How To Deal With ART BLOCKS

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Roggles's avatar
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Ok, if you guys are still wondering, this post may help you. Its just a way I go on about it.

First of all, what is an art block? Just like writer's block, an artist gets an art block. Its a state where you either; can't think of anything to draw, your drawings turn out crap, you're just not getting your drawings right, or just uninspired.

So how do I deal with it?

The very first thing you MUST do is to actually STOP DRAWING. This is your brain telling you to take a break.
If you force yourself out of an art block, it ALWAYS shows. It will look rushed or unthought of.

Second, is try and do something else NOT related to art/creativity... Go for a run, watch TV, read a book, play games, see friends etc.

Third; try and listen to music. Calm your brain and get rid of your thought process. Music is a way of simulation, sometimes you will get inspiration from it.
If you have an idea of what sort of thing you're after but just cant get it right in the end, this is where I think music helps. Especially if you have a theme in your head. Usually listening to the right genre of music that goes with the theme you're creating enhances your imagination and gets you in the right mood.

As an artist, I dont actually listen to music whilst I am working, it's a distraction majority of the time (this has been tested). But I only do it when I am completely walled.

Try going out and just look around for things to do. For me, normally going to town, and reading things inspire me. seeing something always sparks an idea in your head.
The common things that trigger my inspiration is something so minute,either a word, or a small piece of object.

When it comes to actually creating something, imagine what you want the end piece to look like. Without direction, it will fall apart.
I read a book with a great quote to success; "Begin with the end in mind".

But yeah, that's my two cents. I know the majority of the community here are artist, and somewhat relate. Hope it helps guys.
I deal with it most of the time, because my career is my hobby, and it could get a bit strainuous.

Good luck!

© 2011 - 2024 Roggles
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ZacharyNoah92's avatar
I'm a self-taught cartoonist and animator, and I've been creating the "Cameron Cat" animated short series since 2011. The development of my characters and visual style began in 2008. I did everything in the making of the series: all the animation drawings and backgrounds, all the scripts, and all the voices, ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING! And I created my animations using traditional pencil-on-paper techniques. By the time I completed my most recent cartoon "Scrapbook Screwball," I've started having artist's block, and I was physically and mentally unable to make any more "Cameron Cat" cartoons. Furthermore, I initially intended for my "Cameron Cat" cartoons to be exclusive to one video platform, namely YouTube, but by the time my "Cameron Cat" series officially started, the YouTube monetization system has been changed dramatically, ultimately making me realize that I cannot relegate my animations to only one video platform forever. Being a trooper that I am, I knew that if I couldn't make any more animations, I will never stop drawing completely. So, as a last resort, I've transitioned to doing fan art featuring characters from numerous animation studios, such as Walt Disney Animation Studios/Disney Television Animation, Warner Bros. Animation, Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, etc. I still draw my "Cameron Cat" characters from time to time.

I never even knew that even a 30-second animated short would be so much hard work and so costly. But now, I do.