Combating Artist’s Block
For all creative types, it seems to be a universal truth that the dreaded artist’s block will arrive at some point. There are lots of ways to combat it, but the best place to start is this wise piece of advice from Douglas Adams: DON’T PANIC.
I’ve been working as an artist for over 20 years and I’ve noticed that, like everything else in this world, creativity moves in cycles. There are going to be times when you are overflowing with ideas and motivation, times where you forget to eat and you work until the wee hours of the morning just to get it all down. There are also going to be times when you are basically dormant, hibernating. Just like the seasons, Winter always comes, but don’t despair because so does Spring.
“Winter Wanes” & “Summer Snooze”
All that being said, here are some ideas that I use to unstick me when I’m feeling stuck. Hopefully they can be of some help to you.
Mash – Ups
I started doing this a couple of years ago when I was trying to figure out some interesting things to post on social media and it worked great to get the creativity flowing.
First, make a list of some of your favourite things: books, characters, movies, interests, hobbies, etc. Next, add to the list themes and items you like to include in your art. I’ve added things like masks, night skies, mythical creatures, and celtic knots. Lastly, add to the list different art styles you like or use: Art Nouveau, Pen & Ink, etc. Make the list as long as you can. Put all of these things on slips of paper and put them into a bowl together. When you’re feeling uninspired, pull out two slips of paper and start brainstorming ways to put the two items together into some art.
“Memento 4” (Celtic Knot & Autumn), “Winter Fairy” (Magical Creatures & Candles), “Fortune Favours the Brave” (Fire & Valkyrie), “Light as a Feather” (Gargoyles & Magic), “Butterfly Dreams” (Butterflies & Dreams)
Keeping an Idea Journal (or two, or three)
Ideas often come out of the blue and, for me anyway, usually right in the middle of doing something else; they also frequently disappear just as quickly. To make sure these ideas aren’t just lost to time, I started keeping journals around the house in strategic locations. When inspiration strikes I can quickly record ideas that I can flesh out later. Try to take note of when and where you get most of your ideas and find spots for your journals there (make sure to include a pen or pencil.) I have one in my office, one in my kitchen, and one on my bedside table. When you’re feeling blocked, you will have books full of ideas you can look through and work on developing.
“Time,” “You’ve Gotta Kiss a lotta Frogs,” “Chewie & Wickett,” and “Green Fairy”
Art Challenges
A great way to kick start inspiration is to find and participate in an art challenge on social media. There are many to pick from and one is likely to spark some ideas. This has the added benefit of connecting to other artists and also getting your work out in the world when you are trying to promote yourself or your art.
#SixFanarts, “Ablaze” - #MerMay, “The Last Leaf” - #inktober, and #drawthisinyourstyle
Tarot Card Draws
If you don’t have a tarot deck (or two or twenty), consider getting one. They are like a pocket-sized museum, full of beautiful stories and symbolism, and nothing inspires me quite like a trip to the museum! I often do single or 3 card draws to get some direction or ideas of what to do next or what to focus on. But they are also inspiring just to look through.
“World Weaver” (8 of Pentacles - Elemental), “River Reverie” (Page of Cups - Ecological), “Spring Treasure” (Page of Pentacles - Tarot of the Wild)
Overcoming the Blank Page
Sometimes, nothing feels more intimidating than a crisp, white page. One easy way to get over this is to mess up the page with a quick light sketch that you then smear and smudge out, or start with drips of paint or ink; you could even “stain” the whole page using watercolor and go from there. Often the first mark is the hardest, sometimes after that it just flows. If you still aren’t feeling inspired, take some time to develop skills in a sketchbook. One of my art instructors suggested if you don’t know what to draw, try drawing hands. It’s a hard skill to master and you always have a model handy. (See what I did there?)
“Forget-Me-Knot,” “The Scribe,” and “Interconnected”
Feed your Brain
If you don’t put good stuff in, how do you expect good stuff to come out? This is really what the “dormant” times I talked about are for. Artist’s block is frequently just burnout under another name. We all need to take time for ourselves to recharge and this is especially important if we want to keep creativity flowing. Find things that bring you joy and make time for them: read good books, take long walks in nature, listen to your favourite music, spend time with loved ones, daydream, snuggle a pet, or whatever makes your heart sing. Inspiration comes from living life.
