There are some things that only artists truly understand—the little quirks, habits, and struggles that make perfect sense to us but leave non-artists totally confused.
From accidentally turning your wardrobe into a walking color palette to losing track of time in the studio, being an artist comes with a set of experiences that only fellow creatives really get.
Here’s a list of things that, if you’re an artist, you’ll definitely relate to!
1. Seeing Paint Colors Everywhere
Once you start painting, the way you see the world completely changes. You don’t just see “blue” anymore—you see ultramarine, cobalt, and phthalo.
Even ordinary things become color studies. Your morning coffee? Raw umber and burnt sienna with a touch of titanium white. The sky at sunset? A perfectly blended gradient that you wish you could replicate on canvas.
Everything around you becomes a source of inspiration (or frustration when you can’t mix the exact shade you see in your head!).
2. “Just Five More Minutes” = Hours Later…
You tell yourself, I’ll just add a few final touches and then stop.
Then suddenly, the sun has set, your tea has gone cold, and you realize you’ve been painting for four hours straight.
Somehow, time does not exist when you’re deep in the creative flow.
3. Mixing the Perfect Color and Never Replicating It
That one shade of green? That perfect, dreamy, once-in-a-lifetime color?
Gone. Forever.
Unless, of course, you actually remembered to write it down... which you didn’t.
You might spend the next 30 minutes desperately trying to recreate it, only to end up with something that’s close but not quite there.
Lesson learned? (Probably not, because we all keep doing this.)
4. Owning Clothes That Are Accidentally ‘Custom Painted’
At some point, every artist gives up trying to keep their wardrobe paint-free. It’s just not possible.
You tell yourself you’ll have “studio clothes” and “normal clothes,” but the reality? Everything—your jeans, your favorite hoodie, even your shoes—ends up covered in splatters, smudges, and streaks of color.
Instead of fighting it, you start embracing it. Who needs a tie-dye trend when you have "accidental abstract fashion"?
5. People Thinking Art is ‘Relaxing’
Yes, sometimes. But also… absolutely not.
There are moments when painting is meditative and peaceful, but there are also times when:
🎨 The composition isn’t working and you’re ready to throw the canvas out the window.
🎨 You spent three hours on one tiny detail and still aren’t happy with it.
🎨 You’re wrestling with imposter syndrome and wondering if you should just quit art forever.
But despite the struggles, we keep coming back—because when a painting finally comes together, it’s one of the best feelings in the world.
6. The Emotional Rollercoaster of Finishing a Painting
The process of completing a painting goes something like this:
🔹 This is exciting! → 🔹 This looks terrible. → 🔹 Maybe it’s getting better? → 🔹 It’s even worse now. → 🔹 Wait, I think I love it. → 🔹 Nope, I hate it. → 🔹 Actually… maybe it’s done?
And then, once you finally finish it, you stare at it and think… Maybe I should add just one more detail?
It’s a never-ending cycle.
7. Buying More Brushes Than You Actually Need
Somehow, no matter how many brushes you own, it’s never enough.
You convince yourself that each new brush will magically improve your technique, give you cleaner lines, or help you achieve the perfect texture.
Meanwhile, you probably use the same three brushes for 90% of your work. But that doesn’t stop you from buying more.
8. Forgetting to Eat (or Sleep) While Painting
There’s something about being in the creative zone that makes you completely forget about basic human needs.
You sit down to paint, thinking you’ll stop for lunch soon. Then suddenly… it’s 10 PM and you haven’t eaten all day.
If you’ve ever chosen to “just finish this layer” instead of eating a proper meal, you’re not alone.
9. The Instant Guilt of Wasting Paint
That moment when you squeeze out too much paint and it just sits there, drying on your palette.
You try to convince yourself you’ll use it later… but deep down, you know you won’t.
And yet, you still feel a little pain in your heart when you have to throw it away.
10. Falling in Love with an Artwork, Then Immediately Critiquing It
There’s something about finishing a piece that makes you feel both proud and extremely critical at the same time.
One second, you’re obsessed with it. The next, you’re thinking about all the ways you could have done it differently.
But that’s what makes being an artist so addictive—there’s always more to learn, more to explore, and more to create.
Final Thoughts
Being an artist is a wild experience, filled with weird habits, emotional highs and lows, and moments of absolute obsession. But no matter how chaotic it gets, there’s nothing quite like creating something from nothing.
If you’re looking for more tips and inspiration, don’t forget to grab my free Composition Cheat Sheet below🎨
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A Rare Peek into My Sketchbook – Free Composition Cheat Sheet!
Mastering composition takes practice, but these tips will help you create more balanced, impactful artwork. Ready to elevate your skills further? My free Composition Cheat Sheet offers a peek into my sketchbook with ready-to-use ideas and layouts.
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