Ever get the "painter's blahs"?

[bif]

I guess it's the equivalent to a writer's block. Where you just feel uninspired? I seem to be going through that now. Any tips on how to shake it off?

[samplegirl]

1. I get it too

and then when I'm away for awhile it's hard to get the mojo again.

[FalloutShelter]

2. Try a different medium.

Like: perhaps since paint is adding color, try using vine charcoal rubbed onto paper and using erasers to subtract color in order to create the image.

Maybe work with pastels or just pencil.

I call it crop rotation. It forces my brain to recalibrate.

[bif]

3. Great ideas Sue!

One of my artistic New Years resolutions was to do more drawing and sketching. And I have a bunch of pastels I've never explored.

[FalloutShelter]

6. Good luck Mark.

Can’t wait to see what you come up with.

[BobsYourUncle]

4. Suggestion from a non-professional.

Review one or more of your own works. You can select based on how much you like the work, early versus recent, media type, whatever. Be your own critic, keep your opinion to yourself, and consider how you might do differently if you were to do it again.
If you chose a favorite, you might try producing a lesser version. An actor can tell you that playing the inept character requires lots of ability.
Good luck!

[bif]

5. Thanks!

Interesting idea.

[Quanta]

7. Right there with you at the moment...

I saw a video earlier today, with an artist using a booklet of random art prompts that he used to create a lovely mixed media piece. It challenged him to work with different mediums and subject matter than his usual process, and the results were stunning, incorporating collage, painting with unusual tools (a fork in this case), traditional painting layers, stamping, and sewed-on elements. It still looked like his work in the end, but fresh and different.

[bif]

8. That sounds fascinating.

Is it on YouTube?

[Ocelot II]

9. Yup. I think it has to do with the shitty Zeitgeist. Bad vibes all around.

I just don't feel like doing much of anything lately.