In the broad scheme of things, creativity is a pretty recent idea. In fact, the first use of the word ‘create’ in English was in 1589, by George Puttenham, author of The Arte of English Poesie.
Before that, individual creativity just wasn’t a thing. Even for visual artists. Our contemporary obsession with individual expression and originality is a relatively recent invention.
So it’s kind of surprising that so many myths around what creativity is and where it comes from have grown so quickly.
A lot of the ideas we have around creativity, ones we often accept without question, come from the Romantic movement, from the idea of the artist as a lone creator, troubled and inspired, channeling the muse.
The idea that we’re born with a gift for art seems to be more prevalent in the visual arts than it is in other arts or in the sciences, too, and I believe is closely related to the Romantic idea of the artist.
I have to say, my personal experience doesn’t reflect that. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the last few years of attempting to teach myself to draw and paint realistically, it’s that the most important thing, bar none, is regular practice.
I know that’s not exactly earth shattering news. But I’m also convinced that it’s the regularity of practice, the routine, that’s responsible for most of the more creative ideas I’ve had about what to draw, how to draw it, and where my work might go. I’ve learned that creativity is a process, not an event.
The more you draw, the more you learn, the more creative you become. Real creativity isn’t the result of eureka moments, it’s the result of insight that grows from deep knowledge, gained through persistence in practice.
It might have been an apple falling from a tree that gave Newton his moment of insight into the nature of gravity, but that was preceded by twenty years of steady work on ideas about gravity. If he hadn’t done that work, he wouldn’t have had his insight. We wouldn’t know today that force equals mass times acceleration. We wouldn’t have satellites. Or bouncy balls. (I’m not sure about the bouncy balls. But we definitely wouldn’t have satellites.)
So regular practice – and especially practice of the fundamentals – is the surest way to enhance creativity. I know. Even in these enlightened times, it seems a little counterintuitive. But it’s why I call my drawing practice program Creative Triggers – because it’s based on regular drawing practice.
So forget inspiration. If you want to become more creative, get into a routine. Practise regularly.
If that makes sense to you, please take a minute to have a look at Creative Triggers. It might be for you.
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Your 1000% correct, establishing a routine and making it habitual is what has guided me through 2 and a half years of continuous art making. I have just passed my 1000 day mark and I’m not slowing down any time soon mainly because it is habit. I can’t imagine not doing art daily now. I will say this though, your blog and writing has really helped me to keep it focused so keep up the art and please keep writing about it.
That’s really inspiring Chris, thanks for sharing. Thanks also for your kind words, it’s fantastic to hear that the blog has helped.
I’ve been doing the same thing since March 2014. Initially, the plan was to do it for a year. Now, I can’t stop 🙂 Doing art every day has definitely helped me cope with other difficult situations in my life. Therapeutic! Keep going Chris and Paul!!
Hi Paul, I’ve been reading your email messages and writings for 2 months now. Thank you very much for all your effort! I’ve been establishing my habit of drawing this year and your sharing has helped to consolidate.
Last month, I followed your video about drawing verical lines with brush and ink, which in turn inspired my young son to try it. That exercise has brought back my old habit of chinese calligraphy to me. Now my son and I are practicing Chinese calligraphy daily! So thanks again for your video!
Thank you for your inspiration. I don’t get to draw every day, but I try to paint each day, and have found like you, the more regularly I paint the subjects seem to be inspiring…..
Best
Rachel
Sorry!! That should read the more I paint, the more I’m inspired !!!
Thank you Paul for this post. I just learned a great deal about how we see as individuals. It is unique as our facial features. Being creative is part of free will because we like to create something beautiful. It is a passion that captures us no matter what.
I don’t always stick to a daily schedule because this not is who I am, but I do accomplish lots and I never give up on practicing my drawing and painting. I live and breath visual art exposing my little brain cells and neurons daily to new information. It is all fun and play thus always starting from the beginning.
I wanted to write the “great American novel,” and was advised to become a working journalist, a job in which I would be forced to write every day. I did this, and somewhere in there, discovered that I couldn’t sit around picking my nose waiting for inspiration. My editor wanted the story for TODAY’S paper. He didn’t give a fig for muses. I suddenly found myself writing up to a dozen stories every day, and of course, I learned that inspiration is a small gift, like finding a gold nugget here or there. But your real pay day, no matter what you do, comes from getting to know your job/craft well enough that you can do it with two broken legs, a serious case of shingles, and a pounding headache. Waiting for inspiration is an excuse for doing nothing.
I suppose I should add that I moved on from journalism and that I have been painting for about 35 years, and painting seriously for about 15 years. But it was in my years as a journalist, grinding out news copy on a daily basis, that taught me that tenacious work trumps inspiration.
Magnificent teaching yours to me. My watercolor instructor has retired and I have been orphaned. I have before me a change I have to face. Thanks Paul
Actually, force equals mass times acceleration. But I understand your point 🙂
Indeed! Thanks for the correction.
I suppose that’s why I paint 🙂
Dear Paul,
Can I get a link to the webinar on “Edges”…can’t seem to find it on your site. Love your tutorials
Hi Alan,
I had to cancel the webinar last week due to illness, sorry – but I’m planning to do it this Thursday (the 25th) instead. I’ll be sending an email reminder out to subscribers tomorrow to confirm, with the link for the webinar. Hope you can make it!