Select a realistic subject from a photo or from life. Decide what you want to say and how you’re going to say it. Draw it, plan the composition, select dominant design elements, and work out the color scheme. Then put away your source materials, sketches and plans. Everything. Out of sight. Do the artwork from memory. Your memory and imagination will tell you what to do as you work.

This was the first prompt Watercolor Artist published as part of its Creativity Workshop column, launched in the October 2007 issue of the magazine. Who better to look to for an artsy kick-start than artist/workshop instructor Nita Leland, the author of several popular creativity and art instruction books? Click here to revisit a gallery of reader responses to that issue’s column and revive your own creative spirit.

If you’re looking for more to fan your creative flame, Leland will be presenting an online seminar on this very subject Tuesday, July 28. Click here for details on attending.