What helps you be creative?

I do a variety of creative things and painting is one of them.

Whenever I am being creative there are a variety of things I need to do it.

For me to be creative I need some water, I need something to listen to which could be a book or podcast (so I learn a lot whilst painting). I also need to stop!

Sometimes with creativity we keep going and going until it is done. For me I have to listen to my body to when to stop. This stopping does a few different things for me.

1. A break

2. Increase blood sugar and concentration

3. Look at the painting for various angles, often leads me to understand what I need to as painting really does need the old phrase " step away for a while and clarity will occur".

I think knowing how you work best is key to be creative so perhaps it's time to think what helps you?