Develop a Routine: The Path to Mastery

a bit more refined and expanded version of a previous article: 'Develop a Routine'

OM.2024.025 - James Earl White - USA - 2019 - 11 x 9.5 inches - collage on paper

Develop a Routine: The Path to Mastery

The word "routine" originates from the French word route, meaning roadway or path. Its suffix, -ine, comes from the Latin -inus and the Greek -inos, meaning "of", "pertaining to", "made from", or "similar to". In essence, "routine" means "route-like," suggesting a well-worn path—something traveled upon over and over again.

When observing master artists, one will notice a great energy and a consistent, almost relentless commitment to their work. They show up each day without hesitation, without the need to make a choice or question their purpose. For them, showing up is a non-negotiable act—routine in the truest sense. The questioning, the internal struggles are reserved for the creative process itself: Is this right? Should it be this way or that way? What’s the next step on the trail? But the act of beginning, the step onto the creative path, is never in doubt.

As Henri Matisse once remarked, “Don't wait for inspiration. It comes while one is working.” This is the essence of routine: putting in the work, day after day, so that inspiration finds you in the process of creation.

The Power of Routine

A well-established routine is a powerful tool because it reduces the resistance to action. Resistance—whether from self-doubt, procrastination, or external distractions—consumes valuable energy, energy that is better spent on creativity. Routines strip away unnecessary decision-making. They become automatic, eliminating the need to deliberate each time we approach our work. Routine acts are done by habit, requiring neither thought nor conscious effort.

As Chuck Close famously said, “Inspiration is for amateurs—the rest of us just show up and get to work.” Close, known for his intricate photorealistic portraits, understood that the most significant creative breakthroughs often come through the discipline of daily practice rather than waiting for a flash of inspiration.

For bad habits, this automaticity can be detrimental, but for creative pursuits, it is a gift. Developing a creative routine, such as a daily studio practice, removes the obstacles of indecision and hesitation. By making the time for creativity an unquestioned certainty, you create space for inspiration to flow naturally. A lack of total commitment to this practice is the true enemy of progress.

As the ancient strategist Sun Tzu said, “To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.” In the creative life, resistance is the enemy, and routine is the strategy for conquering it.

Serial Work: The Path to Depth

In addition to their disciplined approach, great artists also exhibit a "serial" working method. This means they begin with an idea or inspiration and create one piece of art. But they don't stop there. They continue along that same line of thought, making another piece, and another, exploring the possibilities, edges, and limits of the idea. They delve deeper, seeking to uncover its essence.

Master artists may spend years, even decades, unraveling the depths of an idea. Pablo Picasso, who went through numerous distinct periods—such as his Blue Period, Rose Period, and the subsequent Cubist experiments—exemplified this approach. He once said, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” Picasso’s constant experimentation and serial exploration of themes demonstrate that depth comes not from a single stroke of genius but from sustained inquiry.

This methodical approach allows them to fully investigate every nuance of their work, pushing beyond surface-level ideas to achieve a more profound understanding of their subject matter.

Discipline: The Foundation of Routine

The discipline of the masters is not an accident—it is a deliberate, cultivated habit. They don’t scatter their energies in every direction, chasing fleeting inspirations or distractions. Instead, they focus their efforts with precision, channeling their creative energy into one focused area until it is fully explored. This discipline is built on the foundation of routine.

The sculptor Constantin Brâncuși once said, “What is real is not the external form, but the essence of things... It is impossible for anyone to express anything essentially real by imitating its exterior surface.” This insight speaks to the deep dive required in the creative process—one that can only be achieved through dedicated routine and repetition.

Routine may sound mundane or boring, but in the hands of a committed artist, it becomes a gateway to freedom. It allows the artist to enter a state of flow, where time disappears and the creative process takes on a life of its own. Routine allows the artist to reach into the depths that leads to mastery.

“I would rather be in the studio thinking about painting than out there trying to sell it,” said Robert Rauschenberg, highlighting the idea that, once established, the routine of quiet solitude in the studio is highly cherished and gives an artist the space to explore and refine their craft without being distracted by external pressures and concerns.

To live a creative life, it is essential to develop and maintain routines. Establish your studio time as a daily practice, something unquestionable, as natural as breathing. Through routine, you will not only conquer resistance but also deepen your creative practice, allowing your ideas to flourish and evolve. In this way, routine is not a limitation but a key to unlocking your fullest potential as an artist.

Below the first version of the article…