As the title of this thread states, I'm having an artist's block. I don't know about other artists, but when I'm draw, I have to go with what's in my head for my drawings to turn out nicely, but at the moment, there's nothing in there.

Any suggestions on how to move past this temporary stage or on something to draw that might intrigue me would be greatly appreciated.

As the title of this thread states, I'm having an artist's block. I don't know about other artists, but when I'm draw, I have to go with what's in my head for my drawings to turn out nicely, but at the moment, there's nothing in there.
Well, that's a huge problem, isn't it? My suggestion to you is to draw badly for now, so that later on, you'll be able to draw well whenever you want. If any sort of "block" is keeping you from drawing well, you should be happy. You just found yourself a bunch of practice time! =P

As for what to draw, well, what do you think would turn out totally sucky if you tried drawing it right now? Think about that, and then go draw it until it looks good. "Artist's block" smashed. Problem solved!

o.o...But if I don't want to draw it, it only turns out worse...should I still try to draw something I don't want to draw?

o.o...But if I don't want to draw it, it only turns out worse...should I still try to draw something I don't want to draw?
Huh? I thought your problem was that you couldn't think of anything to draw. Are you saying your problem is actually that you don't want to draw? If you don't want to draw, you don't have to, obviously. You'll never need to draw when you don't want to unless you plan on becoming a pro. In which case, yeah, you should probably get enough discipline to be able to concentrate on what you're drawing even if you don't like the subject matter. "Sorry boss, I don't feel like drawing this week" doesn't really cut it at most studios. XD

But if you don't plan on being a pro, then I guess you don't have much of a reason to draw when you don't want to. Maybe you still should, just to discipline yourself? Extra discipline is always a good thing, after all.

I know how you feel Silver, I sometimes get that mental emptiness too when I write my novel. :) I think this is a problem that stems from a lack of creativity in our minds. I believe everyone will agree, the only way to obtain that creativity is to encourage your mind to accept it, that is, to be open to the things around you and be inspired by things that captivate your soul and mind. To me, creative ideas are gifts that is presented to those who are passionate enough to stumble across them. When you're searching for the right environment to derive some great inspirations, it depends on what your intentions are actually. If you're drawing about nature, why not take a trip to the nearest nature reserve? If you're drawing modern art, then google up pictures of today's skyscrapers/structures. Get what I mean? =)

If you're in the state where you don't even know what you want to draw, then you need be patient for your answer to arrive. It will eventually arrive at the doorstep of your mind one day, but you have to remember that it won't come to you under any influences. There is no such thing as a catalyst for thinking up an initial-stage idea. You cannot just bring something explosively creative to the table as you wish/command. If that's possible, everyone's an award-winning artist already..... Hope this helps! ^_^

Huh? I thought your problem was that you couldn't think of anything to draw. Are you saying your problem is actually that you don't want to draw? If you don't want to draw, you don't have to, obviously. You'll never need to draw when you don't want to unless you plan on becoming a pro. In which case, yeah, you should probably get enough discipline to be able to concentrate on what you're drawing even if you don't like the subject matter. "Sorry boss, I don't feel like drawing this week" doesn't really cut it at most studios. XD

But if you don't plan on being a pro, then I guess you don't have much of a reason to draw when you don't want to. Maybe you still should, just to discipline yourself? Extra discipline is always a good thing, after all.

Lolz, yes, my problem is that I don't know what to draw, but what you said was:


As for what to draw, well, what do you think would turn out totally sucky if you tried drawing it right now? Think about that, and then go draw it until it looks good.

And that was what I was replying to. Lolz...

@cryskolt_19. I think I understand what you're saying...XD I think I'll just try to wait it out for now, until I get some ideas.

Thanks for the help, HC and cryskolt_19! If I'm still having trouble after a while, I'll come back to this for more help, lolz.

well being a motion graphic designer i've hit untold blocks. anime used to help me and the music in them. trying to let the emotions i felt paint a picture was always how i used to try doing things.

Bleah, graphic design. :x
The art of making logos and webpages!
I'm not too great at it.

you still need to practice if you want to be good. i heard from my professor that in order to master something, one must practice for about 10,000 hours. that's 3 to 4 hours everyday for the next 10 years. ( i think :think:)

i think artist's block is when you don't know what you want or need. like... you know what you have... but what do i want? kinda like writing in a way. you have certain story up until now... but what would make this story still, or more interesting.

i personally realized i like to go to coffee bean store and draw there. the eyes around me, i think makes, me want to draw better. also i enjoy the fact that sometimes i find myself zoned out in my own world.... kinda like drawing while listening to music... and you realize... what the.... i just heard the intro to that song and it's over already? what i'm saying is... maybe drawing something for you to show someone might encourage you to draw (better).

i personally realized i like to go to coffee bean store and draw there. the eyes around me, i think makes, me want to draw better. also i enjoy the fact that sometimes i find myself zoned out in my own world.... kinda like drawing while listening to music... and you realize... what the.... i just heard the intro to that song and it's over already? what i'm saying is... maybe drawing something for you to show someone might encourage you to draw (better).
I don't think I'd enjoy doing that till I was at the professional level. And I have a feeling that when I'm at the pro level, I won't feel any need to show off anymore, hahah. XD

you still need to practice if you want to be good. i heard from my professor that in order to master something, one must practice for about 10,000 hours. that's 3 to 4 hours everyday for the next 10 years. ( i think )
Sounds about right. I started keeping track of my hours last year, but stopped a few months in. I should start it up again...
Also, your signature scares me a little bit. Isn't that the line rapists always say in hentai before going about their work? :heh:

Bleah, graphic design. :x
The art of making logos and webpages!
I'm not too great at it.

motion graphic design. alot different. we do stuff like green screening. color grading, 3d and special effects. layer masking. theres alot of stuff involved. can be extremely difficult and at times rather simple. like in paranormal activity when the woman got dragged out of bed by a so called ghost. you wouldnt believe how easy that is to do with a simple dual layer mask. in fact every event in that movie is so easy to recreate. its not until you understand how to do it that when you see movies like that your like faaaaake

motion graphic design. alot different. we do stuff like green screening. color grading, 3d and special effects. layer masking. theres alot of stuff involved. can be extremely difficult and at times rather simple. like in paranormal activity when the woman got dragged out of bed by a so called ghost. you wouldnt believe how easy that is to do with a simple dual layer mask. in fact every event in that movie is so easy to recreate. its not until you understand how to do it that when you see movies like that your like faaaaake
Oh, so it's an actual job then? Sorry for underestimating it, hahah. It's just that whenever I see a "graphic design" person, they don't know shit about anything. XP
What you're describing sounds very different though!

It's just that whenever I see a "graphic design" person, they don't know shit about anything. XP

That is so sadly true.

Also, your signature scares me a little bit. Isn't that the line rapists always say in hentai before going about their work?


It's just that whenever I see a "graphic design" person, they don't know shit about anything. XP

is it just me.. or do those two lines strike anyone in their hilarious bone. :lol2: Especially the second one. oh hopeless...

is it just me.. or do those two lines strike anyone in their hilarious bone. Especially the second one. oh hopeless...
lol, sorry. I just say whatever pops into my head. XD

Let's see... I would recommend just reading a book, manga, magazine, or even watch animes. This may sound like a dumb option and reading books?! But as you imagine things in your head, you start to get past the Artist's Block you're having and you're left with something to draw.

Well... It might not work, but for me, I just stare at an anime episode like Angel Beats! until I finally figure out what I need to do. It works for me.