Have you ever looked at a blank, empty page but suddenly become lost on how to start? Does your mind race with ideas that you want to make reality but your hand is stuck holding on to a pen that never touches the paper? If this is sounding all too familiar to you, then you definitely have the infamous art block. Beginners and seasoned artists alike experience this at some point in their artistic journeys and careers. In this article, we’ll talk about the common causes of art block and how to overcome it. Additionally, some tips on how to kickstart the creative juices again.

Defining Art Block

Art Block to artists is like writer’s block for writers. It is generally defined as the moment you can’t think of any ideas or there is no singular kind of concept that you want to do, resulting in a standstill. It’s an abstract feeling as there is nothing physically holding you back but more psychological. For many, this could be a source of frustration because even if you want to make art,  you just can’t make yourself do it. I have experienced this multiple times throughout my years as an artist, nobody is safe from its clutches. I used to feel really bad about not being able to make art. It feels like you’re grasping for ideas and then fades into smoke whenever you get a hold of one. I'm sure that this feeling is relatable to those that have experienced it.

5 Main Causes Art Block and How to Overcome it

There are a number of reasons why artists experiences art blocks and there are different ways to deal with it:

Lack of Motivation

When I am feeling unmotivated, I turn to doodling. It doesn't really matter what it is or what it looks like as long as you draw something. It could be some simple shapes, squiggly lines or just ink blots scattered across the page. Maybe some random colors in your set that you seldom use. I find that when there is no expectation to complete my sketches or the need to make it presentable, it frees me to let pen touch paper and go at it. Sometimes, amidst the chaos you will find something that will inspire you and everything will click into place.

Skills are not developed enough to create what you want

Sometimes, we do know what we want to create but lack the appropriate skill set to achieve it. This can be really frustrating but there is really no shortcut for this, you must dedicate some time to learning. One way to get off an art stump is to do some art studies. Start sketching the object of your interest with great persistence. Draw it again and again until you get the hang of it. This leads me to the next tip, break it down to simpler shapes. This is a basic technique taught to beginners in drawing. It is easier to see the main components of an object or landscape, then build on the details as you go.

Mental and Physical Exhaustion

Art Block can occur when we are burnt out from work or just having a bad day. When all you really want to do is to just lay in bed for three days. We’ve all been there. It prevents us from partaking in our hobbies and making art. There is really just one solution for this: take a break. Doing something else like walking outside, shopping or just doing nothing in order to clear your mind. I don’t really recommend forcing yourselves to draw or to create when you’re at your limit. It’s best to just rest your mind and allow it to rejuvenate.

Lack of inspiration

When you feel like nothing catches your interest, it is helpful to have a repertoire of subject matter to fall back to. It could be your pets, flowers, landscapes, your favorite character, anything that you feel most comfortable drawing. This could act as a warm-up for later artworks. Alternatively, you could surf the Internet for prompts (more on this later). You could even recreate existing art and reimagine it in your style. The idea doesn’t have to be grand or one of a kind, sometimes the best ideas sprout from other’s works. Another solution is to change your environment. You could either tidy up and reorganize your work space or you can try working outdoors.

Too many ideas

I can think of two ways to go about this. First, write down some key words and concepts, essentially making a mind map of sorts. If you transform them into words, it’s a lot simpler to connect similar ideas and categorize them. This will help to single out the things that you really want to do.

Second, practice thumbnailing. This is more commonly used for animation but I think this could also be used in this scenario. It’s basically the process in which you lay down all of your ideas and sketch them out in small images. You will only include the main elements of the piece like the pose, the angle, background and your main focal point. By placing your ideas into small boxes, it's easier to see their potential. Easier than creating a larger piece that you might not even finish.

5 Tips When You’re Uninspired

Aside from those I have shared in the previous section, there are still some tricks that you can take advantage of the next time the art block hits you. You can use these ideas to fill a page in your sketchbook. Or even what to do on a blank canvas

Idea Generator and Art Prompts

As mentioned earlier, these are really helpful when you don’t know what to draw. There are plenty of these available just by doing a quick Google search. 

Art Challenges

If you’re looking for more of an exciting drawing session, you can participate in art challenges. This will certainly keep you occupied. Your creativity will be tested when you are given something to work on that has some restrictions and limitations. It might produce some interesting results.

Recreate old artwork

When we make art, it doesn’t necessarily have to be an entirely new piece. You can look through your old artworks and redraw it by applying the skills you have learned. By doing this, you will be able to compare of how you were in the past and how you’ve improved in the present. This could be quite nostalgic and fulfilling to see your progress shine through. 

Mix-and-match art mediums

If we have a lot of art supplies, there are those that hardly get touched when making an artwork. It's a good idea to take these neglected materials and try to create something cool with it. 

Collaborate

Another fun way to spice up your art session is to team up with another artist or your friends to join forces in making art.

The Takeaway/Final Words

Art blocks are quite common and it is inevitable. We will have moments where we feel uninspired or unmotivated, even if it's something we usually love doing. There will always be moments when we’ll feel stuck in our heads; days that will be less productive than others. That’s totally ok! It could feel like we’re running out of ideas but this is the perfect time to expand our skill set. We can learn new ways to stimulate your imagination whether it's through art studies or just mindless doodling. 

In fact, I even consider it as a chance to step back and give yourself a bit of reprieve. Don’t get me wrong, creative blocks can be incredibly frustrating  but it could also be a great opportunity to clear your mind. It encourages self-assessment that may point you to the areas in need of improvement. It could also be a chance to try something new.