Over the years, I’ve taught thousands of students, both in person here in Santa Fe and online.
Some come to me as realist painters who are curious about abstraction. Others have been painting abstractly for years but feel stuck. And plenty have never picked up a brush before.
No matter their background, they all seem to have something in common.
They take it too seriously.
Or they worry about picking the “right” colors and whether their paintings are good enough. They second-guess every move.
Sound familiar?
If you’ve ever felt bogged down by perfectionism or self-doubt, you’re not alone. But I’m here to tell you something that might just change how you paint forever.
When you make fun your number one goal in abstract painting, everything else starts to flow.
In this post, I’ll explain why prioritizing fun actually makes you a better painter, how it helps you develop your unique artistic voice, and some simple ways you can bring more play into your painting practice starting today.
Why So Many Painters Forget to Have Fun
One of the most heartbreaking things I see in my workshops is students who are so tense they forget why they started painting in the first place.
You can spot it right away. The tight grip on the brush. The furrowed brow. The long, long pauses as they decide which mark to make next.
What happened to the little kid in you who once loved to color outside the lines?
Kids don’t worry about making “good” art. They just make art. Kids pick the brightest crayon and go for it. They’re curious, playful, and not afraid to make mistakes.
Somewhere along the way, though, we start believing art has to meet some impossible standard.
But abstract painting, more than any other style, invites you to let go of all that.
When you stop worrying so much about how your painting looks and focus on how it feels, you open yourself up to real creativity.
The Power of Fun in Abstract Painting
So what actually happens when you make fun your top priority?
1. The Process Becomes More Enjoyable
This seems obvious, but it’s worth saying. Painting is supposed to feel good! When you let yourself have fun, you look forward to showing up at the easel. You start seeing painting not as a chore, but as a joyful practice.
2. You Take More Creative Risks
When you’re not worried about being “right,” you’re more willing to try bold colors, unusual tools, and unexpected marks. And those risks often lead to your most exciting discoveries.
3. You Enter a Flow State
Flow is that magical state where you lose track of time because you’re so absorbed in what you’re doing. Studies show that play and joy are key to accessing flow, and flow is where your best work often comes from.
4. Your Paintings Get Better
This might surprise you, but it’s true. When you stop overthinking and allow yourself to play, your instincts take over. Your compositions loosen up. Your colors sing. Viewers can feel the energy in your work.
5. You Develop Your Own Artistic Voice
Fun encourages experimentation, and experimentation is how you discover what feels most authentic to you. Over time, those playful choices become the foundation of your unique style.
Why Fun and Flow Go Hand in Hand
You’ve probably heard the term “flow” before. It’s a psychological state where you feel fully immersed in what you’re doing.
When you’re in flow, painting feels effortless. Not thinking about what anyone else will think of your work. You’re not analyzing every move. Just simply responding to the canvas in front of you.
Fun is the doorway to flow.
When you approach painting with curiosity instead of pressure, your brain relaxes. Your creativity wakes up. Your intuition leads the way.
And that’s when the magic happens.
How to Make Fun Your Goal in Abstract Painting
If you’ve been taking your work a little too seriously, don’t worry. You can start shifting your mindset today. Here are some ways to bring more fun into your abstract painting practice:
Play With Unusual Tools
Forget the brushes for a while. Use a credit card, a stick, a kitchen sponge. Make marks just to see what happens.
Limit Your Palette
Choose just three colors you love and see how many combinations you can create. Sometimes limits can spark more creativity.
Set a Timer
Give yourself 15 minutes to fill a canvas or page. No stopping. No overthinking. Just keep moving.
Paint Like a Kid
Close your eyes. Use your non-dominant hand. Let yourself make “messy” marks on purpose.
Keep It Private
If you feel pressure knowing others will see your work, give yourself permission to paint something just for you. No one else ever has to see it.
Celebrate the Surprises
When something unexpected happens — a drip, a smudge, a strange color blend — don’t fix it. Lean into it.
Final Thoughts
When you let go of the idea that your painting has to be perfect, or impressive, or “right,” you make space for your true creativity to shine.
So next time you find yourself feeling stiff or stressed in the studio, pause. Take a deep breath. And ask yourself:
What would feel fun right now?
Then do that.
Because when you prioritize fun, creativity flows naturally. And that’s where your best work lives.
ABOUT ANDREA CERMANSKI
I am an artist out of Santa Fe, New Mexico who has been painting for almost 30 years. I love to teach first-timers as well as experienced painters who need a creative reboot. My work has been displayed in several galleries around the country, and I have a Bachelor’s in Art History, a Master’s in Art Education, and had my work in a show juried by Judy Chicago. The idea of getting more people painting makes me light up as I want to inspire more people to express their creative selves and tap into a place of joy and calm.
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