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Art Block, I've seen people talk about on here sometimes, I've got it.
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Message
Posted
Yes, it's happened to me today. I've primed two large canvases, today., ready for tomorrow. The thing is, I have about 6 things I want to paint now but in reality. it's about 30, which just isn't possible. That's just what I'm thinking about at the moment. Of course there are many more I want to do but less important at the moment. There is so much stuff, I want to paint at the same time, I get an idea and think, I'll paint that and then, I get another idea and think, I'm going to paint that and so it goes on. This is causing a block on what to paint first. I'm sure you have all been there and know what I'm talking about. Non, is more important than the other because I want to paint them all. How do you focus to make a start. I am trying so hard at the moment so I can make a fresh start tomorrow with a clear head and focus on the painting in hand. If I had 6 arms to paint with, I would probably be happy. Oh what a drama. Any tips appreciated, really, they will be.
Posted
I haven't had that predicament (!), but I write down ideas I have, in case I forget them. Or if there's a particular photo I've taken which I think might be a good subject for a paintng, I put it in a 'painting ideas' folder for later.
My predicament is more to do with putting off something I've been asked to paint, because the subject isn't particularly interesting to me, or the photos the person has provided aren't great to work with.
Posted
I used to really struggle with this too, and my solution is to just have far too many pieces on the go at once (current count is 11) 😂 My executive dysfunction really kicks me up the behind at the start of a piece - I hate prepping and making those first brushstrokes - so I do actually find having more pieces on the go means I'm more productive overall because I can pick whichever I feel most inspired to work on that day. If I can't decide which, then I put my business head on and pick whichever I "need" to get done first either for a client or just because it's more commercially useful to me.
Edited
by Liselle-Fae .
Posted
I sometimes have two or three on the go and swap between them. For me it’s when I have not done anything for a while that I dither about what to do so a couple of rough sketch’s soon have neocon track often it’s old stuff that I have had for ages.
I’m sure you will suddenly decide Denise then you will be off at ten too the dozen . Look forward to your choice.
I know I could not cope with eleven plus , no where’s to keep that many WIP.
Posted
You've described how I am most of the time, Denise. I'd put it down to the fact that I'm only drawing/arting for myself, for fun. This leaves the door wide open for everything, and everything is too much. Interesting that Helen has the same problem with commissions. A short attention span doesn't help, when I'm working on one thing, I'm thinking of what I'll do next, which can lead to my hurrying what I'm working on. I envy people who happily take weeks and months on a painting, for me, anything longer than three days is likely to be abandoned. It's never a shortage of ideas, more likely it's too many ideas.
As with all things, you get through it.
I find these things help...
Look at art...it doesn't matter what kind. As well as the kind of art I most like, I'll look at pictures that I admire but have no intention of simulating...like still life, abstract and landscape. Looking at the result of other people's artistic activity can get me going.
Draw something. Anything. I take a sketchbook and draw the first thing that comes into my head. With me it's going to be people, cartoons etc out of my imagination. I end up with odd pages filled with random images, some poorly drawn, some a little better...the point is, I'm drawing something.
Look through your own work...that often prompts something. That bit didn't work, I can make a picture out of 'that bit', I'll try that again differently.
Take a break...a week...a month.
Often the feeling just goes away, you sit down and start doing something.
It's pretty normal, everybody gets it in some form.
Posted
So many sentiments expressed so well - and I'm up there with the procrastinators. Time flies by, guilt sets in and if I'm not motivated by what I'm doing even harder. I'm a 'starter finisher' so I can never leave anything and go on to the next and as for having multiple paintings on the go at the same time hats off to those of you who can do it. I've had an enforced health break for 6 weeks but am back at art class this week so hope to get on the wagon again! Lots of good suggestions (as always) on the forum, thanks all.
Posted
I'll add my name to the list if I may. This is a bad time of year at the best of times. The lack of light and colour, miserable weather and a longest gap of any between public holidays causes many to feel 'down in the dumps'. It requires extra effort to find inspiration.
Next Tuesday 1st marks the ancient festival of Imbolc (aka Candlemas), celebrating the awakening of the land and the growing power of the sun. So, keep your peckers up. Spring is not too far away. 🙂