Inspiration

[Fairee]

Over the last few days, I've felt like getting back into my artwork, and I've tried a few drawings and paintings. Sadly nothing's really worked, and I think that's probably due to a lack of inspiration. So when you get these kinda problems (and it doesn't just have to be with drawing, it could be, say, writer's block), what do you do? And can anyone offer some advice as to where I may find inspiration?

 

[SharPhoe]

I know your pain, Geek, as I suffer from bouts of writer's and artist's block separately. Usually, if I'm stricken with one, I just switch to the other, but if it's both, the only I can really do is either seek out a piece of work that inspires me to try something new or similar, or just wait out the storm.

 

[megalomania]

I find a quick cruise around devientart often inspires me with something (for my sister to paint for me).

As for writers block; I normally get my ideas from something topical going on in the world.

 

[Motti]

Go read up on any subject until you're ready to write/draw/paint/whatever. You can't force these things. Also if the subject happens to be useful to whatever it is you're doing, you kill two birds with one stone.

 

[The Infamous Scamola]

Just wait, do something else, watch a movie, read a book, take a walk, it is the inspiration that must come to you not the other way round.

 

[Yankmy Armoff]

i know this prolly aint too useful but i'm looking for someone to do a tattoo design and have a basic idea...

maybe having a poke about with that would get the creative juices flowing? you know, working on something you don't want to do may make you realise what you DO want to do.

yes, i know i'm remarkably cheeky and opportunistic, but it might work
(or you could just tell me to sod off)

 

[mikecoulter]

Maybe spend some time just relaxing, and then just try to consider what should be your next art subject, then you could challenge yourself to doing a sketch, water colour, oil painting and a artistic photo of the same thing. That would be cool

 

[Arrers]

I'm no artist, but you should try interacting with people or things, or read a book or something to get you thinking and just paint/draw what you think about.

 

[StarStruckStrumpets]

Over the last few days, I've felt like getting back into my artwork, and I've tried a few drawings and paintings. Sadly nothing's really worked, and I think that's probably due to a lack of inspiration. So when you get these kinda problems (and it doesn't just have to be with drawing, it could be, say, writer's block), what do you do? And can anyone offer some advice as to where I may find inspiration?

You can't force your mind to work properly, I found that out when I started making AMVs. I had great ideas, and I planned them thoroughly, but when it came round to it, the video just didn't work. Then one day, I just thought...let's try this, and I started to build on it, then it turned out to be excellent.

You will find your inspiration, you can't find it, it finds you.

 

[SmilingKitsune]

Well there's no guaranteed way to be inspired, it's kind of like getting struck by lightning, so the best you can do is but on a pair of copper boots and stand out in the storm, that is to say, go to exhibitions, watch films, read, play games, anything.
I also find hopping on a train and just riding for a few hours can help, nothing like staring out a window at the scenery flashing by to get the thought process going.

 

[Mongodyr]

Guitarist here. To get my creativity flowing I usually create a tribute to a band or song I really like. (Usually writinh something that closely resembles it.) Then after a while my creativity kicks in and I start discovering new ideas and melodies, I drop the other project and just start something completely new.

As I'm a guitarist, I don't really know if the same stuff works for drawing/writing, but seeing as it's all about being creative I guess it can't be that different.

 

[olicon]

Nature is always very inspiring for me. Take a walk outside, sit under a tree and admire the world around you, whether this be a rain forest Even underside of a bridge can be very inspiring, seeing how all the constructions and plannings fit together.

 

[JanatUrlich]

I THINK ABOUT HOW MUCH I WANNA BE BETTER THAN MY EX GIRLFRIEND

That usually makes me do something

 

[chefassassin2]

i get coook'sblock every once in awhile similar to the writer's block I get. Usually when it happens I'll read something I'm into, or watch a movie and try to recreate something I felt from that. It usually comes down to "Alice in Wonderland" or "Firefly". Alice gives me ideas for weird dishes, like "What would the Tweedles eat?", so more of the feeling of the food, rather than a literal interpretation (It's a little hard to explain). With Firefly I try to create dishes that would suit each member of the crew, utilizing the marriage of Chinese and American cuisines to create real dishes. If you've seen the show, hopefully you know what I'm talking about.

 

[traceur_]

you're a gamer so why not try some game art?

 

[Two-Headed Boy]

I usually listen to music, or just draw or write the first thing that comes to my mind and see what happens after that. Film sometimes inspires me as well.

 

[teisjm]

you're a gamer so why not try some game art?

This. Whenever i play a game theres always something in it i feel like drawing. Otherwise just browse art pages, or watch a movie or something. Usually most fantasy related stuff can give me good ideas.

In lack of awesome inspiration you can always just try to draw something un-inspiring to as a way of training your drawing skills

 

[The Rockerfly]

Try looking at something you find controversial and this might open your mind to look at things in a different perspective or maybe try looking at a different type of art of literature or music.
Although I may not be the best person to take an idea about inspiration because I haven't written any good music in about 3 months

 

[Agent Larkin]

I put on a random piece of music as music always inspires me.