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How I trick myself into painting more ✶ Gouache sketchbook study session

Sarah Burns

64,870 views

Do you ever sit down to paint, start scrolling through your images (or pinterest) and before you know it, 20 minutes or more has gone by and you still haven't chosen an image?? I do this all the time. Decision fatigue is real!! I know it sounds silly, but sometimes I just need to "trick" myself into painting when I'm being too picky about my references. In this video I'll share some tips for how to get through that so you can get that valuable brush mileage in. #gouache

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Materials:
Stillman & Birn Nova Sketchbook (beige)
Winsor & Newton Gouache
Sarah Burns x Craftamo Brushes https://bit.ly/3QLQWMu
Redgrass Glass Palette https://bit.ly/3BiVk4b
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20 Comments

@SarahBurnsStudio Creator 1 year ago Pinned

Since posting this video, I learned there was a new YouTube feature which was auto-enabled: "auto-dub in multiple languages" So if you want to hear the original audio, hover over the video and click the gear icon, then under "Audio Track" select Original.
I've turned the feature off so it shouldn't happen in future videos.

@AmazinGraceXOXO1 1 year ago

I love that you are a regular, genuine person. Your little studio looks like a real life studio. I hate that everything has to be Pinterest perfect anymore. Thank you for keeping it real.

@atalantamountain 1 year ago

I love your small gouache paintings. They are like tiny windows with wonderful views.

@davidmendelphotography 1 year ago

Thank you for the anxiety trick. That is exactly me, I will freeze up and get frustrated. And then not paint or draw. I will now be printing my photos and making a grab bag to do my next painting. Might do this all the time. It takes the actual step that I could spend hours on figuring out what to paint next.

@csuv-z2n 1 year ago

Love how you did an underpainting for most of the little paintings and how it transformed into something totally different color wise!

@lynncunningham-d4v 1 year ago

Love how you are able to articulate your creative process in a way that is easily understandable. That is a gift that not everyone has. You'd make a fantastic teacher on any level. Your paintings show such creativity...love how you express that through your use of color. Helpful suggestions on how to not be paralyzed when you're trying to decide WHAT to paint. Thank you so much for all of it.

@sallyfinch540 4 months ago

Painting is a language of interpretation of what you are seeing and the vibe that you get from it. I feel such at a loss of “words” to use. Your paintings are so wonderful. I appreciate looking at the original and your interpretation of it.

@sprucehouse9 5 months ago

I sooooo needed this video right now. I can relate to everything you were talking about: getting bored, decision paralysis, not knowing even where to start. I am 75 years old and have been painting and drawing since I was five. I've never actively sought sales because it just kills my creativity. I've had a lot of breaks here and there, including some that were years long, but now I feel like I shouldn't be wasting any of the time I have left to just staring at my art supplies. I tend to have bursts of enthusiasm and intense activity, followed by long periods of being bored and uninspired. It's a terrible, cruel state to be in as an artist.
So I am going to try the suggestions you presented in this video to see if I can kick myself into a more creative head space and lift myself out of the creative doldrums. Thanks for sharing these excellent ideas!

@junedixon1537 1 year ago

I totally agree that probably most art studios are staged. Now I know some are not. I love that you keep it real.

@elisebarraly 9 months ago

These tiny paintings with a big brush are such a great advice!! I am a beginner and just gave it a try; I have never felt so free and in control at the same time, this was so fun! I feel like I have learned so much in just a couple of tiny paintings, I am definitely going to keep practicing this; this is a great way to get comfortable with the medium in small time increments. Love all the tips you’re giving!

@RachelVanse 1 year ago

I love that idea of printing out photos ahead of time. Thank you!

@wendychampness1901 1 year ago

Ohh, this morning I am just envious of those of you who simply lack inspiration.
I have plenty of time and inspiration but have a vision disorder that makes painting more than 1 hr per day extremely painful. This hit me 25 years ago at age 47. And so, dear friends, enjoy your physical abilities while you can❤️

@lookwithinandsee 1 year ago

Sarah!! Just wanted to tell you how much I love your channel! Yesterday was my birthday, and my husband surprised me with your brush set!! I didn't think he was paying attention to my hints lol... I am so excited to use them!!! Thank you so much for sharing your abundance of knowledge and geeking out to art with all of us art nerds! sincerely, an art college drop out lol

@karendurston2528 1 year ago

Clever ideas. Also, enjoy your honesty about feelings such as being over-whelmed with choice and decision fatigue. Definitely part of the process.

@richvanatte3947 1 year ago (edited)

I love the small sections traced around the metal box to work within. Clever!

@muireannin09 1 year ago

I so appreciate your candor and truth, telling about the range of emotions you experience when trying to pick a subject or something to do when you sit down at your art desk. I am dealing with that so much right now. Loads of fabulous photos that I absolutely want to paint in watercolor, but then when I sit down I freeze I also feel like I have to watch a teacher painting and I have to get out of that mindset, so I just start painting a scene on my own with what I have learned in this last year of watercolor. I am not a trained or schooled artist and I am 64 but I am absolutely loving Watercolor and I know that as long as I persist, some great things come out out of that.

@sampogue9464 1 year ago

This is why I watch YouTube! I love the printing out small reference photo idea! And I love that you give ideas on how to stray away from the references. I’ll be trying these tips! Thanks

@22rawraw 9 months ago (edited)

Love the idea of having prints of your pictures readily available to pick from….great idea! Your work is beautiful.

@frostedflower2032 1 year ago

Having a picture based encyclopedia on hand is my go to for just picking an animal or something to warm up if I have decision paralysis. Usually after I finish one, I've gotten in the groove to wander with my brush and try some random ideas.I also find that having the physical printed material helps my focus and eliminating distractions vs using my computer!