Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

bif

(25,552 posts)
Tue May 20, 2025, 07:03 AM May 20

Ever get the "painter's blahs"?

I guess it's the equivalent to a writer's block. Where you just feel uninspired? I seem to be going through that now. Any tips on how to shake it off?

9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Ever get the "painter's blahs"? (Original Post) bif May 20 OP
I get it too samplegirl May 20 #1
Try a different medium. FalloutShelter May 20 #2
Great ideas Sue! bif May 20 #3
Good luck Mark. FalloutShelter May 20 #6
Suggestion from a non-professional. BobsYourUncle May 20 #4
Thanks! bif May 20 #5
Right there with you at the moment... Quanta May 20 #7
That sounds fascinating. bif May 20 #8
Yup. I think it has to do with the shitty Zeitgeist. Bad vibes all around. Ocelot II May 20 #9

FalloutShelter

(13,359 posts)
2. Try a different medium.
Tue May 20, 2025, 07:55 AM
May 20

Like: perhaps since paint is adding color, try using vine charcoal rubbed onto paper and using erasers to subtract color in order to create the image.

Maybe work with pastels or just pencil.

I call it crop rotation. It forces my brain to recalibrate.

bif

(25,552 posts)
3. Great ideas Sue!
Tue May 20, 2025, 08:01 AM
May 20

One of my artistic New Years resolutions was to do more drawing and sketching. And I have a bunch of pastels I've never explored.

BobsYourUncle

(172 posts)
4. Suggestion from a non-professional.
Tue May 20, 2025, 08:06 AM
May 20

Review one or more of your own works. You can select based on how much you like the work, early versus recent, media type, whatever. Be your own critic, keep your opinion to yourself, and consider how you might do differently if you were to do it again.
If you chose a favorite, you might try producing a lesser version. An actor can tell you that playing the inept character requires lots of ability.
Good luck!

Quanta

(229 posts)
7. Right there with you at the moment...
Tue May 20, 2025, 09:15 AM
May 20

I saw a video earlier today, with an artist using a booklet of random art prompts that he used to create a lovely mixed media piece. It challenged him to work with different mediums and subject matter than his usual process, and the results were stunning, incorporating collage, painting with unusual tools (a fork in this case), traditional painting layers, stamping, and sewed-on elements. It still looked like his work in the end, but fresh and different.

Ocelot II

(124,875 posts)
9. Yup. I think it has to do with the shitty Zeitgeist. Bad vibes all around.
Tue May 20, 2025, 10:23 AM
May 20

I just don't feel like doing much of anything lately.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Artists»Ever get the "painter's b...