😭 I forgot how to draw
#26 Overcome these "I forgot how to draw" moments
Hey my demon 👋
Welcome to the edition #26 of the Art Missive! We are 3,415 😈 in this newsletter. Whether you have been here from the beginning or you have just arrived, thank you so much for reading ❤.
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In this Missive:
⌛ Reading time: 5 minutes
👉 Actionnability: immediately actionable
💪 Goals:
Improve your artistic practice
Overcome art block
Create with confidence
Introduction
I've got a question for you:
Have you ever had one of those days when you sit down to draw, and suddenly it feels like you've completely forgotten how to do it?
Just a few days ago, I was in the same boat. Everything was flowing beautifully in my previous drawings, but now I'm staring at my paper, feeling a bit lost and frustrated. It's like the creative magic has vanished!
But here's the good news: it happens to every artist. Trust me, you're not alone in this. We all encounter those moments where our artistic mojo seems to take a temporary vacation.
In edition #26 of the Art Missive, we tackle this very topic and discover how to overcome those "I Forgot How to Draw" moments.
Let’s dive in 💪
First step to escape
If you find yourself trapped in the valley of demoralization, where you're trying to create but nothing seems to go as planned... the first step is to let go and release the pressure.
You must shift your mindset first, because artists don't just lose their skills overnight. The problem lies deeper—it's a psychological challenge.
To break free from this vicious cycle, take a pause for 5 minutes and just breathe.
Then, acknowledge these three important truths:
1️⃣ To make good art, you need to make bad art
2️⃣ It's tough to keep going, but if you give up now, you'll miss out on valuable learning experiences, hinder your growth, and make the situation even more challenging.
3️⃣ Frustration and self-criticism won't help you overcome this hurdle.
Instead, be kind to yourself. Blaming yourself for something entirely natural won't lead to progress.
Shift your mindset and try these practical tips to regain your artistic flow. 👇
Road to flow
Now that you feel more positive, you’re ready to take smart action.
There's no secret sauce to instantly regain your creative flow. The only way out that I know of is to keep pushing through. However, you can “keep pushing through” but smarter.
Most of the time, the reason you can't seem to draw anymore is due to stressful events happening in your life. To overcome this, make your practice more enjoyable or accessible:
👉 Warm-up: Start by warming up with basic drawings and simple shapes. It helps me get back on track and build confidence.
👉 Come prepared: Sometimes, my blockage stems from wanting to execute an idea without any prior preparation. I have too many issues to tackle at once. If you feel that's your problem, start by creating several drafts and doing reference research. Address all the challenges you can beforehand. This way, drawing your idea will be much more enjoyable.
👉 Redraw something you loved drawing: Sometimes, all you need is a confidence boost. Return to your comfort zone and have fun with it.
👉 Or, on the flip side... give something new a shot: You could try out different art mediums or delve into uncharted subjects. Just a couple of days ago, I was struggling to bring my envisioned drawings to life. So, I took a breather and began doodling manga characters. It was quite a departure from my usual style, but you know what? I totally nailed it and got my groove back! Creating became a joyful and effortless experience all over again.
Summary
How to overcome “I don’t know how to draw” moments:
1. Be kind to yourself and acknowledge that it’s part of the natural process.
2. Change your mindset into a positive state of mind.
3. Keep pushing through with less pressure on your shoulders.
4. Make it more fun and more doable for you to regain your confidence.
Your ultimate goal is to be used to keep going even on difficult times!