Creative Block Busters: 10 Go-To Remedies
Yep, this is what real creativity looks like
Let’s be real: no matter how much we love making art, sometimes the creative well just... dries up. You stare at that blank canvas like it owes you money, and the ideas? Nowhere to be found. Sound familiar? Good news—you are so not alone, and better news: creative block doesn’t stand a chance against these 10 tried-and-true remedies.
Grab a cuppa, and let’s get that mojo flowing again!
Change Your Scenery
Sometimes your studio starts to feel like a padded cell (just me?). A simple change of environment - a walk in nature, a visit to a gallery, even moving your desk - can jolt your brain into new ideas.
How to do it:
Step outside for a walk and snap pics of textures and colours
Rearrange your studio furniture for a fresh vibe
Visit a local exhibition or museum for a dose of inspo
Fresh air, salty breeze, and sketchbook in hand—magic awaits outside the studio.
Play with a New Medium
If you normally paint, try collage. If you collage, try printmaking. Shaking up your routine with a new material can free your brain from its usual patterns - and bonus, it’s fun with no real pressure to make something perfect!
How to do it:
Set a 30-minute timer and just play - no pressure to make a finished piece
Raid your recycling bin for collage materials
Try a new technique from a YouTube tutorial or art book
New materials, new mess, new joy—give your inner artist permission to play.
Set a Silly Challenge
Ever tried making art using only two colours? Or painting with your non-dominant hand? Silly challenges take the pressure off and remind you that art is fun.
How to do it:
Pick a weird restriction (e.g., no brushes allowed!)
Give yourself 15 minutes to create something/anything
Invite a friend to join and swap results!
Create a Vision Board
When you’re stuck, sometimes you need to reconnect with your why and the things that light you up. A vision board full of inspiring images, quotes, and colours can re-light your creative fire.
How to do it:
Rip pages from old magazines or print images you love, collect colour swatches, leaves, whatever
Arrange and glue them onto a board or in a sketchbook
Keep it nearby for those “meh” days
Snippets of joy and colour—this vision board is like a letter to your future self.
Limit Your Time
Weird but true: less time always means less overthinking. Set a tight deadline (like 10 minutes) to make something fast and messy. You’ll be surprised what comes out.
How to do it:
Use a timer and work fast - no time to second-guess
Focus on big shapes and bold marks
Repeat until you feel the ideas warming up
Copy the Masters (for Practice!)
Copying is not cheating (as long as you don’t sell it) - it’s a fabulous way to learn. Choose an artwork that inspires you and replicate it just for yourself to study composition, colour, and technique.
How to do it:
Pick a favourite artist and choose a piece to mimic
Notice how they use space, colour, and texture
Keep it playful - it’s an exercise, not an exam
Listen to Music or a Podcast
Sound can unlock surprising things in your creative brain. Whether it’s jazz, classical, or true crime (hey, no judgment), the rhythm can guide your art-making and sometimes it’s enough to distract the inner critic and let you get on with the job.
How to do it:
Choose music that suits your mood (or shifts it!)
Let the tempo influence your brush strokes
Try an art podcast for bonus inspiration
Keep an Art Journal
Journaling is like a no-pressure art playground. Doodle, scribble, write down your thoughts - it’s a safe space to be messy and explore new ideas.
How to do it:
Set aside 5 - 10 minutes a day to scribble, paste, or paint
Use it to track ideas, colours, or things you notice
No rules - just express!
Your art journal = your no-pressure playground. Scribble away!
Take a Break (Really!)
Sometimes the best thing you can do? Step away. Rest and recharge are part of the creative process (even if we feel guilty about it).
How to do it:
Set your tools down for a full day (or gasp, a weekend!)
Do something completely unrelated—cook, garden, read
Trust that the ideas will come back fresher
Celebrate Small Wins
We’re often our own worst critics. Celebrate anything - a cool colour mix, a nice line, the fact you showed up. Progress is progress!
How to do it:
Write down your “wins” at the end of each art session
Share little victories with an art buddy or online group
Reward yourself with something small (chocolate? Yes.)
Progress, not perfection—and a good laugh never hurts either!
Final Thoughts
Creative block isn’t the end of your art journey - it’s just a little pit stop (annoying, but temporary!). Next time you feel stuck, pull out this list and try one or two of these tricks. Sometimes all it takes is one silly challenge, a breath of fresh air, or a splash of a new colour to get things moving again.
Remember: you’ve got plenty of creativity inside you - it’s just sometimes napping. 😄 Happy creating, my friend! and remember: your art deserves to shine, no matter your budget.
