You might be the most talented artist, but just like everyone, you will have some days when you are uninspired to do something. And what’s even worse is that the days can even become weeks or months, leaving you with no choice but to work without inspiration.
Moments of low art inspiration are pretty common in artists. Yet, these phases can cause them to suffer, especially if they don’t do anything about it. You might even feel like you will never be able to produce something good in your life ever again.
When this happens to you, it’s vital to find ways to deal with it quickly. Here are some valuable techniques that will help you find inspiration to be creative once more.
Keep your tools and supplies accessible.
If your art supplies and tools are hidden, you might never find the determination to start a project. Sometimes, simple tasks such as rearranging furniture, moving lights, digging into cabinets, and other things to get a hold of your tools can be exhausting.
And when you can’t find any inspiration to work, you will find it harder to get started.
Organize your supplies and keep them in one location- a space that’s easy to spot, so once you see them, you will immediately feel motivated to start being creative. Organizing your stuff and putting them in accessible areas will also reduce the amount of time you spend taking them out and putting them back in.
Visit your studio.
Whether you’re feeling creative or not, visit your studio. Take your time and look at your previous projects, your tools, and other materials. If possible, sit down in your work chair and read magazines or look at art books. Most of the time, this is more than enough to activate your creativity.
If you create web designs, try to revisit the old websites you designed. Imagine how you first started designing them and what triggered you to make such a fantastic masterpiece. Always take note of your past inspirations, as they can help you during your downtime.
Keep many reference materials or photos.
When you see or read something you like, make sure to take the opportunity to save the article or take a photo. Do whatever it takes to keep that inspiration; you’ll never know when you might need it for your projects.
Organize the materials and photos you collected and put them in one file, binder, or folder. Painters can always find inspiration in their artwork. And when you feel like nothing in this world is stimulating your imagination, bring out your collection and check them out one by one.
Consider Doodling
When you can’t seem to find the motivation to get started, start doodling. After all, drawing is an excellent exercise too!
Bring out your colored pencils, get a piece of paper and create a doodle. Look around you, draw, or make a sketch of anything you find interesting. You can also write down your plans for your future projects, take notes, or create an illustration from your reference photos. Doodling is a fun activity that will boost your skills and stimulate your imagination.
Step out of the box and try something new
Sometimes, the best way to find inspiration is by stepping out of the box. Find some time to meet new artists and collaborate with them. Fellow artists often go through a lack of motivation, too, so you can also get the best advice from them.
Expand your network in the art community
Many artists prefer to work in isolation, mainly because they don’t like distractions when working on projects. Some artists even work alone in their studios, with no staff, no assistants. However, working in solitude can cause a temporary drawback, leaving you uninspired to get things done.
Make sure to expand your network in the art community. Attend craft and local art fairs. Meet people. Look at what other artists have been doing and talk to them if possible.
But if the introvert in you is feeling a little shy, you can meet many artists online or visit a few art blogs to learn about other people’s love for art.
Learn a new skill by enrolling in a class.
Sometimes, you lack inspiration because you have been doing the same thing repeatedly for the past years. If this is the case, it’s time to shake things up and learn new skills. It doesn’t have to be related to your craft; as long as it stimulates your skills and imagination, then you’re good to go.
For example, painters can take baking classes to learn to mix colors and create beautifully designed cakes. Photographers can also benefit by enrolling themselves in photoshop classes.
Many artists find it hard to create what’s in their heads. It can be pretty frustrating when the finished project comes out differently than what you expected. But that’s okay. All you have to do is find more inspiration and keep doing what you’re doing to excel more in your craft.
