The Creative Mindset

I wanted to have a chat about the creative mindset.

I have just finished a very busy week preparing the loft in my house to increase our storage.

Now there are many good financial reasons to getting a new roof and insulating it properly, not least in terms of heating bills and retaining heat.

But for me the main driver was to free some office space up so that I can dedicate an area purely for creativity.

Until now I’ve been scrunched into a corner with a small wooden desk with room for a palette and paper.  I also had to completely clear down every time I did anything because that desk was also a key part of my office set up for packing orders.

Over the past year I have found that this has been stifling my desire to pick up a brush or pen and just try to be creative. It’s an excuse to not pick up that brush and start a project. I am slowly exploring my creative side, but it does not come naturally, I have to work on it. I need to try and cultivate the right mindset.

I see people effortlessly think of an idea and see it just flow in some kind of wonderful zen like state onto the canvas / paper and that’s just not how my mind works. 

I have an idea and then can instantly think of 5 reasons not to do it! I appreciate this is a somewhat pessimistic approach and again is something I am working on, but once I overcome these and start to actually apply myself to putting paint and pen to paper, I do lose myself a little and thoroughly enjoy the whole process.

So now here is my new creative workspace, a space for both my wife and I to use purely for exploring art and creativity. It’s not a huge space but the key is that it is a dedicate space for me to nurture that creative mindset and see where I end up.

I get to look out across our allotment, check the chickens are ok and the table is flooded with lovely natural light - perfect for getting down to some serious painting!

I hope that removing one of the main reasons not to start something creative will encourage me to do some more art in the coming weeks and months. At the very least it will definitely result in more photo printing (which is why the printer is right there!).

It will also give me somewhere more suitable to frame my images too.

I will keep you updated with progress, however if you are struggling with finding time to paint, or it seems like a hassle to get started, a dedicated space you can walk away from and return to without having to clear everything away may help. 

This week I have a great offer for you as a taster for Fiona’s courses.

The single project “Changing the Season - Cottage” is a 56 minute set of films where Fiona shows you how to paint this traditional Cotswolds Scene. 

This project is a great watch because it’s not just a film about how to paint the scene but what Fiona’s thought process is behind the creation of the image.

She will show you the source image, how she decides the composition and how she then changes the scene from a winter to a Spring scene.

It’s a great insight into the workings of an artists mind as much as a guide of how to create this great scene.

For June this is now only £5, less than a fancy coffee!

Online courses:

We still have our great introductory offer on Fiona’s online courses.

We have the Beginners modules, both of which are only £35 each for hours of film content and tuition each. You can grab both of them for the even more reduced price of £60 here.

You can also add in the Watercolour Taster Set for just £35 which gives you all the tools to see you get started with the courses.

Returning Product:

I'm excited to tell you all that we are imminently expecting delivery of a new batch of the Transforming Blue pigment. This is a really exciting colour which contains a combination of pigments which create effects ideal when using a dynamic approach to watercolour.

There is a video on the product where you can see the effects that's well worth a watch.

Now back on sale!

That's if from me this week - Happy Painting!

Martin