WebsiteAlways.com


Overcoming Artists Block (part 2)


Once you are ready to start working again you will know it instinctively. All artists go through periods of 'creative block' - it's normal, but after one such episode there are ways of stimulating ideas and getting the creative juices flowing again.

Visit your local library and take out books that cover materials, techniques and subjects that are not familiar to you. If you are a watercolour artist, why not try oils for once? If you paint large acrylic abstracts, would it be possible to try soft pastels on a smaller scale? What results could you achieve by doing something completely different to what you're used to?

What about trying collage or mixed media work? Take photos of your neighbourhood, family or friends. Local places of interest, the countryside, the seashore, the city. Manipulate your photos on your PC and print out as digital art. Use the images, either natural or manipulated as collage pieces. It is so therapeutic cutting pieces and sticking them down. Use a range of materials to finish your work.

Instead of going straight back to paintings or drawings on normal scale, why not create some miniature pieces? How about greetings cards? White card 'blanks' are very easy to source. How delighted family, friends or customers would be to own an unique hand painted card.

Try drawing for once instead of painting, if that's your usual medium, or vice versa. Fill a sketchbook with small quick sketches. You could even time yourself. Three or five minutes maximum for each sketch.

When you're ready to go full size again, try loosening up your technique, by again setting a time limit for each piece of work you create. With a deadline to meet, you will speed up and loosen up. Try not to be precious with your art. Be quick and bold - see what happens.

Paint upside down. Start a new piece, then half way through turn the paper or canvas round 90 degrees. This is a great technique for abstracts. Use new colours - let them flow into each other. Splatter colours onto the wet surface. If you like, you could turn the work once more to finish. What a great way to create 'happy accidents'.

Paint or draw to music. Use only your emotion to make marks on the surface of your support. Play your favourite rock, pop or classical music, let the melodies and rhythms wash over you, influencing how your artwork evolves. I often paint to 'Smile' by Brian Wilson .... and boy do I get inspired!

What about painting left handed if you're a right-hander and vice versa. Trying to do a representational work with your weakest side will produce art that is still yours, but will have a completely different edge to it. Challenging and great fun to do ... if you have the discipline!

Finally, once you get back into full flow, remind yourself of all the artwork you have created successfully. How appreciated you are by your customers. Read their testimonials. Feel that glow again, when you realise that your creativity block was only temporary and that there are fans out there just waiting for you to release some wonderful new artwork into the arena.

Gail Miller is a professional artist whose artwork is a visual feast of colour and fun. Her fascination with bold colours and fluid, expressive shapes and line are evident in funky abstracts, sinuous nudes, vibrant still life paintings and lively townscapes. Visit her website at http://www.gailmiller.com


MORE RESOURCES:

CNET News

Morocco fights terrorism with one ID card, "promotes" creativity ...
CNET News, CA - 13 hours ago
As to the artist card; it affords them a "more structured environment" in which to work and ensures "conditions necessary to promote creativity," according ...


Creativity and our life
Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 2 hours ago
CREATIVITY, as held by many, can take two forms. One is invention, which has quite often been described as “one creating totally new things”. ...


Tough times encourage culinary creativity
Aviation International News, NJ - 10 hours ago
“Tough times don’t destroy creativity,” said co-owner Paula Kraft. “They demand that you rise to the occasion with even greater creativity.”


Self-discipline, creativity work together to spark new ideas for ...
Columbia Missourian, MO - 9 hours ago
Though his work might not seem innovative at first glance, producing it required more creativity than painting like Jackson Pollock. ...


Stefanski adds touch of creativity
Cherry Hill Courier Post, NJ - Nov 30, 2008
By MARTIN FRANK • Gannett News Service • November 30, 2008 Already, it is clear that Stefanski breathed some much-needed life, ingenuity and creativity into ...


Students tap into creativity for CEC derby
phillyBurbs.com, PA - 14 hours ago
By JOAN HELLYER So five weeks ago, when Samantha's physics teacher at Conwell-Egan Catholic High School directed her class to make racing cars out of wooden ...


Creativity unleashed
This is Total Essex, UK - 13 hours ago
The Chelmsford venue will be holding its first ever street and graffiti art auction with works in various mediums from local artists. ...


St. Peter Teen Uses Bubble Wrap With Creativity
KEYC, MN - 21 hours ago
Most people will admit to being fascinated by bubble wrap.It can create hours of fun and one teen found a way to combine that fun with education. ...


Gift ideas: Encourage creativity with board games
Asheville Citizen-Times, NC - 22 hours ago
This holiday shopping season, the shelves at toy stores are brimming with games. Which games offer an experience that is fun, educational and special? ...


Could VP residence stifle Biden's creativity?
Delmarva Now, MD - Nov 29, 2008
But his creativity may be tempered at his new address on Observatory Circle. The 115-year-old white-painted brick Victorian that is the vice president's ...

Creativity - Google News

Interesting articles | Home | site map | Link
© 2006
Thailand Tourism Breast enlargement Jobs Mahoubi.net Free Online Dating | Free personals | Married personals | Totally free personals | Dating online lakeland fl | Free dating sites | Travel Vacations | Multiple listing service real estate