How to get rid of a painter's block?

Find out what the friend likes. I used to do this for people I knew when I drove a school bus years ago, doing paintings for fellow drivers. I did one of a lighthouse up in Door County (I think) for a lady and she loved it. I worked froma photograph (this was before the Internet) and it turned out pretty good, although I was a mediocre painter.

I used to look through art books of favorite Renassaince artists to cure my painter’s block. Nothing like the masters for inspiration.

what usually works for me, is this: don’t focus on the results, find a way to put yourself in
a more free-associative creative mindset.

Does music help? Is it a certain time of day or night that you tend to be more creative?
Can you daydream a little while you paint? And is Abstract Art an option?

The process needs to more impulsive and less planned for that block to go away.

what kind of stuff do u paint? Modern? Landscapes? Urban? If its landscapes I would suggest going to a beautiful place nearby and soaking it all in and then painting what you see and feel. Also like evelyn said look at the works of masters from all different periods like cezanne or raphael or dali… good luck

it sounds like you usually paint when you’re intrinsically motivated, and now that you have other factors relying on it, it’s killing your creativity. try to think of it as a painting you’re doing for yourself. paint it knowing that you’re painting it because you love the artform, and not because you have tp impress your friend. if your friend wanted a painting in the first place, it’s because they think you’re talented. so try to not focus on the fact that you’re being motivated by an outer force (your friend), and focus on being motivated by your creativity and your love for painting. (:

Just paint something abstract. Sometimes just pushing paint around can break this.

Sometimes I just force myself to put something, anything down on paper in a doodly way until something clicks. Even if I feel like it’s bad in my head before I draw it, I draw it anyway (or paint) just to keep my hand and thoughts moving. I may go through 30 rejected doodles in an hour, but usually I arrive at something in time.