Time Management for Artists
We all love painting, sketching, and creating. But let’s be honest—staying tunnel vision focused as an artist is not always easy. The freedom of working in a studio every day can be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, there’s no manager breathing down your neck; on the other, there’s no one holding you accountable if you let the hours pass by.
We live in an age of endless distraction; phones, notifications, instant messaging, and social media apps that are custom designed to hold your attention and drag you further into their platform.
I noticed this a lot more as I transitioned somewhat from the immediacy of plein air painting—where the changing light demands rapid, decisive action—to the slower, more contemplative pace of studio work. There’s no time limit, no natural endpoint, and no external pressure. It’s just you, your materials, and the will to create the work you know you’re capable of.
I've struggled with time managment in the home studio environment for a while now. Some days I feel like I'm completely focused for hours; others, I’d realise I’d spent more time scrolling on my phone than actually painting. Over time, I had to develop strategies to stay focused, motivated, and productive. Here are a few of the methods that have worked for me, as well as suggestions you might adapt to your own practice.
1. Start early
The single most effective habit I’ve developed is getting into the studio as early as possible. For me, the fewer opportunities there are for distractions to creep in, the better. I’ve learned that the hardest part of painting is simply; starting. The earlier I dip my brushes into the paint, the more likely I am to lose myself in the work for the rest of the day.
If you work with models, consider scheduling your sessions in the morning. This is a piece of advice I've borrowed from the late, great Ken Howard. Even if you’re not a “morning person,” try inching your start time earlier in small steps—you might be surprised at how much more you accomplish throughout the day without changing anything else.
2. Turn it off—or put it out of reach
By this, I mean the socially mandated distraction device we all carry: your phone. I’m not exaggerating when I say this is one of the greatest enemies of creative work, the dream killer itself.
Ideally, switch your phone off and leave it outside the studio. If that’s not feasible because you need to be reachable in case of emergencies, consider using an app blocker. For a while now I've used 'StayFree' on Android to limit access during work hours. But as a creature of habit, I found myself finding clever ways to bypass my own restrictions one way or another.
Eventually, I had to change tactics. Painting is an intense activity, and it’s natural to need the occasional mental pause. So instead of reaching for my phone during these essential breaks, I now keep a book in the studio. When I feel the urge to step away, I read a few pages, set the book down, and return to the canvas. Unlike social media, reading somehow doesn’t pull me into an endless loop of scrolling.
If you find you work better with background noise, invest in a decent Bluetooth speaker. I now queue up audiobooks or podcasts before I start, and then leave my phone in the next room. This way, I dont have to touch the controls for hours if nessesary.
3. Track your activities and set meaningful goals
It sounds obvious, but very few artists I know actually do this. Tracking your work isn’t about creating rigid systems or sucking the joy out of art—it’s about accountability and motivation. Don't set vague goals like “be more successful” or “sell more work.” Focus on what you can control, and preferably daily activities:
How many hours you spend painting
The number of studies or finished works you complete
Specific milestones like varnishing pieces or preparing them for exhibition
Each month, compare your progress and aim to push a little further—or at least maintain consistency. I keep a simple log of my painting hours and outputs. This isn’t about being robotic; it’s about creating an extra layer of motivation to get into the studio and start. If you find this too 'by the numbers', then just try setting a weekly goal for hours spent painting. Even a modest target, consistently met, will motivate you to keep it up.
4. Give yourself a break
I mean that quite literally. Schedule breaks during your day and make them long enough to genuinely reset your mind.
When I first started working in the studio, my “breaks” were little more than a ten-minute dash to grab coffee or a snack before rushing back to the easel. But I realised I wasn’t actually recharging—I was still in the same mindset when I left as when I returned. Now, I aim for at least a 30-minute break at some point during each studio day. This pause often comes naturally when I hit a wall of frustration or complete a stage of a painting. Take that time to think about something else, refresh your eyes, your mind will thank you, and most likely the painting will too.
5. Be honest with yourself
The hardest part of managing your time is self-honesty. As a self-employed artist, you’re your own boss. No one is going to call you out for procrastination, or tell you that you could have worked harder last month. That responsibility is yours alone.
But while you need to hold yourself accountable, it’s equally important to be fair to yourself. Don’t work so relentlessly that you burn out. Productivity isn’t about late nights and being 'locked in'—it’s about consistency and focus. Push yourself, yes, but also protect your mental well-being. The work will suffer if you suffer in the process of creating it.
Final Thoughts
Time management isn’t about killing off creativity with spreadsheets or forcing yourself to work till midnight. It’s about setting your environment up in a way that allows your process of working to flourish consistently. Experiment with these strategies, adapt them to your own lifestyle and method, and above all—show up. There's nothing that feels better than knowing you used your time well, and created something beautiful in the process.
Max White
