Being an artist often requires some form of inspiration or an idea of what to draw. When this is absent, it can be difficult to know what to do next.
In this article, we will explore 13 strategies for how to draw when you don’t know what to draw.
1. Look at What’s Around You
When seeking inspiration, it can be motivating to simply look around and reflect the room in which you are in. Take note of details such as the shape of the furniture, the colour of the walls, and the curves of your curtains. Draw these items as they appear to you and it will give you a sense of accomplishment and a good starting point to build on.
Another great activity is to grab a sketchpad and venture outside. Sketch the buildings and architecture around you.
Paint the blue sky, draw people, and capture the unique features of the city or town in which you live. Nature offers an array of textures, colours, and shapes to inspire you.
2. Keep a Sketches Ideas Journal
If you are someone who often dreams of new and interesting drawing ideas, then keeping a sketches ideas journal can be an effective way to document your thought processes. Whenever a new idea pops into your mind, quickly jot it down or write it as a list. This will help jog your memory if your inspiration vanishes.
Refer to the journal throughout the day and when the opportunity presents itself, begin to draw your ideas out.
3. Read Books or Comics for Ideas
If you’re feeling stuck, try curling up with a good book or comic book and see what ideas it may spark. It’s hard not to get inspired by reading as you would have to have creative juices flowing to be able to bring the stories to life. It can be helpful to take illustration cues from books and comics as they are often filled with interesting characters and contexts.
4. Explore Your Thoughts and Feelings
Expressive art is a great way to channel emotions and explore thoughts. Think of it as a therapeutic activity.
When you don’t know what to draw, it could be an indication that it’s time to explore your feelings. Draw something that expresses how you’re feeling and don’t bother about making it perfect or beautiful. You can use this to work through hidden emotions or issues that you didn’t know you had.
5. Create an Abstract Piece of Art
If you want to take your creativity to a whole new level and let loose, then abstract art could be a great option. Abstract art is more unrestricted and allows you to play with colors, shapes, and forms freely.
Express yourself through the art you create and ignite creative impulses in your subconscious. Feel free to just scribble and create random shapes, or be more intentional about the colors you choose and how you structure it.
6. Copy the Art of the Greats
Studying the works of the greats such as Picasso, Michelangelo, and Da Vinci can be very inspiring and lead to interesting concepts. Take some time to research their techniques and be drawn into their works.
Try to copy their art pieces as closely as possible in your own illustrations. This is a great way to practice your skills and get to know the principles of art.
7. Brainstorm Ideas with Friends
If you need a little external help, why not spend some time brainstorming ideas with friends or family. Everyone is creative in their own way and it’s a chance to talk through your thoughts and share interesting perspectives. Working together can be encouraging and may help lead to something brilliant.
8. Look at Art Galleries and Exhibits
Making time to explore galleries and exhibitions can be instrumental in sparking creativity and ideas. Whenever you have the opportunity to do so, try not only to admire the pieces of art but to understand why they were created and what techniques were used. This can help you think outside of the box and develop new techniques of your own.
9. Take Part in a Class or Workshop
You will find a wealth of knowledge and experience in art classes and workshops. Surrounding yourself with like minded people who share the same passion for art can be a great way to discover new ideas and choose the right direction. You can gain tips from the instructor as well as from other participants and pick up some new skills in the process.
10. Use Photography to Capture Ideas
Often times, it can be difficult to visualise concepts and try to put them onto paper. To make this easier, pick up a camera and start snapping away! Take pictures of shapes and forms that you wouldn’t have noticed before.
Then when you feel inspired, draw the photographs you’ve taken and use them to drive new ideas.
11. Break it Down
If the idea of a complete illustration can seem intimidating and overwhelming, try breaking it down into smaller, simpler drawings. Start by drawing basic shapes and try to put together a jigsaw of forms and textures, eventually working your way up to a complex drawing.
This can help you feel in control and not become overwhelmed.
12. Draw Copycats
This is a great way to practice and work on your skills if you’re lacking confidence or if you feel like you’ve lost your creativity and motivation. Choose an artist whose work you admire and replicate their work as best as possible. Imitate their concepts, positioning, color choices, textures, and shapes as much as you can and admire your own improvement over time.
13. Join a Drawing Challenge
To feel a sense of motivation, why not join a drawing challenge? This could be a challenge with friends or something that’s available on the internet. Challenges often give ambitious goals, so this is your chance to strive to achieve something unique.
Even if the challenge is not successful, you will still have something tangible to show for it.
Conclusion
Lacking inspiration when deciding what to draw can be a daunting experience. However, with the right strategies and strategies, it is very possible to overcome this creative block and create beautiful pieces of art.
Seek inspiration in many forms, break it down into manageable elements, and challenge yourself to create something new. With these steps, the ideas will certainly flow.