Hey Reader!
You know that moment when you open Procreate, stare at the blank canvas, and suddenly feel like you've forgotten how to draw?
Your brain goes completely blank, your inspiration vanishes, and you start questioning if you're even an artist at all?
Well, based on the responses to my “What are your biggest problems” question, you're definitely not alone.
"I have many ideas but when it's time to put them on paper or draw on my iPad, I go blank."
"I sometimes struggle with creative block when starting a new pattern. I feel like I overthink and don't know where to begin."
Today, I'm sharing two strategies that'll get you from "staring-at-blank-screen" to "actually-creating-something" in less time than it takes to scroll through Pinterest for "inspiration" (we both know how that ends!).
And if you’ve recently upgraded to Procreate 5.4 and wondering where all your brushes went, don’t forget to read the hack I am sharing to make this new version finally make sense!
Shall we begin?
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Mona Ahmed – Garden Tapestry:
- Style Appeal: The intricate embroidery-inspired texture adds a handcrafted luxury vibe—timeless and tactile without being overly busy.
- Theme Hook: Garden meets global heritage. The storytelling behind this piece adds emotional value that today’s buyer loves.
- Product Potential: Statement throw pillows, premium journals, and feature wallpaper in high-end boutique hotels.
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Jillian Anderson – Neutral Halloween:
- Style Appeal: A modern gothic twist with soft neutrals? Yes, please. That muted palette gives it unexpected sophistication.
- Theme Hook: Halloween reimagined for the pastel-core crowd—perfect for autumn decor that feels chic, not cheesy.
- Product Potential: Seasonal wrapping paper, kitchen towels, and planner stickers for grown-up spooky vibes.
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Carly Watts – Enchanted Items:
- Style Appeal: High-contrast icons with just the right amount of whimsy—clean enough for print, bold enough for shelf appeal.
- Theme Hook: Witchy magic, but make it fun—not scary. Feels like a spellbook and a sticker sheet had a very cool baby.
- Product Potential: Kids’ pajamas, book covers, party goods, and retail gift bags.
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After 7+ years of creating patterns that have ended up in major retailers, I’ve learnt that: Creative block isn't actually a creativity problem. It's a decision problem.
Every time you sit down to create, your brain is trying to solve dozens of micro-decisions simultaneously. What style? What colors? What motifs? What if it's not good enough? What if it doesn't sell?
That's just cognitive overload.
And to let your creativity flow, you simply need to remove the decision-making burden from their creative process.
How do you do that?
Using these two frameworks that I’ve used to transform my creative practice from "hoping for inspiration" to "systematically generating ideas."
Tip #1: Use Constraints To Fuel Your Creativity
It sounds completely backwards.
But the more limits you put on yourself, the more creative you become.
I know, I know. You're probably thinking "But Mandy, shouldn't creativity be limitless?” “Shouldn't I have complete freedom to create whatever I want?"
I hear you. And you DO have the complete freedom to create whatever you want. But the thing is that “unlimited” options are creativity's worst enemy. When everything is possible, nothing feels possible.
Your brain needs boundaries to get creative.
Think about it: When someone says "draw anything," what do you do? You freeze. But when someone says "draw a flower using only three colors," suddenly your brain starts working, doesn’t it? Can you right now create a flower using three colors? Of course you can!
What you’re doing is combining smart constraints with upfront decision-making. Instead of trying to solve everything while you create, you solve the big decisions first, then let your creativity flow within those boundaries.
So what do I mean by making decisions up-front?
It means you don’t want to “think” about what you’re going to create, when you have sat down to create.
Because when you sit down with a blank canvas, your brain is simultaneously trying to:
- Figure out what to draw
- Decide on colors
- Choose a style
- Plan the composition
- Worry if it's "good enough"
- Wonder if it'll sell
That’s a lot of things going on in your brain. That's like trying to drive while simultaneously programming your GPS, choosing your playlist, and deciding where to get lunch.
So then, what’s the solution?
You want to add constraints that narrow down your plan from “the world is my canvas”, which sounds beautiful and romantic but only leads to analysis paralysis, to “I want to steal like an artist and use this piece from ONE inspiration and build on it”.
Or just use my C.L.E.A.R. Constraint Framework:
C - Choose Your Source
Pick ONE specific motif from existing work you love. This isn't copying, it's using a reference point. Example: "That botanical leaf from [artist's name] Instagram post"
L - Lock Your Colors
Limit yourself to 3-4 colors maximum. Decision paralysis loves unlimited color options. Do NOT fall for it. Example: "Dusty pink, sage green, cream, and soft brown only"
E - Establish Your Style
Define your approach in one simple phrase before you start. Sometimes you’ll decide on one thing but end up creating something completely different. That’s serendipity, and that can still happen once in a while. But it shouldn’t stop you from planning ahead. Example: "Hand-drawn and slightly imperfect" or "Clean and geometric"
A - Assign Your Elements
Decide what specific parts you're creating, not the whole composition. You can always build on it if you feel like it, and most likely you will. But telling yourself that you’re going to start with one WILL allow you to see results. And you don’t need motivation, when you start seeing improvement.
R - Restrict Your Time
Set a timer. Constraints work better with time pressure. Pick any amount of time that feels doable, and yes, even 15 minutes of creative work is better than 0 mins of any work. Anything above zero compounds. Example: "30 minutes to create 3 leaf variations"
Do this once and you will notice that suddenly, ideas start flowing:
"What if I made the petals more angular?"
"What if I added tiny dots for texture?"
"What if I simplified the center but added more detail to the outer petals?"
The constraint will give your creativity a clear runway to take off from.
Tip #2: The "Ugly First Draft" Permission Slip
Have you ever heard the phrase: Get the bad ideas out?
Well, it works when creating art, too!
You're not stuck because you lack inspiration. You're stuck because you're demanding perfection from attempt number one.
Every time you sit down to create, there's this invisible pressure that whispers: "This needs to be portfolio-worthy. This needs to be something you'd be proud to share. This needs to be GOOD."
NO. IT. DOES. NOT.
Your first attempt's only job is TO EXIST.
That's it. Not to be beautiful, not to be sellable, not to impress anyone (including yourself).
I do this ALL THE TIME.
I have a few freelance clients and I swear I have to send them crap before the final product (which ends up being amazing) can get made.
Your creative brain is like a helpful (but slightly judgmental) friend.
It can't give you suggestions about nothing.
But give it SOMETHING - even something terrible - and suddenly it becomes a chatterbox of ideas. Like we discussed in the first tip, once you start working on a design it WILL come up with things to do on top of it.
Your brain needs something to react to.
When I'm completely stuck, I deliberately set out to make the worst pattern possible.
I'll draw wonky flowers, use clashing colors, make asymmetrical repeats that hurt to look at. And you know what happens every single time?
My brain immediately starts offering improvements.
It's like my creative brain says: "Okay, if you're going to make something that bad, at least let me help you make it slightly less terrible."
Your "Permission to Suck" Action Plan:
Step 1: Set Your "Bad Art" Timer
Give yourself exactly 10 minutes to create something intentionally imperfect.
Step 2: Embrace the Ugly
Draw that flower like a caffeinated toddler. Use colors that clash. Make elements that don't quite fit together.
Step 3: Save It (Don't Delete!)
This is crucial. You need proof that imperfect action beats perfect inaction.
Step 4: The "What If" Game
Now spend 5 minutes asking: "What if I changed just ONE thing about this to make it slightly better?"
Step 5: Iterate, Don't Start Over
Improve that one thing. Then ask "what if" again.
Paste it on a post-it note, make it your iPad’s wallpaper, or add this to your morning affirmations list:
"This doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to be done."
The goal isn't to create a masterpiece on day one.
The goal is to build momentum that leads to the masterpiece.
So, if you’ve waiting for the permission to create something absolutely terrible, this is it.
Your first draft can be absolutely terrible. In fact, I encourage it. Give your perfectionist brain something specific to fix instead of asking it to create something perfect from nothing.
Remember, every pattern in your portfolio started as a terrible first attempt that someone (you!) cared enough to improve.
If you recently upgraded to Procreate 5.4 and had a mini heart attack because you couldn't find your favorite brushes... breathe.
They're not gone.
They've just been reorganized (and honestly? It's actually BETTER once you know what's happening).
The Procreate 5.4 Brush Library Makeover ✨
The brush system in Procreate just got a serious upgrade with the new library system.
Now you'll find brushes easier, keep your old favorites, and even organize them into custom libraries that actually make sense for YOUR workflow.
Here's what changed and why you're going to love it:
📚 Two Libraries to Start With
When you first open Procreate after the upgrade, you'll see two libraries already set up:
Procreate Library → This is where all the shiny new updated Procreate brushes live.
Classic Library → This is where ALL your old, migrated brushes are stored. Nothing is lost - it's just neatly placed here. All those brushes you've been using? Still there, just organized.
Deep breath of relief, right?
🗂️ Create Your Own Libraries (This Is Where It Gets Fun!)
Here's the part that's about to change your creative workflow forever: you can now build your own custom brush libraries.
Think about organizing by:
- Medium: Group all your watercolors into one library, gouache in another, pencils in their own space
- Style: Keep all your floral brushes together, geometric brushes separate
- Project type: Create a library just for your holiday patterns, another for botanical work
- Frequency: Make a "Daily Drivers" library with your most-used 10 brushes
Everything stays tidy and accessible, so you spend less time scrolling through 400 brushes trying to find that ONE texture brush you love.
Instead of one impossibly long, messy brush list where you're constantly scrolling and squinting, you now have a flexible library system.
That means:
- Quicker workflows (no more endless scrolling!)
- Total control over organization
- Less "where did I put that brush?" frustration
- More actual creating, less tool hunting
💡 Pro Tip: Try setting up a “Branding” library for your go-to brushes, then keep a separate library just for experimental textures. |
Trust me, once you organize your brushes into libraries that match how YOU actually work, you'll wonder how you ever managed with the old system!
That's a wrap on today's creative block breakthrough!
From constraints that fuel creativity to permission slips for terrible first drafts, you now have the tools to never let staring at that blank canvas stop you from creating beautiful patterns that deserve all the attention.
But these tips work, if YOU make them work.
So let’s apply one of the tips right now and make a decision up-front.
Which approach are you committing to try first?
| Which part of this hit home for you? |
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Until next Thursday, keep creating!
