I can’t draw anymore! I’m frustrated and lost.

Ari Sorokin

I think this is the first time I’ve experienced real artblock as the thought of drawing used to bring me excitement but now it brings me an uncomfortable feeling.

I’m headed off to freshman year at Chico State. I used to want to go to a dedicated art school with an animation program but then my values and desires changed. I spend a year putting together a portfolio and it didn’t end up mattering because plans changed.

Now I barely draw. I want to but I lost my motivation. I don’t know what to draw anymore. I’ve drawn a few things but I am currently more focused on writing my science fiction stories and self improvement through meditation, journaling, and yoga.

I used to post frequently on Instagram but i stopped enjoying social media as it was not very exciting to me. But then that deprived me of seeing the work of other artists to get inspiration.

What should I do? I’m thinking of going back to fanart, political cartoons, and wildlife drawings which are things I used to enjoy doing. But it’s difficult to regain that dopamine craving for drawing I used to have in the past.

Any ideas on how to regain my purpose as an artist. I want my mojo back.

Sara Therese Art

@Ari-Sorokin Congratulations on starting college! You're definitely in a transition phase of life and that's exciting. It's okay not to have all the answers right now.

I think what you're experiencing is normal in the creative realm. It's difficult to maintain a constant stream of creativity and productivity. From what you've said about being focused on writing, meditation, journaling and yoga it sounds like you still have an outlet for creative exploration.

Perhaps you could view this time period as a much needed break where you are refilling the well. I know for me, it doesn't work to force myself to draw if I'm not feeling it. My work suffers. So I try to find ways around that feeling while keeping myself excited about creating. I'll try a new medium (like writing, photography, fibre arts). I'll also watch videos and tutorials by people I admire. Joining in on an art challenge (or creating one for myself, like 30 days of drawing ______) also helps me because I'm someone that loves a little competition, challenge, and deadline. You mention going back to fan art, cartoons, wildlife - why not do this since you enjoy it? Lean into the type of drawing and subject matter that inspires you.

So... while we're all different what works for me is:

Giving myself some grace - it's okay.
Taking a break.
Watching/following my favorite artists. This includes flipping through books and watching videos on Youtube.
Competing in art challenges.
Trying a new medium.
Enrolling in a class and sharing my work (the sharing aspects helps because it gives me a little anxiety and I work that much harder to produce something I'm proud of which in turn motivates me).
Creating my own challenges (30 days of... and sharing that on social media each day so that I'm held accountable).

Sara Therese Art

@Ari-Sorokin I thought I'd mention a couple of books that have also helped me. The first is Creative Block. 50 Artist discuss how they stay motivated and suggest projects to do that might help you look at things in a fresh way. The second is Big Magic, Creative Living Beyond Fear, "...potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration."

Blitz55

There can be many reasons for this so it's hard to nail down just one or two things to break through but there are certainly ways of dealing with this.

I tend to suggest either giving yourself the OKAY to not stress over it and just be cool with not drawing for a bit. Sometimes the stress of trying to get back to it or letting it linger in your head that you should be drawing but can't can be the block. Though this sounds like you're working on some other creative things as well as putting your energy into other self help processes.

This is where I tend to suggest just drawing from life. The act of removing other pressures of being "Creative" while drawing can help you get back to the act of it. You don't have to worry about coming up with a subject, inventing something, figuring out a political cartoon, or any of that. You just pick a subject and only worry about the act of drawing it, not drawing it to impress anyone, just drawing it in a way where you're relaxed. Maybe play with composition a bit or something but keep it chill. The rest will start to come back to you. This is an easy way to start greasing up those drawing gears so it starts becoming easier and easier to do it when you need too. Also, it's one of the best ways to practice drawing as well as fill your visual library for when you want to do more imaginative work.

Anyway, best of luck! We've all certainly been there, I know I have.
Cheers!

Nyrryl Cadiz

@Ari-Sorokin hi! My few suggestions would be to take a rest from art and focus on doing the things you enjoy for now. You're not always going to be passionate with art all your life. I once heard that your art journey is like the seasons. Sometimes you'll have a season where you'll be very productive and another season where you wont be able to produce anything but know that this dry spell will pass. Spend time on the things that make you happy for now and this will be over eventually.

Ari Sorokin

@Nyrryl-Cadiz But what if I loose my ability or worse my love of drawing. I want to create things before I am replaced by AI.

Ari Sorokin

@Sara-Therese-Art I will be taking art classes in college. So I think just waiting for then is the best solution. When I am around other creative people I am more creative

willicreate

@Ari-Sorokin What you’re contemplating on is more than drawing. Your sense of being lost and concern about change in self is a natural feeling post-graduation.

Creativity has always been a tool for individuals to vent frustrations and provide escapism from hardship. Now that a core aspect of your life has ended, you’re missing your source of fuel for creativity.

College may help rekindle your initial purpose. May provide new ones.

What you can do now is reframe your narrative. We are all primarily storytellers; drawing is one of many mediums we choose to communicate our ideas. A refocus towards writing is a good thing because it will help train your skill on narrative, pacing, etc. Meditation, journaling, yoga, fanart, etc will all improve your drawing skills in the form of life experience.

Last advice from an old man: Binge watch movies like The Graduate, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Superbad, etc. Then do something stupid fun before college begins. One last adventure as a kid.

Nyrryl Cadiz

@Ari-Sorokin i'm going to give you some tough love, so apologies in advance. You're not going to forget how to draw unless you get amnesia. And if you do lose your passion for art which I don't believe will ever happen, you will eventually find a new passion. Art isn't the only thing in life.

I don't think AI will replace artists especially now that AI art can't be copyrighted. No client worth their salt will want to have their project in the public domain.

And if AI is something you're really concerned about, perhaps you should consider a more AI-proof career and do art on the side. No shame in that. You're still young, it's easier for you to shift.

And if you do choose tp shift later in life. That's ok too

von_Nimmermehr

I understand your feelings completely. For years, I've been feeling lost even though I was working in a creative field that required daily drawing. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out to be what I had hoped for, and the art I was creating didn't feel truly fulfilling; it didn't feel like my own.

Over time, this lack of productivity made me doubt whether I could still consider myself an artist. However, I've come to realize that during overwhelming periods in life, I tend to stop creating altogether. To counteract this, I've learned the importance of giving myself space and taking breaks from life, such as going on vacation or dedicating some quiet "me" time during the day. These moments of respite help me regain my creative focus and get back on track.

I now firmly believe that being an artist, an author, or anything else doesn't depend on life circumstances or shifts in focus. It's a part of who we are, and it remains with us even during challenging times. Instead of pressuring ourselves, we should focus on doing what we genuinely enjoy, and we shouldn't expect a creative spark to magically appear on its own.

In today's fast-paced world, we often judge ourselves too quickly and become impatient with our progress. However, this mindset doesn't serve us well in any aspect of our lives. Embracing the journey of creativity and allowing ourselves the time and space we need is essential for personal growth and fulfillment. So, let's be kinder to ourselves and nurture our creative spirits with patience and understanding.

If you keep telling yourself you can't you actually can't. Thats your mindset.

Lee White

@Ari-Sorokin I hate to hear that you are struggling with your art, BUT I have a bit of a different take here. From your post, it sounds just like you have moved into some different things for now:

"I am currently more focused on writing my science fiction stories and self improvement through meditation, journaling, and yoga."

There is absolutely nothing wrong with leaving art behind and moving into other creative things. We will always be changing, the big thing is making sure that change is positive. And it sounds like yours is! Art isn't the only way to be creative and some things aren't meant for forever. It's totally ok to give yourself the freedom to explore these other things without the guilt of "I should be drawing all the time".

Maybe you will come back to art and maybe you wont. Either of those things is ok. I'd recommend NOT trying to come back to art. I'd recommend trying to get rid of the guilt associated with not drawing right now. You can come back any time you like! I would suggest diving all the way into writing and meditation, and yoga, etc. Our lives are best when you are really focused on the thing you are doing. Don't take away from the things you want to do now by trying to focus on something that you used to do. : )

A creative life is our goal and there are many ways to get there! : )

ArtMelC

Hi! Thank you for putting yourself out here and sharing your struggle! I will try to share my perspective here as someone who is just a little bit older (lol) than you.

Our journey only looks clear on hindsight. I think the guys in 3PP say this all the time, when in the thick of it, we all feel lost. Now in 2023, I could say broadly "I have been making art since 2010". But the reality was:

I stopped making any art between 2013-2014 because I got busy with finaly year thesis (non-art major) and job hunting and life working a demanding tech sales job.
I got back to art in earnest in 2015 after losing my first job. My focus was art journaling and making art to release emotion etc. Took classes locally and even taught some workshops and had group exhibitions.
My art "career" almost took off in 2018/19 when my workshops that I do outside of my full time job got popular and I also decided to learn children's book illustration
2020-2021 was almost completely artless for me because: covid, all workshops were cancelled, having a baby and life in general zapped all my art-making energy. I found outlet in other things like you mention: yoga, meditation and trying to catch some sleep with a baby that wakes every 3 hours but I could say zero art making in there.
*2022 was a painful year because the desire to make art was back but the time to create was not. Only 1-2pieces of art painfully produced because caring for a baby and having a full time non-art job took away everything. I reduced my position to Part Time and was determined to make art work on my off days. Submitted a grant proposal for a picture book series I wanted to make.
2023 left my job after the grant got approved and I started working on the books. Took on several freelance to supplement and I am essentially full time artist now.

Why am I telling you all this? I believe that you are now standing somewhere at the beginning of my 2013 or 2020 period. Artless, no desire to even lift a pencil or pick up a brush. At that point in time, it feels like the end of you as an artist - the feeling was disorienting and uncomfortable. I decided to let go of the guilt and just focus on enjoying and taking care of the present priorities. But trust me, in the grand scheme of things, if art is meant to be, it will come knocking back (see my 2015 and 2022). If it is not, well you'll find something equally worthwhile to pursue.

In my case, music was like that for me. I was in and out of being serious about learning the craft, but at one point it is just something I accept I will never be a pro at. I still enjoy singing and writing songs as a hobby from time to time but I am pursuing my art/illustration path without the guilt of "abandoning" music. Sometimes, music even inspires my art. So maybe if art isn't The One, it can still inspire your writing or your life in other ways.

I hope this timeline perspective helps you in some way. It's just my very longwinded way of saying I agree with Lee White.

Sarah VanDam

@Nyrryl-Cadiz Oh wow, I didn’t realize until now that AI stuff can’t be copyrighted. That’s a twist in the game.