artist-rehab

[artist-rehab]

Back From Hiatus

It's Been a Time.

I recently got into Dragon Age (and by extension, FFXIV that I've been a years-long fan), and other than writing countless unfinished fanfics I've been feeling that art itch. But every time I itch it, my art... sucks.

So I'm back again, remembering this poor crusty tumblr and should get back into the game again. Part of what's going to (hoepfully) help motivate me is the /ic/ board's Do Art Daily (You can find me as reeeeee.)

Ever since I made thie tumblr some odd three years ago, I've gone through some different life changes, such as moving from California to Virginia, getting married, adopting a cat, and of course getting laid off back in 2022. I've now been focusing on getting my Associates degree, and now my certification in Historical Preservation, as well as volunteering at my local historical society. In short, I literally have no excuse to not draw.

So here I am!

[artist-rehab]

Favorite YouTubes

I’ll periodically update this list with my favorite artist streamers/Youtubers. More often than not, they provide tutorials, inspiration, and are fountains of advice. Would definitely recommend.

e r g o j o s h

[artist-rehab]

Most Recent Works

To give an idea of my level of “talent”, and when I last actually did any “completed” work, I’ll post some of my work I’ve been most proud of, or at least satisfied with. I’ve most recently become more accustomed to digital ever since I got my first Cintiq many moons ago (now the newest 16″), and my passion for traditional work is still there - and honestly I miss it the most (there’s no such thing as the DEL key, after all!!)

#artist blocks #artist block #art

[artist-rehab]

Art Blocks and Why They Happen

Google or Youtube “art block” and you’ll find a wealth of information about art blocks, what they are, why they happen, and how the cure them, or work arounds them. After doing this, I’ve found a majority of these “blocks” and “cures” almost always have the same info. So to help me start off with my artist rehabilitation, I decided to take notes from a lot of these sources and lump them into just one reference guide about art blocks, and their suggested “cures.”

Most, if not all causes of art blocks, involve the following:

1. Lack of motivation. 2. Lack of inspiration. 3. Too tired/lazy/bored. 4. “Bad art day”/terrible hand-eye coordination. 5. Fear.

This of course is not limited to these reasons, I’m sure I could give you maybe ten more reasons (or... excuses.) Then we have the cures, which from what I’ve researched so far, are basically “ideas” to pull your out of a creative block, more than anything. Which is fine in and of itself, but not necessarily... encouraging? But that might be a whole different beast to battle.

Which I think brings me to the purpose of my blog, yet again. There are almost an infinite number of ways to pull oneself out of a creative block - I mean, we have Inktober, for instance, that provides literally 31 days of ideas/inspiration to draw from (see what I did there?) - but not really when it comes to how to pull yourself out of a block, emotionally/mentally. I think one of the best resources that addresses this issue in particular is Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way.

I may or may not have squirt a few tears at the start of reading this book, because it kind of hit me right in the feels. For those who are ardently opposed to the concept of religion, or even spiritualism, I get it - I am too. While Julia encourages a sense of spirituality to help motivate the artistic process, I don’t really pay attention it (but I will consider her words of wisdom from that point of view.)

What matters is her message, and her way of guiding through this mammoth book of an art block “cure”, and don’t be surprised if I reference The Artist’s Way occasionally. While I may not follow her guide (I plan on making my own way through my creative block/fears), she will still be one of my many references to follow.

#art blocks #art block #artist rehab #art help

[artist-rehab]

Artist Rehab??

Wth is this?? You must be asking yourself.

I’m a 33-year old female, formerly addicted to churning out drawings and sketches and cute illustrations in my younger years. It was one thing I promise myself I would never stop doing as a kid. And here I am, there’s now COVID-19, locust invasions, an old orange baby man running the country I live in, and now all I want is to get back my old passion: art.

So what is this blog? I’ll tell you the best that I can, because I suck at explaining things.

Artist Rehab is mostly for me, as a way to motivate myself to do art again, and hopefully get back on the track that I lost. I attempt to put a line to paper, and I feel like like my skill has degraded to my 7th grade years (basically, not that great, but literally not good either.) So what can I do?

I’m going to try teaching myself to find my passion, the motivation, and most of all, to stop being a huge wuss. I will stare at a blank page in my sketchbook and just freak out because not only am I afraid to tarnish this fresh page with crummy artwork, but I also can’t even think of what to draw on said fresh page.

My goal with this blog, at least just for me anyway, is to research what artists tend to advise with these types of situations. What they recommend. My goal is to also put together ways in which I can inspire myself to draw, and to let go of the fear.

This is sounds like some weird Dr. Phil cringe, but hey, whatever works I guess!

Looking forward to this journey, and see what comes of it. I’m using Tumblr as my base of operations since it’s easier to navigate and post and share, and I guess if anyone else wants to join me on my journey, provide their own advice/recommendations, or being a complete dickhead, that’s fine too. Guess we’ll just see what happens...!

#artist blocks #artist block #artist rehab #art help