Lack of Art Inspiration. Lack of Ideas. Drawing. Where to start?

Artists. Art Students in Art Schools. Those Experienced in Art.





What do you do when u sit down to draw, a piece of paper in front of you and a pencil to draw, but u have no idea what to draw...ever get that?? Im kind of worried because ive been getting a lot of that lately, i used to draw anime and manga related things, but now im trying for a more serious approach to show my full potential in art. Is it normal to be in that situation? Im lacking ideas. Please give me some helpful advice, as i need some guidance to gain confidence and sense of security again :(





Thank you

Lack of Art Inspiration. Lack of Ideas. Drawing. Where to start?
When I was yet five years old, I draw funny faces;


When I went schooling, I draw sceneries like a man fishing with vegetable garden on the background and several chickens too;


Now that I am 38 I draw and paint anything form still life to faces and sceneries!





If you would take my advice you could draw still life and sceneries. But if you would like to experiment, you could try cubism and other forms of abstract painting.
Reply:Go to a large public or college library and spend some time looking and reading in the art section. Most artists draw inspiration from other works of art at some point, often looking to the past for ideas. Museums are another very important place to visit if you are an artist. The word muse is in museum for a reason. A muse is the source of an artist's inspiration. Look, learn and grow as an artist. Bon chance!
Reply:I would draw objects that are familiar or ones that I can observe in different times of the day that can bring to mind some memories whether good or unpleasant. In order for me to get inspired I must be involved emotionally by the subject matter.
Reply:well,no one can inspire you,,,but i had the same problem,being away from painting for many years..I didn't think I could do it anymore..It's like having writers block....I started drawing with a pencil and couldn't make what I wanted to come out..I started looking at old drawing books..and pics on the websites..and I started seeing some bits and pieces I liked..so I just sat down with a brush and paint and started a freehand paint drawing of what I felt..it just came flowing out,like a writer with a novel to tell...I always sort of ask myself,what kind of story do I want to tell? I started free painting a brown square,put a roof on it,and a chimney and I made an old very rustic cabin.


then drew in grey(background)trees an they seemed to form around a frozen lake and then I painted that...this became a snowy mountain day with a dead birch tree in the foreground and an frozen stream up the middle...with an old wooden bridge over the stream...I know it sounds crazy,,but I seemed to see the form on the canvas before I painted it.....I was surprised and happy that I found I did not have painter's block after all...
Reply:Keep a journal.. turn to your diary..
Reply:I always draw animals, because I love them. There is so much variety in nature. Try looking at pictures of butterflies, dragonflies, scarab beetles and other insects. They are full of color and some are iridescent or metallic. You could also try drawing your pets, if you have any. Try going to a beautiful place, like a forest, beach or any nature preserve. You can draw or paint the landscape, sunset, plants, etc. I haven't tried this yet, but I think it would be fun to illustrate a myth or poem. Are there any great stories that you have been inspired by? That could help, too. Also, try looking at art instruction books and books on famous artists' work at the library. I always get inspired looking at other people's art - not that I want to copy them, but get excited about art again. It makes me remember how happy I feel when drawing and painting what I love.





Good luck!
Reply:This happens to me sometimes too! What I do is flick through the newspaper, pick out an ordinary picture and try and draw it and make it look really unique. I also find that if Im using a biro rather than a pencil that ideas flow out more easily
Reply:I haven't drawn for such a long time i should take my own advice .


Try black and white portraits from the newspaper


Photographs


A lovely picture turn it upside down and draw from that .


Pick a story and do a painting with the story with in your picture .There is a chap that paints heart pictures and he does people sorrow in a surrealism painting .


May be because you are trying to do the more serious stuff you have lost the fun side . Hope that gives you a few ideas
Reply:What you're experiencing is normal. Don't be too hard on yourself and stress yourself out about it. There are always going to be off days and it's okay. Some days you may be inspired to create things and other times not. Sometimes this happens for a long, long stretch of time. But if you love to draw or create things, it will come back to you. Don't pressure yourself to feel inspired. There's a misconception that art should just be about feeling inspired and freely expressing yourself when in fact it requires plenty of sweat. As much as art can be fun and inspired, it's hard work. The main point is: learn to be disciplined. It will show you are serious about what you are doing and it is the mark of a mature artist.





You answered your own question in a way because you talk about wanting to be serious and show your full potential. Focus on creating a portfolio of work that does just that. Decide on some projects that will illustrate how well-rounded you are. It could be technical drawing, portrait, still-life, etc. Non-traditional work is important as well. Round it out with imaginative or conceptual work. It is really up to you. It is all about you but it is also about what you are marketing yourself for. Even if it is not for a job or career, it is important to do this for yourself so you can progress.





Make a list of types of drawings that you need and work, work, work. If you get stuck on one drawing, move onto another and come back to it later with a fresh mind. Sketch in a practical way to loosen yourself up. Doodle, do minute-gestures etc. Sometimes also you need to stop thinking about it so much and just do it. You can get yourself loosened up this way by just getting a little sketchbook and committing to loose-sketching for ten minutes a day. It doesn't matter if it's just drawing your lamp or doodling shapes and lines. The point is to just get in the habit of doing it until it's natural. Almost like practicing chords or scales on the piano. Just exercise daily and you will find it easier to draw. And when you're not in the mood, just remember that you are working to show your ability and learning discipline.





Good Luck!
Reply:visit museums and art galleries, you'll get lot's of inspiration. that's what i do!
Reply:Draw a picture of your fave actor actress band etc. or draw what you see when you look out your window or what inspires you
Reply:TRAVEL, TRAVEL, TRAVEL. go to art galleries in every town and city, and take all sorts of weird and beautiful photographs and paint them.
Reply:I draw things from my dreams sometimes. Or my past. :) Or things that are dear to me and mix them all up in a creative way.





Once you START drawing, its easier to be creative. When you're sitting around not doodling, its harder to create good ideas. At least for me. :) So just START! Draw anything, a tree, a bird... just to get the juices flowing.
Reply:When in doubt about what to do, simply practice your chops.


Refine your skills and experiment with different techniques.


It does nor matter what you draw or paint when practicing. The idea is simply to improve your skills, like a pianist who works on scales. It is not very creative, but it is productive.


When the time is right you will have plenty of good ideas to persue. Good luck.