How do you get over a creative block.? ( This is for fine art painters)?

Answer 1

Hi:

Here's something that seems to help me. Try taking a class in something like handbuilding or thowing ceramics; fusing glass; figure drawing or some other art-related class. Usually, being around other artists usually helps to get some juices flowing back, and the art activity might give you a different perspective or outlet for your creativity.

Visit a museum - it is alway so nice to go and see the wonderful paintings that are there, and hopefully a nice visiting exhibit will be there and inspire you more.

One of the most fun things I did was take a little ceramics handbuilding class because I sort of plan to make some little art tiles for my own use, and I got to partipate in a raku firing. That was a blast! Other times, I took a continuing education figure drawing class that was really rewarding, and also a weekend workshop with a fine pastel and oil artist, Kim Casebeer. The group that attended was really great.

You might also check out the online artist community, wetcanvas. There are currently more than 95,000 worldwide members, and basic membership is free. There are many forums you might be interested in, but there is also a reference photo library that you could browse to get some ideas for paintings.

Check out the surpurb book, "Living the Artist's Life" by author and gallery owner Paul Dorrell. It is really a good book, and may give you some inspiration too. His blog is a good read too. May everyone be blessed with a good supporter of regional art like Paul is for the Missouri/Kansas general area.

Hope this helps, and gives you some ideas!

Answer 2

A creative block is really nothing more than a figment of imagination. As a writer, musician and artist I often come to a point where I feel I absolutely can't go on because all I'm seeming to do is crap. However, the more you work on something, the better you will become. Simply draw and paint, no matter if you do or do not like what you are doing. It amplifies your technique for when your muse returns to you (which it really never left in the first place). I work more with pencils, are there was a time when I could draw nothing but eyes, because the rest of the face wouldn't come. Since then, I've drawn several good portraits, and my eyes are much improved. The same will happen if you do the same with your painting.

Answer 3

Personally I do not believe in blocks. There may be times when you might make shitt work... but don't consider that a block. If you are lost in what to do, then just do SOMETHINg. Look through old photographs and make a painting of your family. Read a book and interpret the story line in a painting. Go to the museum to get ideas. Don't copy the work, but let the work inspire you. (when I'm visiting the museum I get my own ideas.. .I'm sure that will help you too).
Is there something that you are passionate about? Is there subject matter that you really care about? If so, incorporate this in your work.

Don't let anything hold you back.

You might also want to experiment with sculpture, photography, or film. Take a painting you did in the past and recreate it in a different medium.

Answer 4

Hi, I find having more than one project on the go helps-so you're not stopping just diverting. It helps if the projects are different too like drawing, and painting are similar but not the same. I often turn from painting onto canvas to drawing on the computer, drawing on the computer to studying or writing. It's that change you need-a fine art painter or just a artist who does for enjoyment like me-it's when you lose that touch for 'enjoying' it, the change is needed.
Love an' Peace xxx

Answer 5

Get a cd of classical music out of the library, or buy one. I would recommend Mozart, a Beethoven Symphony, or Vivaldi for creativeness.

Turn the lights down low, and lay on the floor or your bed.

Listen to the music through headphones.

Just let your mind wander - imagine you're whirling through space, or walking through a green meadow. What does the music bring to mind? What journey do you go on?

Then either go to sleep, and paint in the morning, or just get up and paint when the cd finishes. At the best this will inspire you with some creative imagery, at the worst, it will relax you, which will help the "unblocking" process.

Answer 6

Oh wow... that's one of the hardest things to do as an artist. I've found out from personal experience, that if you do something the complete opposite, it helps some, not a whole lot, but just a little. I'm an artist as well, and I found out going outside and working on my car, (on a nice day of course), and just tinkering with it, cleaning it out, making it look spiffy. It really doesn't take all that much creative juice and it actually gives your mind a break just to think random thoughts, and not just being stuck on one thing.

I hope that will help just a little bit, I know my madness doesn't work on everyone. :-D

(I may be a girl, but I love getting dirty working on my car ;-) )

Answer 7

Change the place you paint. Put on some good music. Keep a snack beside you. PAint abstract to begin with. DOn't worry too much about getting something down accurately. Try loosening up the strokes and paint messy. Keep painting this way until you begin to enjoy it. Then, slowly move towards something realistic. Paint a still life in an impressionistic style to begin.

Answer 8

THERE ARE MANY TIMES THAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED CREATIVE BLOCK. I AM AN ARTIST PAINTING FOR 30 YEARS. THE ONE THING THAT I PUT IN PERSPECTIVE IS THAT NO ART IS BAD ART. WHEN I FIND MYSELF NOT BEING PRODUCTIVE, I PAINT FOR THE SAKE OF PAINTING. SOMETIMES THE BAD HAS TO EMERGE IN ORDER FOR THE BETTER TO COME FORTH. LIKE CLEARING YOUR MIND. ONE WAY THAT I PRACTICE CLEARING MY MIND IS BY FREE WRITING, WHICH MEANS TO WRITE UNTIL ALL YOUR THOUGHTS ARE CLEAR. LEAVING ROOM FOR NEW THOUGHTS TO COME IN. ANOTHER THING THAT I PRACTICE IS TO GO SOMEWHERE, SEE SOMETHING NEW EVEN IF IT IS JUST UP THE STREET OR SOMEWHERE THAT I HAVE NEVER BEEN OR TALK TO SOMEONE THAT I DON'T KNOW. WE HAVE TO RID OUR MINDS OF OLD SIGHTS AND FEED IT NEW VISIONS. THE KEY IS TO REFRESH YOUR MIND. MY BEST RESULTS COME FROM NATURE, EVEN THO I AM A LITTLE ABSTARCT. I ALSO RELY ON GOD, AS THE GREAT CREATOR. AS I LOOK AT ALL HIS WONDER, I AM REMINDED THAT I AM CRAFTED AFTER GOD IN HIS IMAGE TO CONTINUE CREATION HERE ON EARTH WITH THE RESOURSES THAT HE HAS PROVIDED. IT IS AN UNLIMITED RESOURSE. WITH UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES. THERE IS A PUBLICATION THAT I REALLY ENJOYED A FEW YEARS AGO THAT IS REPUBLISHED NOW, CALLED " THE ARTIST WAY" BY J.CAMERON. THE BOOK CONSIST OF EXERSISES TO HELP WITH WRITTERS BLOCK. YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK IT OUT. THERE IS ALSO A WEB SITE WHERE YOU CAN WORK ON LINE EXERCISES WHICH ARE HELPFUL. HOPE THIS IS HELPFUL. SINCERELY, JO

Answer 9

I generally take a breather. A day to a week off to get your head straight. Cover up the done works and think about other things. then go back and take a look at what you "did wrong" from a new perspective. Maybe it wasn't wrong after all. I've found that some things I wanted to trash had more value than the ones I thought were great.

Answer 10

Sometimes, you just have to DO something, anything, even if it's not what you originally intended...I know this sounds weird, but try it sometime, often you can open up a whole new realm. Don't worry about what you WANT to paint, a lot of times unless you have a serious desire to paint that subject, that can actually hinder you. Experiment with colors and shapes. You may even find a whole new style or way of painting you never knew you had! Good luck! :)