We've all been there—the dreaded "creative block." Over the years, I've discovered that the best way to keep this monster at bay is to embrace a continuous journey of inspiration and learning. In this blog, I'll share five proven strategies, along with my personal experiences, to help you conquer creative blocks and keep your artistic motivation alive.
1. Experiment with Different Styles
As artists, we often have our favourite styles. For me, it's painting florals. However, sometimes, sticking to one style can feel monotonous and lead to a creative block. When I sense that block creeping in, I switch things up. I experiment with detailed, realistic florals, venture into still life, and even explore abstract and loose florals. Sometimes, I even dive into entirely different genres like human figures. This constant experimentation keeps me in a state of perpetual learning. When I return to my favourite style, inspiration and motivation flow effortlessly.
Switching styles keeps you in a perpetual learning phase and helps spark inspiration.
2. Change Your Medium
Watercolours have always been my go-to medium, but occasionally, I crave a change. So, I switched to acrylics, gouache, or even ink and pen sketching. It's like hitting the reset button for my creative mind. When I'm not feeling particularly inspired, I go digital, and Procreate is a fantastic choice. It's fun, relaxing, and forgiving.
Pro Tip: Check out my Skillshare class, "The Power of Procreate: Easy Tweaks to Transform Your Floral Illustrations", which is perfect for beginners if you're keen on giving it a try.
3. Set a Goal – My Personal Motivator!
Goals, big or small, keep me motivated and on my toes. Even if I don't achieve the entire goal, working toward it for a few days helps me break free from creative blocks. For instance, I started painting every month's birth flower, leading to my collection of birth flower cards—a project born out of creative blocks. Check out my collection of birth flower cards. Challenge yourself to capture a new leaf or flower from your daily walks. Even if you don't reach the summit, the journey itself can help you overcome creative obstacles.
4. Paint Outdoors for a Change
Sometimes, all you need is a change of scenery. Nature offers a calming and inspiring backdrop for artistic expression, and painting outdoors can be incredibly calming and mood-boosting. I often take my art supplies and head outdoors for a mini-escape from my mundane studio, and it works wonders for my motivation.
A change in environment can reinvigorate your creativity when the studio feels monotonous.
5. Enroll in Art Classes or Workshops – My Creative Booster!
If trying a new medium or style feels daunting, consider taking art classes or workshops. They've been my creative lifeline. Following a teacher's project allows you to explore new mediums or styles without the pressure of starting from scratch. Even as a dedicated watercolour floral painter, I've expanded my horizons by experimenting with gouache for florals or exploring watercolour landscapes.
Taking a new class can ease the creative burden and lead to artworks you genuinely cherish.
Click here for my Skillshare classes.
Remember, a creative block is just a bend in the artistic road, not the end of the journey. By incorporating these strategies—exploring diverse styles, changing mediums, setting and achieving goals, embracing outdoor painting, and participating in art classes—you'll keep the flames of inspiration burning bright.
As a bonus tip, for those moments when all else seems ineffective, indulge in a bit of retail therapy with new art supplies. It's amazing how a fresh palette or a new sketchbook can reignite your creative spirit.
So, fellow artists, let's continue learning and creating, and watch those creative blocks dissolve into the past. In doing so, we not only fuel our artistic souls but also optimize our online presence for those seeking the wisdom to defeat their creative foes.