Newsletter September/October 2025

The Artist’s Second Sleep: A Forgotten Key to Creativity

🎨 What is an artist’s Second Sleep?

A second sleep refers to a segmented sleep pattern. For centuries, prior to the industrial societies, people would sleep in two chunks. These would typically be from sunset to around midnight (first sleep), followed by a waking period of 1-2 hours, and then returning to a second sleep until morning.

Unlike insomnia, this schedule was quite deliberate, quiet and often creative.

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The Forgotten Hours – why were they so important then, but not practiced now?

Before the industrial revolution, when artificial lighting was introduced, certain sections of society used this timetable as their natural rhythm and ritual. It was considered a sacred time, especially for artists. No interruptions, quiet contemplation without the hustle and bustle of daily life getting in the way. Artists such as Salvador Dali and writers like Charles Dickens, Blake and Yeats were famous second sleepers, as were scientists Edison and Tesla. During this ‘waking hour’, people would pray, reflect, write, make love or tend to small tasks and generate ideas. Artists in particular would use this time to sketch and compose plans and ideas for artworks. They were also able to recollect their dreams and analyse these more effectively, thus allowing them to foster surreal or intuitive thought. This is particularly present in Salvador Dali’s work with the melted clocks and the work of Chagall with the violin playing goats. Writer Mary Shelley claimed ‘Frankenstein’ came from a waking dream.

However, when artificial lighting did roll out into every household, it disturbed this natural rhythm. Artificial light enabled people to extend the day time which interrupted their circadian rhythm and fundamentally changed their relationship with the night time. In addition, the revolution introduced new working schedules such as the 9-5 routine which demanded uninterrupted sleep to be more productive during the day.

The Science Behind it:

There is a specific term that is used to describe this state of mind the ‘hypnagogic state’, which is the borderline between wakefulness and sleep. This state has been linked by studies such as the Theta brainwave states, to enhanced pattern recognition and creative insights. This leads to a reduction in filtering ideas.

Reclaiming the Second Sleep: Can Modern Artists Benefit?

So, the question is, can we go back to this as creatives? It is very hard when creativity is undermined or considered less important or a ‘luxury’ in today’s society. We are told so often about the importance of sleep for our wellbeing and how we must get at least 6-8 hours sleep a night to be effective. I would agree with this if we are all working a ‘9-5’ working model, but if we are not, then I would suggest giving the second sleep a go.

From a purely personal perspective, I am often awake very early in the morning, sometimes as early as 1am and I have been known to write whole workshop plans, get ideas for paintings and spend the time researching. I have come up with some of my best ideas at night time as an artist and as an entrepreneur.

It is so difficult to explain it to those who are very set in the sleep and awake model we consider normal today and very often I have received messages telling me it’s unhealthy to be awake and answering emails etc at a time when everyone else is usually asleep, but I believe that if my brain is becoming noisy in my semi sleep state, then use it. Your body is telling you something, so take notice of it, as it may well make life a little bit easier where you have a job that is mainly problem solving or involves a lot of creativity.

A good tip for artists, is to have a journal or sketchbook by the bed and take the opportunity to note and record ideas. Why not experiment a bit when you have the chance?

The Night As Muse

In conclusion, we have lost a rich period of internal life and creativity by confining ourselves to the 8-hour sleep at night. Perhaps we should bring back the second sleep. It may reduce a lot of burnout, stress and anxiety or mental health issues we have today. Time is precious, particularly quiet, uninterrupted time. The second sleep is the perfect answer. Artists of today, why not explore these quieter hours? You may reconnect with an ancient and powerful source of inspiration!

Why not take a look at Ekrirchs Book “At Day’s Close: Night in Times Past”.

“In the middle of the night, thoughts are different – unfiltered and strange. That’s when the real work begins” – source unknown.

Katharine x

Whats on at the Studio this Season?

Rotherfield Carnival Night – We are Open for refreshments and drop in art activities from 6pm.

Our new seasonal menu:

Workshops:

To book a place at any of our events, please go to Book here – Katharine Jennings Fine Art Studio and Coffee Shop Rotherfield

To reserve a place on the embroidery event, just pop us an email or a phone call.

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