When I have a block, I list all the things that inspire me and could be possible subjects for me to explore, and I list all the things I’d like to try out or learn how to do better. Then I pick something to focus on. Then the best way to get working is just to DO some work. it doesn’t matter if it’s rubbish to start with, at least you’re doing something and eventually ideas will come from it.
by =WorldWar-Tori
Ah, yes, the time old question, how do I get out of this funk of artist’s block… I’m sure we’ve all come to it, an I’m sure you’ve asked how to fix it. Here is a little about artists block and how you can overcome it all!
I just don’t feel like it… I’m bored this is the easiest part to fix! You’re bored, you’re tired, it seems like you’re repeating yourself and your art just doesn’t seem to be of any interest at this point. This is the one big way you can lose touch with your art and never come back to it.
The obvious thing you can do is take a break, and that is perfectly fine. We all come to parts of our lives where something just doe
by ~zack-sr
ART-BLOCK
We all get art-blocked at one point. “I don’t want to draw” or “I don’t feel like drawing this…”
By understanding what art-block is, we can take steps to avoid it in the future, and possibly even control its presence.
Let’s start by removing the term “art-block” from our vocabularies for a moment. It is too vague and only describes its effect, not what it is. This doesn’t help us except when we want to commiserate.
Now let’s start to take apart the artistic process. If we can understand why we draw in the first place, it will help us to understand why we stop drawing.
The artistic process developed and culminated in homo sapi
1. Shake it up. Stop and slow down. Feeling hurried and pressured does not help the creativity process. Take the time and go somewhere. Get outside and in nature and relax. Inspiration will find you when you are ready.
2. Create a few projects at a time. If you get stuck or bored with one, you can change to something different. Put challenges in your work to keep you interested. Juggle your projects to keep you busy.
3. Visit a garden, a favourite place or plan a picnic. Go hear live music. Plan on taking a few days off if needed. Sometimes just a shower or a good book can do it. The idea is to walk away and close it down
More.
When All Else Fails… If all else fails I simply find a painting done by someone else and copy it! This is only for my own eyes, of course!-Guest Janet Mace Bradbury
How I Get Started I keep a little book nearby, and with me when I am out. Some ideas are always floating around in my head, and I have gotten so I will write some of them down, no matter how dumb. Later, if the idea still sits well with me I will make a sketch. This really helps, and gives me ideas when I am ready to start an art project.
-Guest Polly.
Stop Comparing Yourself! I’m sure if you are a modern day artist who enjoys comics, anime or just the entertainment arts in general, you always hit the net and admire someone’s work asking why can’t you do that. An artist once told me when he was younger he had only a few idols. He always wanted to be good as them so he kept drawing until then. Even the artist that you think is the best is looking up to someone right now saying the same things. Now, with internet galleries and a closer touch to tons of great artists. You begin to doubt that you can reach that level. So as you’re drawing you suddenly trash it because you messed up on the sketch. Number one thing I can tell you. DON’T COMPARE YOUR UNFINISHED WORK TO POLISHED COMPLETIONS! To many times have I did a rough sketch with blocked in colors and trashed it because it wasn’t as cool as (inset favorite artist here) finish your work no matter what you think. There’s no bad side to it. Every great artist looks at their work and only see mistakes.—Guest Jay E.
Doodle and Chill Always have a pencil in your hand, and doodle when something comes to mind. Sometimes those doodles spark a interest. I start out with a random sharpie drawing, and come out with a beautiful thing. Never has this failed me once.-Guest frost
Mess the Wall with Paint To be creative I splatter paint on a canvas or paper pinned on a wall, trying to be as messy as I can be. Then I relax and observe the “mess”. That is always a great inspiration.—Guest steve
Filling the Well When we paint we draw from a well of stored images. As you use them the well can run dry so it needs to be restocked. Take time-out to go “play” doing something you love, something fun, magical, inspirational,…and then try again. There’s a great book “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. It’s a real eye opener as to what blocks our creativity and how to let the artist within out! -Guest KathySue Draw Just to Draw When I’m on a huge art block I try to stop worrying about creating elaborate drawings or something to be proud of. That is kind of tough, but once I do I’m just drawing things to draw; not full ideas, but little doodles of people, animals, landscapes, shapes, and anything else I feel like. After a while I do begin to stop caring about drawing something ‘great’ and just have a lot of fun with the act of creating. Before I know it, the ideas start flowing back and I can focus on them all over again. Also, it never hurts to be happy. When I’m in block because I’m mopping, I get out of the house and do something to cheer me up. It helps heaps.-Guest Autumn
Seek Inspiration If you get stuck, find what inspired you to paint in the first place. I always find that going to stumbleupon.com and picking painting, drawing, or fine art as a subject always gets me out of my painting block. Before I used to get really stuck, and I find that I draw inspiration or the “artistic urge to create” from seeing what others can accomplish when they’re “in the zone,” kind of like you do when you’re hanging around other artists making art; you pick up the creative vibe. Whether you need to look back through your sketchbook, find a museum, read an art book, or surf the net, find what inspires you and keep it close at hand, you never know when you might need it. -Guest Lindsey
Mary Sue/Gary Stu Tests and Pictures:
This one is on Perspective!
Artists-Help is all about sharing free knowledge on one of the greatest forms of expression: please take it, and share it for other artists you may know! :)
Click to download “Storey, G. A. The Theory and Practice of Perspective.”
