Artwork Archive artist Brian Buckrell Plein air sketching Whistler BC

The summer months bring longer days, hotter temperatures, and a different rhythm to our daily lives—all of which can greatly impact how artists work and feel.

A routine helps you stay on track with your art, no matter the time of year. But, let's be real: one single routine as an artist does not make sense for every season. Your creative energy, inspiration, and life circumstances are constantly changing, and your routine should change with them! 

Now that summer's here, you may be feeling the need to shake things up in your creative schedule. These longer days and rising temperatures are changing how you work. You may even find yourself running out of steam earlier or struggling to carve out that precious studio time, especially if you have kids who are now home from school.

These shifts require you to rethink and adapt your creative routine to stay productive when it comes to your art practice.

Whether it's rethinking your workspace to stay cool, adjusting your work hours to capture the gentler morning light, or even involving your family in your creative projects, there's plenty to consider as we move farther into summer.

Read through the tips below on what to think about to build your perfect summer routine. Then, read on to see an example of what an artist’s routine could look like in the summer that you can customize to fit your needs!

Artwork Archive artist Nina Urlichs working with shadows. Photo courtesy of the artist

Start Your Studio Time Early (Or Stay Late) 

Take advantage of the longer days (and cooler temperatures in the morning or evening) by getting an early start in your studio.

By setting your most demanding creative tasks for these times, you can work when you're likely to feel more energized and focused. 

We know, sleeping in late sounds amazing—and you should schedule a couple of days throughout the week where you can treat yourself to that! But, getting yourself up earlier in the morning lets you enjoy that natural summer light and can give your work a fresh perspective. If this sounds like a hard adjustment for you, remember that it only takes around two weeks to start feeling more comfortable with a new routine!

Are you absolutely not a morning person? No problem. Evenings can be just as productive. The cooler, peaceful evenings can be perfect for reflecting and refining your day’s work. And, because it stays lighter later in the summer, you can still enjoy plenty of natural light while working on your art. If your best ideas come to you late at night, follow these tips to maximize your late-night creativity while staying functional during the daylight.

 

Set S.M.A.R.T Summer Goals for Your Art Practice

The start of any new season is a good time to write down new goals. Perhaps you want to apply to that residency you’ve always been eyeing, start a new summer series, or create a collaborative project with other local artists. Setting specific goals helps keep your creative momentum going, making the most of the summer months. 

Summer’s relaxed pace can make it easy for time to slip away and days to become unproductive. So, setting clear, targeted, and S.M.A.R.T goals are important for your art practice.

Remember, S.M.A.R.T goals are always Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

For example, instead of saying "My goal is to create more art this summer," turn it into a S.M.A.R.T. goal: "My goal is to complete a new five-piece series by August 31st and submit it to three local galleries for potential exhibitions by September 30th."

Here's how this goal fits the S.M.A.R.T. criteria: 

• Specific: The goal clearly states what you want to do—complete a five-piece series. Make this even more specific by writing down your inspiration or theme ideas for this series. 
• Measurable: You can track your progress by the number of pieces completed and submissions made.
• Achievable: Creating five pieces over a few months is realistic and doable.
• Relevant: The goal aligns with your artistic practice and your desire to exhibit your work.
• Time-bound: The deadline of August 31st gives you a clear timeframe to create your pieces. Then, the submission deadline gives you yet another clear timeframe, allowing you to focus on applying for exhibitions throughout September. 

Setting S.M.A.R.T. goals keeps you accountable and gives you a sense of direction and purpose. So, as you plan your summer, think about what you want to achieve and write them down! 

 

Work Outside (If You Can)

If your medium allows, take your art practice and your materials outside! Working in the open air can breathe new life into your creativity. 

Plein air painting, sketching in nature, or even just brainstorming ideas while you’re outside can be extremely helpful to your artistic process.

Pay attention to the natural light. It offers something special that indoor lighting simply can't match and can transform your subject matter in ways that could surprise you. Visit the same spot at different times of the day to see how the light shifts your perspective and your artwork. Morning light, for example, tends to be softer and cooler, while the late afternoon sun can create warm dramatic shadows. 

Working outside also offers a chance to connect more deeply with your surroundings. The sounds, smells, and overall atmosphere of nature can subtly influence your work and can help you see your art from new perspectives you might not have considered indoors. 

Artwork Archive artist Philine van der Vegte painting cows from life in a dairy stable. Photo courtesy of the artist

Keep Your Physical and Digital Spaces Organized

Keeping everything organized is the key to making the most out of the sunny days while staying on top of your game. Write down your daily or weekly schedule to set aside specific times for your art, admin tasks, and breaks. This way, you can make progress on your projects while still enjoying the nice weather.

A tidy studio can make a huge difference. When your materials and supplies are organized and easy to find, you can jump straight into your work without wasting any of that precious summer light. Plus, a clean space can help you focus better and reduce stress.

Leverage tools like Artwork Archive to keep track of your work, sales, and deadlines. It's especially useful during the summer months when you might have more art fairs or exhibitions to submit work to.

Let's say you have a summer exhibition coming up at a local gallery. Here's how Artwork Archive can help: 

Submit an Inventory Report: Send a report of all available pieces to the gallery for their records. This guarantees they have all the information they need about your work.

Create an Exhibition Record: Keep a comprehensive record of the exhibition. You can include details about the pieces being shown, the location of the exhibition, any press coverage related to it, whether or not your pieces won awards, and other important notes.

Generate Artwork Labels: As you prepare your artwork, generate artwork labels for each piece using Artwork Archive. You can also add QR codes for viewers to scan and learn more about each piece. 

Track Sales: Log any sales made during the exhibition using Artwork Archive’s sales tracking feature. This will help you keep accurate records and manage your finances more effectively.

 

Keep Yourself Hydrated

Take care of your body—it’s your primary tool in making art.

Make sure you’ve always got a water bottle handy, whether you’re in the studio or heading out for plein air painting.

It might sound a bit excessive, but setting reminders to drink water can be really helpful. 

Artists tend to get easily sucked into their work, losing track of time and forgetting to take care of their basic needs. 

Use your phone, smartwatch, or even a timer to remind you to drink water at regular intervals. Plus, it gives you little breaks to step back and reassess your vision with fresh eyes.

Extra Tips:

Infuse Your Water: If plain water doesn't excite you try infusing it with fruits, herbs, or a splash of citrus to make it more summery and enjoyable.

Hydrating Snacks: You can also try incorporating water-rich snacks into your summer diet. Foods like cucumbers, oranges, and watermelon are perfect for the hot summer days and boost your hydration. 

Use a Stylish Bottle: Invest in a water bottle that you love. It might seem trivial, but having a bottle you enjoy can encourage you to drink more water. You could even personalize it with some of your own designs. 

Artwork Archive artist Jane Hunt Plein air painting in the south of France

Schedule Breaks and a Summer Vacation

When you’re setting up your summer schedule, make sure to deliberately block out time for breaks.

Think about scheduling a long weekend away every few weeks. It could be a quick trip to a nearby town, a nature retreat, or just a few days enjoying your own city. Your goal is to step away from your art and work-related stuff. These breaks let you soak up the season and return to your studio feeling refreshed and recharged. You’ll be surprised how many new ideas pop up when you’re not actively working.

Pick specific days where you don’t do any work. These could be regular days each week or scattered throughout the summer.

Spend these days on hobbies, with loved ones, or just chilling out. Breaking your routine like this can help prevent burnout and keep your creativity flowing.

Make sure your art business is summer-ready, then treat your breaks like you would any important appointment and firmly embed them into your schedule. They're just as crucial as the hours you dedicate to creating!

 

Nurture Your Artist Network 

Summer offers unique opportunities for networking that aren’t as common during the rest of the year. Make the most of these opportunities to build and strengthen your connections.

Events like art fairs, outdoor shows, and gallery openings are far more frequent when the weather is nice—so do some research on what’s coming up and add them to your calendar (or your Schedule on Artwork Archive)!

You can also think about hosting a small gathering or open studio event yourself. Invite your network to your space for a studio visit. It's a great way to strengthen existing connections and make new ones. Plus, it's a fantastic opportunity to showcase your latest work in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. With people more willing to venture out and engage in the summer, you can attract a broader audience, gather feedback, and potentially sell more pieces.

Make it a point to attend summer art events to draw inspiration, meet new people, and strengthen connections with fellow artists, curators, and collectors. 

 

Celebrate (& Document) All of Your Summer Achievements

Make it a habit to celebrate and document all your achievements over the summer. Celebrating your wins is an excellent way to advocate for yourself as an artist. Plus, it keeps you motivated and boosts your professional presence. 

Use a tool like Artwork Archive to log each completed project, successful sale, or participation in an art event. 

Keeping a detailed record of your achievements helps track your progress and growth. It’s also useful for your portfolio, website, and social media.

Make sure you're sharing your success with your audience and network. Think of this less as bragging and more as keeping people in the loop! 

 

As an artist, adapting to the changing seasons can keep your work fresh and your mind engaged.

The longer days and warmer weather of summer can offer new inspiration, but they also demand some changes in how you manage your time and energy.

Think of these tips above as you create your new summer schedule that keeps you productive and inspired. A well-thought-out summer schedule can help you harness the season's energy and fuel your creativity. 

 

Here's a sample summer routine designed for artists to make the most of their studio time while still enjoying that summer sun:

Remember, every artist has a different set of circumstances, work ethic, and environment. This routine is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Use our S.M.A.R.T. Goals worksheet to define your goals, make a prioritized list, and use this routine as inspiration for setting your own daily schedule! 

Stay on top of your art game this summer with Artwork Archive's powerful tools. Create your account and try Artwork Archive for free!