Drawing Exercises

Lost Artist, help required...?

I trained at college for 4yrs in fine art, specifically life drawing and painting. I was actually doing really well for a long time. However, for the past 4yrs I've been working a dead end office job and my art has fallen behind as a result. I haven't painted or even drawn for over 3years now and just cant seem to get anything done when I try to. Every time I get my sketch pad out my hand goes dead and my talent leaves me with a blank page or just some very useless doodles. Does anyone know of any techniques or exercises that will help me get back into the swing of things? Or do I simply need to give myself a good kick up the butt, stop moaning and just get creating! lol Any help... suggestions... most welcome! (" ,)

Public Comments

1. I read a great book that got me painting again after a long break like you had. It was called 'The Artist's Way' by Julia Cameron. It is a course book of twelve lessons that guide you through the process of recovering your creative self. It helped me a lot. I think it could help you too.
2. it never leaves you. Trust me. I've had this happen to me. See, what happens is that when you have lots of things going on in your life(like work, bills and crap like that) it gets in the way of your creative thinking. Altough you can never get rid of that completely you can help it. Listen to some of you favorite music to inspire yourself. Go take a walk and go see the city or if you are in a more rural place go to a forest(just be careful). You simply just need to relax more. And dont worry you never lose it.
3. Years ago, there were lots of photos of the Cambodian boat people in the papers. The expressions on their faces, the children crying, orphans left to care for younger siblings stirred something up in me and I began to draw them. Look through the papers, watch the news and stir up the gift within you!
4. There are so many books out there that talk about creating, creativity, how to get it going...you can read them all! Or, you can *do* it all. I have been involved in painting, drawing, pottery and various other artistic pursuits over the years. I have had to give a lot of them up for specific reasons. Then I find some other way to create and use that energy. Right now, I am a graphic artist and writer. What I have learned from each of these creative outlets is that you have to use it. First, you have to decide how important your art is to you. Is it high on the scale? Is it something your soul craves? Do you get depressed if you don't get to create something? Anything? If you are *yes* on much of these questions, then you have to take the next step and *live* it. You are the only one that can make your art important in your life. The level of importance you give to your art is the level of importance others will--eventually--give it. Sure, things will happen that may seem to side-track you. But, are those things only tests to see how important you really think your art is? You have to set aside time for your talent. The time is however much you want to give it. We don't all get to give it our full time and attention, but I'll bet there are times you could spare from the job, family, or whatever it is that seems to keep you away from your art. Like, maybe your art is more important than that movie you thought you wanted to watch? that series on television? that ball game? Find the little snatches of time that you would be willing to sacrifice for *you* and your art. Then, don't think about being blocked or having a "dead" hand. Just doodle. Just draw. Just create. It's like that when I'm writing--or *supposed* to be writing. If I keep putting it off and procrastinating and telling myself I'm just not inspired, the 'muse' has flown the coop, then all I am is someone who *wants* to be a writer, but not someone who *is* a writer. Same thing with painting. You talk about being a painter or you *be* a painter by painting. It *does not* matter if the work is wonderful, genius, great, inspired. None of that matters. Just do! Just BE. Once you set up a 'schedule' with your self, that you will show up and put out the effort, everything else will flow to you and through you. Maybe your 'muse' is just waiting for you to take it seriously, after all. If you have been on vacation, maybe your muse has, too. And is now just waiting for you to step back up to the plate and be present in the now of creating. It's a process. You don't get to be a great pianist by sitting and looking at the piano. You have to play the thing, too. lol Just do--paint, paint, paint. It will come if you let go of the frustration and just show up. Breathe and paint. And best of luck!
5. The Artist's Way. Stand on the penalty spot at a football ground and whilst you are trying to read, let him give you the K U T B.
6. I was lost, so I went back to school (AIP). It has helped so much, except I don't have as much time to do it now. Also I enrolled in Tae Kwon Do. Freeing my mind a few hours a week has really opened me up. I suggest finding another hobby that you can relate to art. Your mind will be off work and the ideas will flow.
7. dear fellow lost artist. your situation seems almost identical to mine. I too done the whole college thing then ended up in a dead end office job. Quite frankly, career wise, i havent a clue what i'm going to do. I also chose to do Drawing & Painting degree- probably the least practical choice. I do however have no problem working, i have no shortage of inspiration - only finding the time is a problem. But it wasnt always like that - when i left college i felt lost and completely deflated and didnt work for years. My old high school tutor had the same experience so its not uncommon. I dont know if you can relate to this but i felt that college itself had something to do with this. - having to bloody justify everthing that you do - i felt that college made me do work that i thought I ought to do rather than what i wanted to do. It took a while to shake off the shackles of college discipline. I now work on my own terms and make up my own rules - i've managed to put the fun back into my work - and thats what is so vital...FUN. not academic intellectual masturbation, not tormented soul searching struggle but fun - pure and simple. I truly believe that fun is the source of the greatest most meaningful artistic power. It sounds to me like all the fun is gone from your work method - perhaps going over old techniques from college, perhaps your taking yourself too seriously - just like i did. I had an ego the size of an airship and it took me a long time to burst that ego and move on. Maybe Its not techniques or exercises you need but maybe fresh new ideas to work on - and then a plan to have a show somewhere- something to work towards - small goals that are achievable then build them up slowly. You obviously care very much about your artist output but you sound bored also. I would stop and think about what you really want to explore now your free from college. hope this is of some help good luck