There’s something I wish more artists talked about: the power of not painting.
It sounds counterintuitive, I know. Especially if you’ve been pushing to stay consistent, chase inspiration, or grow your skills. But over the years, I’ve learned that some of my best painting ideas didn’t come while I was sitting at my desk, brush in hand. They came when I allowed myself to rest.
Let’s talk about the art of rest, how it shapes your creativity, and why giving yourself space might be the missing piece in your watercolor art journey.
Understanding Creative Cycles
Creativity, like everything else in life, runs in cycles. There’s the high-energy phase when ideas flow and painting feels easy. But there’s also the dip. The quiet. The “I have no clue what to paint or why” stage.
(I’ve been there, and yep, it can feel frustrating and even scary.)
But here’s the thing: that slower season isn’t a sign you’re stuck. It’s part of the natural rhythm. Rest and output go hand in hand. You can’t constantly create without giving your mind time to refuel.
It’s like trying to paint with a dry brush. You need to dip back into the water (into rest) to find that flow again.
Once I stopped treating those slower moments like failures, I realized they were actually invitations. Space to step back, breathe, and let my creativity rebuild.
What Rest Can Actually Look Like
Rest isn’t always naps and vacations. (Though yes, naps are excellent.)
When I say “rest,” I mean anything that gives your brain and body a break from effort and pressure. It could be:
- Taking a walk without your phone
- Flipping through a book just for fun
- Painting something messy with zero intention of showing anyone
- Rearranging your supplies (oddly therapeutic, right?)
- Letting yourself be bored on purpose
It’s not about doing nothing, it’s about doing less. Giving yourself space to exist without constantly producing or performing.
When I step away from structured painting time and lean into rest, something shifts. My mind softens. I notice color combinations on leaves or shadows on the sidewalk. Those little moments (the ones I miss when I’m in hustle mode) become seeds for new watercolor art.
What Happens When You Give Yourself Space
So, what actually happens when you rest?
First: your nervous system chills out. (Science backs this up.) That calmer state opens the door for more playful, less pressured creativity.
Second: your subconscious gets a chance to do its thing. Even when you’re not painting, your brain keeps working in the background. Making connections, solving problems, dreaming up new painting ideas.
Third: your perspective resets. When you’ve been deep in a project or skill-building phase, it’s easy to get hyper-focused on progress or results. Stepping away helps you see the bigger picture. You remember why you started painting in the first place.
Some of my most surprising breakthroughs came during breaks. Not just in style or technique, but in how I viewed my creative life. Spoiler: it’s way more fun when you give yourself permission to pause.
How to Rest Without Guilt
This one’s tough. We live in a world that glorifies productivity. So even when we know we need rest, we feel bad for taking it.
But here’s the truth I come back to again and again: rest is part of the work.
It’s not extra. It’s essential.
If you need a little help releasing the guilt, here’s a reframe I love: You’re not stepping away because you’ve given up, you’re stepping away because you value your creativity enough to protect it.
Give yourself full permission to pause. No explanations. No apology.
And if you need someone to remind you that it’s okay to do less for a little while, I’m here. (Been there. Felt the guilt. Chose rest anyway.)
Sometimes the rest we need isn’t just from painting, but from everything else that pulls at our attention. I’m currently taking a step back from social media (like Instagram) to reconnect with what really fuels me. Maybe it’s time for your reset too? You can read more about this below.
Small Ways to Invite Rest Into Your Creative Life
Rest doesn’t have to mean pressing pause on your entire art practice. Sometimes it’s just a shift in how you show up. Here are a few easy ways to invite the art of rest into your creative rhythm:
1. Keep a “low-pressure” sketchbook.
Use it for messy color swatches, quick doodles, or ideas that don’t need to become anything. No rules. No pressure. Just play.
2. Try easy painting ideas with no goal.
Paint shapes, blobs, or quick florals you’ve done before. Let your hands move while your mind rests. This kind of painting can be deeply soothing and often leads to surprising inspiration.
3. Set a time limit.
Give yourself 10 or 15 minutes to paint something tiny. When the time’s up, you’re done. No need to overthink or finish anything.
4. Rest in short bursts.
Don’t wait until you hit burnout to take a break. Build small pockets of rest into your week. A slow morning, an afternoon with no plans, an hour without screens.
5. Surround yourself with inspiration, not obligation.
Instead of scrolling social media for painting ideas (which can spark comparison), visit a local park, art store, or even your bookshelf. Let curiosity lead, not pressure.
One of my favorite ways to reset creatively is to flip through my own books like Everyday Watercolor Flowers or Everyday Watercolor Seashores. Not to follow them exactly, but to remember how good it feels to paint something just because.
Your Creativity Deserves to Breathe
Watercolor art thrives on flow, movement, and breath. So does your creativity. If you’ve been feeling stuck, uninspired, or just tired, maybe the answer isn’t to push harder. Maybe it’s to pause.
Rest is not a break from your creativity. It’s part of it.
If you’re craving more space, ease, and connection in your creative practice, I’d love to walk alongside you. My resources (from books to courses) are designed to support your growth in a way that feels aligned, not overwhelming. You don’t have to do it all. Just start where you are.
Explore my favorite tools for easy painting ideas and deeper creative rest right here. Or if you’re looking to reconnect with your creative self on a deeper level, The Art Within might be exactly what you need. Learn more here.
Remember, rest isn’t something you earn. It’s something you’re allowed to take—right now, exactly as you are.
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