There is one question that always finds its way to the forefront of every workshop and seminar I teach, “How do I overcome creative block”? A loaded question if I have ever heard one. If I tell the student that even I, the great and almighty instructor also suffers from creative block, then I become a mere mortal. If I tell the questioner that I do not suffer from any form of block and that creative block is only an affliction of the amateur artist, I become a bold face liar.

 

Now that the cat is out of the bag and I am forced to deal with the fact that I am a mere mortal who does indeed suffer from creative block, we can start to address the problem.

 

I find that I block up right after completing a strong piece of art. As with ALL artist, professional or otherwise, creative block is something that we have to work through. Struggling to top a strong piece is difficult because I feel I have to create an even stronger piece! Having a publisher whose insatiable appetite for new work from me is also a constant point of pressure that can result in block.

 

An artist is no different than a athlete, who will from time to time underperform. As with the athlete, a change in routine or mechanics is required to regain his/her form. I like the change of routine. Leave the studio, grab your camera, pick up your sketch book and hit the great outdoors. New experiences are a sure fire way to instill new inspiration. There is no greater source for new idea’s then mother nature! Sketching thumbnail drawings and small on the spot pencil works changes up my mechanic in the sense that I am now seeing idea’s to paper in black and white. If a composition works in black and white chances are that it will work in colour.

 

In the end we all do eventually stumble onto the next great idea and are once again elevated to immortal status, even if it is short lived!