need inspiration?

Question

im an artist and i've had a block for months now, i really want to be excited and inspired again to produce my paintings. i've tried going to galleries, talking to other artists etc but nothings working. Please don't just tell me to give up. Has anyone else been through this and how did you get out of it?

Answer 1

Get thee up a hill and for a long walk. Your mind will start to go like the clappers. Remember a notepad and pencil to jot ideas or sketches. Remember a packed lunch and wrap up well. Don't attempt anything too difficult at this time of year and make sure you are safely down before nightfall.

Other peoples work will not inspire you and you will just end up plagarising.

Answer 2

I always find inspiration through observation. I'm not an artist, but rather a writer, but get "writer's block" frequently. During those times, I watch people walking down the street, listen to the ambient sounds, and maybe sometimes go to places outside of town. It doesn't matter that you don't get the inspiration right away. That comes in time. Persistence is the key here. One day that one thing that you can paint or write about will jump out at you. For instance, I haven't been able to write anything for a few months, but we recently went through a horrendous snowstorm and Bam! I can write again.

When you have a block, it's generally due to surrounding stress, trying to hard to create something, to put your thoughts and emotions onto paper or canvas, and to find that inspirational space. Oftentimes, when you release the buildup of stress and just relax, just watching the world go by or observing nature, the mind will start wandering in different directions. It's at that point, that "inner space", that inspiration comes out of the block. It might take a while sometimes, but don't force your Muse, let your Muse come to you.

Also, during those times, try doodling something that grabs your attention. Start with the basic shapes, then add features, maybe shading, and work from there. Maybe something will come out of that, if not right away then much later. When the "Inspiration Bug" bites, you'll be bitten hard. Haha!

Answer 3

I paint but if I cannot get inspired I don't try to hard I give myself a break, I sometimes take a trip around a gallery I may try to do something completely different to my usual style it sometimes works and you can get excited by a new technique or medium.
Good luck the block is only a temporary hitch and it should pass.

Answer 4

I'm in the same boat right now. I am dying to start a painting, but I want an inspiration that will drive me to work on it. It depends on what subjects you like to paint. I enjoy portraiture, figures, but dramatic poses.

Here are some things I've tried:
Works of Literature (I'm starting a painting with peter pan and wendy)
Mythical characters (Psyche, Icarus, Sisyphus, Pygmaleon)
Mythical places (Atlantic, El Dorado, Shangri La)
Poems, Songs (a visual depiction of the lyrics)
Play on Words (I did a painting once of fours friends of mine wearing various colors, passing a pocketwatch, as the four seasons passing time)
Emulate an artist's style (Chuck Close had a neat style in his later works, with blocks of colors. I did an awesome color study self-portrait in that style)
Also, J.W. Waterhouse and Norman Rockwell have both provided inspiration for me at times, by either the subject or style of a painting. Some visually interesting work.

I hope this helps. If you like any of these, or get some ideas to share, feel free to contact me at my Flickr.com account, "natedoggie."

Answer 5

Hey, I paint for a hobby, and a always just paint the things I'm interested in. I know your interests can only offer so much in terms of ideas, but it's a start. Well, music has always been an inspiration for me. Also, even books and film can inspire images you might like to paint. I know this probably doesn't help much, but i hope it helps a little.

Answer 6

Many artists have been through this kind of block from inspiration.

What I found that works best is to get away from my immediate environment for a while - including getting away from other people.

I go somewhere to be alone - out to sea, up a mountain, to the woods. This type of semi-meditation has helped me numerous times.

Answer 7

I'm a painter too. Personally, when I run short of subjects (inspiration) I look at my old family pictures albums. My advice is: if anything wakes a strong feeling in you, paint it! (if possible technically: I mean you can hardly paint a bride in her wedding dress with a painting knife - I do painting knife-).
You can also read magazines, travel books etc... Venice always gives you very good subjects, for example (try it by night).

Answer 8

I never know what to paint. But sometimes I just browse aimlessly on the net and find interesting stuff - e.g. a few months ago I found a few good photos of people doing capoeira, which were really dynamic and interesting, so I painted them.
(PS - I'm not any good, just like messing around).

Answer 9

Get a camera if your near a sea side town start walking from the beach towards the town taking pictures of what ever takes your fancy, people, buildings, close ups, odd angles, strange objects and anything unusual. Get the pictures laid out in front of you and start sketching what appeals to you...then go from there :) using a different mode of art may kick start you.

Answer 10

Travel. Go to new places, experience new cultures and climates, and don't worry about your art while you do it. Soon inspiration will come and you'll be excited and impatient to get started again.