Pushing Through Art Block with Mixed Media
Lately, I’ve been doing 30-minute freestyle sessions in my mixed media sketchbook. It’s a fun and freeing way to create, especially when I’m feeling stuck or dealing with an art block. Instead of overthinking, I give myself just half an hour to play with colors, textures, and shapes.
The process is simple. I gather my supplies—paint, markers, pastels, maybe even some magazine clippings—and just start making marks or putting paint on the surface . I don’t plan. It’s all about letting my hand move and seeing where it takes me. There’s no pressure, no judgement.” It’s just about creating for the sake of creating.
These sessions help me by giving myself permission to just fill the page with whatever comes to mind. Sometimes, I mix paint with charcoal, or layer paper over ink. There are no rules, and that freedom helps unlock new ideas.
I’ve found that abstract art often comes out of these sessions. I never know what the final piece will look like, and that’s okay. The fun part is discovering what happens when I just let go.
(Often these creations can be a new idea for upcoming pieces or even used in collage work.)
It’s a reminder that art doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be made.