Look and Listen: How Artists Use Intuition or Planning to Shape Their Creative Process
In the creative journey, artists approach their work in different ways. Some rely heavily on intuition, allowing their instincts to guide each stroke of the brush, while others take a more methodical approach, carefully planning with research, sketches, and color studies. Regardless of the method, all artists engage with the concepts of "looking" and "listening"—two essential tools that inform their process.
To look as an artist is more than just seeing. It involves inspecting, analyzing, and searching for meaning. It’s about gaining an impression of what the work could be or how it feels to you. It’s a means of assessing both the canvas and the world around you to inspire and direct your work. On the other hand, to listen is to pay attention not just to external advice or instruction, but also to internal cues and signals. Listening might involve tuning into your instincts, considering a mentor’s guidance, or even hearing the subtle 'voice' of the work as it develops.
Whether you lean toward intuition or meticulous planning, understanding how to incorporate looking and listening into your practice can strengthen your connection with your art. In this blog, we will explore the two approaches artists use to guide their process, offering creative strategies and reflective questions to help you determine what works best for you.
Inspirational quote for "Look" and "Listen"
Look: direct one’s gaze, inspect or analyze, view in a specified direction, search, the impression of being, a particular outcome, preference
Listen: pay attention to advice or instruction, take heed, wait for a signal, take notice, act upon, consider, tune in
-Word Hippo
The Intuitive Approach
Many artists trust their gut instincts, allowing their creative process to flow naturally without the constraints of over-planning. In this method, the artist may not know what the final piece will look like at the start, instead letting emotions, physical gestures, or spontaneous ideas shape the work. Looking and listening play a significant role here as the artist is constantly observing the emerging work, responding to its needs, and following internal prompts.
10 Creative Strategies for an Intuitive Art Process:
Stream of Consciousness Painting: Let your hand move freely across the canvas without thinking—just allow the paintbrush to dance in response to your feelings.
Blind Contour Drawing: Look at the subject but not at your paper; this forces you to rely on intuition rather than visual accuracy.
Spontaneous Color Selection: Instead of pre-selecting a palette, pick colors based on your mood or instinct in the moment.
Meditative Art: Close your eyes, listen to your breathing, and let your hands create patterns in response to your internal rhythm.
Emotional Trigger Points: Use a personal memory or a piece of music to evoke a specific emotion, letting that feeling guide your creation.
Gesture Drawing: Focus on quick, fluid motions, capturing the energy of your subject rather than exact proportions.
Collage Without a Plan: Start cutting and pasting different textures and shapes together without knowing the outcome—trust the process.
Body Movement as Art: Let your body move naturally, using your gestures as inspiration for your artwork.
Layer by Feel: Add elements to your artwork one layer at a time, focusing on how each layer makes you feel before moving on to the next.
Intuitive Material Choice: Choose unconventional materials, based purely on what you are drawn to in the moment.
Verticals in Blue and Green
The Planned Approach
On the opposite side of the spectrum, some artists take a more organized and methodical approach. They look at their work in terms of research, reference images, and compositional elements. They might listen to advice from other artists, mentors, or historical references, incorporating these lessons into their work. This approach often involves careful planning, with decisions about composition, color, and form made before the artist even touches the canvas.
10 Creative Strategies for a Planned Art Process:
Thumbnail Sketches: Start with small, quick drawings that explore different compositions before committing to the final piece.
Research: Dive deep into the subject matter through books, online resources, or visits to museums to gather information and inspiration.
Color Swatching: Test out different color palettes on small swatches of paper to see how they work together.
Value Studies: Create a grayscale version of your composition to focus on the light and dark areas before adding color.
Grid Drawing: Use a grid to help translate a reference image or photograph to your canvas, ensuring accuracy in proportions.
Mood Boards: Collect images, fabrics, color samples, and other elements that inspire the mood or tone of your work.
Compositional Mapping: Plan your composition by dividing your canvas into sections, and decide where the focal points will be.
Project Timeline: Create a step-by-step timeline for completing your artwork, including drying times and material prep.
Material Testing: Test new materials and techniques on small practice surfaces before using them in your final piece.
Written Reflection: Write out your intentions for the piece before starting, detailing the theme, message, and elements you plan to incorporate.
Reflective Questions
Whether you favor intuition or planning, taking time to reflect on your process is crucial to developing your voice as an artist. Here are ten questions to ask yourself as you explore your creative approach:
Do I prefer working spontaneously, or do I feel more comfortable with a plan?
How does looking closely at my work inform my next steps?
How do I listen to my instincts or external advice during the creation process?
What role does research play in my art-making process?
When do I feel most confident in my process—when I plan ahead or when I allow for spontaneity?
How do I respond when something unexpected happens in my work?
How do I decide when a piece is finished?
How often do I step back and look at my work from a distance to gain perspective?
How do I incorporate feedback into my creative process?
What signals do I pay attention to—whether from the artwork, my emotions, or the materials themselves?
Bonus: Looking and Listening to Nature
Here are 10 ideas for creating artwork with nature as the theme, using the prompts look and listen to guide the process:
Look at Patterns in Nature
Observe natural patterns like the veins in leaves, the spiral of shells, or the growth rings in trees. Let these organic patterns inspire your artwork, and explore how they symbolize cycles, time, or growth.Listen to the Rhythm of Water
Spend time near a river, lake, or ocean and listen to the sound of the water. Let the rhythm of the waves, currents, or raindrops guide your brushstrokes or marks, reflecting the flow and movement of water in your piece.Look at the Details of a Single Object
Choose a specific natural element—a stone, a flower, or a feather—and inspect it closely. Translate its textures, colors, and forms into your work. Use its uniqueness to create a personal narrative or symbol.Listen to the Wind
Spend time outdoors, tuning into the sounds of the wind as it moves through trees or across fields. Capture the sensation of movement in your artwork through dynamic lines or brushstrokes that mirror the wind’s energy.Look at the Change of Seasons
Observe how a landscape changes over time—from spring blooms to autumn leaves. Create a series of works that reflect these transitions, exploring themes of change, decay, and renewal.Listen to the Sounds of Birds
Tune in to the calls and songs of birds. Let these sounds inspire the colors, shapes, or composition of your artwork, using birds as symbols of freedom, migration, or connection to the environment.Look at the Contrast Between Light and Shadow
Study how light interacts with natural elements—trees casting shadows, the play of sunlight on water, or the way light filters through leaves. Use these contrasts to create a dramatic effect or mood in your work, symbolizing duality or transformation.Listen to the Silence of Nature
Go to a quiet place in nature and focus on the stillness. Use that silence as a starting point to create a minimalist or abstract piece, where the absence of sound becomes a metaphor for solitude, peace, or contemplation.Look at the Layers of the Earth
Examine different layers in the natural environment—soil, rock, foliage, clouds. Incorporate layering techniques into your work, representing the complexity and interconnectedness of ecosystems or human interaction with the earth.Listen to Your Own Connection with Nature
Reflect on your personal experiences with nature, whether it's hiking, gardening, or simply observing a sunset. Use this introspection to create a work that speaks to your relationship with the natural world, capturing emotions like wonder, nostalgia, or even environmental concern.
Each of these ideas invites you to look closely and listen deeply, creating space for a meaningful dialogue between yourself and the natural world, and using nature’s elements to communicate personal and universal themes in your artwork.
You may approach your creative work with a focus on intuition, planning, or even a blend of both. Ultimately, looking and listening are integral to the process, helping you to navigate decisions, spark inspiration, and bring forth powerful and meaningful work. By developing strategies that either embrace spontaneity or rely on preparation, you can deepen your connection to your craft and better understand your unique creative journey. Whether you thrive in chaos or in structure, tuning into your practice is key to growing as an artist. And for those who embrace an intuitive approach, having a well-developed toolbox of knowledge and skills ensures that your instincts are well-informed, allowing you to create with both freedom and confidence.
