Everyone appreciates creativity whether they have it or not and drawing is no exception. But when we are not inspired, don’t know what to draw, or simply do not have any inspiration for our artwork, it can be hard to get going. This article offers some thoughts and tips on how to get started so that you can still create something even when your inspiration is lacking.
Look for Inspiration Online and Offline
When we are looking for inspiration, it can be a great idea to search both online and offline sources. The internet offers a vast array of creative resources, be it video tutorials, websites, or blog posts.
Offline, you could look for books, magazines, or even look around your environment for some fresh ideas. Even if you feel slightly overwhelmed at first by the wide variety of sources, it is a good idea to at least glance through some of them so that you can get a better idea of what is currently popular and trending. Doing this can help you find a starting point or even an entire artwork that resonates with you and is inspiring enough to help you get started.
Use Previous Work as a Point of Inspiration
If online and offline sources fail to give you an idea for your artwork, it might be helpful to remember that you have a plethora of work that you have already created. Even if your ideas seem to have run out, it is easy to combine some of the artwork that you have already created together to create something new.
Additionally, this ensures that whatever you create is something that is reflective of you and your techniques and is easily recognizable to those who love your artwork.
Challenge Yourself and Learn Something New
One of the best ways to generate new ideas is to challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone. Pushing yourself to learn something new is a great way to inspire new ideas and often leads to techniques and ways of working that can help us become better at our craft. This could be anything from coloring techniques to complex compositions or subject matter.
Learning something new and challenging yourself to use the newly acquired techniques can inspire unique and personal art.
Experiment with Different Mediums
Another way to find inspiration for your artwork is to experiment with different mediums. While digital art is popular, traditional mediums like watercolor and ink can offer a fascinating new perspective on creativity. In addition, using everyday objects as a painting surface also helps get the creative juices flowing.
Everyday objects like coffee cups or wooden boxes can make interesting and unique surfaces to create artwork on. Whatever you decide to draw on, remember that experimenting with different mediums can lead to beautiful and creative artwork.
Set a Time Limit & Stick to It
Setting a time limit for yourself when you don’t have any ideas can be very helpful. By setting a time limit it helps limit procrastination and can give you the push to get started. Sticking with it and meeting the goal that you have set gives a sense of accomplishment and usually pays off with great results.
This can help you to stay focused and come up with ideas even when you feel like giving up.
Try Creating Different Types of Artwork
When it comes to finding inspiration for your artwork, it can be helpful to try creating different types of artwork. Trying something that is completely different from what you would normally create can be a great way to kickstart the inspiration and can also lead to new techniques and styles from which you can draw from in the future.
Create a Mood Board
Creating a mood board is a great way to spark inspiration and draw out ideas. A mood board is a visual representation of ideas and images, so it can be helpful to use one when looking for inspiration.
When creating a mood board, it’s important to look for images, colors, and words that evoke a certain emotion or idea. This can help give a clearer vision of what kind of artwork you want to create.
Work with a Group of Artists
Working with a group of artists is a great way to find inspiration and generate ideas. Having a group of artists to share ideas and techniques with can give you a better understanding of what kinds of artwork you want to make and how you want to present it.
Being part of a creative support system can also give us the feedback and encouragement that we need to find new ideas and push our work further.
Write Down Ideas Even When They Don’t Seem Good
Writing down ideas is a great way to get started when looking for inspiration. Even when some of the ideas that you come up with do not seem as though they are good or are too crazy, it’s a good idea to still write them down so you can look back on them later.
This way, you can use these “out there” ideas to spark new ideas and take your artwork in an unexpected direction.
Take a Break and Do Something Else
Taking a break can sometimes be the key to finding inspiration. Doing something else can help to clear your mind and reset your focus.
Taking a walk in nature, listening to music, or even writing in a journal can be good ways to give your mind a break and come back to your artwork with a fresher perspective.
Look for Your Inspiration in Unexpected Places
Another way to find inspiration is to look for it in unexpected places. This could be anything from conversations you overhear to certain colors and shapes that you happen to notice.
Anything that catches your attention in an unexpected way could be a source of inspiration, so it can be a great idea to start paying attention to these little things and make a conscious effort to be open to creative ideas.
Play Around with Shapes, Colors & Textures
Playing around with shapes, colors, and textures can often lead to interesting artwork. Shapes can be used to create interesting patterns and designs, colors to evoke emotion and mood, and textures to add visuals elements to your artwork.
Using these three elements in combination can often lead to unique and inspiring artwork.
Don’t Pressure Yourself & Enjoy the Process
Finally, the most important tip is to not put pressure on yourself when looking for inspiration. Even when we feel like the ideas will never come back, we can still enjoy the process of creating. Creating art does not always have to be about getting something good out of it; just the act of creating is often something that can give you satisfaction.
Conclusion
When looking for inspiration, it can be helpful to look in both online and offline sources. Additionally, sometimes remembering your previous work and challenging yourself to learn something new is enough to get some ideas going. Experimenting with different mediums, setting a time limit, and working with other artists can also help get new ideas.
Finally, taking a break and enjoying the process are some other great tips. By following these tips and best practices, one can always find ideas and inspiration for their artwork, even when it seems like all their ideas have run out.