
Overcoming Creative Blocks
January 6, 2025I am on my way to Thailand to spend two weeks learning in the studio of one of the worlds great Impressionist artists. And I was thinking about a conversation he and I had the last time I was there.
It was about the idea of being very intentional about your study and practice when it comes to learning to paint.
If you have been painting for a while but feel like you are not making the progress you hoped for, you are not alone. Many aspiring artists paint regularly, believing that simply putting in the hours will lead to improvement.
But time alone is not the answer.
There is a big difference between random painting and intentional practice—and understanding this distinction can be the key to fast-tracking your development as an artist.
Why Painting More Does Not Always Mean Painting Better
Many beginners assume that painting a lot will naturally lead to improvement. They sit down at the easel, choose a subject, and start painting with the hope that through repetition, they will get better.
This is what I call random painting—painting without a clear focus on specific skill development. It often leads to repeating the same mistakes, feeling stuck at a certain level, and struggling with inconsistent results.
Intentional practice, on the other hand, is a deliberate and structured approach to learning. It focuses on developing specific skills rather than just completing paintings. It is what professional artists do to refine their abilities, and it is how you can make consistent, noticeable progress with your painting.
What is Intentional Practice?
Intentional practice means breaking down painting into its core components and working on them in a focused and structured way. Instead of simply painting another landscape or portrait, you take time to refine specific techniques, analyze your work, and correct mistakes in a systematic way.
Here are some key principles of intentional practice:
- Identify One Specific Skill to Improve
Instead of trying to improve everything at once, focus on one element at a time. This could be values, color mixing, brushwork, composition, edges, or perspective. By isolating a specific skill, you can improve it much faster. - Use Small Studies Instead of Full Paintings
Instead of attempting a large, complex painting, create smaller studies that focus on just one aspect. For example, if you are working on color mixing, you could create small color studies rather than a full landscape. If you are practicing values, try painting simple shapes in black and white before adding color. - Follow a Structured Learning Plan
Artists who improve the fastest do not just practice at random. They follow a clear path that builds skills in the right order. If you are learning to play an instrument, you do not start with full songs—you practice scales, finger exercises, and short pieces before attempting complex compositions. Painting is no different. - Slow Down and Analyze Your Work
Instead of rushing to complete paintings, take time to evaluate your progress. After each study or painting session, ask yourself:- What went well?
- What needs improvement?
- What can I change in my next attempt?
Keeping a simple painting journal can help track your progress and spot patterns in your strengths and weaknesses.
- Work with a Proven Method
Rather than jumping from one technique to another, find a structured approach that guides you through skill development in a logical way. This helps eliminate frustration and keeps you progressing consistently.
The Benefits of Intentional Practice
- Faster Skill Development – By focusing on one skill at a time, you will see noticeable improvements much more quickly than if you were painting randomly.
- More Consistent Results – Instead of producing paintings that feel unpredictable in quality, you will gain more control over your outcomes, leading to a more confident painting process.
- Less Frustration, More Enjoyment – Many painters feel stuck because they do not know what they need to work on. Intentional practice gives you a clear direction, which makes painting more enjoyable and rewarding.
- A Stronger Foundation for Advanced Techniques – When you build your skills in a structured way, more advanced techniques become easier to learn. You will be able to tackle more complex paintings with confidence.
How The Moore Method of Painting 2.0 Helps You Practice Intentionally
This is exactly why I created The Moore Method of Painting 2.0—to provide a structured learning experience that helps artists practice intentionally rather than painting at random.
This program guides you through:
- Understanding and applying essential painting principles step by step
- Practicing key techniques in a simplified and structured way
- Completing full paintings using a method that reinforces learning in the right order
Rather than leaving you to figure everything out on your own, The Moore Method of Painting 2.0 helps you build your skills in a way that makes sense and leads to steady improvement.
If you are ready to start painting with more intention and see real progress, I invite you to explore the program here:
Click Here to Learn More About The Moore Method 2.0
Painting is not about how many hours you put in—it is about how effectively you use your practice time. With a little intention and structure, you can dramatically accelerate your growth as an artist.