Feels like I've hit a dead end.
Whenever I open my sketchbook, or imaging software, my mind goes blank.
All the great ideas I had a moment ago just vanish, leaving me staring at my paper.
Does anyone have any advice, to help in a situation like this?
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Comic Talk and General Discussion *
What do you do in an artistic slump?
just draw tons of random shit that pops up into your head.Dude i think of flying eye balls too!
flying eyeballs, a maze, screaming mouths, etc…… and just let your mind wander while doing it.
it'll be bound to give you some very intersting thoughts and ideas.
Eyeballs with bat wings
Eyeballs flying with flames!
…..aaaaaaakwaaaaaard
I have that problem with writing all the time - I usually just want to gounge my eyes out or something, but sometimes something that works is just writing whatever it was I wanted to write, only, of course, it's no where as good. A few days later I sually can clean it up. So I guess just draw what it was you wanted to draw, even if it's just in stick figures, and draw…
Does that make sense?
Alcohol works as well.
Take a break. I find that forcing myself to think of something often makes it worse, because you're no longer doing it because you WANT to, but because you feel you HAVE to.
Start taking inspiration from things you see, things you've never tried to draw before. Like… I dunno, you see your cat lying on its back trying to bat at something hanging off the table, or that kid across the street that managed to do a really cool trick on rollerblades.
Also, a lot of times I look at really good artwork and get ideas. Like, I'll see a pose that I like, and think of something really neat using a similar pose, and try that out.
Take a break. I find that forcing myself to think of something often makes it worse, because you're no longer doing it because you WANT to, but because you feel you HAVE to.
Start taking inspiration from things you see, things you've never tried to draw before. Like… I dunno, you see your cat lying on its back trying to bat at something hanging off the table, or that kid across the street that managed to do a really cool trick on rollerblades.
Also, a lot of times I look at really good artwork and get ideas. Like, I'll see a pose that I like, and think of something really neat using a similar pose, and try that out.
Holy crap, that actually sounds like a very, very good idea.
but then again, so does this one:
play battlefield 2
Ooh… choices, choices…
Read over your archives and try to think of where you're headed. If the problem is you don't know how to get there, think of the most likely way
Okay, this next bit is going to sound dirty, but it isn't. Give yourself a massage. Relieve stress, even if you feel calm. Put your mind into a state of nothingness kind of. Then, think of your comic
Also, enjoy some time away from your usual hobbies and do something else
Hope these help
When one has artist's block, one must relax. (And not only relax, but reeeelaaaaaaxxxxxx.) This would entail looking at art or playing videogames or listening to music. (Or eating chocolate. Especially carmel-filled kisses. But I digress…)
When you have taken a break (or reeeelaaaaaaxxxxxxed) then it is good to just draw. Randomly. Get a sketchbook and do whatever comes to mind. Do character sketches, stare off into space, or eat more chocolate. (I'm starting to digress again, aren't I?)
Another fun thing to do is the random picture game. This is where you draw something random (as in, say, a bird) and then under it draw the first thing you think of when you think whatever that picture is. (Sort of like the word-chain game. Only with pictures)
Aaaaand after all that I feel like I've only rehashed what other people have said. (except the chocolate bit) Sorry about that. >___< I hope at least I helped hammer the ideas in.
promise yourself stones to the groin if you don't come up with something…make those stones happen every 10 minutes.
I guarantee you'll come up with something in 8 minutes.
(it'll take 2 minutes to draw)
seriously, i just take a break, a vacation if you will.
And…don't WORRY about it.
well i'm kinda going through that artist block thing too, it has been going on for maybe a year but as of now i'm playing drakengard 1 and 2. not sure how to break out of this though but don't force yourself to draw cause i know if i do that i just find myself want to draw less.
you could look at pictures and comics or read stories till something gives you an idea, though this don't work for me it's my 2 cents anyway.
Every body has slumps my reccomendation?
DRAW DRAW DRAW and then DRAW SOME MORE
even if you're not "feelin it" your skills won't back slide. Also look to places like this forum for "assignments" that will challenge you and expose you to subject matter you may not have considered on your own
I liked the draw the forum people suggestion, and you can start wit me foo! ^_^
Good Luck!
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