10 Ways to Push Through Creative Blocks

We’ve all been there. You sit down to paint, brush in hand, but nothing flows. The colours feel dull, the ideas feel forced, and the excitement you usually have just isn’t there. Creative blocks happen to us all, but they don’t have to stop you from creating. Here are some ways to push through and get back into the flow of painting with joy and confidence.

1. Step Away and Reset

Sometimes the best thing to do is step away from your work. I love walking and looking at the world around me—when you learn to see like an artist, everything is so magical and inspiring. Take a walk, make a cup of tea, or simply move to a different activity for a while. Giving yourself space allows your mind to reset, making it easier to return to your painting with fresh eyes.

2. Change Your Approach

If you always start a painting in a particular way, mix it up! Whilst I have every tool and brush going, you can actually just source things around the house—an old toothbrush, credit card, or even sticks from the garden. It’s about getting creative. Try painting with a different brush, using a new colour palette, or working on a smaller (or larger) canvas. A new approach can shake things up and help you break out of a rut.

3. Play Without Pressure

Creative blocks often come from putting too much pressure on yourself. I’m always telling my students to just sit and play and not always worry about ‘finished pieces’—it’s often in these moments we learn the most. Instead of worrying about making something ‘good’, allow yourself to play. Make marks, splash colour, try new textures—just enjoy the process. No expectations, just fun!

4. Look for Inspiration

Sometimes, creative energy needs a little spark. One of my favourite things to do is visit an art gallery, and having recently been to a Monet exhibition, I came away completely inspired. Look at the work of artists you admire, flip through an art book, or visit a gallery. Inspiration can come from anywhere—even nature, music, or the shapes in everyday life.

5. Work Through It

Sometimes the only way past a block is through it. Set a timer for 10 minutes and just start painting—anything! Often, getting started is the hardest part, and once you do, the ideas start to flow.

6. Try a Different Medium

If your medium isn’t working for you at the moment, switch it up. I often work in acrylics, but I also love working in oils and sometimes mixed media by combining acrylics with soft pastels. Exploring a different medium can take the pressure off and get your creativity moving again.

7. Revisit Old Work

Looking through past paintings can remind you of how much you’ve grown as an artist. You might even find an unfinished piece that sparks an idea or a technique you want to explore again. A recent student inside my Vibrant Visions programme used a glazing technique I’d shown her on an old painting, and it completely transformed her work!

8. Give Yourself Permission to Rest

Sometimes, a creative block is your mind telling you to slow down. I admit, I’m the world’s worst for relaxing—I’m a bit of a workaholic! However, I do always set aside time on the weekends to just do nothing but be with my children and try to completely switch off. It’s okay to take a break. Rest, recharge, and trust that your creativity will return.

9. Join a Community

Talking with other artists can be hugely motivating. My Brush Flow community is always coming together to support each other, and it’s wonderful to see. Share your struggles, ask for advice, or take part in an art challenge. Being part of a community reminds you that you’re not alone and can reignite your passion.

10. Remember Why You Started

Think back to why you love painting in the first place. Is it the joy of colour? The feeling of creating something from nothing? Reconnecting with that initial excitement can help you move past any block and back into a creative mindset.

Creative blocks happen, but they’re not permanent. Keep experimenting, keep exploring, and most of all—keep painting. The spark will return!

Let me know in the comments what you’re struggling with at the moment or what you’ve found helpful to push through creative blocks.

Join Brush Flow Waitlist