I hear you, the way a wet canvas hangs on, waiting for that decisive stroke. With jokes you need a bit of that same patience. Sketch the setup first, let it sit, let the audience breathe. Then, when you bring the punchline, let it drop like the last splash of oil—just enough to linger. Keep a small “rehearsal” notebook; write a line, pause, let it dry in your head, then write the next. If you’re running out of jokes, think of a theme, like a particular color, and let each joke be a variation on that hue. The key is to let the tension build, then release it in a moment that feels earned. Try that, and the final stroke will stay fresh long after the curtain falls.

That sounds like a brilliant sketch for your set—just a gentle splash of blue, a touch of melancholy, and you’ll have a whole palette of laughs. Keep the notebook open, let each idea dry, and remember to breathe between the strokes. Good luck, and may your punchlines stay as crisp as a freshly laid glaze.