How to Make Drawings When You are Not Inspired

Make drawings even when you have no inspiration at all.  If you wait until inspiration shows up, you will be unlikely to have the volume of work you need to discover your style, pay attention to patterns, and develop your skills.

Inspiration is Not Needed to Make Drawings

As an artist, it can be easy to fall into the trap of believing that inspiration is a necessary component in creating art. However, it isn’t true at all. In fact, it’s possible to create beautiful and meaningful artwork without any inspiration.  This is a better way to function for the economy of working in all situations instead of only when you feel inspired, or happy or in the mood.

First, it’s important to understand that inspiration is often unpredictable and can be elusive. It may come in the form of a flash of insight or a moment of divine guidance, but it can also be absent for long periods of time. Relying on inspiration to create art can lead to frustration and stagnation in your creative process.  And poverty.

Ways to Just Keep the Pen Moving

How do you make drawings even when you’re not in the mood?  Instead of waiting for inspiration to strike, artists can focus on developing their technical skills and sharpening their knives so to speak.  This can keep hands moving during the times that inspiration is missing.  By practicing and experimenting with different techniques, you can build a foundation of knowledge and skill that can be called on whenever a new piece is being created.  While at the same time learning, staying busy and being in position for the next burst of inspiration.

Keep a list of exercises to go to when you really aren’t feeling it.  Here are a few of my favorites:

• value studies; the ribbon value exercise, the “holes” value exercise
• practice patterns and textures
• blind contour drawings
• imaginary creature drawings
• repeat a work you already love
• freehand mandalas
• reduce or enlarge a previous drawing
• draw only the negative spaces
• draw a collection of one inch square drawings
• the blob exercise
• automatic drawing!
• one line continuous drawing

Additionally, inspiration can come from unexpected sources. By keeping an open mind and being willing to explore new ideas and perspectives, you can find inspiration in the world around you.  This can include everything from nature and people-watching to reading and listening to music.

Make Drawings Without Expectations

In fact, plan to throw the drawing away.  You probably won’t, but at the end if you still want to, that was the plan anyway.  This way nothing can spoil it, you’re just there to see what unfolds.  An observer.  And even if it is hideous afterwards, there are several ways to fix an ugly sketchbook page.  Details HERE.  Even if none of those ideas work for you, cutting or ripping the drawing into small pieces for collage work can be the final answer.  No matter what happens, you can use it or cover it.

If it turns out great, what a nice surprise that will be.

In short, an artist does not need inspiration to create. Instead, focus on developing technical your skills; you never know what will spark your next great piece of art.

CALL TO ACTION:

Give yourself credit for baby steps. Every doodle counts. Start creating today by honing your skills and keeping an open mind to the world around you. Professionals know that the ability to create beautiful and meaningful artwork is available whether you feel inspired or not. So if you are a beginner, understand this and it will help you become disciplined. Show up to the page today!