smrrfette's Odyssey

[matkaminski]

As silly as it might sound for frustration, sometimes stepping back and just relaxing for a bit can be just as useful for growing as an artist. Sometimes you just have to take a break and let what you learned soak in.

Other things that I do to deal with art 'eff-up' moments:

Try switching up completely. Like the media you have. If you've been working digitally for awhile, try going traditional. If you've been drawing with pencil and it feels stale, switch to charcoal, switch to gouache, move on to oil painting, etc. Any other media might help push you in ways you never thought.

Try watching a shit-ton of art videos on youtube that are by good artists using techniques that you never considered. This sort of relates to the above, but for example a little while ago I was struggling with digital painting, so I watched a bunch of alla prima oil painting videos and found an oil brush pack for Photoshop. It seemed to push me in a completely different direction and made some (not all of course) lego pieces snap into place for digital painting.

Try exercising. Not artercising, but actual physical activity. Like running, riding bike, etc. Sometimes just getting out can help a bunch.

Try listening to epic music or listening to audiobooks while painting. This helps me a bunch. I have a speed metal station on Pandora that basically plays nothing but Dragonforce, Dream Evil, Rhapsody of Fire, etc. This epic craziness keeps my pen moving.

Hope something helps you though because you're only getting better with each post! :)