Beat Creative Block... With these five ideas

Creative block, the artists' nemesis!

But we do, of course, have our own super powers to beat it back into submission before it crushes our inspiration for good.

Yes, a silly personification is so many ways - but this joyful, storytelling like mindset is an important part of the process to BREAK that BLOCK.

In fact, in each of these ideas I'm going to present to you, allowing your mind to wander, drift, reach tangents and tell yourself invented stories isn't just a side effect, it's the reason these ideas work. Freeing up your brain to focus on colours, shapes, textures and more - reaching that creative space again and moving away from criticism.

IF you want to see the full processes for each of these ideas and share you project with me - then don't forget you can join me on SkillShare and share you project (details at the end of this post)

Consider your supplies!

Often, when I'm stuck in a rutt, moving away from my favourite supplies and the preconceived ideas that surround them ('if I use this, I MUST make 'good' art) lets me have a lot more fun and feel free-er to explore and create.

The below links are affiliate links - using them doesn't affect the price you pay, but does give me a small commission and helps support my work.

Things I really enjoy experimenting with at times like this include...

• Koh-I-Noor magic pencils - these wonderful creative tools have multiple colours in their nibs, the choice of colour is taken away from you and 'magic' appears with simple line work - LINK HERE

• POSCA pens and other acrylic markers - posca pens are relatively premium, but come in a range of sizes and shapes. Bigger nibs make for fantastic doodling tools that release your creativity - LINK HERE

Then you might bring out anything else in your cupboard - watercolour brush pens, colourful inks, big fountain pens, fude pens. Anything goes!

Idea One - Big Nibs and Bold Colours

My first idea is to bring out those big nibbed pens - I'm using my POSCA pens and other brands of acrylic markers.

Write your intention on the page of your sketchbook - 'GO BIG' reminds me that the only set aim, today, is just to see what happens with big nibs.

Then, set out creating interesting shapes on your page - blue is swirly, red is angular, yellow means circles. Build and build until you fill your page.

As soon as you're bored of filling colours, or before, then move on - add lines, black lines, hatching, textures and more.

If you want to see this full process - then you can join me in my SkillShare class which I discuss at the end of this blog post!

Idea Two - Draw like a child

Children draw with absolute freedom - how often has you child, nephew, grandchild or other delighted little friend presented you with a drawing of 'you'.

No, it looks nothing like you.

But also NO, that does not stop their joy!

Start by drawing a shape, an idea, onto your page...

Then follow your mind as you add silly details, little ideas, shapes and blocks of colour that build up to something fun! And something unjudged.

Idea Three - Random word generator

Here you can use a website like - https://randomwordgenerator.com/ - to pick a random word and sketch and doodle your ideas around it.

Here is my example, using magic pencils (link above)!

Can you guess the words that the generator gave me? Answers in the comments below 🤣

Idea Four - Journal your day

You know those mindless rambles you might sometimes end up on, when describing your day?

The kind of long story where we find little bits of 'interest' in what was otherwise just a normal day - perhaps the weather was unexpected, you were early (or late) for work, you saw a man wearing an interesting hat, or the apple you had for lunch was particularly crunchy?!

All of these ideas can fill a stream of consciousness doodle in your sketchbook.

Here is my page of 'journal doodles' - I'd love to see yours, do share on instagram if you like @tobysketchloose - or if you join me on SkillShare you can pop yours up as a class project!

Idea Five - Abstract Your View

This is one of my favourite things to do - find a scene, a dull scene, an everyday scene, and draw it.

BUT, there is a twist...

Totally ignore anything complex, any perspective.

If you see a square, draw a square. If you see a circle, draw a circle.

Then... ignore what these shapes mean, and colour them in with freedom!

Pink here, blue there, green lines somewhere else...

You'll amaze yourself with just how creative you can be!

If you want to see more on 'beating creative clock!' then you can join my SkillShare class

Using my affiliate link (which earns me a commission and supports my work) will give you a free month to try out the platform - and, if you do one class a day... you'll get through most of my classes in that free month!

Theres a challenge for you 😀