Welcome to Gaia! ::

Introduction

The idea behind this thread is to compile a reference list of various ideas and techniques to combat artist's block, find inspiration, and increase creativity. It is small now, but I am planning on adding to it daily and hopefully others will want to contribute as well. Feel free to post or PM comments and suggestions.

Ideas to Combat Artist's Block

1. Draw pictures about artist's block
2. Take the 100 Themes Challenge
3. Practice drawing hands
4. Draw your personal muse
5. Try aimlessly doodling
6. Draw something in a completely different genre than what you are used to
7. Experiment with a new medium or use an old medium in a new way
8. Break out the crayons or fingerpaints and draw pictures like back when you were a kid
9. Design your dream studio
10. Draw with something totally unexpected...like old lipstick!
11. Draw or paint on something different, such as a calculator roll or small slate/chalkboard
12. Make some inkblots, then draw on them with marker to turn them into little creatures or whatnot
13. Reread one of your favorite books and try to make some illustrations
14. Design a business card for your artwork
15. Draw using your non-dominant hand
16. Go around your town and try to look at ordinary things as if you were new to the area or an alien from another world....then draw them
17. Do a blind contour drawing
18. Draw without lifting your pen off the paper
19. Draw a self-portrait by feeling your face with your eyes closed

Inspiration

1. Browse through archived articles of The Artists Magazine
2. Check out a book on art from the library
3. Read quotes from or about artists
4. Make and listen to a playlist of classical music or songs that have special meaning to you
5. Write a haiku or poem
6. Go outside for a while and look at the clouds while enjoying nature

Creativity Aids

1. Create an Idea File
2. Start a scrapbook
3. Keep a journal
4. Cut interesting colors and patterns out of old magazines and use them to create a collage

Links

Creativity for Life
Creativity Portal
Being an Artist
Creative Myths
Art Quotes Newsletter Ezine

Credits

Ideas 17-19 used with permission from Shadow__Dweller's Unusual Techniques post.

I never have time for artists block because I never really draw for my own sake...I'm always working on a college art project sweatdrop when college ends I tend not to draw during the break...I take a rest xd but the thread seems like a great idea 3nodding

how come i don't remember seeing this thread back in october? maybe i should stickie this, or move it to the library subform then sticky it. very usefull.