When children play, they can explore limitless possibilities. No idea is too wild; everything is achievable. But once we are about 10 years old, suddenly self-consciousness sets in, and we start worrying about what others think. And then suddenly you're no longer proud of your painting, but you're all critical. You see all these flaws. Maybe you even tear your artwork up!
What if we could rediscover that sense of play? What if we didn't let the fear of making mistakes hold us back, but instead embraced new possibilities? Let's bring back the fun and make it a game again!
Here are a few ideas to start playing again:
Spark Creativity: 50 Ways to Ignite Bright Ideas is creativity in a small box: A collection of inspiring prompts designed to kickstart your creativity in visual art, music, writing, and more. With 50 faux matchsticks, each featuring a unique prompt, this package offers effective strategies to help you overcome creative blocks.
AugustWren Art and News created this wonderful book, The Sketchbook Idea Generator. Designed to inspire creativity for artists and hobbyists, this book features pages divided into three distinct sections that can be flipped, mixed, and matched to create over 100,000 unique sketchbook prompts!
source: abrahamsbooks.com Do the opposite! So draw with the other hand (or with two hands), draw it upside down, draw without looking at your paper, cut it up and glue it together differently. Don't be precious about it. It's all process.
Make the same thing every day, but different, or add something every day - like an exquisite corpse
Throw it upside down, turn your artwork as you work
Write all kinds of words that make you happy on small pieces of paper. Put the words in a jar and pull out three at random. This is the start of your artwork.
I have a tea tin with things I like to draw in it. They are things like “robin” or “oak tree” but also more abstract concepts like “solace” or dynamic” Choose four colours at random. This is your palette. Go.
Pick 3 of your favourite photos from last month and combine them in an artwork.
Do your comfort thing (in my case, it would be drawing flowers), but in a different medium. So if you like drawing owls, try sculpting one out of clay, or making one with collage. Because you know your subject well, it is easier to engage with new materials.
If you know a child who loves drawing and painting - create something together!
I'm sure one of these things will help you break free from a rigid end result. And who knows, you might create all kinds of unexpectedly wonderful things.
A few more tips in my latest YouTube video:
What do you do to loosen up and play?
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P.S. This timelapse was made during a drawing session, drawing pressed flowers at
