Tips to Finding Inspiration For Art
In every artist’s life, there comes a time when creative block keeps them from finding inspiration for their art.
According to A Comprehensive Guide to Finding Inspiration For Art, “The problem is that while the skill with the art has improved, the perspective hasn’t changed.”
This means that there is more to finding inspiration for art than simply learning a new topic. Instead, it requires one to change their perspective of the world.
Rather than waiting around for inspiration to strike, it is important to act and seek out ways to actively overcome creative block. Think of other great artists and the attitudes which helped them achieve greatness.
Success did not just find them while they were waiting for inspiration.
“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” — Pablo Picasso
Inspiration comes differently to different people, so giving specific tips can be difficult.
An article by The Guardian shares how top artists of various crafts find their inspiration. From ballet dancers and artists to directors and musicians, it is important to look to others in your profession and identify how they get inspired.
However, I would also argue that it is equally important to recognize the way your brain works and analyze ways that will help motivate and inspire you.
I have a magpie attitude to inspiration: I seek it from all sorts of sources; anything that allows me to think about how culture comes together. — Isaac Julien
For now, let’s take a look at a general list of things artists can do to find inspiration before I share things that help inspire me.
Tips to Overcome Creative Block
A Comprehensive Guide to Finding Inspiration For Art has comprised a list of short, medium and long term ways for artists to find inspiration.
Short Term
- Get up
- Go for a walk
Medium Term
- Meet new people
- Take a wrong turn
- Watch/look at/listen/read something new and inspirational
Long Term
- Find the hours that suit you the best
- Find how you can optimize your “time zone”
- Minimize distractions
- Learn something new. Be bad at it first.
Shashank Sharma at Dextra comprised this list based off of his experiences as an artist coupled with thorough research.
To describe the contents of this list in my own words would not do it justice. Therefore, I implore the person reading this to read through the article, especially if you are serious about getting inspired.
Some of the things in Sharma’s list really spoke to me, while others I thought could use some depth. However, as previously stated, different things work for inspiring different people.
That is why I have comprised a small list of things I do when I am in a creative rut.
5 Things I Do to Break Creative Block
1. Find the Root of the Problem
To overcome creative block, it is important that we analyze why we have it in the first place.
Creative block can be caused by many things. A few examples are:
- Anxiety
- Fear of failure
- Lack of motivation
- Stress
- Depression
- Laziness
To solve any issue, identifying the source is the most important step. Once we’ve analyzed where the block is coming from, we can brainstorm solutions.
The biggest source of my creative block is a lack of motivation. I often find myself thinking, “Oh, I can just draw tomorrow.”
That is why it is important to be active when getting yourself out of a creative slump. For those of us who suffer with a lack of motivation, being vigilant is key.
2. Have Confidence
As an artist, I have found that my lack of confidence can be traced to comparing my work to others and not deeming myself an artist.
While it’s true, I am not a professional artist, I often need to remind myself that I am still an artist.
The reluctance to call myself an artist stems from the unhealthy habit of comparing my art to others’.
Artists have different styles, experiences, backgrounds, tools and perspectives. It is unfair to compare yourself.
You are an artist regardless of your skill level.
“You create with passion, you work hard, you love what you do — the rest doesn’t matter. You’re a heckin artist.” — Sylessae
3. Push Myself
While this concept is easy enough to understand, I must admit that it is quite difficult to actually do.
Most people don’t like the feeling of being pushed beyond what they’re accustomed to.
It is, of course, important to know your limit, but there is nothing wrong with pushing yourself a little bit.
If you find yourself thinking, “I’ll draw tomorrow,” make yourself draw anyway.
Even if this step does not fully allow you to overcome your creative block, learning how to push yourself will help you grow, in your craft and as a person.
“All growth starts at the end of your comfort zone.” — Tony Robbins
4. Get in a Habit
Twyla Tharp believes that creativity is a habit and that the best creativity is the result of good work habits.
A lot of artists talk as passionately about the work they produce as they do about their routine. Therefore, it is important to set up a place and consistent schedule that works best for you.
I find myself drawing in the quiet hours of the evenings and early mornings. It is at that time that I find I am most productive. My iPad allows me to draw in bed (or pretty much wherever I want).
I do not always draw at the same time every night, but I make it a habit to draw before going to sleep, even if it is just a sketch.
According to Sharma, Stephen King makes a habit of starting work between 8 and 8:30 a.m. every morning.
Your schedule does not have to be that precise. However, you might find that the more precise the time, the easier the schedule is to stick to.
5. Take Breaks
As anticlimactic this final tip might seem, it is one of the most important ones to me.
As someone who has always been a perfectionist, I find that I am hyperfocused on projects once I start them and that it is hard to put them down until I am satisfied. The only problem is that I am also highly critical of the work that I produce.
I have found that my mental state and work both improve if I take breaks.
Without breaks, an endless cycle forms where my mental state decreases which effects my work, which then effects my mental state, and so on.
Adding in a little exercise to your breaks can also help, like taking a short ten minute walk or stretching.
Concluding Thoughts
So, I’ve told you what helps me overcome my creative blocks as well as providing you with ways Shashank Sharma overcomes his. Now it’s your turn!
Do you have a surefire way of inspiring yourself or any tips you want to share?
Let me know in the comments below!
