I'm not inspired to do anything creative or artistic. I need inspiration and dont know where to find it, help.

Question

I'm limited to Photoshop really (I dont have paintbrushes or cant afford a camera. Nothing too great really). I'm usually a machine and full of ideas, however lately I dont have any fresh ideaws. I dont seem to have that special magic. I decided giving it a rest would help, bu it hasnt. I want my muse back, whatever that was. What inspires you guys to be creative?

Answer 1

Try blocking out the background interference. Sometimes there is just so much rubbish that gets in the way of creativity. Put on some good music, something Baroque is best or even something 'New Age' as long as it isn't intrusive. Now get a large sheet of plain paper and cut a small rectangle out of the middle. Now use that to frame your familiar surroundings and look at them in a new way. Look for shapes and patterns not objects. Try to isolate parts that give few clues as to what you are actually looking at. Get down to the fundamentals of line and texture. Only when you have spent some time on this exercise should you think about putting a mark on paper. Then use just line, no tone to start off with and draw what you see through your paper 'window'. Then mask off part of your drawing and draw what is left on a large sheet of paper using a thick marker in big, bold lines. You should end up with an abstract image which nevertheless contains the essence of the object you were originally looking at - it's a bit like homoeopathy where the active ingredient is diluted and diluted but still carries the powerful properties to heal.

Answer 2

Leonardo's real secret: looking at damp patches on walls after rain. It gave him ideas as he looked at the shapes they made. If you're alive to impressions that your five senses give you then there is actually nothing that cannot give you inspiration- even an empty room. Read a book/smell gasoline/listen to an urban sound or an unidentified one/ feel the other side of something you normally see one side of/imagine the pitch of a vibration of an ocean liner from the hold. Taste the anticipation of an eagle seeing its prey below.Think why these things are as they are...connect them or other impressions, make pictures in the mind before you try to make them on the page or screen. Make them look balanced within the frame, make them speak like the impressions in the mind....it's all up to you to liberate your senses

Answer 3

I do photography, and like many other artists I struggle to get motivated at times. What I find helps is to jot down ideas as they come to me, wherever I am, and then go out and find suitable subjects as soon as I can. I also find that by just walking around, and watching people and things can help. If you find that photoshop is limited try a variety of short courses in other types of art. This is inexpensive, and is a good way of renewing interest and enthusiasm as well as learning new skills and you don't have to commit to formal study or exams.

Answer 4

When I am at a loss with my art sit and reflect. You don't realise it yet but you are in the best state now! You need confusion and loss of inspiration to take the next step forward. Personally I don't think art costs anything to make, I go to the scrap yard, look through magazines and talking to people also helps get your confusion out there, think about your confused state I bet you still have ideas you are just not focusing on them. Just make anything it will lead the way I promise. ;o)

Answer 5

Get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I go to a state park, just take in nature, and not think about what I'm trying to do. Just a little break usually lets me then reach down and find some inspiration.

Answer 6

It depends what you do. I make cards and it can come from catalogues or the car colour that drives pass on the street. I think you are forcing yourself to be creative and that doesnt really work. Buy/borrow magazines and rip out pictures that say something to you make a story board. Even if you dont like the stuff what would you do to make it better. Good luck

Answer 7

When i write and i get stuck with an opening paragraph i always look at past things that have happened to me.
I find it helps to get in touch with my emotions without the need to create, as soon as you have hold of an emotion your natural need to express yourself will pro-vale.

In some of my hours of need and anger i have found myself with a sketch pad and oil pastels drawing my sorrow, you are your own muse!

A muse can't be found by looking, it is something that you already hold dear, along with your artistic temperament!

If you ever need some artistic talk then PM me via yahoo answers.

Answer 8

I use a website called www.linkdup.com for inspiration as it features websites found to be creative, technically good, eye-catchy or plain beautiful. This site is updated daily and categorises all the sites reviewed into useful sections, such as photography, portfolios, artists, agencies, portals etc....

I use it all the time as I am also a artist, and find it invaluable.

Hope this helps!!!

Answer 9

I know exactly what you mean, and you're trying too hard to create the perfect brilliant thing that just explodes on the scene and screams 'I'm back!!!'
You haven't any money and you want a little magic, why don't you try your hand at driftwood sculptures. It sure inspires me to pick up something that others wouldn't look twice at, and turn it into something beautiful

Answer 10

I normally roll round an artists web page, checking out random work. Here is an Artist that I like that uses Photoshop for most of there work, Not professional but fun http://reticentshadow.deviantart.com/