Getting out of a Creative Slump [Tips Article] (Patreon)

It happens to all of us.  

We are going along, inspired, creating artwork. We're full of motivation and then something happens or doesn't happen and suddenly we are sliding down into a creative slump.  This is normal and part of the creative journey.  
The trick now is to climb out. 

 Let's talk about some helpful tools you can use to pull yourself out of the pit!  

Accept that these slumps are normal and totally OK! 

Feeling bad about losing that spark of inspiration or drive is nothing but counterproductive.

  

 Identify your basic needs outside of art. 

This step might not be what you were expecting from this article but it is extremely important! If our primary needs aren't being adequately taken care of it is going to drag our productivity and inspiration down.

  ❥  Are you eating enough nutritious food?

I know first hand that if I haven't been eating well or eating enough, my brain can't focus on any sort of problem-solving for an extended period.  

We are wired that way.  If we are hungry or thirsty, that is what our brain is going to focus energy on.  
There won't be much energy left for creativity.  

  ❥  How is your sleep schedule/Are you getting enough rest?

As artists, we have a reputation of being "tortured souls" that never sleep, and that we do our best work in the dark early hours of the morning.   
But this doesn't have to be true!

If having a consistent sleep schedule isn't something you have prioritized,  try it out.  
See if getting the recommended amount of sleep and getting enough rest helps boost your brain's creativity and focus.    
   

  ❥  Take a break!  

It could also be that you are exhausted and busy AF!   

This alone could be the main reason of your “art block.”  

Maybe you just need a break or if possible, you need to prioritize and scale back on your commitments.    If you are in this situation, take what time you need to rest and not worry about being productive.   

We are human and having a little R&R is important. (Check out last month’s article: Growing your art business while balancing a job)

  ❥  Environment:

The environment you live and work in can make a huge impact on productivity and creativity.  Invest a little time and energy into organizing and decorating your environment in a way that helps inspire and calm you.  

  ❥  Social Needs:

Even if you are an introvert like me, sometimes it can be really helpful to spend time or talk to a friend or family member.  Even a little conversation or letting off some steam can free up mental space. And freeing up mental space helps with regaining a creative focus.     

 ❥  Move your Body!

I’ll say this a couple of times in this article:   Our bodies and minds are linked.    

That means our creativity and our bodies are linked.  What you do with your body will affect your creativity!   

Find some activity that you enjoy or want to try out to get some physical movement.  Go for a walk, dance, stretch, do yoga, lift weights, hike, do whatever sounds most fun to you!   

If physical activity is something you have to force yourself to do (I get it, most days I have to force myself as well), start with something small.  
Even if it's just a 10-minute stretch session or crazy dancing around the house to your favorite song.   

In fact!  How about you pause reading right now and do 10 squats and then reach down to touch your toes! Ready, set, go! ;D  

Okay, now that basic needs have been addressed let's talk about some other tools to try out when working our way out of a creative slump. 

 ❥ Change it up 

A really handy tool to work your way out of a slump is to change something up!  Introducing a little change and experimentation can help break up a creative barrier.
Especially if you have been spinning your wheels on the same type of work for a while.  

  ❥  Try out a different subject matter

If you usually draw people, try painting some plants, props, environments, animals.

Or if you want to continue drawing people,  try switching your focus.   
Usually draw faces? Try designing some costumes, or do studies of other parts of the body.  There are lots of options!   

The awesome thing about taking a little time to try drawing a different subject matter than usual is that you are also doing a lot to help grow your skills.    

  ❥  Try a different medium

Do you usually do digital art?  Try drawing with a pencil, or pick up some ink or watercolors.    

Switching up your medium can be a fun experiment, plus it can take some pressure off.   No expectation to create a masterpiece with a medium you don't usually work with.    Just experimentation and fun.  

  ❥  Try a different software

Similar to the idea of switching up your medium.  Playing around in a different drawing app or software can add a little fresh spice to the drawing experience and can help boost your creativity.  

  ❥  Draw in a different environment

Sometimes a simple change in location can help refresh the creativity in your brain.   

Take a sketchbook or your iPad (if you have one)with you on a walk and draw outside or at a cafe.   If you can, try moving your drawing station to another room for a little while.  Or even just try rearranging your workspace.    

  ❥  Draw at a different time of day  

If you usually draw at night, try doing some artwork in the morning or at lunchtime.   
Our brains process things a little differently depending on the time of day and it is worth trying to see what comes of it.  

  ❥  Draw in a different position.  

If you have access to a standing desk or you can rig your easel or desk this way, it could be helpful to try working while standing.  Just see if anything new comes out of it.    

Another idea is to change up your chair or try sitting on an exercise ball.    

Our brains and bodies are linked, and I am a big believer in our creativity being affected by our bodies and how we use our bodies.

 ❥ Find Outside Inspiration

Everyone is inspired by different things but here are some outside inspirations that I use when I am a little stuck!  

• Podcasts and Artist Interviews: I find these always very inspiring and motivating.  Here are a few that I enjoy:   
  Art Side of Life
  Chris Oatley’s Podcast
  Art Cafe
  MedCast (by ahmed aldoori)
• Going for a walk outside:  do this!  Seriously.  It gives your brain and body space to breathe and process.  So many new ideas pop into my head just from walking around outside.
• Nature Photography
• Fashion and Costume Photos
• Moody Photography
• Old Classic Paintings
• Art Tutorial Videos and webinars
• Art Challenges
• Interesting Books
• Taking a shower: I know this is a bit of a weird one… but I can’t deny that lots of new ideas happen when I am taking a shower.  
  Perhaps seeing this one in the list will just give you the awareness to notice this too and to make note of those ideas if they pop in your head
• Video Games
• Other artworks (be careful with this one.  It can be inspiring to look at other people’s artwork, but sometimes it can stop you in your tracks depending on your emotional state.  You have to be self-aware.  I know if I look at too much artwork from my “peers” I can sometimes get discouraged and it becomes a downward spiral.  When I notice this, I have to stop and seek other sources of inspiration)

 ❥ Ask yourself these important questions

  ❥  What do I really want?

It is important to always be assessing ourselves and what our true goals are and why.   Even if you have asked yourself this question before, ask it again from time to time. because we are always learning and changing as we grow.    

What do you want and hope to accomplish with your art?  What kind of art do you want to create?   Is the art you have been trying to create moving you in that direction?   

It is so so easy to get swept up in the instagram/twitter/other social media culture and create what we think is popular or what is trending.   
But sometimes what is trending doesn’t line up with what we really want when we seriously ask ourselves this question.  

   ❥  What do I really love?

What do you love to create?  
Sometimes what you love creating right now doesn’t perfectly line up with what your goals are.  This is normal.   

It presents a fun challenge of finding the balance between your passion and “for-fun” drawings and your drawings that push you towards your goals.    

Art-Block can happen when this question of what you really love to do is neglected too much.  If it is neglected, sometimes the joy of drawing and painting gets lost.   

For me, the trick to overcome this has been to balance and combine what I love to create with my goals and learning!    

For example, I love drawing cute characters. But I want to move into drawing full scenes with environments and storytelling.  
Rather than only focusing on painting environments, which I don’t enjoy drawing as much, I have been making an effort to build scenery around the characters that I love to draw.  

That way I am combining learning with my comfort zone.  

Pay attention and ask yourself what you truly love and enjoy creating.  Once you know, then hone in and figure out how to always fit that in with what you are working to improve.    

 ❥ Keep going, it will pass

I know it sucks when you are in the depths of a creative funk but realize that it won’t last forever.  If you keep drawing and keep trying it will pass.  You’ll get through it and you’ll be better on the other side!    

 ❥ And look at the bright side! 

Yes, there is a bright side to these creative funks!  They give us a good signal to reassess ourselves and our journey.  

A warning to notice if parts of our life are out of balance that might be causing this block.  A reminder to ask those important questions and evaluate if we are on the path we want to be on.   

Use your art block. 

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I hope you found this helpful and as always, if you made it through this article, I commend you!

Feel free to let me know if you have any thoughts or tips that you have discovered for yourself when it comes to getting over art block!  

Also, feel free to let me know if you have any topics for article tips you are interested in reading in the future.

Read Past Articles:

• Patreon tips for Artists 
• Instagram Tips 
• Ways to Make Money Online as an Artist 
• Marketing Yourself as an Artist 
• Growing your Art Business while Balancing a Job