Tips for overcoming 'blank page syndrome' as an artist

I've been sky diving without batting an eye.

I've abseilled 100m into a dark, cold cave and spent 7 hours scrambling, swimming and hiking my way out- and loved every minute.

I will quite happily jump on stage in front of hundreds of people if anyone gives me half a chance to dance or perform in some way. (Don't ask me to sing though. Nobody wants that.)

But what was I afraid of recently? Some fluffy little yellow pom poms! Seriously!?

No, I don't have a weird phobia of pom poms. But here's the thing: I LOVE wattle. I love the smell of it. I love the masses of vibrant, sunshine yellow flowers that transform the trees into clouds of gold. I decided I was finally going to paint some. The trouble is, I have not often painted fluffy things.

How was I going to paint these fluffy balls of flowers? Will they look blobby? Will they look clunky? Will I struggle to paint the bright yellow details in a way that looks realistic over the much darker green leaves?? Will I be able to create definition and separation between each pom pom without them becoming dull and darkened?

WHAT IF MY REPUTATION AS A SKILLED AND TALENTED REALISTIC BOTANICAL ARTIST IS DERAILED BY SOME FLUFFY, YELLOW FLOWERS?! MY CAREER WILL BE OVER!!!!

Also, it would be a waste of expensive watercolour paper *gasp *. The horror.

Have you ever done that before? Gone into a panic spiral before even starting a painting? A lot of artists do have a 'fear of the white paper' where they avoid beginning a new painting because they are worried that what they create will not be 'good enough'. It's so common, in fact, that it's even got a name: blank page syndrome.

Truthfully, I don't usually experience blank page syndrome. But here are some thoughts that might be helpful whenever you are feeling afraid to start a piece:

1. Firstly, one 'bad' painting is not going to derail your long term artistic goals. Duh. Lets just put that thought right out of your head.

2. Yes, art materials can be expensive and, like you, I HATE to waste them. But again, one 'bad' painting is not going to bankrupt you (and if it is, perhaps top quality artists paper is not where you should be putting your money right now anyway.) However, if you are still concerned about painting on expensive papers why not take the pressure off and work on smaller pieces? Even the best watercolour paper is not going to be a big financial sacrifice in small sizes. Also, you can work on a lighter weight paper (i.e. more affordable) when your piece is kept small. You'll also get to practice the techniques you want to work on in bite size chunks until the day you feel confident to paint on a larger sheet!

3. Lots of artists swear by just getting 'something' (such as a colourful underpainting/base colour) down on the paper to break the fear of the blank page. This can be tricky with watercolours since we can't necessarily paint over the top of whatever marks you make. However, any time I have been a little unsure of how to approach a subject, or I'm feeling a little rusty with the paint brushes, I make sure that I begin painting on an 'easy' section, a section that will remain light, or a section that is not a focal point of the painting. That way, I get to 'practice' how I will paint that particular thing before moving to the focal points of the painting with a bit more knowledge under my belt on how to approach it.

4. Of course, you can always practice painting your subject/specific techniques on cheaper paper before moving to your good paper too! (I'm usually too lazy to do this.)

5. Most watercolour challenges are figure-out-able. I've recently come to realise that I still make plenty of 'mistakes' as I paint but they just don't really register with me as mistakes any more. Over the years of practice I've come to know which 'mistakes' matter and which ones do not. Some will be covered up by subsequent layers of paint, some are easily lifted out later, some can be disguised as texture or covered up with some extra detail. With a little experience under your belt, hardly any painting is beyond salvaging. So, again, the pressure is off!

Lastly, sometimes you've just gotta back yourself. How many lovely paintings have you created before?? Are they not always improving? Of course they are! Just get painting.

Case in point: I nailed the wattle painting. Look at these perfectly fluffy yellow pom poms! I shouldn't have bothered doubting myself.

Lauren x