Been having artist's block for quite a while

Question

Lately I've been having trouble finding inspiration. Most people say I'm very good at drawing for my age, but I don't feel like I've been improving. Whenever I draw, I keep drawing the same thing and it's all just doodles, and my style's still shifting constantly, going from really cartoony to slightly more realistic and back again. I've been planning on maybe taking a class or stealing my brother's human anatomy book for a little while to study it. Any ideas to get me back on track?

Answer 1

I've had that before. What I did was I just scribbled and doodled for a while until it occurred to me that I can draw way better than this so why shouldn't I? You could also look back at some of your olds drawings and try to redraw them in a different style.

Answer 2

Stealing your brother's anatomy book is a great idea, only don't steal it, borrow it. Figure drawing gets put on a whole new level when you are able to study actual anatomy. It will make you better at drawing, and this is something basic you would learn if you were to take a class anyway. If your brother won't part with the book, get one of your own because chances are that if you start using it, you will use it often. You can get books cheap on Amazon, and they sell used books. A new anatomy book will start about $60 and up. you can easily get a used one for at least half price.

My daughter loves to draw anime and cartoons, I have a few anatomy books, and I urge her to use them to make her drawing better because it works, and it never hurts to try something new.

Another thing you can try (my daughter does this) since you like cartoons and figures........pop in a DVD or VCR tape of your favorite super hero, or anime goddess.........and push pause on a frame that you like. Most pause functions only last for a few minutes. So you have a few minutes to draw the character in the position they are in. When the time runs out, find another frame you like and do it again. This will help you to focus quicker on details, as well as drawing in all types of action positions, which is important for this style. This exercise is similar to something you might do in art school, only the teacher will usually use an egg timer and the subject is usually still life.

And don't forget there are endless ways to use materials. there are no rules. try experimenting with different materials, that never gets old.

Answer 3

I had that for half a year...You don't always have to get inspired by visual art. Listen to some your favourite music, look up the lyrics to your favourite songs, maybe you'll get inspired there. Keep doodling too, your work doesn't have to be serious all the time.

Answer 4

I think that studying anatomy sounds like a great idea.  One thing about making drawing studies of anatomy, and/or life drawings is that the possibilities are literally infinite.  Even if you are not making anything that is especially groundbreaking or a masterpiece, you are still honing your observational skills and anatomical knowledge--both are invaluable no matter what kind of art you want to do.

Another thing that can help you get some ideas for working is to study some art history as well as some contemporary artists.  Remember that all artists are standing on the shoulders of the artists who came before them. Creativity is nothing more than a recombination of elements used previously.  Also, copying master paintings and drawings is totally acceptable, standard and healthy for artistic development.