How to generate ideas and beat creative block | Experimenting & painting ideas

When you just don’t know where to start when it comes to experimenting, try this simple exercise to get some ideas going.
You might be a beginner getting to grips with materials, or a pro who’s found themselves stuck in a habit. Either way, this is an easy way to get back to an explorative mindset and get playing once more.
I often use this process to help me structure my studio sessions when I am not in the middle of a project, and it really helps to keep me exploring.
If you’d like to download the guide to work through alongside this video you can download it through my patreon page for free:
Workbook: / free-studio-91720119
Website & Monthly Newsletter: www.orlastevens.com
Substack Blog: www.orlastevens.substack.com/
Instagram @orlastevens: / orlastevens
T-shirts: www.orlastevens.com/tshirts
Video Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:46 Free workbook
01:05 Direction
01:25 Focus of this video
02:34 Exercise summary
03:19 What this exercise helps with
03:49 Exercise 1
04:44 My reflection - Exercise 1 demon
05:15 Exercise 2
05:34 My experiments - exercise 2 demo
08:20 Where & how I’d use these ideas
08:46 Example experiments to get you started
11:06 Potential & expectations
12:00 My take on knowing what to stick with

[@juliedrake6279]

Thanks Orla. I love these ideas. I’ve been painting and drawing all my life (I’m 62) and still can learn so much from young spring chickens like yourself 😉 your videos are lovely and original. I agree with one of the other comments. So many people copy each other and it gets very samey, samey but not you ❤

[@OrlaStevens]

haha that's the beauty of painting, there's always something more to learn! I love the forever feeling journey of it. thanks so much 🌞

[@SashaFitzgerald]

These ideas are so inspiring! Thank you for sharing Orla!

[@OrlaStevens]

Thanks so much! ☀️

[@lulabelle33]

Thanks!!! This is the most imaginative specific list/video for growth. Exciting to imagine utilizing this list for my own artistic adventure. You are an individual voice in a sea of sameness. So happy I found you!!!

[@OrlaStevens]

So glad it's been useful for you & you can see it's application for your own practice :) happy experimenting!! 😊

[@apronhugsingreeenbay]

Thank you Orla! Just found your abstract painting vids. They are super inspiring! Can’t wait to give your tips and your Patreon channel a try!😊

[@Lightpoetry.]

thank you, very excited to get into it! Super nice to share this generously, very appreciated😊

[@OrlaStevens]

No worries at all, hope it helps! :)

[@StudioGriffel]

Thank you for this video, very helpful! Especially since for me this is the beginning of a new seison of art making.

[@OrlaStevens]

That's great to hear, I hope your new art season is full of lots of play :)

[@anamullan9558]

Thank you Orla, this has been very helpful.

[@OrlaStevens]

you're welcome Ana, thanks for watching! 🍃

[@janerogers5717]

Love your enthusiasm and excellent way of sharing your knowledge and thoughts. Two ideas I found fun to do was 1. using a palate knife and 2. painting on greaseproof paper and then turning it over onto the paper/canvas to transfer the paint, you can also make marks with a sharp tool on top before lifting off. Also using a plastic store/credit card to move paint around or make lines is fun. X

[@OrlaStevens]

Thanks so much! These all sound so fun - I need to give palette knifes a go again! What’s your go to paint when printing/transferring?

[@janerogers5717]

Hi Orla, I use system 3 acrylics (at the moment) x

[@jeraldbaxter3532]

Thank you!

[@user-ei3ln2vm1z]

This was so helpful, thank you so much! 🌸🦋🌞

[@OrlaStevens]

no worries, thank you for watching 🌞

[@ChantelleArts]

these are really great ideas ❤

[@OrlaStevens]

thank you, glad it's been helpful 🐢

[@mell5111]

You've inspired me😊 I'd like to play with underpainting. Maybe it'll give me interesting edges if the underpainting also has a pattern 🤔💡

[@OrlaStevens]

Amazing, it's so much fun, and yes for sure, give it a go ☀thanks for watching!

[@guylainemorinstudio7869]

Thanks ! 🌷

[@OrlaStevens]

no worries, thanks for watching!

[@kymcrowart7876]

Great video. I’m a new sub…thanks

[@OrlaStevens]

Hey! Thanks so much 👋

[@susananielsen8911]

Thanks, great suggestions, but puuuuh please breathe, slow down, we like what youbring, do not try to skip it before you have said it😍some of us do not have English as Our first language, but I am ok if just a wee bit slower.

[@OrlaStevens]

thanks for your feedback Susan 🌼I will do, it's a new learning curve, pacing video content :)