Overcoming artist’s block (part 2)

Once you’re ready to start working again, you’ll know.
instinctively. All artists go through periods of ‘creative block’; It’s normal, but after one of those episodes, there are ways to stimulate ideas and get creativity flowing again.

Visit your local library and check out books that cover materials,
techniques and topics that are unfamiliar to you. If you are a watercolor artist, why not try oil paints for once? If you paint large acrylic abstracts, would it be possible to try soft pastels on a smaller scale? What results could you achieve by doing something completely different than what you are used to?

How about trying collage or mixed media work? take pictures of
your neighborhood, family or friends. local landmarks,
the countryside, the seashore, the city. Manipulate your photos
on your PC and print it as digital art. Use the images, whether natural or manipulated, as collage pieces. It is very therapeutic to cut pieces and glue them. Use a variety of materials to finish your work.

Instead of going straight back to full-scale paintings or drawings, why not create some miniature pieces? What about greeting cards? White card ‘blanks’ are very easy to come by. How delighted family, friends or clients would be to own such a unique hand-painted card.

Try drawing for once instead of painting, if that’s your usual medium, or vice versa. Fill a sketchbook with quick little sketches. You could even time yourself. Three or five minutes maximum for each sketch.

When you’re ready to go full size again, try loosening your
technique, again setting a time limit for each piece of work
you create. With a deadline to meet, you’ll speed up and relax. Try not to be precious with your art. Be fast and bold – see what happens.

Reverse paint. Start a new piece, then halfway through, rotate the paper or canvas around 90 degrees. This is a great technique for summaries. Use new colors, let them flow into each other. Splash colors on the wet surface. If you want, you can rotate the job one more time to finish. What a great way to create ‘happy accidents’.

Paint or draw with music. Use only your emotion to make marks on the surface of your support. Play your favorite rock, pop or classical music, let the melodies and rhythms wash over you, influencing the evolution of your work of art. I often paint ‘Smile’ by Brian Wilson… and boy am I inspired!

How about painting left-handed if you are right-handed and vice versa? Trying to do representational work with your weaker side will produce art that will still be yours, but will have a completely different advantage. Challenging and a lot of fun to do…if you have the discipline!

Finally, once you’re fully back in the flow, remember all the artwork you’ve successfully created. How appreciated you are by your customers. Read their testimonials. Feel that glow again, when you realize your creativity block was only temporary and there are fans waiting for you to post some wonderful new artwork in the arena.