Creative Block Solutions for Artists: 12 Ways to Restart Your Momentum

Reframing creative block: it’s a signal, not a verdict

Creative block can feel like a personal failure, but it’s usually a signal. It might be telling you you’re tired, overthinking, under-challenged, overwhelmed by options, or afraid of making something “bad.” When you treat the block as information rather than identity, it becomes solvable.

The goal isn’t to force brilliance on demand. The goal is to restart movement—small, real movement—so motivation can catch up.

1) Do a “tiny start” to bypass resistance

The hardest part is often beginning. Reduce the start until it feels almost silly.

Examples:

Open your sketchbook and draw one line.

Mix three colors.

Do a 2-minute gesture.

Organize your brushes for five minutes.

Tiny starts lower the emotional cost. Once you’re in motion, it’s easier to keep going.

2) Switch from outcomes to reps

If you’re stuck, you may be aiming for a masterpiece. Replace “make something good” with “do five reps.”

Five thumbnails.

Five color palettes.

Five studies of the same object.

This shifts your focus from judgment to exploration. Repetition also reveals ideas you wouldn’t reach in a single high-stakes attempt.

3) Use constraints to shrink the decision tree

Unlimited freedom can paralyze you. Choose constraints that make decisions for you.

Try:

One subject, three versions.

Two colors plus white.

One tool only (pen, charcoal, marker).

A strict time limit (10–20 minutes).

Constraints create momentum because your brain stops negotiating with infinite choices.

4) Change the scale to change the feeling

If you’re blocked on a big piece, go smaller. If you’re bored with small sketches, go larger.

Small formats reduce pressure and invite play.

Large formats encourage bold gestures and simplify details.

A scale shift breaks the mental loop you’re stuck in.

5) Make an “inspiration inventory” instead of scrolling

Passive consumption often increases frustration. Instead, build an inventory of what genuinely inspires you.

Create a folder (digital or physical) with:

Artists you admire

Color palettes you love

Photos with strong lighting

Textures, patterns, typography

Then add notes about what you like: “soft edges,” “limited palette,” “dramatic rim light,” “quiet composition.” These notes turn inspiration into usable direction.

6) Return to fundamentals for one session

Creative block sometimes comes from skill anxiety: you have ideas, but you don’t trust your execution. A fundamentals session restores confidence.

Pick one:

Value scales and simple forms

Perspective boxes

Hands studies

For more in-depth guides and related topics, be sure to check out our homepage where we cover a wide range of subjects.

Color mixing charts

These exercises are productive, low-pressure, and often lead back to personal work naturally.

7) Do a “bad version on purpose”

Perfectionism freezes artists. Make an intentionally messy draft.

Set a rule: the first version must be fast, imperfect, and slightly ridiculous. Once the fear breaks, you can refine. Many strong pieces are simply the second or third pass over an unglamorous first draft.

8) Change inputs: new references, new environment

If you always work from the same kind of reference, you’ll eventually feel stale.

Try:

Photograph your own reference with dramatic lighting.

Visit a museum and sketch from life.

Work in a café, park, or different room.

Switching inputs refreshes your visual library and wakes up curiosity.

9) Separate generating from editing

A common block is trying to create and critique at the same time. Your inner editor is useful, but not during idea generation.

Try a two-phase approach:

Phase 1 (10–20 minutes): generate ideas quickly. No judging.

Phase 2 (10 minutes): choose what has energy and refine.

This mirrors how many professionals work: first you make a mess, then you shape it.

10) Build a “next step” list for future you

When you stop a session, write down the next three steps. For example:

“Block in background values.”

“Choose palette: cool shadows, warm highlights.”

“Refine edges around focal point.”

This prevents the dreaded “Where do I start?” feeling next time. You’re leaving breadcrumbs for yourself.

11) Rest like it’s part of the process

Not all blocks are artistic. Some are physiological.

If your brain is foggy, consider:

Sleep and hydration

A walk without headphones

A screen break

A day of input (reading, films, museums) without output pressure

Rest is not quitting. It’s maintenance.

12) Reconnect with what you actually want to say

Sometimes the block is a mismatch between what you’re making and what you care about right now. Ask:

What themes keep coming back to me?

What do I notice in the world?

What do I want to feel while making art?

Your answers can guide subject matter, materials, and mood. Even a small shift—gentler colors, different topics, more texture—can bring you back to yourself.

A simple “restart plan” for the next 48 hours

If you want a concrete plan, do this:

Day 1: 15 minutes of tiny starts and thumbnails (at least five). Choose one idea with the most energy.

Day 2: 30–60 minutes creating a rough version with constraints (limited palette or strict time). Write the next three steps when you stop.

The point isn’t to solve your entire artistic life. It’s to regain motion.

Creative block happens to every artist. The difference is what you do next. With small starts, smart constraints, and a kinder mindset, you can turn “stuck” into a temporary phase—and keep making work that feels alive.