| How to Get Inspired Posted: 02 Aug 2018 01:00 AM PDT If you're feeling stuck and uninspired, take comfort in the fact that it happens to everyone from time to time. Don't worry, though, you can get out of this slump. Start by setting a clear goal, whether you want to write a story, paint a picture, or work though a problem. Find inspiration from things in your life, and learn to be open to that inspiration. Clear your mind so you can take that inspiration and turn it into steps to meet your goal. EditUsing Outside Sources for Inspiration - Surround yourself with things that energize you. You know what you love, whether it's fresh-cut flowers, beautiful paintings, or meaningful quotes. Make these things a part of your everyday life. They'll energize you, which can help create the right mindset for being inspired.[1]
- These things will make you feel happier, which will leave you feeling more positive about life. Having a positive outlook can make you more receptive to inspiration.
- Listen to classical music. Classical music is good for inspiration because it's so complex. It can put you in a better emotional state for absorbing information and help you relax.[2]
- When you're more relaxed and in a better frame of mind for learning, you're more receptive to new ideas that might be the perfect inspiration for the problem you're working on.
- If classical music isn't your style, pick another style more to your liking. For instance, try instrumental music from a soundtrack or even something with lyrics that energizes you.
- Spend time reading. Reading can inspire you by providing fresh thoughts and ideas. Read anything from novels to news stories, and you may find an idea or even just a sentence in the text sparks inspiration for you.[3]
- Learn more about your issue or topic. Spend some time researching on the internet to learn more about your issue. Alternatively, go to the library to find out more. You could even take a class in the topic for a more in-depth look.
- Try looking on educational or government websites for solid information. Check for the ".edu" or ".gov" extension at the end of the web address.
- Learning more about the topic can give you the information you need to get inspired. Sometimes, you just don't have enough knowledge to solve your problem or create the item you need.
- Change your routine. When you're stuck in your daily routine, you stop noticing things around you. Changing up your routine invigorates your mind with new sights, smells, and sounds, which can provide you with inspiration.[4]
- For instance, change up your route to work, pick a different grocery store, or go somewhere new for your cup of coffee.
- Take a trip. Traveling someplace, anyplace, can shake up your thinking, creating space for new ideas. You don't have to travel to a new country. A simple day trip to a nearby town is often enough to get your creative juices flowing.[5]
- If you can't even afford a day trip, try exploring your own city. Visit a park you've never seen, or try a new restaurant with a cuisine you've never had before.
- Try a new art form. If you're trying to get inspired to write a song or paint a picture, maybe take an afternoon class in sculpture. If you're trying to figure out a new recipe, maybe try a workshop on writing. Trying new outlets can get your creative juices flowing, which helps to open your mind to new inspiration.[6]
EditGetting Inspired by Other People - Bounce ideas off of other people. When you're feeling stuck, reach out for some help. Just talking about the issue with someone else can help get your creative juices flowing. They may say that one thing that helps a problem make sense to you, for instance.[7]
- Get together with a coworker or good friend to help jumpstart inspiration.
- Ask people what they're most grateful for. As you go about your day, ask the question of everyone you meet. You may be surprised by some of the answers, and you'll likely be inspired by what you hear.[8]
- Learn about inspirational people. Try reading an autobiography or a biography of someone famous who made a difference. Alternatively, look up videos about them online or read webpages dedicated to them.[9]
- Learning about great people can inspire you to do great things yourself. For instance, learning about Martin Luther King, Jr. may inspire you to make a difference in your community.
- Teach someone else how to do something. Teaching is a great way to learn more about subject. You have to dive more deeply into it to be able to explain it effectively to someone else. As you dig deeper, you'll likely find inspiration for a creative project or even a solution to an issue you're facing.[10]
- The tutoring session doesn't have to be in a creative field. Just diving deep into a subject can help open your mind to possibilities.
- Meet up with other artists or thinkers. Sometimes, just being around other people who have the same creative interests as you can help spark ideas. You can talk about your project and see what people think or just have interesting conversations about more general topics, which can also spark inspiration.[11]
- Look for community clubs to find other artists or thinkers in your area. The parks and recreation department in your town is a good place to start.
EditClearing Your Head - Think "What if...?" instead of "I can't." When you employ a closed-ended statement like, "I can't do it"; "I'm stumped"; or "I just can't figure this out," you end up creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. Your brain agrees with you, and you shut down. However, using open-ended statements can help open up possibilities, as it literally changes the way you think.[12] For instance, you could use one of the following statements or questions:
- "I am smart enough to figure this out."
- "I will figure out a solution to this issue."
- "What other options are there?"
- "What possibilities have I not thought of?"
- "What if...?"
- Brainstorm with free association or free writing. Brainstorming can help you come up with new ideas when you're stuck. Free writing is a method of brainstorming where you write down ideas on paper. Start with a topic, and just write down whatever comes to mind.[13]
- The key is to turn off the part of your brain that wants to edit. Just let your mind go, and don't judge as it comes up with thoughts and ideas.
- Take a break but don't give up. Sometimes, when you've been working too hard on a problem, you may be tapped out. Maybe you want to quit. Quitting won't solve the problem, but taking a break may help. Just getting away from the issue for a few minutes may be all you need.[14]
- Try taking a mental break, where you imagine yourself somewhere else. Close your eyes, and pretend you're somewhere you find relaxing. Imagine the sights, sounds, and smells of the place so you feel like you're there.
- Alternatively, go on a short walk to get a change of environment.
- Exercise to clear your head. Engaging your body in physical exertion gives you a chance to focus on something besides getting inspired. Focusing on the task of working out gives your brain something to do. However, you'll still be subconsciously working on the issue, and inspiration may break through.[15]
- Try working out 3 to 5 times a week, as it helps keep you energized and alert.
- Turn off the technology. While technology can be a source of inspiration, it can also distract you from what's going on around you. Try turning your cellphone, computer, television, and other technology off for the day. Focus on the people around you, the food you're eating, and the things you see as you go about your day.[16]
- If your head's buried in your phone, for instance, you may not see the moment that inspires your next big thing.
- Take a creative break in an unrelated field. To get out of your head or your current problem, try doing something completely different that's creative but that you love. For instance, if you're trying to get through a work problem, take a break to do some painting. If you can't figure out what to write next, try playing an instrument or gardening for a bit.[17]
- Engaging different parts of your brain while staying in a creative mode can help generate new ideas.
EditTurning Inspiration into Action - Examine each idea that pops up. Sometimes, you may be inclined to toss out ideas because they seem too crazy. However, the "crazy" idea may be the one that solves the problem. Don't just throw an idea out just because it seems weird or strange.[18]
- For instance, maybe you're trying to write a poem. You may think most poems are about love or death so you dismiss other ideas. However, you can write a poem about almost anything, from snuggling with your cat or taking a walk to cooking a meal.
- Of course, not every crazy idea will work. Take time to think through it to figure it if it will.
- Jot your ideas down in one place. When you get an idea or inspired thought, write it down in a journal or notebook. The more you are open to inspiration, the more likely you are to get ideas. Plus, having ideas written down in a notebook makes it easier to come back to later.[19]
- Be ready for inspiration at any time. Carry a small notebook with you wherever you go.
- If you're more visual, try a vision board with pictures and select words instead.[20]
- Start working on an idea even if it's not perfect. Perfectionism can be paralyzing. It can make your question every action you want to take because you think it's not perfect. Therefore, it's best to just choose an idea and start moving forward with it. It may not be perfect, but it's a place to start.[21]
- Just the act of doing can inspire you to find the right solution.
- Focus on one problem at a time. When you try to juggle too many problems at once, it can overwhelm you. Instead, focus on solving one issue at a time, and save the other tasks for later.[22]
- If you need to, make a list of the things you need to get done so you can focus on just one thing right now.
- Set achievable goals. Break the task you have ahead into pieces so you don't find yourself overwhelmed. Figure out what you can do today, and make that your goal. It can help to write out a goal for each day. Be realistic about what you can get done.
- For instance, maybe you're trying to write a short story. Think about the number of words or pages you can comfortably write in a day, and aim for that.
- Don't beat yourself up if you don't meet your goal. Just start again tomorrow.
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| How to Dry Oil Paint Fast Posted: 01 Aug 2018 05:00 PM PDT Oil paint is a versatile medium that has been used since at least the 7th century A.D. to create beautiful works of art.[1] Oil paint is applied in layers to create the illusion of depth, but layers of oil paint can take days or even weeks to fully dry. Luckily, there are a few ways you can speed up the drying process. EditChoosing Your Paint and Drying Mediums - Use oil paints made from iron oxides for earth tones. Certain minerals used in oil paints dry faster than others. If you need to complete a painting in a short time frame, try using earth tones. Many earth colors use paints made from iron oxides, which can dry up to several days faster than other pigments.[2]
- Avoid using pigments like ivory black and cadmium, which tend to dry very slowly.
- Choose paints made with lead and cobalt for other hues. Pigments made from lead and cobalt are known to dry quickly. Using colors made from these metals can help speed the drying time of your painting.[3]
- Look for paints made with linseed oil. The drying time of oil paints can vary based on the oil which was used. Linseed oil dries faster than walnut oil, which itself dries faster than poppy oil. Paints made from linseed oil can speed your painting's drying time significantly, and they're easily found at most art supply stores.[4]
- Seal the canvas with glue chalk gesso. Gesso is a primer that is applied to the canvas first to seal the canvas and prolong the life of the painting. Glue chalk gesso is good for oil paintings because it will absorb some of the oil from the base layers, helping the painting to dry faster. Dip a primer or sponge brush into the gesso and apply it to the canvas in a thin layer. Allow it to dry thoroughly before moving on to oil paint.[5]
- Combine linseed oil with the paint on your palette. Since linseed oil dries faster than other kinds of oil, mixing a little extra linseed oil with the paint on your palette can help speed the drying time of your painting.[6]
- Mix your paint with a solvent like turpentine or Liquin. There are a number of products available which are designed to thin oil paint and help it to dry faster. Turpentine is the most traditional drying medium, but alkyd mediums such as Liquin are also popular. Different solvents may produce slightly different textures to your paint, so experiment to see which one you prefer.[7]
- Solvents can be hazardous, so be sure to follow any label instructions and handle these products with care.
EditApplying the Oil Paint to Dry Faster - Paint on a flat surface. When you paint on a textured canvas, the oil paint can build up in the crevices, creating a thicker layer that takes longer to dry. Look for a canvas with a smooth surface, or paint on another surface like a board.[8]
- If you're looking for a creative project that will still dry quickly, try applying oil paints to a copper pot. Oil paints oxidize more quickly on copper, although it will give a slightly green look to your painting.[9]
- Apply a base layer in a fast-drying paint. Using a fast-drying paint for your base layer can help all the rest of the painting dry more quickly as well. Paints containing metal irons like lead, cobalt, and copper tend to dry the fastest.[10]
- For example, if you're painting a desert landscape, you could use a paint made with red iron oxide as your background color.[11]
- Paint quickly using thin layers. Oil paint is best applied in layers, but if you apply a thick layer first, it can increase the drying time for each subsequent layer. Instead, build up your painting from the thinnest layers to the thickest. For instance, if you have a cat in your painting and you want to use thick paint to make its fur look more realistic, you would apply that last.[12]
- Minimize the number of layers you use. If you're really on a time crunch and you need your painting to dry fast, choose a simple subject that you can paint by applying just a few thin washes, or layers, to your painting, with detail added in at the end. The more layers you apply, the longer the paint will need to oxidize.[13]
- Finish the painting with a heat gun. Heat guns can help bake the oils in your painting to help it to dry faster. However, if the heat is too high, the paint may crack or turn yellowish. For best results, keep your heat gun set to no more than .[14]
- Hold the heat gun a few inches away from the painting and move it slowly so the heat can penetrate the paints. The nozzle of the heat gun gets very hot, so be sure not to touch it or to allow it to touch the painting.[15]
EditKeeping Your Painting in the Right Environment - Allow your painting to dry in a large, well-lit room with low humidity. Oil paints need time to oxidize, which is a process in which the paint reacts with air to harden. Other paints dry when the water in them evaporates, but oxidation is actually a change in the paint's chemistry. Oxidation best occurs in a room with plenty of natural light, low humidity, and good air circulation. [16]
- Use a dehumidifier if you live in a humid climate. Oil paint will oxidize faster in dry air. If you live in a humid climate, get a small dehumidifier and place it near your painting. This will remove excess humidity from the air, helping speed the drying time of the oil paint.[17]
- Circulate the air in the room with a fan. Pointing a fan at your oil painting won't help significantly speed the drying time in the same way as it would a watercolor painting, but having good circulation in the room will help the oxidation process to happen more quickly. This is because oils actually take oxygen from the air during oxidation, so circulating the air provides the paint with the oxygen it needs to dry. You can use either a box fan or a ceiling fan, and a low or medium setting should be adequate.[18]
- Keep the room warm. Oil paints dry faster in a warm atmosphere. The temperature in the room where your painting is drying should be at least , but the warmer you can get it, the better. Keep track of the temperature in the room by using a thermostat or by placing a digital thermometer near your painting.[19]
- There's not really a temperature that's too hot for oil paints, but try to keep the room as warm as you can while still keeping yourself comfortable.
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| How to Grow Carrots in Pots Posted: 01 Aug 2018 09:00 AM PDT If you have limited garden space, you can grow carrots in pots instead. While many standard-length carrots don't grow as long in containers, most smaller varieties thrive in them. Make sure you have a deep container that allows the edible root to grow well into the soil, and keep the soil wet to maximize growth. EditGetting the Pot Ready - Select a shorter carrot variety. Smaller varieties typically adapt to container growing better than standard-length varieties. It's also a good idea to choose varieties that have a shorter maturing time.[1]
- Smaller varieties include Thumbelina, Romeo, Oxheart, Little Finger, Short 'n' Sweet, or Parisienne.[2]
- You can also try Parmex, Danvers Half Long, Chantenay Red Core, and Shin Kuroda.
- Choose a wide container that's at least 1-foot (0.30-m) deep. Deeper is even better. Carrots develop underground, and the root system needs a lot of space to grow. Similarly, the wider the pot is, the more carrots you can grow.[3]
- The container should also have adequate drainage holes to prevent excess water from causing the carrots to rot.
- The type of container does not matter much as long as it has enough depth. Clay, plastic, or stone is fine, whether circular or rectangular.
- If your pot doesn't have drainage holes, you can drill your own.
- Clean your container with soap and water. If you have a previously used container, scrub out the inside before planting your carrots. Bacteria and microscopic insect eggs often hide inside used containers and may hinder your yield if they infect your carrot plants.[4]
- Pick a loose, well-draining potting media. Both soil and soilless mixtures can work. If you want to buy your soil, pick one meant for container vegetables. If you do buy your own soil, try adding in peat moss. It can make up 30%-50% of your soil.[5] Alternatively, you can mix add horticultural sand to the mix, and it can make up 30% of you soil.[6]
- Try a mixture of red soil, decomposed compost, and sand mixed in equal portions for a soil-based media you make yourself.
- Consider coco peat mixed with a small amount of perlite for a soil-less media.
- Find all of these components at your local garden store. Ask a sales associate for a recommendation, if necessary.
- Fill your container with the soil or soilless medium. Leave of empty space between the top of the media and the rim of the container. You can also mix a slow-releasing fertilizer into the soil, but pick one that has less nitrogen, such as a 5-10-10 mix. Nitrogen will encourage leaf growth instead of carrot growth.[7]
EditPlanting Your Seeds - Plant after the first frost if you're planting outdoors. Carrots like cooler weather, but they still won't take kindly to frost. Their preferred temperature is around or a bit warmer, so early spring is fine.[8]
- However, they don't do well in temperatures over about .
- Dig holes that are 1/2 an inch (1.25 cm) deep. Space your carrots about apart. You can plant them further apart if you wish. Drop 2-3 carrot seeds in each hole.[9]
- Carrot seeds are tiny and hard to plant. If you drop some, that's fine. You can thin out the plants later once they sprout.
- Fill the holes in with your planting medium. Do not pack the medium into the holes since doing so may crush the seeds. Instead, lightly drop the medium into each hole. Make sure you get every hole filled.[10]
- Pat the soil down gently when you're done.[11]
- Water the seeds thoroughly. Add enough water to make the medium very wet. You don't need to make puddles, but you soil should be wet to the touch, not just moist. Your seeds need enough water to start the germination process.[12]
- Use a gentle sprayer so you don't stir up the seeds.
- Place your pot in full sun. Most carrots prefer full sun, meaning they want sun all day long. Choose a spot in your yard or home that isn't shaded during the day, where your carrots will get enough light to be happy and grow well.[13]
- Always read up on your variety, as some carrots prefer other conditions. For instance, some may prefer partial sun and partial shade.
EditCaring for and Harvesting Carrots - Water your carrots daily in warm weather. You may even need to water them twice a day during hot, sunny weather. Do not let the soil stay dry for any extended amount of time.[14]
- Stick your finger in the soil to see if it's moist. If it's not, you need to water it.
- In most cases, tap water works well for carrots. However, if the water you use for your garden is treated with a water softener, use distilled water for your carrots, instead.
- Feed your carrots with fertilizer once a week or so to encourage growth. Try a 5-10-10 fertilizer, which has less nitrogen. That will encourage the roots to grow instead of the leaves. However, it's not absolutely necessary to use fertilizer with carrots.[15]
- Thin out your carrots once they reach . Once your carrots start to grow into seedlings, cut out any extra plants with scissors or gardening shears. The plants you keep should be spaced apart to help them grow.[16]
- If you try to pull out the unwanted seedlings, you could damage your other plants.
- Use additional growing medium to correct growth problems. If your carrots start leaning, straighten them up gently and add soil to stabilize them. Similarly, if your carrots start peeking through the top of the soil, cover them up with more soil.[17]
- When carrots peek out of the soil, they turn green at the top. It doesn't harm them, but they don't look as pretty.
- Spray your carrots with an antifungal spray if you notice white mildew. Container carrots won't be as susceptible to pests and disease, but you may still get a fungal infection from time to time. You'll notice a white, powdery substance on the leaves. You can buy antifungal sprays or make your own.
- Make an anti-mildew spray by adding a tablespoon (14 grams) of baking soda to of water with a squirt of dishwashing liquid. Mix it up, and apply it to the plant with a spray bottle once a week.[18]
- Harvest your carrots when they reach peak color. Depending on the variety, your carrots could be yellow, red, orange, or purple. Generally, they will take 2 to 2 1/2 months to fully mature and reach the right color. Grasp the greens near the top of the root and gently wiggle them out of place.[19]
- The earlier you harvest mature carrots, the sweeter they will be.
- Do not allow the soil to dry out before the seeds germinate. If this happens, your carrots will probably not take root. Cover the soil with a damp towel, damp burlap, or damp moss if you need extra help in keeping the medium wet.
- Work the soil lightly and keep it free of clumps or excessively rich organic matter. Carrot roots deform when such factors are present, rendering them useless. It is best to use fine growing medium at the start in order to avoid working the medium later on.
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