My Go-To Art Tools for Tired Days

Published by Teresa Cowley on

Home > Blog > Art and Design Inspiration > My Go-To Art Tools for Tired Days

Creative Comfort: My Go-To Art Tools for Tired Days

Abstract digital artwork featuring vertical, fluid-like streaks in vibrant colors such as magenta, green, blue, and peach. The streaks blend and flow together with a marbled effect, creating a sense of movement. Overlaying the background are numerous translucent and opaque circles in varying sizes, mostly in shades of blue and purple, resembling bubbles or droplets. The overall composition is dynamic and layered, with a mix of soft gradients and sharp contrasts.

Even on the most exhausting days—like today, when I’m recovering from a bug—I still crave a bit of creativity. But let’s be honest: when your brain is foggy and your energy is low, ambitious projects are out of the question.

That’s when I reach for a few trusty art tools that let me play without pressure. These are my go-tos when I want to stay connected to my creativity without burning myself out.

1. Procreate’s Liquify Tool

It’s almost meditative. I’ll take an old artwork, smudged photo or even a blank canvas with blended blobs of colour, then start swirling, pushing, and twirling with the liquify tool. There’s no plan—just movement and colour. It’s satisfying and often sparks ideas for future pieces.

🔗 Procreate’s Official Liquify Tool Guide
🎥 Watch a Quick Liquify Tutorial on YouTube

2. WOMBO Dream (or other AI art tools)

Sometimes I’ll plug in a random prompt just to see what visuals it generates. Even if I don’t use the results directly, it gives me visual stimulation and a little creative nudge without needing much from me in return. When used ethically and collaboratively, AI art tools are a great way to explore ideas for your own future projects.

📲 Download WOMBO Dream on iOS
📲 Download on Android
🌐 Visit the Official Site

3. My “Mess Making” Sketchbook

This is a no-judgment zone—just a place where I let loose with doodles and creative experiments. When I’m tired, I don’t worry about making something “good”—I just let my hand move and see what happens. Sometimes it’s all about the process of creating rather than an end result of a finished piece.

📝 Layering Scribbles: Sketchbook Ideas from Polly Castor
🎥 Textured Backgrounds for Sketchbooks – Tutorial

Your Turn

What are your favorite creative tools or habits when you’re feeling drained? Drop them in the comments or tag me on Instagram (@tepearley) if you post your own sleepy-day art session. I would love to see them!

More From Art and Design By Teresa Cowley
An artist content creator sitting at her desk pondering over her computer monitors
Artist Content Creator: Navigating the Online Maze
Dive into the digital realm with confidence as an artist content creator! This guide is packed with essential...
The image is a humorous staged photo set in a modern office. On the left, a man in a suit is speaking energetically with his hands raised, while another man on the right, dressed casually in a light shirt and jeans, is running away with a panicked expression. There are speech bubbles over each man: The man in the suit says: "Can you tell me more about your business?" "Hey, Wait! Where are you going???" The man running away says: "Oh, no! He's asking more questions!" "There's no way I can scam this guy!" The image humorously suggests that asking detailed questions can expose scammers.
How Asking Questions Exposed a Design Scam
Scammers are getting slicker, but creatives can stay safer by asking the right questions early. This...
An illustration features three people working on a large computer screen, symbolizing website development and optimization. The screen displays various interface elements, including a warning icon. One person is on a ladder holding a large wrench, another is on top of the screen adjusting a gear, and a third is lifting a large gear towards the screen. Surrounding them are floating gears and abstract shapes. The text at the top reads, "HOW PLUGINS CAN TRANSFORM YOUR PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO WEBSITE." The illustration has a modern, flat design style with a technology-focused theme.
Transform Your Portfolio with Plugins
Want to take your professional portfolio website to the next level? The right plugins can enhance design,...
Categories: Art and Design InspirationUncategorized
Digital artist and graphic designer, Teresa Cowley

My name is Teresa Cowley, and I'm a digital artist and graphic designer from Vancouver Island, Canada. I focus on abstract and fantasy art as well as digital collage, and like to utilize AI art tools as part of my design process to create new, innovative pieces of art. I strive to create new, unique designs that tell imaginative stories, and I am eager to push the boundaries of what can be expressed with art and technology.

0 Comments

Leave a Reply

Avatar placeholder

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

Close-up of a person writing in a notebook with a blue pen while seated at a table, with only their hands and part of their torso visible.
Guest Posts

Simple Habits to Boost Mental Health and Well-Being

Busy days can make self-care feel impossible, but small, repeatable habits can make a real difference. Discover simple ways to reduce stress, set healthier boundaries, improve sleep, and support your mental well-being with practical routines that fit into everyday life—no perfection required.

A person with long brown hair wearing a white button-up shirt leans on the back of a dark wooden chair while holding several paintbrushes. They face the camera with a neutral expression. In the background, a wall features abstract painted shapes and lines. To the right, a white desk holds cups filled with colorful markers and pens, a watering can, scattered art supplies, and a vase of white flowers near a window.
Business and Branding

How to Build a Sustainable Creative Business

Turn your creative talent into a thriving business with a clear audience, compelling offers, consistent branding, and simple systems that attract clients and support long-term growth. Learn practical steps to balance creativity with entrepreneurship so your work stays sustainable, profitable, and fulfilling.

Three side-by-side images of expressive character puppets. On the left, a beige refrigerator is styled as a face with droopy red eyes, bushy brown eyebrows, a horizontal mouth with four small pointed teeth, and a brown handle. In the center, a purple flower character with layered petals framing a human-like face smiles mischievously beneath a large yellow blossom, with a striped purple stem and leaf-like arms. On the right, a red squirrel puppet with fluffy fur, half-closed eyes, a black nose, long white whiskers, and oversized front teeth stands with its small paws raised against a blurred outdoor background.
Guest Posts

The Material-First Character Design Process

Discover how a material-first approach can transform character design. Brought to you by Furry Puppet Studio, this guest post explores why textures, happy accidents, and hands-on experimentation often lead to stronger, more memorable characters than starting with a sketch alone.