Overcome Creative Block: A Guide for Creatives 🎨✨

The Dreaded Creative Block

Hello! My name is Adriann, and I’m a Artist and Graphic Designer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. Over the years, I’ve learned a lot about navigating the ups and downs of the creative process—both through my own development and from the wisdom of others. If there’s one thing I’ve battled with, it’s creative block. For me, it often comes from having too many ideas all shouting over one another, until they blend into a noisy jumble that leaves me stuck with… no ideas at all! Sound familiar? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Let’s dive into some tips and tricks I’ve found helpful for overcoming these frustrating moments and getting back into the creative groove. 🎨

Understanding Creative Block: What’s Really Going On? 🤔

Diagnosing the root cause of a creative block is essential. It’s not always about a lack of ideas; often, underlying issues like stress, burnout, or fear of failure are at play. Recognizing what’s holding you back is the first step to overcoming it.

Here are a few quick tips to help identify the root cause:

• Check Your Emotions: Are you feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed? These emotions can block creativity. Acknowledge them and consider ways to address these feelings. 🌈
• Assess Your Environment: Is your workspace cluttered or distracting? Sometimes, a chaotic environment can stifle creativity without you even realizing it. 🧹
• Reflect on Your Routine: Are you getting enough rest and taking breaks? Burnout from overworking can sneak up on you and kill your creative spark. 💪
• Acknowledge Fear: Are you worried about making something perfect or fearing failure? This pressure can paralyze creativity. Recognizing this fear is the first step to moving past it. 🚀

Creative Exercises: Let’s Shake Off This Rut 💪

When I’m feeling stuck, I try these creative exercises to reignite my inspiration. I’ve found these really help me move past the block:

• Doodle Freely: This is something I do often, whether it’s drawing animals, shapes, or patterns—with absolutely zero pressure. Doodling is a personal activity that doesn’t need to be shared or perfected. It can be incredibly freeing and soothing, helping to reduce feelings of loneliness and anxiety while boosting relaxation. So, grab your pen and paper, or use a digital canvas, and let your hand wander. Enjoy the process and the freedom it brings! 🌟
• Prompt-Based Challenges: I’ve found our weekly prompt challenges really helpful, from Inktober to 12 Days of Christmas. You can find prompt challenges in the community hub to be a great way to spark creativity without pressure. You can also find prompts on Instagram, use prompt-generating websites, or jot down ideas and draw from a jar. These prompts can lead to unexpected and fun creations. ✨

[Some artworks from Inktober 2019! Feels like a million year’s ago now!]

• Art Journaling: Art journaling is a fantastic way to experiment and grow without worrying about the final product. It’s a personal space for free expression and exploration. For inspiration, check out Claudia Riveros and Dylan Mierzwinski, who share valuable tips on maintaining a regular art journaling practice. 📖

A Change of Scenery: How Your Environment Fuels Creativity 🌳

There have been times in my life where my living situation has felt bleak. I’m also naturally very untidy, which affects my creativity heavily—sometimes refreshing helps. While it might not always be easy to make major changes, here are some ideas to refresh your surroundings:

• Try a New Location: Consider working from a different environment. You might find inspiration at a cozy coffee shop, a sunny park, a friend or family member’s house, or even by renting a workspace. Choose a spot that fits your budget and offers a change of scenery. ☕️
• Rearrange Your Art Space: If relocating isn’t an option, give your current workspace a makeover. Push yourself to give your space a fresh look by moving your supplies around, adding some new decor, or opening a window to let in some natural light. Sometimes, a small change can lead to a big boost in creativity. 🖼️

[A image from one of my hiking adventures with art supplies.] 🙂

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone: Let’s Experiment! 🎨

Changing my routine, mediums, and learning new techniques has always helped me grow and improve my overall mood, which I’m always appreciative of. Here’s how to step out of your comfort zone:

• Set Limitations: Challenge yourself by using just one medium or a limited color palette. This can push you to be more creative by focusing on innovation rather than perfection. 🌈

[This is a regular exercise I do, you will notice in my work there is alot of pink and blue! I love playing with the 2 colors together]

• Create Tiny Drawings: Work on a smaller scale to avoid getting lost in details. Small drawings allow you to experiment with compositions and characters, helping you use your creative brain instead of aiming for perfection. ✏️
• Experiment with New Tools: Try out different tools or techniques. If you’re used to digital work, explore traditional media, or vice versa. New tools can inspire fresh ideas and approaches. 🛠️
• Take a Workshop: Join workshops to learn from others and discover new techniques. We offer free workshops and a subscription service with regular sessions from leading artists. Check out Nathans Watercolor course for more information. Local workshops are also worth exploring. 🌟

[Here are a couple of pieces during and following taking Procreate Watercolor Masterclass]

• Collaborate with Others: Connect with fellow artists in our community hub or through social media. You might also enjoy playful activities, like drawing games with friends, to spark new ideas and creativity. 🤝

Embrace Imperfection (Just a Little) 😉

If I had a pound for every unfinished piece of artwork, I’d be a very rich lady! I often compare my work—without meaning to—to my peers. I get to about 90% completion and then stop. To combat this, I use timers to avoid overthinking; this has helped me considerably 🌈.

In a world where social media showcases seemingly perfect artwork, it’s easy to feel inadequate by comparing your creations to others’. Everyone experiences perfectionism, no matter their level of experience. Even the most talented artists, like Nathan Brown, whom I recently worked with, sometimes question their own work. Nathan recently sent me this stunning portrait as an outcome for an upcoming session and asked if it was good enough. To me, it was absolutely stunning! 🌟 This shows that perfectionism evolves rather than disappears. Embrace your process, hold yourself to your own standards, and give yourself permission to be imperfect. Creativity thrives in the space between “good enough” and “masterpiece.” 💪

[Artwork by the very talented Nathan Brown]

Inspiration Everywhere: Simple Ways to Spark New Ideas 🌟

Find inspiration everywhere. I have always been fascinated by nature, books, and technology—researching and consuming hours of content brings me a lot of joy. Sometimes, I forget the things that help me radiate with ideas and also forget to seek new ones. But over the years, I have gotten better at this, and here are some tips:

• Visit Galleries and Museums: Take a trip to local galleries or museums. Experiencing art in person can offer new perspectives and ignite fresh ideas. Many institutions also offer virtual tours if you can’t visit in person. 🖼️

[Excuse the moustache, it was the the only photo I could find of myself in a gallery and ofcourse I am being silly as always] 😂😂😂

• Explore Art Books: Dive into art books or magazines to gain insights into various styles, techniques, and artists. For budget-friendly options, check out charity shops or visit your local library. They often have a treasure trove of art books that can spark new ideas and inspiration. 📚
• Engage with Nature: Spend time outside in natural settings. The colors, patterns, and textures found in nature can be a rich source of inspiration for your artwork. 🌳
• Browse Social Media Mindfully: To make the most of social media for inspiration without falling into the trap of doom scrolling:
  • Follow Art Pages: Look for pages dedicated to sharing artwork, which can provide a curated feed of inspiring pieces without the noise of endless content. 🎨
  • Use Pinterest: Create boards based on your interests and browse through them to find new ideas. Pinterest’s algorithm will suggest related content, helping you discover art and techniques that align with your taste. 📌
  • Set Time Limits: Allocate specific times for social media exploration to prevent it from becoming overwhelming. This helps you stay focused and use social media as a tool for inspiration rather than a source of stress. ⏳

Creativity is a Journey, So Enjoy the Ride!

Remember, creativity isn’t a destination—it’s a fantastic journey with all its twists, turns, and delightful surprises. If you hit a creative roadblock, don’t stress—it’s just part of the adventure. By experimenting with new ideas, embracing the unexpected, and giving yourself permission to be imperfect, you’ll soon find your creative spark reigniting. So grab your favorite tools, whether it’s a paintbrush, tablet, or pen, and let’s dive back into creating! 🎨✨

This article is a blend of personal experience, the wisdom of my arty friends, peers, research and stories and notes from the Community hub, all aimed at helping you navigate your creative challenges. I hope you find these tips useful and inspiring! If you have any feedback or just want to chat, tag me, Adriann Mai, in the Community Hub. Thank you so much for reading!