[Helmrothaal]

Hello everyone.
I am in a distressing situation with my artwork - at least, I find it so. I have not been able to comfortably draw anything for around about a year now and I am getting to a point where I don't know what else to do.

Right now it feels as if I can not settle anywhere and the more I look for inspiration, the less comfortable I feel. I'm not sure if it’s a confidence thing or what. It’s not just lacking ideas though, even if I get a good concept I can't seem to pin it down, as if I have no real technique anymore. There's even a terrible, 'raw' feeling in my gut when I attempt any kind of drawing, an actual physical sensation, it’s hard to explain. I'm just not sure what I enjoy anymore artistically... it seems as if I've completely lost my place with it all.

One idea I've had for the cause of this is money - due to personal circumstances I have been forced to more or less rely on my work for income, even going so far as to set up my business officially etc {a lot of boring paperwork} I am wondering if the pressure of that has caused me to look at my work differently - my business advisor tried to push for me to do more 'commercially acceptable' artwork instead of drawing what I enjoyed {I just want to note, I have worked freelance before this, and it didn't cause this to happen}

The following are a list of things I've tried to shift this monumental block;
- Doing photo studies and life studies.
- Changing and experimenting technique.
- Switching from digital, which is my normal medium, to traditional.
- Taking long and short breaks.
- Idea generators.
- Trawling through galleries, books, music, films etc for inspiration.

I'm just at my wits end and any advice given to help me find my mojo again would be so much appreciated.


P.S Yes, this is why my gallery is currently empty.

[Peter_Coene]

Originally Posted by Helmrothaal

Hello everyone.
I am in a distressing situation with my artwork - at least, I find it so. I have not been able to comfortably draw anything for around about a year now and I am getting to a point where I don't know what else to do.

Right now it feels as if I can not settle anywhere and the more I look for inspiration, the less comfortable I feel. I'm not sure if it’s a confidence thing or what.

There are two types of inspiration; inspiration to create and inspiration for subject matter. Of course, there is some crossover, such as having a cool subject inspiring you to draw, and being inspired to draw causing you to take any subject and draw it.

When it comes to inspiration to draw, that is a hurdle you have to muscle through, if you want to be a professional, at least. If you only draw when you have the "inspiration" you can expect to get fired for not doing any work. Inspiration or not you have to muscle through and draw anyway.

As for inspiration for subject matter, to be honest, unless you have been hired to draw a specific subject, subject matter is the least important part of any piece. Sure, you shouldn't get into a rut drawing any one thing, but if you can create an interesting composition, using good perspective and applying all the other basic art techniques you will have a good piece of art. It doesn't matter if it is just a painting of a bowl of cereal.

It’s not just lacking ideas though, even if I get a good concept I can't seem to pin it down, as if I have no real technique anymore.

Technique can seem to be lost, often certain things are a matter of your hand learning certain ways of drawing that are totally subconscious. Its probably still there, however you need to get back into the swing of things and used to drawing again for that subconscious aspect to come back.

There's even a terrible, 'raw' feeling in my gut when I attempt any kind of drawing, an actual physical sensation, it’s hard to explain. I'm just not sure what I enjoy anymore artistically... it seems as if I've completely lost my place with it all.

This sounds more like a psychological issue, sort of like performance anxiety. It sounds like you have fixated on failure and so now you fear that failure so much that it inhibits your ability to succeed. I think you might want to consider seeing a psychologist on this one.

One idea I've had for the cause of this is money - due to personal circumstances I have been forced to more or less rely on my work for income, even going so far as to set up my business officially etc {a lot of boring paperwork} I am wondering if the pressure of that has caused me to look at my work differently

If that is the case it has caused you to look at it in a way that is detrimental to your business.

- my business adviser tried to push for me to do more 'commercially acceptable' artwork instead of drawing what I enjoyed {I just want to note, I have worked freelance before this, and it didn't cause this to happen}

To be honest, it sounds to me that you have not developed far enough as an artist to be ready to run your own business as a primary source of income, and as a result you are having psychological issues.

What I mean is not that your art isn't necessarily good enough (I haven't seen it, so it might be, might not be) but instead that you have not trained your mind to draw what you need to and muscle through whatever inhibits it.

The following are a list of things I've tried to shift this monumental block;
- Doing photo studies and life studies.
- Changing and experimenting technique.
- Switching from digital, which is my normal medium, to traditional.
- Taking long and short breaks.
- Idea generators.
- Trawling through galleries, books, music, films etc for inspiration.

I'm just at my wits end and any advice given to help me find my mojo again would be so much appreciated.

1. Don't rely on your art business as a primary source of income, you aren't ready for that and it seems to be hurting your work and your mental health.

2. Learn to accept the failures, and also to move on. If you can't do this you'll continue to fail.

3. Consider seeking professional psychiatric help.

[LadyMedusa]

Ive been in a similar situation until I recently shook it off, and what you are saying sounds so familiar.

Do you have anything you like to draw? Like creatures, characters, landscape?
Do an ABC of it. For one moth, make it a goal to draw one of said thing for every day. You do at least do one sketch of it.
Like for example creatures. First day you have to draw a creature starting on A, and on day 2 you draw a creature starting on B. Post it somewhere online, or store the drawings somewhere, no matter how bad it gets, at least you've done something! After a while you should get rid of that "raw" and "fake" feeling.

I also suggest you not to repress doodling, even if you're working and you're not supposed to doodle at work. (unless you'll get fired for it)

To start whit, I only hoped it would work, but I didn't exactly look forward to it.. When I got to F or G I started getting exited about the "project", but I started feeling really creative (getting other ideas) first around L.
I'm not saying it will work for you, but it might be worth a shot.

[Black-Spot]

Have you tried the challenges here or at CA to get yourself moving?

[Helmrothaal]

@LadyMedusa; I usually draw character-based things, but have been wishing to branch out into landscapes and environments and go back to dabbling with creatures too.
Your suggestion sounds really helpful, actually, and I feel quite excited about doing it! Thank you very much for the kind help.

@Black-Spot; No, I have not. I am always slightly nervous about participating in those types of things, but, I think I may have a go if it'll help get my creative juices flowing. Thank you!

[Dona]

I agree with lots of points Peter made (although I wouldn't put it as harshly and send you to psychiatrist - psychologist, at best, but you don't need medications for this - but that's Peter for you).

So yes, I'd say you're frozen by the fear of failure. It's so easy to fall into that trap. Please take it easy and, if needed, do some introspection and remember when art used to be fun and WHY it was so fun. Compare to how you feel right now and I'm sure you'll figure out a way. Maybe not at that instant, but it will happen.

LadyMedusa, you are on to something

[Peter_Coene]

Originally Posted by Dona

I agree with lots of points Peter made (although I wouldn't put it as harshly and send you to psychiatrist - psychologist, at best, but you don't need medications for this - but that's Peter for you).

I figured the idea was at least looking into. A psychiatrist might be overkill, but I would think that a good psychiatrist would be able to see whats going on, and if he/she realizes that s/he is superfluous they will say so and tell you where to go.

I wouldn't have suggested it, except that this has gone on for over a year and the original post seemed desperate. In the unlikely case that this has progressed to an issue requiring psychiatry (which it could in that amount of time) I figured that it would be better safe than sorry. I didn't want to assume that my own word would be enough to guide someone out of such an issue and wanted to say so.

Now that I think of it though, a psychologist would have probably been able to see if it was that bad and would have recommended a psychiatrist if it was, so I guess I could have held back there.

Oh well.

[Helmrothaal]

@Dona; Thank you for your concern, the suggestion of the alphabet exercise has triggered something, actually - and I extend a thank you again to the poster who suggested it - and I am sketching an pushing around ideas a lot. Not forcing myself to create finished pieces every time {like I was doing} I am content to stop at a scribbled sketch with a decent idea in it

@Peter_Coene; I actually assumed you meant psychologist when you said psychiatrist, as people often seem to mix them up - saying that I wouldn't go on medication for something like this, and I don't happen to believe that a lot of psychiatrist prescribed drugs actually do any good, but, that's my opinion from my own experience that I'm not going to get into as we're not here to argue this I just wanted to point out that I wouldn't accept drugs for something like this that could be sorted out in a different way.

[Ringmasta]

This happened to me as well. When this happened to me I took a measured step back and then powered through it.

Block happens. Don't let it put a premature end to your passion.

[zzzz]

this happens to me all the time

[Wdigital]

Registered after lurking for a long while . Thought i might offer my input and try to become more active in a forum like this, motivate myself and such.

Anyway. What you describe sounds like stuff i've heard from alot of artists and authors. I believe the only way (this is just me talking though, not saying it's right for you) is to make yourself draw every day. Paint every day. Sketch every day. Observe things that you want to draw every day. If your technique is too raw, make yourself work on your technique & change it.

Find something that you always find at least passably enjoyable to paint. For me (like many other male artists :P) this is drawing/painting nude/scantily clad females. Even when i'm bored of drawing & painting for the day, i can easily sit down and sketch some nude girls in various poses & positions. Art isn't enjoyable 100% of the time, not even 80%, but there needs to be some enjoyment at least in order not to plummet completely.

As for getting inspiration....i can only offer advice from experience. Go out into nature. There are few things as inspiring to me as taking a walk in the forest/wilds and observing things, while considering the enviroment/character suitable in various settings.

Apart from this, Peter_Coene said pretty much what i wanted to say. I've gone through the process of making a hobby an income before - writing in my case - and from the problems you describe, it sounds like you're not yet prepared to do this with art. It's a tough process, especially the bit about realizing that work is work - art won't always be fun, fulfilling or enjoyable when done as a career. However, comparing it to other careers where the paycheck is the only inducement to keep going, i believe art is preferable (if you enjoy it) to it. The point is, you need to be mentally and artistically (technique-wise) ready to make it your sole source of income.

You need to seperate the art you make when you go to your "office", sit down and perform for others, and the art that you make when you get home and paint for yourself. This is crucial for any career in art/literature/etc. I don't know how to help you there, i'm no psychologist/psychiatrist. Maybe it's the fact that you haven't thought of seperating work-art and personal-art - you saying/arguing that you're being pushed to draw stuff you don't enjoy leads me to believe this.

The bottom line is (i believe): Do you like drawing/painting? Do you like the strokes on the canvas, the act of a pleasant curve or the process of turning a sketch into a finished product, regardless of the subject matter? Perhaps you want to paint/draw for yourself and only things that you enjoy, there's nothing wrong with that whatsoever. If this is the case however, then you might consider a different professional career that you find fulfilling and paint/draw as a hobby.

Apologies if i came across as presumptous or critical, not my intention. I think alot of your current difficulties are rooted in fear/anxiety, plain and simple. The only solution i've ever done for my own anxieties is shock treatment. Confront them, battle them until you beat them. I'm not sure this is the right course of action for you, but maybe it's something to consider.

//Seb