Creating Art: Routines And Rituals

Creativity is often seen as a mystical, unstructured force, something that strikes in a flash of inspiration. But for many famous painters throughout history, the creative process was not left to chance. They built their lives around specific rituals and routines that helped them tap into their artistic potential, finding discipline in the craft. These rituals could be as mundane as sipping a particular drink or as intricate as following a strict daily schedule. In this post, we’ll explore some of the famous painters and photographers who incorporated routines into their work—and those who didn’t.

1. Pablo Picasso: A Master of Discipline and Focus

One of the greatest and most prolific artists of the 20th century, Pablo Picasso was known for his intense work ethic. He maintained a strict daily routine, beginning work in the early afternoon and continuing deep into the night. Picasso would shut himself off from the world, focusing solely on his art for hours at a time. He divided his day into two parts: the first spent working on new pieces and the second revisiting old works, refining and rethinking them.
His morning routine was just as specific. He would start his day with a cup of strong coffee, spending time with family before heading to his studio. Picasso rarely socialized during the hours he worked, believing that interactions with others would break his focus. His commitment to routine allowed him to push the boundaries of modern art, transforming his process into a productive ritual that led to some of the most iconic works in history.

2. Henri Matisse: Rituals for Balance and Health

Henri Matisse, another giant of modern art, took a more holistic approach to his daily routine. Known for his use of colour and bold shapes, Matisse incorporated his health and well-being into his creative ritual. He started his day with light exercise, sometimes practicing yoga or swimming to keep his body in shape. Matisse often remarked that physical health was essential to his productivity, allowing him to sit and work for extended periods without discomfort.
In the evenings, Matisse would prepare himself mentally for the next day’s work by sketching or working on minor details of his paintings. His nightly rituals also included a quiet review of the day’s accomplishments, reflecting on the progress he made and areas he wanted to explore further. This balance between mental and physical discipline provided him with the energy and focus needed to create his expansive, vivid works of art.

3. Salvador Dalí: Surreal Rituals for Surreal Art

Salvador Dalí, the eccentric Spanish Surrealist, was famous not just for his bizarre, dreamlike art but also for his unusual routines. He believed that tapping into the subconscious was the key to creating art, and he had several quirky rituals that reflected this belief. One of his most well-known practices was the "key and plate" method. Dalí would sit in a chair holding a key over a metal plate. He would try to fall asleep, and when the key slipped from his hand and hit the plate, the noise would wake him. Dalí believed that the moments just before and after sleep were the most creative, and he used this method to capture the fleeting images from his subconscious mind.
Dalí’s morning ritual was also peculiar. He would walk around his studio, carefully inspecting his works in progress while holding a mirror in front of his face. This allowed him to see his paintings in reverse, which he claimed gave him a new perspective. His eccentric routines were as much a part of his art as his paintbrush, helping him access the surreal imagery that defined his work.

4. Georgia O'Keeffe: A Ritual of Solitude

For Georgia O'Keeffe, one of America’s most famous painters, solitude was a vital part of her creative process. Known for her large-scale paintings of flowers and the American Southwest, O’Keeffe lived a life marked by isolation and simplicity, both of which played key roles in her art. She believed that being alone with nature was crucial to understanding her subjects deeply, and this belief was reflected in her routine.
O'Keeffe would often rise early, walking for miles through the desert landscapes near her home in New Mexico. The solitude gave her time to observe the world in detail, and she would return to her studio to work for hours, uninterrupted. While her routine was far from structured, it was steeped in the rhythm of the natural world. Her ritual of solitude allowed her to develop a profound connection with her environment, producing works that captured the essence of vast, open spaces.

5. Vincent van Gogh: Rituals of Passion and Obsession

Vincent van Gogh's creative process was deeply intertwined with his emotions. Known for his intense, expressive brushstrokes and bold use of color, van Gogh worked tirelessly, often through the night. He followed a strict daily routine, but it was not a peaceful or methodical one. His life was marked by periods of manic productivity, during which he would complete multiple works in a matter of days, only to be followed by bouts of deep depression.
Van Gogh believed that his best work came from these moments of intense emotion, and his routines reflected this belief. He often painted outdoors, capturing the natural light and landscapes of the countryside. His letters to his brother, Theo, reveal how deeply he was consumed by his art—so much so that he often neglected his own physical health, going days without eating or sleeping when he was caught up in a creative frenzy.

6. The Artists Without Rituals: Creative Chaos

Not all painters or photographers rely on specific routines or rituals to fuel their creativity. For some, spontaneity and flexibility are key to their process. One of my favourite painter, Jackson Pollock, was famous for rejecting the idea of routine in his work. Instead of following a set schedule or structure, Pollock let his mood and environment dictate when and how he worked. He would lay out large canvases on the floor of his studio and move around them freely, pouring paint and allowing the movements of his body to guide his brushstrokes.
Similarly, photographer Diane Arbus, known for her unsettling portraits of marginalized individuals, didn’t adhere to strict routines in her work. Arbus preferred to explore the world around her, photographing subjects as she encountered them rather than planning her shoots in advance. Her ability to connect with people on the fringes of society was her greatest strength, and she allowed her intuition to guide her creative process.

What About You?

From the structured days of Picasso to the chaotic creativity of Pollock, it’s clear that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to making art. Some artists thrive on ritual and routine, while others find inspiration in unpredictability. What about you? Do you have any rituals or routines that help fuel your creativity, or do you prefer to let the muse strike when it will?