HOW TO DEAL WITH AN ART BLOCK?
TIPS ON HOW TO GET YOUR CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING!
As a creative artist, you must have experienced an art block at some point. It can be a frustrating and demotivating experience for any artist. However, I’ve found some useful strategies that can help you overcome it and get back to creating.
Here are a few suggestions:
Sometimes a change of scenery can help to spark new ideas, so try changing your environment. Maybe try working in a different room or rearranging your desk setup. On my desk, I have some things that inspire me, which include, a witcher mini-sculpture, a map of middle earth, and a sketchbook that I use to dump ideas!
Take a break: Sometimes, taking a break from your art can help to refresh your mind and give you a new perspective. Engage yourself in another hobby that excites you! You really don’t have to work on creating masterpieces all the time! So, stop, recalibrate and then get back at it again!
Try something new: Experimenting with different mediums, techniques, or styles can help to break through a creative block. If you’ve been working with digital mediums, why not try ink on paper for a change?
Take inspiration from others: Look to the work of other artists for inspiration. I go to Artstation to see some jaw-dropping ideas and get inspired! This inspiration can also come from the movies or the books that you like! For me, I go back to watching epic fantasy films like Lord of the Rings!
Practice regularly: Like any skill, practice is essential to keeping your creativity flowing. Set aside sometime each day to work on your art, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Sketch and doodle an idea! It does not need to be a masterpiece. It can even be a study; so you can draw something from reference. Go to Pinterest, find images that you like, and try doing some drawing studies.
Get rid of perfectionism: Sometimes, our inner critic can be the cause of art block. Try to let go of the need for perfection and focus on the process of creating. This almost always reminds me of what Jake Parker says; “Finished, but not perfect!”; which essentially means that it’s important to focus on finishing a project that you started, instead of making it perfect. Once you start finishing every project that you start, you’ll eventually become perfect!
Remember that an art block is normal and that every artist goes through it at some point. By using these strategies and being patient with yourself, you can overcome your art block and get back to creating.
I also made a video a while back talking about Art-Blocks. You can watch it here: