How to Develop Art Habits & the Quirky Habits of 6 Famous Artists

Why Develop Habits In Art?

A habit is a regular pattern of behavior that has become automatic through repetition. Habits are actions or behaviors that we engage in consistently, without having to consciously decide or think about them. Habits can be either positive or negative and can be formed intentionally or unintentionally.

The way we improve as artists is by practicing art, and habits can help to ensure we keep creating.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I don’t feel like drawing or painting or being creative. I have to make myself. I think this is because it is work to create art. It’s easier on my brain to watch British murder mysteries on Acorn than figure out how to match a color or problem solve on my latest piece.

So… I have to develop habits to ensure that I keep practicing even when I don’t feel like it.

Developing habits around creating can be beneficial for many reasons. Good habits can help us to be efficient with time. It’s so easy to waste time with cell phones and streaming services. But by focusing on the most important tasks and eliminating distractions, we can increase productivity and produce more work in less time.

Setting clear intentions and committing to a regular practice can help us from getting sidetracked by other distractions or responsibilities.

Habits can help us to grow and improve skills over time. If we make a regular practice of experimenting with new techniques, learning from mistakes, and seeking out feedback, we can continue to evolve and develop our craft.

Overall, developing good habits can help to establish a solid foundation for a creative practice, build momentum, and achieve goals over time. It's important for each artist to find the habits and routines that work best for them, based on their unique needs and preferences.

Famous Artists with Quirky Habits

Before I discuss some tips to help you come up with your own art habits, I’ll provide some examples of habits that worked for famous artists. These might spark an idea for your habit development. At the very least, I think they are super interesting.

Ernest Hemingway

Hemingway used to be a journalist, and so standing while writing and writing quickly may have been residual habits from that job.

Ernest Hemingway was known for writing while standing up because he believed it helped him to stay focused and maintain his energy. Hemingway was a prolific writer who spent long hours at his desk each day, and he found that sitting for extended periods made him feel lethargic and unproductive. By standing up while writing, he was able to remain alert and engaged in his work.

Hemingway's preference for standing while writing was also influenced by his experience as a journalist. As a young reporter, he had often worked in busy newsrooms, where he had to write quickly and efficiently while standing up amidst the hustle and bustle of the newsroom. He found that this fast-paced environment helped him to produce his best work, and he carried this approach over to his writing process later in life.

Salvadore Dali

Dali was known for throwing extravagant parties where he and his wife let wild animals roam amongst the guests.

Salvador Dali was known for taking naps while painting, which he called "slumber with a key." Dali believed that these naps helped him to access his subconscious mind and tap into his creativity. He would typically nap for just a few minutes at a time, holding a key in his hand that would fall and wake him up as he drifted off to sleep.

Dali also believed that these naps helped him to overcome creative blocks and find new inspiration. By stepping away from his work and allowing his mind to rest, he was able to return to his painting with a fresh perspective and new ideas.

In addition to the creative benefits, Dali's naps may have also been influenced by his interest in the concept of "paranormality." Dali was fascinated by the idea of altered states of consciousness and believed that his naps helped him to connect with otherworldly realms and experiences.

While the scientific evidence for the benefits of napping is mixed, many people find that short naps can improve their mood, energy levels, and cognitive function. And for Dali, these naps were an integral part of his artistic process, allowing him to access his creativity and produce some of the most iconic works of the Surrealist movement.

Jackson Pollock

Jackson Pollock painted on the floor rather than using an easel.

One of Pollock's habits was to work on the floor rather than on an easel. He would spread his canvas out on the floor of his studio and move around it, applying paint from different angles and directions. This allowed him to use his entire body to create his paintings and gave him a greater sense of control over the work.

Pollock also had a routine of listening to music while he painted. He would often listen to jazz or classical music, which he felt helped him to access his creativity and stay focused on his work.

Another habit that Pollock had was to use a specific set of materials and tools. He preferred to work with house paint rather than traditional artist's paint, as he felt that it had a more fluid consistency and allowed him to create the effects he wanted. He would also use sticks, trowels, and other objects to apply and manipulate the paint, rather than relying solely on brushes.

Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol Signing a Lithograph, 1965. Photograph by Bob Adelman/Corbis.

Andy Warhol created a highly structured routine for himself, which included eating the same meals every day and going to bed at the same time each night. He believed that this routine helped him to maintain focus and productivity in his work.

Warhol kept detailed records of his daily activities and interactions. He also took countless photographs of his surroundings, friends, and acquaintances, creating a visual diary of his life that served as a source of inspiration for his artwork.

His meticulousness also showed in his work. He once told Art News interviewer Gene Swenson, "The reason I'm painting this way is that I want to be a machine, and I feel that whatever I do and do machine-like is what I want to do." This statement was made in reference to the technqiue he developed using silk screen to reproduce several of the same images over one canvas. The repetition of the same image was intended to emphasize the rise of mass-produced consumer goods and the way that they infiltrate our daily lives.

Frida Kahlo

Frida had a rough life starting at age 6 when she suffered with polio. As a result, one leg was shorter than the other and so she endured taunting by children while growing up.

Then when she was 18 she was in a terrible bus accident. Doctors were surprised that survived. As a result of the accident, she endured 32 surgeries and was confined to her bed to recover. Her family gave her paints and canvases to keep her occupied. She had a mirror installed above the bed and she painted herself over and over.

She began to walk two years later and she married another artist, Diego Rivera. She had mulitple miscarriages as her injuries from the accident didn’t allow her to have children. Her husband also cheated on her with her sister. I’m not making this up! It’s terrible…

She suffered from chronic pain and illness throughout her life. She would prop herself up with pillows and use a special easel that allowed her to paint while lying down. She adopted her habit to fit her illnesses and continued to paint until she died of pnuemonia at the age of 47. I find it fascinating that she perservered and kept on painting regardless of the horrible things happening to her.

Georgia O’Keeffe

Photo: Joe Munroe/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images

Georgia O'Keeffe was an American artist known for her colorful and vibrant paintings of flowers, landscapes, and other natural forms. She developed some habits that helped her create her works of art.

She lived in New Mexico. Before dawn she would rise, light a fire, and sip tea in bed while watching the sunrise. Then she would often take long walks in nature, where she would collect rocks, shells, and other natural objects. She would use these objects as inspiration for her paintings, and would often incorporate them into her work. After her walks, she would eat a breakfast and then let the creativity flow.

She also preferred to work alone and did not like distractions while she painted. She often retreated to a private studio or a remote location to work in solitude. She would take breaks during her painting sessions to rest her eyes and clear her mind. She would step outside or take a walk before returning to her work.

I like this quote by her, “In a way [painting] is what you do all the other thing for… the painting is like a thread that runs through all of the reasons for all the other things that make one’s life.” Amen to that.

Tips to Develop Your Own Art Habits

• Start small-

  Instead of trying to overhaul your entire routine all at once, start with small, manageable changes. For example, you might commit to spending just 15 minutes a day sketching or painting, and gradually increase the time as you get more comfortable with the habit. I did this in 2019 or 2020 (I can’t remember!). I committed to drawing 30 minutes a day. I was able to stick with that until I got a different job where I now work 3 long days. As a result of the schedule change, I switched my habit to try and draw every day that I am off for at least an hour.

• Be specific-

  Make your goals as specific and measurable as possible. Instead of saying "I want to paint more," try setting a goal like "I will paint for 30 minutes every day after breakfast." If you attach your new habit to an old habit (like breakfast), it is more likely to stick. I learned this from the book, Atomic Habits, by James Clear.

• Hold yourself accountable-

  Find ways to hold yourself accountable for sticking to your habits. This might include tracking your progress in a journal, sharing your goals with a friend or mentor, or using an app or habit tracker to stay on track.

• Stay flexible-

  While it's important to establish a regular routine, it's also important to be flexible and adaptable when life gets in the way. If you miss a day or two of your habit, don't beat yourself up about it. Instead, refocus and get back on track as soon as possible. I think this is really important. If you are hard on yourself, you may begin to feel burdened by sticking to a habit, which is not a good thing. The habit should help you, not bring you down.

• Find motivation:

  Identify what motivates you to create, whether it's a desire for self-expression, a love of the process, or a passion for your subject matter. Use this motivation to fuel your habits and keep you inspired and engaged.

  For me, I like to get outside, like Georgia O’Keeffe. Being in nature with my pups is good for my soul and it is great exercise. I think that helps to clear my brain and allows me to create more effectively. I have a habit of walking my dogs every morning after I drink my coffee. It’s a great way to begin my day. Additionally, I have to do it now even if I don’t feel like it because the dogs expect it.

• Experiment:

  Don't be afraid to experiment with different habits and routines to find what works best for you. Try different approaches, such as painting at different times of day, using different materials, or working in different locations, to find what helps you to be most productive and creative.

  Over time, I have found that my favorite time to create is from noonish to dinner time. I am not sure why, but that is what works for me, and I typically keep that time open for creating if I can. I’ll purposely get other things done before or after that time to make sure the space is free.

Conclusion

Overall, developing habits takes time and effort, but it can be a powerful way to build momentum and achieve your creative goals. With persistence and dedication, you can establish habits that support your artistic growth and help you to reach your full potential.

Do you have habits that help you to be productive? Love to hear your thoughts.