How to get over artist block ✩ Tips for when you feel uninspired

[@Audion]

Creative block, I'm going to guess that's the fear of failure. When it comes to dealing with failure, it's just learning what does not work, the faster you get through all the things that don't work, the sooner you will get through to the things that do work. I enjoy making things during creative block because that's when I can try crazy things that I would not normally do. Paper mache, plaster casts, watercolor, woodwork, all sorts of things before I come back to oil painting.

[@christinakentart]

Such a good point! I like that you use that time to experiment and take bigger risks. I sometimes do that as well - sometimes trying out a different medium will help shift my perspective that helps me come back to oils with fresh eyes :)

[@Blick_Art]

We don't know a single artist who doesn't struggle with this at least some of the time. People new to art get frustrated with what they perceive as slow progress in developing skills, and experienced artists fight the feelings of pressure to produce at a high level of quality. We love Christina's advice about focusing on studio craft when the subjects and content are getting you down- making art has a way of inspiring the desire to continue, and the feel of the materials in hand is what sparked that love of art in so many of us in the first place! And, if it's a really "off day" you can always stretch and prime canvas! ;-)

[@christinakentart]

Honestly I love procrastinating by doing studio tasks like prepping canvases, framing, and organizing my paints. It is so relaxing, and I usually find I often feel refreshed and more inspired afterwards :)

[@DavidSenteno]

I’ve had a 7 month block brought on by an emotionally charged moment in my life. I have the desire but can’t find the flow. I’ve stopped trying to make things work and learned to just relax and wait for the moment.

[@christinakentart]

I am sorry to hear about your block. Sometimes relaxing and letting go is all we can do. I hope you can create again when the time is right.

[@DavidSenteno]

@@christinakentart Thanks. I’m considering a new lens and I’m hoping a new toy to play with will ease me back into things.

[@enpasionarte]

Keep calm and continue creating something 🙌🏽

[@christinakentart]

Yesss!!

[@douglasriddle6447]

Great video on an important topic. I have a few practices that keep me working........1. I have a sketchbook of just future paintings I want to make. When working on a painting I always get flooded with idea for other paintings, so I lay out those ideas with sketches and notes. 2. This kind of play off of number 1. I usually have more than one painting going at one time. 3. Brush mileage is so true......that is why we always want to have apples on hand. 4. Another is the abstract-master copy. Rather than making a real master copy, I will just choose a section......like a lace cuff from a Velazquez painting and copy that. Because it is out of context, it often resembles an abstract painting. 5. If nothing else works..........clean and make panels, so I will be ready.

[@christinakentart]

Those are great tips, and I love the idea of doing an abstract master copy! I'll have to try that 😃

[@douglasriddle6447]

It is really just a small second of a painting.........like the lace on a cuff.....put when take out of context of the entire painting, it looks abstract. Good way to play with color relationships and edges. @@christinakentart

[@devernepersonal3636]

Thank you for making me feel normal in the first 2 minutes. I seem to be on the outside watching artists like you, among many others and wondering if i can be an artist haha instead of remembering that I am one. 6:32 exactly, that is how it feels. because everything is trapped somewhere lol and doesn't want to flow. It is the fact that my ability to see the world as a living and breathing painting and the idea that every single interest, hobby and stuff was at full blast is blocked currently is what bothers me the most. I don't really have tips myself, but i am hopeful that you are right, alongside everyone else that has told me that the magic of seeing will come back. I guess i really have to force myself to draw.

[@christinakentart]

Glad it resonated ❤️ And yes, just draw and see what happens! Often the hardest part is getting started. Sometimes if I am feeling a lot of resistance, I'll tell myself "I'm just going to sketch for 5 minutes, and then I can stop." I usually find that after 5 minutes, it's not so bad, and I want to keep going :)

[@devernepersonal3636]

@@christinakentart It really is. Once you lose the momentum, regardless of reason, it becomes like a train that stalled out on Cajon Pass, it becomes nearly impossible to move again. That resistance is strong, especially because of my whole obsession with archival-ness and not having that stuff. I am hoping one of these days before the year is over i will get that train moving.

[@andrearonnberg6254]

Thank you so much for sharing!❤

[@christinakentart]

I hope you found it helpful! :)

[@TheArtOfJerry]

Well said ❤❤🎉🎉🎉. Great advice. Brush mileage is so true. Keep brushing, the idea will flow in.

[@christinakentart]

Exactly! Thank you ❤️

[@tsaehtron]

OK! I'm off back to painting! Thanks :) :)

[@christinakentart]

Awesome! 😃🙌

[@matthewwatts7333]

Great video Christina!

[@christinakentart]

Thank you!

[@mauracarta.]

Great video, as usual, Christina. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@christinakentart]

Thanks Maura 🥰

[@Eovielle]

Thank you so much for this video. I really needed to hear what you said here. I'm also glad you reminded me of brush mileage, which I heard the first time from Sarah Burns. I think keeping our skills sharp even if we are not inspired is important, but it's also really hard, which is why I like to experiement in times I feel uninspired. Didn't work out? Well it was just an experiment. Oh it turned into something amazing - well that's usually when the art block lifts and I find myself exploring whatever worked out more.

[@christinakentart]

So glad you found it helpful! Yes I completely agree, having an attitude of curiosity and experimentation is so helpful. It takes the pressure off and helps us make new discoveries we wouldn't have made otherwise.

[@A-O-Life]

Well put! Thanks for the video! Keep up the great work

[@christinakentart]

Thank you! Will do :)

[@giuldd2886]

I suffer premestrual syndrom so hard. I cant function and i experience extreme art block everytime. I do art professionaly and this is so hard to deal with

[@redakplays]

I’m going through an art block and it’s been 8 months 😢

[@christinakentart]

I am so sorry to hear that :( Art block is so frustrating. I hope these tips can help. Best of luck!

[@alanmauries2184]

Christina thanks for uploading this topic! I’m interested what artist Podcasts you recommend for inspiration and to help with artist creativity block.

[@christinakentart]

Some of my recent favorites are the Gently Does It podcast by John Dalton, The AART podcast, and Creative Pep Talk. Do you have any you like?

[@alanmauries2184]

@@christinakentart I will give those a try and thanks for sharing, I don’t have a Podcast I currently follow but I have written down motivational phrases past art instructors have shared with my when I enrolled in courses. It’s truly inspirational to see art through other’s point of view!