It's difficult to work out new ideas for your artwork. And, in my experience, the ideas are rarely great the first, second, or even twenty-fifth time around. In this Studio Visit video, I'm sharing a peek at an idea I've been working out for quite some time. And it feels like I'm getting closer to something that works!
If you've got an idea percolating, but it's just not coming out the way you want it to, try some of these approaches:
-
Brainstorming: Set aside time to brainstorm ideas without any judgment. Write down or sketch anything that comes to mind, no matter how wild or crazy it may seem.
-
Mind Mapping: Create a visual representation of your central idea and branch out related concepts, themes, and imagery to explore different directions. I love mind maps for all kinds of creative thinking.
-
Take a Break: Take a walk in nature, observe the world around you, and just breathe. Make plans with a friend. Go dancing. I often find that getting away helps my mind work.
-
Art Challenges: Participate in art challenges or prompts, such as "PrintInktober" or any other theme-based creative challenge.
-
Sketchbook Exercises: Engage in regular art exercises to loosen up and unlock new ideas. These can be formal exercises or simply a regular sketchbook/art journal habit.
-
Go to a Museum: Study the works of famous artists from different periods and cultures to gain inspiration and discover new techniques or ideas.
-
Experiment with Mediums: Try using new art materials and mediums to see how they spark different ideas and approaches.
-
Word Associations: Play with word associations by selecting random words or phrases and interpreting them visually. I have a thesaurus in my studio for just this reason.
-
Art Retreats or Workshops: Attend art retreats or workshops to be surrounded by fellow artists and learn new techniques and perspectives. If you can't go in person, take a class online! If you can't pay for a class, watch YouTube videos.
-
Limitations and Constraints: Set intentional limitations or constraints, like using only black and white or limiting the size of your work, to push yourself to think differently.
-
Revisit Old Work: Look back at your previous artwork, identify elements you like, and reimagine or build upon them in new ways. It's like copying from yourself!
Remember that generating ideas is a continuous process, and not every idea needs to be a masterpiece. Embrace the exploration and experimentation and failure, as those things often lead to unexpected and exciting breakthroughs. I almost always have to be enormously frustrated in order to create something great. Somehow, the frustration pushes me to try something unexpected, like it did with this page:
If you can think of artists who do that thing I'm working out — mixing hard and soft, sort of calm and chaos — then drop a name and/or link in the comments so that I can take a peek at their work. I'd love the help!
Thanks for stopping by!
Maybe another way to say it — in addition to making our art “feel good” to the viewer — is that we want to draw people in, to have them want to get a closer look & appreciate the details — rather than have them bounce off and avert their eyes.
Maybe another way to say it — in addition to making our art “feel good” to the viewer — is that we want to draw people in, to have them want to get a closer look & appreciate the details — rather than have them bounce off and avert their eyes.
Maybe another way to say it — in addition to making our art “feel good” to the viewer — is that we want to draw people in, to have them want to get a closer look & appreciate the details — rather than have them bounce off and avert their eyes.
Maybe another way to say it — in addition to making our art “feel good” to the viewer — is that we want to draw people in, to have them want to get a closer look & appreciate the details — rather than have them bounce off and avert their eyes.
Maybe another way to say it — in addition to making our art “feel good” to the viewer — is that we want to draw people in, to have them want to get a closer look & appreciate the details — rather than have them bounce off and avert their eyes.
Maybe another way to say it — in addition to making our art “feel good” to the viewer — is that we want to draw people in, to have them want to get a closer look & appreciate the details — rather than have them bounce off and avert their eyes.
Maybe another way to say it — in addition to making our art “feel good” to the viewer — is that we want to draw people in, to have them want to get a closer look & appreciate the details — rather than have them bounce off and avert their eyes.
Great to see what you are up to, great experimenting. Get better quickly.
Great to see what you are up to, great experimenting. Get better quickly.
Great to see what you are up to, great experimenting. Get better quickly.
Great to see what you are up to, great experimenting. Get better quickly.
Great to see what you are up to, great experimenting. Get better quickly.
Great to see what you are up to, great experimenting. Get better quickly.
Great to see what you are up to, great experimenting. Get better quickly.
Thanks, Kathy!
Thanks, Kathy!
Thanks, Kathy!
Thanks, Kathy!
Thanks, Kathy!
Thanks, Kathy!
Thanks, Kathy!
Sounds like a great goal!
Sounds like a great goal!
Sounds like a great goal!
Sounds like a great goal!
Sounds like a great goal!
Sounds like a great goal!
Sounds like a great goal!