Hi everyone, my question this week is- When you get into an artistic rut, what do you do to get out of it?
I'm definitely in one! I generally don't have trouble with this, but I was out of town for a couple of weeks and am having soo much trouble getting back into the swing of things! I can't quite focus; I'm not inspired. Any and all suggestions welcome : )
Hi Bethany
I am sorry you are struggling with this right now. I guess we all have to go through it ...there must be something good that comes out of it. Maybe our brains just need that time to develop new neural connections! I just thought of that but it does make some sense. Then, when we come out of it we are better artists.
Seriously though, it is a difficult thing to deal with. I usually pick something really simple, fun, and new like a tutorial by Paul Clark , Billie Showell, or anyone that looks fun and different. I might just try to draw anything but keep it simple, fun, try new media or technique, even scribble a little, color in a coloring book. Of course, time in nature usually helps. Sometimes it is because I am intimidated by my project...like a complicated flower or a new technique. At those times I have to just jump in and do it. That happened with the alcohol markers. I couldn't make anything look right, the pigment was so intense and I was not used to that or the thickness of the marker . I had to readjust my mindset about what 'looked right' and get used to the new way of drawing and the intensity of the pigments.
I hope this helps. Let me know what works for you..
I am sorry you are struggling with this right now. I guess we all have to go through it ...there must be something good that comes out of it. Maybe our brains just need that time to develop new neural connections! I just thought of that but it does make some sense. Then, when we come out of it we are better artists.
Seriously though, it is a difficult thing to deal with. I usually pick something really simple, fun, and new like a tutorial by Paul Clark , Billie Showell, or anyone that looks fun and different. I might just try to draw anything but keep it simple, fun, try new media or technique, even scribble a little, color in a coloring book. Of course, time in nature usually helps. Sometimes it is because I am intimidated by my project...like a complicated flower or a new technique. At those times I have to just jump in and do it. That happened with the alcohol markers. I couldn't make anything look right, the pigment was so intense and I was not used to that or the thickness of the marker . I had to readjust my mindset about what 'looked right' and get used to the new way of drawing and the intensity of the pigments.
I hope this helps. Let me know what works for you..
Hi Bethany - i struggle with this too and feel for you! I completely agree with Shelly’s suggestions. In addition, I have some success at approaching a project in little bits - I allow myself to sit and work on something for just 15 min or half an hour, especially if it's hard or frustrating. Sometimes that frees me up and I may work for much longer. If it doesn't, I know i've put in some time on the project and stimulated my brain to think about it when I’m away and it also settles my fear and it makes it easier to come back later. Also, I go back to references (books, class notes, YouTube) I have read before and see if a second or third read about a technique helps. Good luck!
Hi Carol, these are great suggestions, thank you! The limited time is a really good idea, I'm usually always trying to push through to get the projects done in a certain timeframe, but I may need to relax a bit and allow myself the freedom to walk away after a short period of time. Going back to references is a good idea too!
Hi Shelly, thank you for your thoughtful answer. These are good suggestions, and I'll definitely be trying them. I'm working with limited time- when my husband takes the kids out of the house- so I'll be putting these to use this evening. It's *impossible* to try to create art with my kids around, too many interruptions haha.
I like the idea of picking something fun and new to try. I hadn't heard of Paul Clark or Billie Showell- wow they are amazing artists and I'm looking forward to trying their tutorials. Scribbling and coloring too- very good suggestion that I may need in order to 'loosen up.' I think I've gotten inside my own head a bit too much and am completely overthinking it. I'm running a bit behind on the assignments, and I was working on exercise 4.1 the last few days. Had to just plow my way through it, with not so great results. Hopefully implementing some of your suggestions will get me through this!
I like the idea of picking something fun and new to try. I hadn't heard of Paul Clark or Billie Showell- wow they are amazing artists and I'm looking forward to trying their tutorials. Scribbling and coloring too- very good suggestion that I may need in order to 'loosen up.' I think I've gotten inside my own head a bit too much and am completely overthinking it. I'm running a bit behind on the assignments, and I was working on exercise 4.1 the last few days. Had to just plow my way through it, with not so great results. Hopefully implementing some of your suggestions will get me through this!
Hi Bethany,
I agree with what Carol and Shelly have said! This happens to me a lot. I often just do some little things, or try something totally new and strange (e.g., alcohol markers!). Sometimes, I even try to draw something based on another artist's work; it gives me practice with technique without thinking about the end product.
Just some thoughts...
Sonja
I agree with what Carol and Shelly have said! This happens to me a lot. I often just do some little things, or try something totally new and strange (e.g., alcohol markers!). Sometimes, I even try to draw something based on another artist's work; it gives me practice with technique without thinking about the end product.
Just some thoughts...
Sonja
Hi Sonja, I'll be trying all of these suggestions. Thank you!