How to Overcome Creative Art Block as an Artist

Art block, also known as creative block, is something every artist faces at some point. It’s that frustrating, empty feeling where your creative spark seems to just disappear one day, and no matter how much you want to make art, you just... can’t. You might feel like the ideas are gone, or worse, like you’re not capable of creating anything worthwhile.

Art block can strike for many reasons, sometimes even multiple ones at once. And when it does, it can feel confusing, isolating, and even a little scary. But you're not alone, and most importantly, this doesn’t mean you're any less of an artist. You can move past this.

It’s important to know that all artists have experienced art block at some time or another, and to varying degrees. We are no different. We understand the frustration, and emotional toll feeling blocked can bring to an artist.

We’re diving into understanding what causes creative block, how to recognize the root cause, and practical steps to get your creative spark firing again!

Symptoms of Art Block

Art block is the artist’s version of writer’s block. It can be deeply disheartening, especially for someone who usually finds joy and purpose in their art and creativity.

You may not know yet that you are experiencing an art block, but here are the common symptoms we have seen:

• No inspiration or ideas.
• Feeling a lack of purpose in what you do.
• A complete lack of motivation.
• The desire to create, but the inability to actually do it. You may be feeling tired or exhausted, or perhaps stuck whenever you try to put pen to paper.
• Frustration at the quality of anything you try to make.
• Inability to finish projects, whether that is procrastinating or jumping from one to the next, hoping something will click.

Understand the Root of Your Block

Before you can move forward, it helps to understand why you’re blocked. Identifying the cause is a huge step toward overcoming it.

Overworking & Burnout

Deadlines, commissions, or personal projects can lead to creative fatigue which in turn gives you an art block. Sometimes, you’re just exhausted whether it be mentally, physically, and emotionally. It’s important to still take breaks and not to overwork yourself.

Take time away from your work. Be sure to enjoy some of your hobbies outside of art. Go for a walk. Watch a movie. Play a game. Read a book. Give yourself permission to recharge.

Comparison & Self-Doubt

A common saying is that ‘comparison is the thief of joy’, and with the age of social media it is an easy trap to fall into. But remember, that while it may be hard to not compare yourself, that you only see a small, curated piece of someone else's journey.

Perfectionism

The belief that your work must be absolutely foot perfect can be paralyzing. In reality, art is never truly perfect which is what makes it meaningful and human. Try to let go of the perfectionism and understand that it will never be perfect, and that that is okay. Often, the small problems you see in the image have no impact on the viewer or aren’t even noticed!

Fear of Failure or Imposter Syndrome

Worrying about not being good enough can put the brakes on your creativity. You may be scared to fail, or you feel like a fraud who is one mistake away from being “found out”. While these feelings may pop up, they aren’t true.

Life Stress & Mental Health

It is impossible to go through life without feeling stressed. It is just the reality of modern life, and sometimes creative block can be a product of dealing with bigger life challenges. Stress, anxiety, depression, or big life changes can drain your creative energy. Be kind to yourself, and prioritize your mental well-being.

Ask yourself, “What’s really stopping me right now?”.

Once you identify what the root of your block may be, you can begin to find ways to cure it. It may be one reason, or a few of them and that is okay. Just identifying why it has come about is a huge step in the right direction.

How to Work Through Art Block

Push Through (Gently)

Doing short, pressure-free sketches or loose work can help you keep your expectations low especially if you are experiencing where you feel like you cannot do art anymore, or no matter what you do it never comes together. This method can help to dispel those feelings.

Figure Out Your Peak Times

Pay attention to when you feel most alert and creative. Are you a morning person? Do you feel more energized at night? Use those windows of time to work for a few hours can help to unblock you.

Break Up the Blank Canvas

A blank canvas can feel intimidating and like you don’t know where to start. Try starting with a loose doodle, a color, or even a mish mash of shapes. Remove the pressure of starting from complete scratch.

Work in Short Bursts

Rather than working full-on for hours on end, you could break your day up more intentionally. A good method is the Pomodoro technique, where you have 25 minutes of focused effort, followed by a 5-minute break. This can help to make daunting tasks feel a bit more manageable and help with burnout, and refresh your creativity.

Switch Up Your Routine

Sometimes a small shift in your daily life, such as taking a walk, stretching or going to bed a bit earlier can refresh your mind. Prioritize sleep, hydration and physical movement to keep your body and creativity functioning well.

Connect with Other Artists

Reach out to friends or online communities. Talk about your struggles. Chances are, someone will say, “I’ve felt that too.”

Work on What You Love

Don’t chase trends or force yourself to make what’s popular. Focus on what excites you, whether that’s characters, weapon design, or environments.

Redo or Reimagine Old Pieces

Sometimes reworking an old idea can help you find new excitement. Don’t be afraid to revisit older sketches or concepts.

Give Yourself Grace

You are not broken. You’re human. This is temporary. Your creativity will return - it always does.

Doing loose, and quick sketches can be a fantastic way to help you get your creativity flowing again.

Conclusion

Remember, creative block doesn’t define you. It’s not a sign you’ve lost your talent or that you’re not “meant” to be an artist. It’s just part of the journey.

The most important thing is to be gentle with yourself, stay curious, and take small steps forward. Every artist, no matter how successful, has faced this. And just like them, you’ll come through it too.

Athena Productions is a concept art studio working on blockbuster video games, award winning advertisements and explosive TV and Film projects. If you are interested in working with us on a project, please get in touch!