Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
WHAT IS
LONG AND
BROWN AND
STICKY?

A STICK!
-MFM-



42


Roses
Are Red
Violets
Are Blue
tRump is a
BIG PILE OF
POO

We\'re not
going back!

(=^.^=)

~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
FUCK
DONALD
TRUMP

(=^.^=)
~~~~~~~~
3.1415926535
897932384626
433832795028
841971693993
751058209749
445923078164
062862089986
Check out
all the stickies
on Grovelbot's
Big Board!

bif

(26,148 posts)
Tue May 20, 2025, 07:03 AM May 2025

Ever get the "painter's blahs"?

I guess it's the equivalent to a writer's block. Where you just feel uninspired? I seem to be going through that now. Any tips on how to shake it off?

9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Ever get the "painter's blahs"? (Original Post) bif May 2025 OP
I get it too samplegirl May 2025 #1
Try a different medium. FalloutShelter May 2025 #2
Great ideas Sue! bif May 2025 #3
Good luck Mark. FalloutShelter May 2025 #6
Suggestion from a non-professional. BobsYourUncle May 2025 #4
Thanks! bif May 2025 #5
Right there with you at the moment... Quanta May 2025 #7
That sounds fascinating. bif May 2025 #8
Yup. I think it has to do with the shitty Zeitgeist. Bad vibes all around. Ocelot II May 2025 #9

FalloutShelter

(13,711 posts)
2. Try a different medium.
Tue May 20, 2025, 07:55 AM
May 2025

Like: perhaps since paint is adding color, try using vine charcoal rubbed onto paper and using erasers to subtract color in order to create the image.

Maybe work with pastels or just pencil.

I call it crop rotation. It forces my brain to recalibrate.

bif

(26,148 posts)
3. Great ideas Sue!
Tue May 20, 2025, 08:01 AM
May 2025

One of my artistic New Years resolutions was to do more drawing and sketching. And I have a bunch of pastels I've never explored.

BobsYourUncle

(179 posts)
4. Suggestion from a non-professional.
Tue May 20, 2025, 08:06 AM
May 2025

Review one or more of your own works. You can select based on how much you like the work, early versus recent, media type, whatever. Be your own critic, keep your opinion to yourself, and consider how you might do differently if you were to do it again.
If you chose a favorite, you might try producing a lesser version. An actor can tell you that playing the inept character requires lots of ability.
Good luck!

Quanta

(234 posts)
7. Right there with you at the moment...
Tue May 20, 2025, 09:15 AM
May 2025

I saw a video earlier today, with an artist using a booklet of random art prompts that he used to create a lovely mixed media piece. It challenged him to work with different mediums and subject matter than his usual process, and the results were stunning, incorporating collage, painting with unusual tools (a fork in this case), traditional painting layers, stamping, and sewed-on elements. It still looked like his work in the end, but fresh and different.

Ocelot II

(126,689 posts)
9. Yup. I think it has to do with the shitty Zeitgeist. Bad vibes all around.
Tue May 20, 2025, 10:23 AM
May 2025

I just don't feel like doing much of anything lately.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Artists»Ever get the "painter's b...