If you’ve ever struggled to show up consistently for your art practice, you’re not alone. I went through a creative slump where I wasn’t painting regularly, and it was affecting how I felt about myself as an artist. What helped me get back on track was creating a simple morning routine—a set of steps I follow every day to get myself into the studio and actually start creating.
Today I want to share that routine with you, along with some tips for building your own creative morning practice.
Why a Morning Routine Matters
For me, the morning is when I have the most creative energy. Before the day gets busy, before emails and errands take over, there’s this quiet window where I can focus on my art. Having a routine removes the decision fatigue of figuring out what to do each day. Instead of thinking about whether I feel like painting, I just follow my steps.
The routine doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, the simpler it is, the more likely you’ll stick with it.
My 7-Step Morning Routine
Here’s what my typical creative morning looks like:
1. Wake Up and Stretch
I start by getting out of bed and doing some gentle stretching. Nothing intense—just enough to wake up my body and get blood flowing. This helps me transition from sleep mode to creative mode.
2. Prepare My Matcha
I make myself a warm drink before heading to the studio. For me, it’s matcha. For you, it might be coffee or tea. The ritual of preparing something warm and cozy signals to my brain that it’s time to ease into the day.
3. Set the Atmosphere
When I get to my studio, I spend a few minutes setting the mood. I might light a candle, put on some ambient music, or open the blinds to let in natural light. This makes the space feel inviting and helps me settle in.
4. Gather My Supplies
Before I start painting, I make sure everything I need is within reach. Paints, brushes, water, paper towels, my reference photo. Having everything ready means I won’t break my focus later searching for something.
5. Morning Pages
This is a practice I learned from Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. I write three pages of stream-of-consciousness journaling every morning. It helps clear my mind of any mental clutter so I can be more present with my art. I’ve been doing this for years now and it’s become non-negotiable.
6. First Brush Stroke
This is the hardest part—actually starting. I’ve found that if I can just make one mark on the canvas, the rest follows more easily. Don’t overthink it. Just put paint on the brush and make a stroke. You can always adjust from there.
7. Create
Once I’ve started, I let myself get into the flow of creating. Sometimes I only sketch for 15 minutes before the day takes over, while other times if I have the free time I might paint for up to an hour. The important thing is that I showed up and made something.
Tips for Building Your Own Routine
Start Small
You don’t need a two-hour morning routine to be a “real artist.” Start with 15 or 20 minutes if that’s what you have. The goal is consistency, not perfection.
Prep the Night Before
Just like I mentioned in my 30-day challenge post, preparing your studio the night before makes a huge difference. Clean up your space, set out your supplies, have your reference ready. When you walk into your studio the next morning, you can start right away.
Protect Your Creative Time
Try to do your creative work before checking email or social media. Once you start scrolling or responding to messages, it’s easy to lose that quiet morning energy. Your art deserves to come first.
Be Flexible
Some mornings won’t go perfectly, and that’s okay. Maybe you only have time for morning pages, or maybe you skip the stretching. The routine is a guide, not a rigid set of rules. What matters is that you’re showing up as often as you can.
Plan a Celebration
If you’re doing an art challenge or trying to build a new habit, give yourself something to look forward to at the end. Maybe it’s a nice dinner, new art supplies, or a day trip somewhere inspiring. Having a reward waiting helps keep you motivated during the harder days.
Pairing This with an Art Challenge
If you want to take your practice to the next level, consider pairing your morning routine with an art challenge. I did a 31-day painting challenge where I created a small painting every single day, and having this routine made it so much easier to stay consistent.
The routine became my anchor. Even on days when I didn’t feel particularly inspired, I could fall back on my steps and still end up creating something.
Watch the Video
I made a video walking through my full morning routine if you want to see it in action:
Final Thoughts
Building a creative morning routine has been one of the best things I’ve done for my art practice. It’s not about having the perfect setup or hours of uninterrupted time. It’s about showing up, day after day, and letting those small efforts add up.
If you’ve been struggling to paint consistently, I encourage you to try building your own simple routine. Start with just a few steps and see how it feels. You might be surprised at how much easier it becomes to get into your studio and create.
I’d love to hear about your morning routine! Tag me on Instagram and share what works for you.