Is your art blocked? Here's help.
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- Feeling blocked creatively? Let me give you some tips to get you back to making.
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Your support and interaction mean the world to me.
You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.
I found your channel on the evening of 30th Nov and you've inspired me to start my own illustrative journal. I started on the 1st Dec and I know it's only been 3 days but I'm still going strong which is an achievement for me as I often struggle with consistency. So far you've helped me to push through that 'perfectionism' idea and any 'mistakes' I make aren't failures, they're just tokens of growth. Thank you for inspiring me to do this - I used to always draw and paint as a child but as I grew older it became less significant in my life (probably because I was/still am addicted to my phone). As I said it's only been a few days but I already feel accomplished in reigniting my childhood hobby and I often have your videos playing whilst I'm drawing. Thank you for your videos and sharing your ideas and sketchbooks! From Sabrina, 26, UK
Keep going, Sabrina!!! It's the door to all kinds of other great things, on top of being fun and worthwhile itself.
When I graduated from art school I wanted to be a famous artist in New York. Am I a famous painter in New York. No. For years I didn't do any art work because I KNEW the reason I wasn't famous was because I wasn't good enough. Suddenly in my thirties I realized that not being the best was OK. Accepting myself was ok. It has been hard but accepting the truth is freeing.
For myself, I feel social media (too many wonderful artists to follow) and too many art supplies freeze me up. I get too many ideas bouncing around in my head, cannot settle my brain down to focus and choose what to work on.
That’s me! 😣
Thanks Danny. Found yr channel a year ago. Since then ive drawn every day ... completed a picture journal for 2024 ... about to start 2025. ive discover gouache ... and given picture to people as presents and now selling watercolors at local markets where i get to meet more and more people. Thank you. Keith. South Africa 🇿🇦 ... ps ... it helps with my OCD. Now i accept less than perfection
That's amazing, Keith! Keep it up!
that's wonderful!
Awesome decision! Inspiring.
I started to draw because i enjoyed it. I forgot, thank you for the reminder.
I'm glad I could help!
Perfectionism is both the fear of failure AND the fear of success (not opposites, but sides of the same coin). “What if I’m no good at this? I’ll be shamed” - or “If I do well, even accidentally, every next project has to be at the same or greater level - or people will judge me”. (Phrases like “wannabe”, “too big for your britches”, “one-hit wonder”, “under/over-achiever” - show the dichotomy.) Monkey feeds on lots of things 😊
It all boils down to too much thinking. Perfectionism is a mind thing, not a heart thing.
The key is (always) to think less and feel more.
something sparked in me when I watched an artist on UA-cam show her sketchbooks and "learning" watercolor books. Her sketchbooks were beautiful pages and pages
of simple water color exercises! brush strokes, wet on wet etc. I ALWAYS skipped those basic exercises. Didn't think I needed them. I bought 6 books. (I plan on getting more) Now every morning I start with one exercise a day. Right away with my morning coffee. This stops me from going from email reading to scrolling scrolling scrolling. It gets my artsy juices going! Best thing I ever did for myself. That and follow Sketchbook Skool of course. Love your contstant good advice.
Thanks for inspiring me! I want to do the same now!
It's like you can read my mind. I definitely have the anxiety/undisciplined issues. I love how you say to reframe thinking about our approach to art, instead of how, think why. And to just do it and see what happens instead of, what I do, put all these expectations and pressure on something that is really meant to bring us joy. Thank you again! Love your videos and can't wait for more 😊
I'm so glad!
JOY! YES!!!
Do it because I enjoy it. Ty for the reminder.
I was able to gradually work through art block by finding wanting to draw characters like wise men, hero's or villains through this method. I would draw random shapes and see if they spoke a certain character to me. I'd just jump from page to page drawing shapes and propotions trying to let the medium and the gestural line dictate the character. Once I saw something that had promise I'd investigate a little further. Never being attached to any one page or drawing. I also draw in a lot of coiled scribblers and note pads because they aren't actual sketchbooks. For some reason I find it easier when I'm not concerned with cleanness or precision.
I've just found your channel and it has really resonated with me! Thanks for sharing and simplifying the huge hurdle, that blocks feel like. Time to change the thoughts and reframe the idea to bump rather than block 🤗😃
Your sacral chakra might be blocked.
Also: "scale down".
I was walking my dog in the forest and someone had taken the time to make a heart out of little twigs on the path we were walking on. It's 'low key' but still a creative expression and it was wonderful to come across! This was 2 years ago and I still remember it because it brought me joy! I made sure my dog walked around it and we left it intact for the next person to be surprised.
Being creative is soooo broad. Baking a pie and spending time decorating it is also being creative.
It's not because you paint and struggle with an empty canvas that your creativity is "blocked" or "gone". There's plenty ways to HAVE FUN!
*Think less* play more!
Rephrasing it is helpful too. Don't call it a block. Consider calling it a break. It helps!
Oh, and don't forget that sacral chakra! (seriously). Check out sacral chakra meditation and also consider adding some orange to your art space 😉
PS: I was only 2,5 minutes in when I paused to write this comment 😆
I’m glad you were unblocked!
I hope you never get an operation on your throat (unless you have pain or an illness of course)! I rewatch your videos even though my art style and method are completely different, just because your voice is soooooo pleasant to listen to! ❤ It’s the voice equivalent to a warm blanket and hot tea while rain is streaming against the windows outside. 😊
Good morning, Danny….All of your suggestions are so spot on. This morning I was wondering why I had a free day yesterday, but didn’t manage to spend any time doing art…I just watched terrific artists on my iPad doing their artwork. I self-analyzed the reason I didn’t get creative myself…Okay, so I was procrastinating. I have last year’s tax stuff piled up on my desk waiting to get organized for our accountant. Who wants to do that?…not me. I’m doing it today so I won’t have that hanging over my head another minute. You always have an important message to pass on…thanks for another super video. 🤗💕🙋 Fuj
You got it! Tackle the taxes and get to the art!
Just a quick update….The tax preparations are complete. What a weight off my shoulders….I’m ready to get back to art. 💃💃💃 Thanks, Danny!!
I just wanted to say that your videos are so therapeutic to me, Danny. Thank you so much for this channel ❤
I love the heart in the background!
Many years ago I set out to learn Photoshop. I wanted to be good at it. I took classes and watched tutorials and immersed myself into digital scrapbooking. I made some horrible extractions and pages at first but each little success kept me going. Many years later I feel confident using the program.
This year I decided I wanted to do something using my hands so I started drawing and learning watercolor. It’s a learning curve and sometimes frustrating but, just like with learning Photoshop, the small successes along the way are encouraging. With your suggestion to draw something every day, I’m committed to drawing each day in December. Thanks for your encouragement, Danny. I also took a leap of faith and signed up for your mystery class in January. I’m looking forward to that!
I'm glad you're enjoying your new journey, you're going to do great!
Usually, other people are stopping me, ordering me to do what they want me to do (things I don't like), and forbidding me to do stuff that I like.
And when the same things (that I like) are considered about them or others, then it is ok. Unless when I must do them FOR THEM (but do the motive that I don't like, yet compelled to do it. With my time, energy, tools and materials. Of course after being negatively commertialised in front of others; ie. (it will take me a hundred years to finish it.)
But, thank you, sir.
I shall try to, somehow, pull trough, out of it, and just do my own things my way...
HI Danny, never thought I'd listen to this at 2am ! Yet, it happened and - miraculously, woke up this morning so clear minded about next step to take... the time limit seems the 'magic bullet' that kills paralysis by analysis🐉
That's awesome!
True, practical, and comforting. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Danny... Well said and done.
As Dali said, Dont seek PERFECTION. Because you will never find it.!!!
Your voice is so calming.... Thankyou
Your like real life coach,Thank you Danny your awsome
Sometimes all that needs to be said is thank you.
Thank you!
Very helpful! Thanks for the encouragement, reality check, honesty. Also, you have wonderful way of speaking and presenting your thoughts.
I'm glad you liked it!
I am only drawing with black ink right now. I have creative blocks all the time. I decided to stop using excuses and draw. I am a painter but have been uninspired lately so I am doing what you suggested. Do something. When people ask me if I am a painter I say "well, I paint." The new phrase "a creative" kind of creeps me out. If someone knits they are a knitter. LOL
I've always considered myself a maker/fixer/repairer. Shifting to creative feels difficult. Lacking concrete results gets to me. Thank you for tackling this.
I’m so happy I found your channel, Danny. Thank you!
I'm happy you found me!
This(e) message(s) you provide here are sooo true and great !!! I guess we all experience this frkm time to time.. A GREAT REMINDER of tools Danny!!!!
So humble. Thank you.
Wonderful! Inspiring and useful, as usual! Thanks!
Interesting point of view 🙂 Thank you for the video.
Always enjoy and learn from your videos, thx for sharing 🎉
I am going to take your advice -I am going to make the crappist thing ... 😃Great suggestions for moving forward. Thank you.
I’m glad I could help.
As always, excellent advice! Thank you so much. Every week I look forward to your pep talks! You are very thoughtful and vulnerable. Much appreciated.
Glad you found it helpful!
Thank you.
I don't have artist's block much anymore, nor for long. What I need more time to draw, or to draw better faster.
Very helpful Video content. Thank you sooo much 😊
Благодарю за полезные мысли и приятное время, которое я провела на Вашем канале.
Thanks Danny.
I have a folder full of unfinished projects. I start off strong, but then I lose energy or get nervous that the outcome won’t be good. It’s something I wish I could overcome.
I hope my advice will help.
I've only been watching about four minutes, but a question is already burning on my fingertips. I've been working on my children's book for four years. I have so many ideas that I could fill more than one book, but perfectionism is holding me back. What's really interesting is that when I write in English, my inner critic is much less obnoxious. As soon as I switch back to German, the critic starts screaming like a madman again. Do you think that working in another language makes us think and feel differently? Perhaps less emotionally? Hm, or maybe it's just the fact that I don't speak English very well and therefore don't notice when I'm writing sh*t ... 🤔😉 Now I go back to watching the video.
Hi, I would like to know why subtitles are not available on this video and if you could enable them. Thanks and congratulations on the channel :)
Check now. I see captions...
I found a solution, when I can't draw "anything".. First I look at youtube for inspiration, then I draw DOODLES.
👋😃