Many artists, myself included, sometimes suffer from a condition known as "art block," which is not just a passing boredom, but a problem, because it causes a loss of passion for drawing, an inability to produce, and even if the artist is going through it and tries to draw, he quickly loses his desire to continue. This is due to several factors, which I will elaborate on today during the article, so stay with me.
My online store has everything you need as artists
On a personal level, I went through it and I am still going through it, and I thought that I might not be able to return to drawing soon, due to laziness about tasks, such as unfinished drawings, pending requests and others, but at the same time, I was finding solutions that helped me get out of the art block spiral and return to drawing with all enthusiasm.
What happened to me
I vividly remember a time when I couldn't stand looking at the computer screen. I was exhausted in every way, so I stopped working on my animation project and shut down the computer completely. But, because I love anime, I decided to put on an episode of "Attack on Titan" just to pass the time. As soon as the episode started, I was captivated by the art style, the shading, the direction, and the coloring, and I suddenly felt my enthusiasm return. Just a few minutes later, I was back at my desk and started animating a new scene in my program.
The lesson here? Watching anime reignites your motivation, especially when you see scenes that make you feel you can reach that level, or when you suddenly want to imitate a scene you loved. That's why, whenever I feel a lack of enthusiasm, I open one of my favorite anime and allow myself to enjoy the art I loved in the first place.
This method is very effective. Just open YouTube and search for videos. Speed PaintYou'll find hundreds of videos of artists who start from a blank page and end up with a stunning, complete drawing. When I watch those videos, I feel that drawing is possible, and that I could do the same thing if I sat down at my computer and started with a small line.
The advantage of this method is that it shows you that mistakes are a natural part of drawing, because you see the artist erasing and redrawing several times, and this gives you reassurance and relieves your stress.
Following the artists
One of the most inspiring ways I overcame art block was following anime and manga artists on Instagram. When I came across an amazing drawing, I couldn't help but stare at it and analyze its details. How did the artist shade? What type of ink did they use? What was the body pose? All these questions sparked a desire within me to experiment.
Sometimes, I would take a picture of a drawing I liked and try to redraw it in my own style. You don't have to copy it exactly, but just trying to understand the drawing technique can help you break out of art block in an amazing way.
Perhaps what you really need to overcome art block is a break. The problem might not be the art itself, but rather the stresses of life or physical exhaustion. Take a break, go for a walk, clean your room, talk to friends, watch a movie, or listen to music you love. Stepping away is what will bring you back stronger.
My journey in learning to draw anime and how I developed my talent
But don't let this break last too long, because if you get used to it, it might be difficult to return. Set aside time to rest, then gradually resume painting, just to break the psychological barrier.
Return quietly
If you don't know what to draw, don't start with a huge project. Just take a piece of paper and draw whatever comes to mind—lines, circles, an unfinished figure, anything. This random exercise helps break the ice and reopen the door to creativity.
Art block isn't the end of the road; it's a mental break every artist needs from time to time. Don't feel guilty if you don't draw for a day or a week, but don't give up either. Always remember that drawing is expression, not a competition. Draw for yourselves; enjoy the process.
I hope that in this article I have covered what we go through as anime and cartoon artists, the reasons for our going through art block, and how to get rid of it. Thank you and I hope we meet again, God willing.
