Tips For Art-Writing Block

Writer's and Artist's block--Everyone's nightmare. We've all been there, and if you haven't yet, then trust me, you will. So I decided to put together a little thing on what you can do to either stay out of a block or to get out of a block.

Take a Break

So, haven't we all heard this one? Believe me, though. It is true. My dad always suggests when I'm on an artist's block to put it down for a day and write a story. Play a video game, read a book. Geez, study for that quiz on Wednesday! Do something else, as long as that something else doesn't involve getting you killed. Also, don't force yourself to draw or write something if you're on a block. Believe me, (I've tried) it'll turn out absolutely horrible. I suppose the only exception to this would be an art or writing homework assignment (For us students) that's due the next day.

Get Doodley!

Ok, I know above I said not to force yourself to draw. Perhaps I should've said something like, "Don't force yourself to draw a complete composition." When you're on an artist's block, pull out a sheet of notebook paper, and doodle on it. Doodle anything. Doodle a cat, a deformed fish, an eyeball, for crying out loud! Random shapes or lines will work! Just keep doodling, and in that process, you may in fact come up with something wonderful. When that happens, before you lose the idea, pull out some drawing paper and draw it. If you get stuck, doodle some more. Doodle, doodle, doodle. (Try saying that five times fast!) Don't worry about making the doodles look nice, because you don't have to put it online, and I don't think people would like that kind of stuff spamming their inboxes, anyway. In fact, for all I care, you can throw it away once you get your imagination rolling again!

Try Something New

If you're like me, and you draw the same topic over and over and over (Right now it's Seddie...Hee-hee...), try switching to another topic. If you're a fan-artist, that could be something else you like; if you can't stand fan-art, that could be another style of art. But try switching to something else. If you're a cartoonist, try drawing something realistic. If you're a Sonic fan-artist, try switching to Pokemon. You could even go so far as to change your coloring style. Just try something new.

Travel

When I went to Michigan, my ideas poured out in a downpour. Even if most of it's just sketches, even those can be fun to look at. Of course, you don't have to make an 18 hour drive. All you need is a simple change of scenery. If you draw in your kitchen, go to the local park. The change of surroundings will open you up, believe me.

Keep the Drama to a Minimum

The less drama you have in your life, the more you can focus on your art. We all run into tough things, I know. Sometimes, things happen, and it's no one's fault. However, you can do some things to keep drama around you to a minimum. First of all, if you're in school, keep your grades up. It's not that hard, it really isn't. Last year, I kept straight As on my report card, without spending hours a night with my eyes pryed to some textbook. How did I do that? I paid attention. Also, behave in school. Don't get yourself in trouble, in any form what so ever. (Girls, you know what I'm talking about.) If you do that, then the arguements with your parents will decrease by a large percentage. Don't be dramatic about stuff, either. If you don't pass your driver's test the first time, it's not the end of the world. Really, nothing you do will cause the end of the world, unless you're some sort of unearthly, God-like figure. So don't over drama-tize it. And this suggestion won't just help with art, it'll help with life in general.