your failed paintings. Never throw them away. You need to be able to pull them out and see how much progress you've made and you'll be surprised that you actually have come a long way. It really is the only way to see how far you have progressed. I have to say all your hanging laundry paintings are absolutely wonderful. And, wow, more power to you for trying to get a quick sketch of your active children. That's something I haven't mastered yet, sketching moving people or animals. Lastly, I learned from a trip to the Redwoods, California that it's damp there and watercolor took forever to dry so I resorted to doing mixed media of Copic markers (they didn't bleed through the paper much but Tombow does.) for the base and then colored pencils on top. My first time doing that and I LOVED the results. So, packing for your trip make sure you pack the art supplies that will work best in that climate.

[@paintandjournal]

Wow. I am so flattered by the length and depth of your reply. Thank you. Wise words.

[@PatrickVisserArt]

I can relate. Though I don’t put pressure on myself to paint daily. You can make significant progress with having days off. Being an autodidact myself with a job and family i know how hard it is to commit to regular art time. Being more forgiving might remove some of that frustration. And learning isn’t linear. Theres a wall to climb every few months

[@paintandjournal]

Hi Patrick. Thanks for the insight. I appreciate the comment. Love your channel and the honesty - will definitely be watching more.

[@doloresh.4515]

Thank you for your insights. For me, at this point of returning to doing art, it’s the progress and hopefully I’ll have some fun while doing it. 🙏

[@paintandjournal]

It’s definitely a progress thing. Judge yourself agains who you were yesterday, not who you want to become - something like that…

[@yznatureza]

I think it is going well, your results might not be what you expected them to be yet, but your paintings are very clearly what you meant them to be. I count that as a win for myself because I have the rest of my life to beat me up 😅 I am trying to be encouraging here. Most likelt not achieving it 😣, but still I am being encouraging ☺️

[@lindsayalcock5593]

This is exactly where I am in my art practice. I’ve lost my confidence and drive and haven’t been happy with most of what I’ve attempted of late. Like you said, it hasn’t been fun. Thanks for sharing your story - I think I’ll head to the bookstore tomorrow 🙂

[@paintandjournal]

Hi Lindsay. I wish you well. If it’s any help I seem to learn the most from the ones that challenge me the most.

[@IslandGirl755]

It is hard to balance your family, job, and art. But don’t give up. I am not the artist I used to be. I have no more motivation, I am retired and all my peers at my job boosted my ego very time I showed them a new painting. I do not have that encouragement any more and miss it. I don’t try hard enough to take time to work harder at a watercolour. I have changed my art to Zen-tangle and Neurographic Art Therapy. These are much faster pieces to make and I make them small for cards and send them to my family & friends. This is pleasing for me as I have so many full sheets of watercolour paintings that are just sitting around. The smaller pieces are gone quickly. I love it .

[@paintandjournal]

Thank you. I am glad you are still creating. Keep it up!

[@carolwilliams3599]

Totally agree with the previous comment. I think your sketches are wonderful, even the clothesline one. Keep at it!

[@paintandjournal]

Thank you so much. I will keep at it.

[@awatercolourist]

4:27 “It’s not about talent, it’s about grit.” Grit: that’s my cue to get out of here 😂.

[@paintandjournal]

I hope to go and sketch!

[@callmedeno]

That was very impactful and inspiring, god speed with exploration.

[@paintandjournal]

Thank you.

[@hilarystewart366]

Your paintings are great. You seem to have saddled yourself with a lot. It's amazing you can do any of this with all you have going on. It almost feels like you want to make painting into a career rather than a pleasure. You should make some terrible paintings😊 "The path is the goal"

[@paintandjournal]

Thanks so much. I appreciate the advice

[@dM-ij1we]

May I suggest another approach entirely? Check out the book The creative act: A way of being by Rick Rubin. The object isn’t to make art, it’s to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable. Robert Henry. I wish you well.

[@surrected4526]

Great book recommendation! I truly enjoyed reading Rubin's book. Also _Big Magic_ by Elizabeth Gilbert was a delight.

[@paintandjournal]

Thank you so much for the recommendation. I will definitely check it out.

[@paintandjournal]

Thanks for the recommendation.

[@Sweet-Sue-42]

Inspiring. Thank you.

[@paintandjournal]

You are welcome.

[@surrected4526]

You've a lot on your plate: husband, father, artist. The only people that are going to remember how hard you worked and how too busy you were are your children. 1:14 "Can I finish this painting first"? Surely you jest. You should give the song "Cat's in the Cradle" a listen.

[@paintandjournal]

Thanks for the advice. I will do.

[@Jacob-mh3rp]

Your watercolors are looking great! I might suggest trying to set up an environment where your family isn’t competing for your attention. I’ve been in similar situations, and I don’t think it’s sustainable to have your art getting in the way of family. Perhaps communicating that you want some quiet time to work would help. Of course I’m just going off of what I saw in this video.

[@paintandjournal]

Such great advice. Thanks. The videos pretty accurate! Definitely need to address this…

[@susanH1986]

Perfection is not the point! Remember that your art is just your interpretation of the subject. Otherwise you would just take a photograph. Keep up the great work!❤

[@paintandjournal]

Thanks Susan. Totally agree. I will.

[@colinremmer2417]

I think that sometimes it's too easy to drive ourselves into doing things and very easy to end up doing too much of it. You began painting because you enjoyed it but along the way, you took the enjoyment out of it by driving yourself to paint rather than painting when you wanted to. Stop putting so much pressure on yourself to do stuff & if necessary, take a break from painting for a few months & then start again. You do some beautiful work, you have worked hard & developed a real talent there & it would be a real pity for you to push yourself so much that you came to hate doing it. Lighten up a bit

[@paintandjournal]

Thanks. Appreciate the advice.

[@themischeinquer2634]

If I send you a flattering comment, you will still be stuck on someone else's opinion. But it all comes down to one thing, if it's truly important to you, it will come back.

[@paintandjournal]

Such wise words. Thank you.

[@theresematthews5705]

Your papers is it A4? Your pictures looks great.

[@paintandjournal]

Thanks. A4 rough sketch book, Strathmore A5 300gsm watercolor sketch book

[@joemenzaart]

Try other mediums to mix things up like acrylic

[@paintandjournal]

I agree. I am looking forward to changing it up soon.

[@Ty_The_Bonsai_Guy]

What colors are on your pallet? It looks like you've got 12 colors. Just curious.

[@paintandjournal]

Honestly I am not sure. It’s a mish mash of hand-me-downs.

[@rashone2879]

We live in competitive societies, judgmental! Everything is “the winner”, “rhe best”…. when it comes to art, it’s about “is it good”… in my experience people don’t understand anything about painting, drawing, or anything creative. When I mention I paint (joking say pictures, not walls) I get either a blank look OR “do you sell your work?” ALL ABOUT MONEY AND STATUS, like if “your work sells”, you must be “good”. But have you seen the ugly garbage that “sells”… what’s the point of painting? Apparently selling. No one care about the artist, what inspires, what their paintings mean to them…it;s just “does your work sell”.

[@paintandjournal]

You make an excellent point that I can really relate too. Mixing art or creativity with earning an income is something I have not been able to crack. I became a professional photographer once, and by the time I figured out how to make a living from it had completely turned my back on the art. Didn’t touch a camera again for 15 years. Killed it for me.

[@maxlinesartist]

raiseing a family job and all is demanding but always put family first you will get those times to paint work a deal out with your wife . like do shifts with the kids when your off its your time to paint when shes of she can go shopping with the gals . just a sugestion .lessings keep it up

[@paintandjournal]

Thanks for the advice. It’s definitely something I need to address.

[@rayeaglenz]

I like your art, just Subscribed, Yet I hope your videos are not poor me, and whining

[@paintandjournal]

Thanks. I hope so too!

[@Phoyographer]

Enter Islam and success