Stay in touch!

Never miss out on the latest articles and get sneak peeks of our favorite classes.

What Is Creative Freedom?

ArtPassionWellbeingArticle

The beginning of every artistic journey is either coupled with doubt or experimentation. The reality is that that is how everyone starts to a large extent. While some individuals may exhibit artistic skills from an early age, some of us tend to land on our path by accident. The reality is that everyone can be creative, and it just takes time to work on the craft. While the first painting or drawing may not look amazing, over time things improve. Therefore, like every other skill, creativity can be honed by every individual.  

 

I find that creativity is a skill and to be great at it takes intentional time investment. Due to the expansive nature of the creative field, one is free to explore different methods of expressing their artistic nature. Furthermore, you tend to get better with time as you keep creating a piece over time. Aside from this, you learn different ways to get to your result through incorporating experimentation.

quote icon
Artistic freedom encapsulates the absence of limitations in creating pieces.

So How Can I Grow My Artistic Skills?

Experiment

Trying out new approaches leads to amazing results as one can find they prefer painting as compared to the drawing. During the experimentation phase, I recommend using a free approach without judgment and limitations. Therefore, if working on an acrylic painting feel free to make some mistakes and not correct them till you progress further in the piece. 

 

Aside from this, you should consider creating a piece a few times. In my practice, I tend to paint white over the whole piece and start the painting the second time. Once I repeat a piece, I have noticed that I am less likely to repeat mistakes or instances that I did not like. Therefore, I have more success in the second piece or third piece.

creativity

Experience Creativity And Absorb It

Visiting art galleries and also viewing videos of how creatives get to the result can act as a good motivator for creative blocks. These examples provide an avenue for one to focus on identifying new methods of creating their pieces. Furthermore, one can find an innovative approach from viewing diverse inferences as they begin their creative journey. In some cases, copying an artist’s work can also enable you to learn different approaches. Such replicated pieces can act as your collection of studies as you develop your craft. Remember, not to share this as it may also lead to copyright issues.

Leaning Into Creative Impulses

The journey of creativity should come from a point of freedom always. Children exhibit this perfectly as they use crayons and diverse colors to exhibit their thoughts. In the same regard, having no form of limitation leads to creative freedom and can enable you to overcome the experience barrier. People often also fail to start as they have a bias on their abilities. This can be curbed by leaning into creating that DIY project or painting that random piece or idea you have in your head. Also remember to explore different mediums, including your computer or tablet, as using what you already have will ensure you are more likely to churn more pieces.

creativity

Overcome Creative Blocks

Creative blocks are part and parcel of the journey as a creative. On my side, this often comes up when I have client work. In retrospect, I have noted that they also tend to come up when I consider that I have to have a perfect final piece. 

 

Sadly, creative blocks also limit how you can express yourself due to underlying uncertainties. Overcoming this creative constraint is possible through attempting the project severally. This has worked for me when I choose to begin a project with a rough sketch of my ideas. When doing this, consider using permanent pens as they prevent the odds of seeking perfectionism. In addition, you also want to create bursts of creation during the day for a short period. 

 

Therefore, time blocking 5-15 minutes twice a day can ensure you still explore creating your final pieces. This also ensures you move from thinking of what to create to actively creating something (even if it is a random project). The result of random bursts of implementation is that there is an increase in confidence and also more ideas are likely to come into your mind. As a result, this would lead to actively creating your final piece, rather than postponing it to a period.  

Your Best Work Comes From Accidents

Perfectionism is an essential skill in all other industries aside from creative freedom. The reality is that while you begin your journey, you are still learning the basics of the skill. As a result, it is unlikely that these initial pieces are masterworks. I have slowly learned that my best pieces come from moments where I freely experiment without fear of having a poor brushstroke approach. Similarly, while you kickstart your journey consider creating freely as a child. 

 

The reality is some pieces come from accidental changes in how you use your brush. I recall the first piece I painted of a rose became my parent’s favorite due to the combination of abstract art elements and detailed work in creating the role. This experiment resulted in more confidence in my skills as I welcomed more experimentation approaches while working on my acrylic pieces. Therefore, consider not overthinking about the result and just enjoy the process.

people drawing with coffee

Conclusion

Artistic freedom encapsulates the absence of limitations in creating pieces.  No one faults an artist for their final piece, instead, we ask questions to understand what an artist aims to express when we view their final piece.  This is probably the most important element for you to recall as you contemplate picking the brush or starting a DIY project. 


The beauty of this path today is that there are immense resources to guide you along the way. However, remember to not be enslaved to using external resources, there comes a time when you need to fly on your own. Therefore, explore freely and create even more as you learn that you too are creative.

Share this article
Back to top