by Bridget Webber

Created on: May 09, 2007   Last Updated: June 05, 2009

As an artist, I have in the past struggled with artists block. I have prepared my work station, completed all pressing tasks beforehand and sat at my drawing table, staring at the blank paper or canvas.

But that was in the past as I have, through trial and error, discovered ways to overcome this problem and I would like to share these secrets with you.

The first thing to do if you are experiencing a block is to move away from your blank canvas and consider your general work area. Ask yourself if you have created a space that is personal and which inspires creativity.

I find it extremely helpful to have a space that I can fill with ideas for my work that I can refer to and use to kick-start myself into action.

This space could be a board or a wall that you attach photographs, pictures, previous work, magazine cuttings and anything else that appeals to you and that is relevant to the project at hand.

Just carrying out this activity starts the creative juices flowing and will begin to get you motivated to start your work.

Some artists like to work with the sounds of nature in the background as they find this helps them to focus. If you are one of these people and it is warm enough open the window, if possible, to listen to the birdsong or simply the breeze through the trees. Even in a built up area the sound of the traffic can become good background noise if you like it.

I personally like to have music in the background that suits the project that I am working on. If I am painting a scene from nature I often listen to soothing classical or Celtic music. If I want my work to be more dynamic then I listen to music with a little more get up and go to it.

Browsing through books of art by other artists can make me want to create my own. Just the look of the colors and textures gives me that extra boost and may do the same for you too.

Taking myself away from my studio completely, and doing something different for a short while can help me to relax and forget about the stress of trying to think too hard about my art. Likewise, physical exercise, such as simply walking, can inspire me and help me to dwell in my body as well as my mind.

Once I have done all of these things I am usually raring to go, but if this hasn't had the desired effect I just take my sketchpad and doodle. In no time at all the doodling will focus my attention on form, structure and rendering and I will be all set to start the art work that I really want to accomplish.

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