By Isabella Dobovsek
Creative burnout is one of the worst feelings as an artist.
I have so many ideas but as soon as I put the pen to the page, I feel the combination of art block and burnout.
As I’ve gotten older this has become more common. Exhausted from studying and work, it feels like there’s no time to draw. I can’t get started on anything creative, because I know I won’t love it nor finish it.
You might relate; staring at an empty page trying to get the motivation to draw, but it just never comes.
When we were younger with so much free time we could draw whenever. No judgment, no self-criticism, just expressing our imagination through colours on a page. Now it feels like every line is a waste of time.
As I look at other artists work, I feel inspired, but also dissatisfied with my own art. I end up spending most of my time scrolling for inspiration rather than finishing artworks.
I’m too afraid to start because I might not like the final work, therefore wasting hours of drawing. Sometimes it turns out great though, and I wonder what took me so long to start!
It’s also a matter of worrying about what your audience wants to see. I got thousands of followers by creating funny art reels, but as soon as I drew anything else the interactions dropped absurdly fast.
You should always be creating for yourself, but it’s hard when your art gets little attention. Your motivation truly takes a hit; especially if you’re a professional and art is what makes you money.
Even the best artists struggle with art block. Yes, even Claude Monet. He destroyed many of his paintings out of frustration while trying to revolutionise his style. He only wanted his best works seen by the public. Striving for perfection is what motivates us to improve.
If you’re experiencing burnout or art block, make sure to take regular breaks, and don’t force yourself to create art content for social media all the time.
I’d recommend finding a random reference and drawing it quickly. You can do this in 10 minutes every day. Don’t worry about the result, it’s just an exercise to refresh your mind.
If you take pride in your work, and don’t obsessively compare yourself to others, you’ll be okay. Remember, your art is unique and wonderful, so pick up that pencil and get creating!
Featured Image: A young woman focused on painting in a bright and cozy art studio. Photo: Vitaly Gariev/CC/pexels