Hey,folks!
So lately if you have noticed some absence of artwork from me that is most likely because I'm going through one hell of an art block right now and it's bloody killing me.So far that I've come to the conclusion that I should probably quit drawing several times now,but I realised that If I stopped drawing I simply won't do anything else thats productive(besides probably working some cheap job).The past days I've been trying to crawl out slowly from this state by doing simple stuff like small sketches and stuff.It's kinda working and I have some hope.My question for you guys is if you reach a state of an similar art block,what is your solution to it?Do you have something specific that works or do you just let it slide away and hope that you get back on track?
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Struggle with art
Posted by ThePsychoSheep - July 25th, 2015
Comments
I really couldn't tell since different solutions work for different people and it pretty much comes down to the reason of why you got into being an artist in the first place, for most people it's to create, vent, express themselves, or concretise ideas they have, or even their own imagery.
You can always try and aim to challenge yourself by attempting new things you're not familiar with or focus on something you struggle with, and try to improve, or even give you a time limit, and make it a game.
I hope you'll be okay. Have a nice day.
Yeah everything is working out better now.I like the game idea,I seriously never tought about it that way.
Thanks,mate :D
Sorry, super long post, but I mean, I relate with this feel a whole lot, haha.
If I round up, I've spent the past few years in art-block purgatory if I'm gonna be honest. I've found stream-of-consciousness writing and almost artificially injecting messages into my art (kind of kindred to the writing where I start with little to no idea and it gradually finds itself cohering) very therapeutic. A lot of my personal blockage comes from general brain blockage from the attrition of the daily grind too, taking a break from making a steady stream of content to go out and "be" a little more, or even to get lost in a movie or a book is nice, haha. I MEAN, I'm a hermit dweeb most of the time, so maybe it doesn't apply to most people, but that usually helps me out of the funk.
Now, I probably wouldn't mention this if you hadn't said "If I stopped drawing I simply won't do anything else thats productive"--because I've thought the exact same thing innumerable times recently-- I've started taking vitamin B12 supplements the past few weeks, to help with brain function, and I feel, in general, a whole lot more coherent and capable.
Now, as far as actively finding ideas for content, I'd suggest getting really mad about something new and very particular, haha. Whenever some frustratingly stupid concept is posited in the public sphere (My inlet is usually the latest installment Sargon Of Akkad's "This Week in Stupid", but it's definitely not everyone's cup of tea) I feel absolutely compelled to deconstruct it, and reduce and load the rudimentary idea in my repertoire of angles to start a conceptual piece from. It almost turns into political cartoons, but that's where I've been lately. (I'd imagine you already do this, though, looking at "Lovely Healthcare" and "The Propaganda Machine")
In short, if you have an aesthetic art block, I'd suggest looking into obscure forms of art you haven't seen before to potentially spark something, but if the blockage is conceptual, the remedy is likely studying new abstract ideas, especially so if it's something you don't necessarily agree with. Along with tending to your brain/body health~
WOOH!
I love your style by the way, the perfect level of grit--Kind of reminds me of Gaiman's Sandman crossed with the hard-edged stylings of Jhonen Vasquez.
At one point I got this blockage and combined with a few distractions and there we go.A sewage of depression and panic and self pity.My block was more of an aesthetic one,since when it comes to idea I can take on a really deep topic or simply look at something really simply and be "How far can I stretch and break this idea?".Anyway a few kind words from you and the other posters along with some peeps,and some experiments on paper and I'm back on track.Well not with full force but still going :D.
don't drink or do drugs first that's the dumbest shit ever and weak willed artist do that. it's a bullshit "inspiration" for ass clowns. i use dreams, or really it's hard to explain how i get through it since most of it stems from personal research of physiology, phenomenology, psychology, and really exploring the soul. i think that's somethig each artist can really analyze at it's a key component of growth and development for not just your work, but yourself. a self analysis and doing reasearch on various phenomenons is really helpful. also urban legends and sketching those out help too. hopefully that'll help you , know how you feel but quitting is pussy talk bro.
Drinking and drugs will only fuck you up even more.I'm ahead of that.Anyway self analysis was actually the first thing I did and it played a keypoint in my recovery.Right now I'm doing a lot better :D
That's sad... I had that feeling too, but I've just stopped drawing for some time (2 weeks maximum).
BTW, you could try making animation, about, for example, Madness!
Anyway, don't quit drawing, just take a rest and make some sketches.
Hope you'll be making more art soon, you're my favorite artist :)
Thanks,mate!Really appreciate the words!
As for animation I might take it on soonish but I won't guarantee that it's gonna be about the "Madness" series D:
There is a book series called sketching from the imagination by 3dtotal. Its not a how to draw thing. Its a collection of a shit ton of cool artist artwork and advice. Whenever I have trouble coming up with ideas it works every time. Not to copy per se, but just knowing that there are artist this good out there makes me wanna work non stop.There are four books in the series and I highly recommend them. They are the best "art of" books I have ever read. Just for the sheer variety. At least three artist for every letter of the alphabet with three pages of art and advise per artist. I also"occasionally" do illegal street art when I'm feeling blocked. The added fear/rush of getting busted always inspires me.
stahlbeton
Well, there is of course always the attempt to turn the art block into a piece of art. Like the writer writing about his struggle or the comic artist drawing a strip about it or...
And if its really just a lack of ideas then there is always practice of course. Drawing a still life is boring but oh well, what do you have to lose?
Also ever tried to expand your spectrum of styles/palettes/techniques?
ThePsychoSheep
Funny things is started making quick sketches of people while outdoors when the art block hit.Honestly it helped out a bit
And you are right about the whole "expanding the spectrum " thing.I used to draw in various techniques before but lately I've been stuck in this inking comfort zone which is nice but a little bit of variety helps a long way.I will most certain try out new stuff.
Thanks,mate!