Monday, June 30, 2014

How To Get Past Artist's Block



I've been asked quite often how I get past Artist's block - you know, that feeling you get when you don't want to start or can't figure out how to start a new project. When you stare at a blank piece of paper and can't come up with anything that you think will make a good drawing. In this video I give my process for overcoming this paralyzing situation that happens to all artists from time to time.


11 comments:

  1. I appreciated you being candid about the frustration/anger aspect of things. I know its something that I feel absurd about at times and yet when we place such a high level of expectations on ourselves to perform and compete/succeed, it's easy for that to get misplaced.

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    1. Thank you Doug - I don't think people are transparent enough - we can all learn more from eachother - if...

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  2. Very good info, thanks Will!

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  3. Great vid Will! What you said about the illusion of the acorns being attached to the carriage, it's these kind of details I was wondering about, would this work for the publisher or would they want to see how they are held there? I know the kids wouldnt care unless they were OCD, but these are the kinds of things in my book I wonder about, if an illusion is good enough for a publisher; there are lots of these illusions in mine, as they are all animals and use things a chicken would find in the farmyard, ect. My question is, would something like this be acceptable for the Pub's? Great job on that, btw, it's perfect!

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    1. Great question - When I looked at those wheels I thought that showing more would detract from the simplicity of the drawing. In a situation where a publisher or client is involved they obviously have a say - and as an illustrator you have to be sensitive to their desires. If an editor thought it needed more we would come to some sort of solution/compromise or change...

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  4. This video was like a healing balm for my soul. Not even exaggerating. Lately I've been avoiding drawing and procrastinating on assignments. This is very frightening and sometimes I feel panicked as I think "wait, wasn't art what I wanted to do??" So just hearing someone say that they've been through it before, and shining a flashlight on a few steps forward, is very encouraging.

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    1. You're work is great Kelley - just do a few positive affirmations - I still use them :)

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  5. Great video Will, I own very little of my own work…and as a child crumpled a lot of things up:) You nailed it when you spoke of fear. I am at a place where I feel many artists are…entranced by what other's can do…the internet really has opened up a lot of things for artist's, but also an underlying feeling of not being worthy to produce. You give words of courage to so many out here. Thanks again!

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  6. THANKS! Great video. I love the question, how are you going to create something amazing, staring at a blank piece of paper. It really made me aware of the pressure that I put on myself and why it can frighten me. You helped reduce the daunting pressures to manageable.

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