If you’ve tried to get rid of an art block but haven’t had success trying prompts, lists, or quick fixes, this one is for you. To me, an art block is a symptom of something deeper. So, I won’t be giving you drawing ideas. These processes generally are about rebuilding curiosity, strengthening your connection to art, the world around you, and yourself. Every brain is different, but these unorthodox methods work for me.
First, let’s reframe art block. Art block is an opportunity to grow. I’m pretty convinced art block is like a stop on an endless train journey. Your brain is likely processing a lot, and needs a bit of a break to refuel, stretch its legs, and look at the world around it. But sometimes it forgets to get back on the train. Also, the world is screaming for your attention, your productivity, and your time at all times, including this post.
Art block for me generally only happens at low depression points, when I don’t want to do anything. Or before a jump in artistic progress. But more often than not, I have the opposite problem: I have too many ideas and not enough time or patience. (I’m working on the latter.) So, I wanted to share techniques I’ve developed. Even a little handout.
Because we need more art, we need your story and experience, we need vulnerability, authenticity, and curiosity, more than ever. Art is a journey. Learning about oneself and growing is a part of it. And growth isn’t always comfortable. But it’s worth it.
Some Common Causes of Art Block
Judgement
Art block often can stem from judging yourself against other artists, including yourself. If you catch yourself thinking you’re not good enough, that your last piece was better, that you got more engagement, etc., gently push this negative voice away. Gently. Constructive criticism is ok. No, I don’t know where that line always is, either.
Too much routine
I don’t think routine is bad, but art block suggests a need for something new to chew on.
Just Because
Sometimes it just happens.
Exhaustion
Valid. Sometimes we need a break. Accepting that can be hard, and more often than not, impossible.
Capitalism
The constant pressure to create value, produce more, be better, be more profitable, follow the algorithm. When financial needs are knotted together with art, it can be tricky to untangle.
1. Build a Sketching and Journaling Habit
Sketching and journaling dovetail into other methods later.
Keep a journal or sketchbook near you, ideally something small that can fit in a pocket or purse. I personally like Muji’s small 3-pack unlined journals, but any will do.
When an idea jumps out at you, write it down or sketch it. If you don’t have a notebook, take a minute and try to remember it.
Optional: I transfer any ideas that I think are worth exploring more into another sketchbook, as these smaller notebooks will get ratty.
There will be a lot of blah ideas, that’s OK. It’s about building a habit and helps with the important next step.
2. Your Full Attention, Please
If you do one thing, do this. Observe the world around you.
When was the last time you paid full attention? Study the unique, beautiful faces that you surround yourself with, and everyone’s unique expression set. Does your skin look different from the way it once did? How? How about the old oak tree outside your window?
Observe how the world seems to work to you. What textures, patterns, shadows, etc, interest you? Write them down, or sketch them down with as much detail as you can (without exerting too much effort – do what feels natural). What relations exist between objects?
Focus on the details you may easily forget, or forget to notice. How does the shadow wrap around a brick? How does trash fly in the wind? Does anyone stop to pick it up?
Observe more than the physical though, how do these things make you feel? Does the wind feel pleasant or painful? How could that be portrayed? Is that couple in the distance bickering or flirting? Why do babies like certain people, but not others? How do they show that?
Take photos if you’d like, but if you’re able to, use your eyes and soak in the light. Observing the world helps with dwindling attention spans, improves your understanding of the visual world, and makes you appreciate the world more. Pay attention, question, and be playful with answers. I promise you’ll find something interesting if you open your mind up to the possibilities. You’ll learn about yourself, too.
Check out this article by the brilliant Jeannine Ouellette on her tips for better writing. I think her advice on observation and concrete details applies to the visual arts, as well.
3. Read Around Art, Not About Art
Read something that isn’t about art. Art is not, to me anyway, about strict tutorials or comparing yourself to the greats. This is the English major in me, but I can’t think of an easier way to change up your routine. And if you don’t read, why not start?
Ideally, you’ll want to read or listen to something different from what you usually read. If you read romantasy, why not try an accessible physics book? Non-fiction all the way? Try some poetry.
Take yourself out of your comfort zone. Get a little uncomfortable with a book. It’s an oh-so-safe and accessible way to change it up. If you’re in too deep of a groove, it can be hard to get out.
This is not to say you should read something you’re not interested in at all, or that goes against your core values, but learning something different gives your brain time to process and build connections. I personally like to read a fiction novel and then something non-fiction about a topic I’m not at all versed in.
Here are some ideas:
- Love the city life, but never really thought about infrastructure? Pick up a book on urban design.
- Wild about cozy murder mysteries? (real) Try a psychology book.
- Athiest? Read about saint imagery.
- Bird enthusiast? Learn about aviation history.
Go support your local library. They’ll be thrilled to give you some recommendations.
4. Change Your Stimuli
Similar to the above, change up your routine. Change what you see, hear, and experience. Even if just for a little while.
- Drive a different way to work.
- Never “got” drag or ballet or orchestra? Go see a local show.
- Finally watch that weird show your friend has been recommending.
- Not huge into sports? (hello.) Give exercise a go.
- Maybe you’re a musician, a gardener, a developer, or work in retail. Observe the process. What must it look like to an outsider? What is unique about your day-to-day life? If someone from 100 miles away visited, is there anything they would think is a little bit weird, actually?
- If you’re able to afford a trip, or a day trip, well, this is almost a cheat code.
Also, know when to give up. If you’re struggling with a piece or idea, knowing when to let go is something you learn. And it can be cathartic. When do you know? In my opinion, you can just feel this in your gut. It takes practice. It’s okay to move on. You can return to it.
5. Create an Artistic Roulette Sheet
I completely realize a lot of this is esoteric, here’s one for the more grounded.
Constraints plus unexpected relationships between ideas boost creativity. Or at least help you think about your interests and the world in a new way. Here’s the template, it’s separated into a few columns. You can easily do this on any paper, too.
That’s right, you’re list making.
On the First Column: Give Examples of Theme
One column should be a general theme or vibe you want to explore or are interested in.
Is there an emotion that’s been keeping you up at night?
Something you want to scream at the world about but have no one to tell it to?
What topics do you come back to again and again?
Did anything stand out from the sketches or a subject?
Write it all down. Even if it makes you cringe a bit.
For example, I wrote down:
- malicious envy
- role reversal
- fear of not following the algorithm
These can be as broad or narrow as you’d like.
On the Second Column: Give Examples of Techniques (or Ideas)
Next, compositional or technical techniques. These can be technical skills you’d like to try or expand on.
For example, I’ve been wanting to incorporate optical phenomena and graphic notations into my work, so I’ve included many of them. Maybe you’d like to get better at figures. Maybe a new medium is calling your name. See a painting with an element that made you think, “cool”? What do you want to explore? What concepts are interesting?
Really, I started putting evocative words down to explore.
For example, I put:
- kintsugi on canvas
- palimpsest via layers
- using blueprints
Remaining Columns: Give Examples of Imagery, Nouns, Adjectives
This list is more fun. Jot down nouns and imagery (a smattering of adjectives) and ideas inspired by life or the media around you. What do you enjoy depicting? Are there characters you enjoy? Why? What books are you interested in? What words repeat in your writing? Your search history? Again, fit these parameters to what makes sense for your work!
Examples
- riding backwards
- owl-faced monkey
- tattoo
That’s a lot, so I’ve created a template.
I’m approaching this with my own biases. Obviously, change the columns to fit what you do. Whatever you choose, try to have three variables. Also, expand it to fit your needs, for example, I had about 3 times more in the imagery column.
Putting it All Together
Once you’re done writing things down, and this can take a few days, it’s time to randomize.
I used this number generator, but you could probably close your eyes and point, too, if that feels good to you. Try to keep this limited, for example, I did one theme, one technique to try, and four images.
Do any natural relationships arise between the randomized answers?
Could you force them together, or does it not feel right?
What could/would/should this even look like? Sketch it.
Don’t like the ideas, that’s OK too. It’s not about creating the perfect idea. It’s about, honestly, allowing yourself to play with concepts. You’re not tied to making these. If you don’t like the idea, it’s not a bad thing. It’s your brain deciding something about art again, even if it’s negative. What don’t you like about the idea? How would you improve it? Is this actually something you’re not into but told yourself you were?
6. Still Frustrated? Explore the Frustration
If you’re still struggling, accept what you perceive as the mistake, for now. Take it to its logical end. Explore this mistake or the thing you’re unhappy with thoroughly. Clearly, it needs to be acknowledged.
Messed up perspective? It’s just like that now. Every single perspective line is like that now, and yes, the torso looks a little weird, but we’re going with it. What if every color looked muddy? Every photograph in this series blurred? Expand the mistake and let it consume for a limited time. What can you glean from this? Does it feel good to give in just once? Is the mistake trying to tell you something you’ve been avoiding?
And you know what? Mistakes are fine, mistakes are part of growth.
Understanding and exploring the issue can sometimes make things click.
7. Give The Brain Time
Give your brain space to explore. Yes, that luxury. Or that thing you’ve been avoiding.
I debated even sharing this. I’m not sure it even makes sense.
It used to take me hours to get to sleep until I started building in time for my brain to wander. It was going to wander anyway, might as well accept it. I used to keep a sketchbook by my pillow to sleepily jot down anything, but now, anything worth remembering, I remember.
However, when just lying in bed waiting for thoughts to turn to sleep, I try to gently push away stressors or anxieties.
Feel free to explore what exactly is annoying you about the block, but don’t dwell there, just think about things. That’s the world we live in, y’all, sometimes you have to schedule in thinking time.
Final Words
I hope these techniques help you break through art block. Building up these habits is a way to reclaim your creative and mental space, and yes, rebuild your curiosity.
And in a world that seems hell-bent on taking up as many mental resources as it can, often with garbage, may I suggest it’s also an act of resistance?
