Every artist is faced with creative block throughout their career.
But just what is creative block and how is different from a dry spell?
In this episode we talk about the FIVE LIES of creative block and give remedies for combatting each of them!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Press PLAY and listen to Chris and Lora discuss:
- Is creative block really your problem?
- Do you need inspiration to create?
- How long should you fight with a piece?
- Will inspiration strike when you’re ready for it?
- Can quitting actually help you get started?
DOWNLOAD the FREE “List Of Lies” Cheat Sheet PDF for THIS EPISODE
The Imagineering Workout by The Disney Imagineers
Derrick Utz’s Commemorative Ebook
PW Blog Post: And The Winner Is
PW Blog Post: How To Quit Less And Finish More (The ‘Rocky Gap’ Analogy)
PWP #10: What To Do When Your Dream Seems Far Away
Next week Lora be interviewing Chris to hear about his artistic journey!
{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }
I used to be suggested this blog via my cousin. I’m no longer sure whether or not this publish is written by means of him as nobody else realize such exact about my problem. You’re amazing!
Thanks!
I’ve just come across your site – I have some catching up to do! The podcasts are especially great because it’s really hard to read while loading the dishwasher.
It’s funny how I’ve held back from doing what I want in order to draw more “real” subjects, but I’ve had the most positive reactions to things like my faceless tree people and my ink blot that turned into a girl chasing a mysterious object through a creepy forest. A bit more “out there” than bowls of fruit or portraits done from photos.
This was a terrific episode and so timely for me – sometimes I have to do something six different ways before I get all the pieces together. My process is: daydream the story, write it straight (third or first person like a short story), scribble all over that draft, stick-figure storyboard, scribble all over that, random notes over where the story is going, maybe outline, and then see how much of all that makes sense when wrestled into a proper script format. I feel so much less crazy now
Chris, thank you especially for including your experience hearing “monsters aren’t Real Art.” I drew a unicorn last week for possibly the first time since I was fifteen, and it felt so good!
Chris, just wanted to say you reminded me of Roy Disney talking about Toy Story’s first draft when talking about writing at around 25 minutes in.
Wow… I wish I had this podcast a year ago at college. It would have helped SO MUCH.
My way of taking a break is by pulling out my guitar, dulcimer, pennywhistle, harmonica, or concertina (yeah, I know, strange assortment) and teach myself a new song. I learned all of my instruments by myself just through the process of taking breaks from writing, drawing, sculpting, and schoolwork. Another method is to change artistic medium. I dabble in a lot (I don’t have a narrow focus yet), and I’ve found even with schoolwork that switching gears helps a lot. I’ve also used a reward system. If I get such-and-such done, then I can do such-and-so (yesterday it was thank-you notes and kite flying).
I also LOVE Chris’s point about calling people/knowing your brain. I also need to talk everything out. Knowing your brain is really important. I know my brain well enough to wake up early, take a walk, and go to bed early for the best productivity (unfortunately earthquake aftershocks and hurricanes seem to be effecting that process right now, WOO!). Today, when I just couldn’t concentrate on my work, I sat outside in the sun and just… thought, observed, and listened. All three things are things I think we creative types need to do, but when we get absorbed in a project, we forget to actually spend the time doing them.
Now it’s time to try Wunderlist. I wonder if there’s an online version that I can use at work….
I forgot to add something: I also have picked up “word wars,” where you basically set a timer, and compete with someone else to see who can write the most words. It’s fun, and even helped with school papers.
Speaking of which, day two of Wunderlist, and it is amazing.
Call me wind because I am absuotlely blown away.
HLCRsn jmklxscsffma
So I’m trying to get better at leaving comments because I rarely do but I’ve been listening to you guys for at least four months now. Anyways, I love and respect you for putting so much time and effort into helping all of us out there that are trying to find steady ground when it comes supporting your self and finding your niche as an artist. You two have gone over many of the things that i have struggled with for years as a student and artist making it in the “real world.”
Today I specially want to thank you for directing me to Wunderlist.com as now I am re-listening to you podcast and organizing a reasonable set list and requirements to get my life on track working full time. I would probably use the App Things if I had the money but that will have to wait. Also while doing my research to get better organized I found the website Mint.com which is a great place to organize your finances and figure out how much you can spend I figured if there are other artist like me, you don’t really keep track of how much you spend and where… (which yes I know I really should do) so this website helps by organizing it all. I hope this is useful information…
Please never stop doing the amazing work that you are doing!
Love this episode! I’ve already listened to it twice! Planning on listening to it again.
Thanks so much for all the awesome tips, now to catch up on all these comments
Hey guys,
First off, let me say what a great topic for episode 12, and well executed as well. A while back, when you guys were asking for topic suggestions, something along these lines would have been my suggestion.
That in mind, there is a great book that I’d like to suggest; its a little tome that I use to get the creative juices flowing. Its called “Creative Sparks,” by Jim Krause. Its a non-sequitir book of exercises, games, quotes and sayings designed to get you thinking creatively. Its a nice little edition to my reference library. While I don’t use it EVERY day, its there when I need it and has proved invaluable to me on more than one occasion.
Also, being that I’m on a PC and have an Android-based phone now, I was struggling to find something like Things, but for the platform that I use most often. I found it when exploring the new Apps for the Nook Color, and its called Springpad.
Basically, it allows you to set up “Notebooks,” and within these notebooks you can add any number of tasks, notes, clips from websites, multimedia such as video or photo reference, etc. I have a notebook for each project that I’m working on (website, comic, illustration portfolio, etc). Its available for almost all platforms (iphone, ipad, Nook Color, Android) and has a nice website and Browser Extension for use at home and on the computer. It also syncs across all platforms, and its a bit more extensible than Wunderlist. Thought I’d share.
Finally, I’d like to end with a ‘Thank you.’ I’m an illustrator in a rebuilding year, of sorts. Not too terribly long ago, I had that epiphany…that moment where your mind clicks, and you realize that you’ve been doing it all wrong; but with that epiphany came the understanding of how to fix it. Since then, I’ve been restructuring my life to rebuild my creative career and actually try to make a REAL living at what I’m really good at. I used to love the Chris Oatley Artcast, but PaperWings came along at just the perfect time, with topics that were relevant to me as a creative trying to build a career out of what I love doing.
So, in closing, thank you.
Sincerely,
Chad Welch
Thank you, Chad! These are the kinds of stories we want to hear around Paper Wings! That is exactly what we are all about here, so I’m glad you followed Chris over to this new endeavor.
Try Wunderlist! It’s both Windows and Android: http://www.wunderlist.com/
We like it even better than Things!
Ahoy Chad,
Good to see you on board and sounds like you and I have a lot of the same project types to juggle with portfolio site, comic and all. Last night I posted a new rant on my blog about getting organized and it has an image for a visual task list I created for my projects I dropped pictures in each box at the top and then write my related tasks a progress below. Just a way get a non-digital, tactile involvement to managing yourself. It might help you too. There are letter and tabloid sizes available and just click on the image in the blog post to link to it.
dutzart.blogspot.com
Best wishes to you and the projects ahead. It is easier to keep moving forward when you see the steps before you (your tasks). Paper Wings believes in you so just stay on coarse with them.
Keep yee feet wet,
Captain Dutz
Hey Cap’n!
Thanks for the heads up, I’ll definitely check it out.
Great community here, to boot! WOOT!
Chad
I finally got to listen to this pod cast and I just all the ways that you can overcome or to try different things during an art block. Also I downloaded the wunderlist application and I really enjoy it so far. I usually wrote everything down on paper but this really helps me keep everything more organized together.
Great to hear, Jennifer! Let us know if you come up with any new, creative uses for Wunderlist!
I like the ideas for organizing ideas – I am going to check out the things Chris mentioned, but until then I still use a planner! My favorite is from Little Otsu (http://shop.littleotsu.com/) and I get the yearly ones. I like to write down all my to do’s in each day block, and I can also jot down ideas, appointments, and so on.
I LOVE the website called Pinterest – http://pinterest.com/. It helps me organize visually. It can be anything, but I find it to be a good resource and inspiration source.
Someone sent me to Pinterest before and then I lost the link! AMAZING!
It’s so good to hear about your guys’ Artistic Human challenges as well and how you overcome them. I think this episode has just helped me to be more conscious of solutions to use when experiencing a creative brain fart, and what I liked most was your ideas on recording our inspiration and catching it while as the wind blows past us! I’m looking forward to the “Getting to know Chris” episode, a question that I have for him is “How did you find your fan-base?”
Thanks Lee! I’ll add it to my list!
I love all the extras you have posted with this Postcast. Always and again, THANK YOU!
Extras are SO FUN! That’s why I love Blu Rays.
Thanks, Teri!
Aye Aye and Ahoooooooooooyyyyyyyy Wingers!
I’m so freakn’ nuts with inspiration I’m gunna have to find some random thing to toss off the port bow!
Ok, I will make these little points more concise than my other posts. Then I’m gunna smack the blog outta’ this in my new Captain’s Blog (linked above) in a few days and the post will show up here too thanks to the little lesson at the top.
First and foremost, Thank you all to Paper Wings and the Community. Chalk it up to another great podcast. Seriously, I’m going to be a creative force to be reckoned with if I get much more teachn’. This is not fair to my competition…but then, thats the idea!
Was that enough slang? ha ha ha!
Ideas:
1. This has been a great tool to get me past the bumps; get some editors!
Between my wife and my writer I cannot sit and whine too much about what I am doing wrong. My wife is very creative and is a great outside eye that will be honest and tell me if it looks good or where I am going wrong and how to fix it. Then, she looks at me like I am stoopid when I am getting pouty. We artists are emotional creatures but when the goal is to be professional, we need to “clock-in” and leave that behind. When she give me that “dumb-daddy” look I realize that I am reacting like my five year old and I wake up. If you can, find a creative honest person to artistically shake you back into the real world.
2. Creative people use creative solutions.
The lofty thought was awesome, Lora! Thank you! You are so right, because I too had to realize that that it wasn’t a reflection of who I am just the evidence that I need to create a new solution.
3. Artist: We don’t always use instructions, we create them!
4. I am so using the dance studio! my kids draw with me sometimes so they will love that!
I will have more on The Captain’s BLOG and address some of the lies directly. Thank you Chris, Lora and the team for the cheat sheet and resources!
Until the next one, best biddings to the team & community, yo’ ho’!!
Captain Dutz!
wow, that was still long..me apologies!
Being married to a fellow artist is amazing! When we got married people thought we were doomed, what with two “emotional artists stuck together.” In fact, having a husband (in your case wife) who does what you do can be such a support and a help. Mike’s critiques of my work make it so much stronger. I love having a spouse who isn’t just supportive but who “gets it” as well.
I’m glad you have that same kind of relationship. Good for her for keeping your chin up.
ha ha, Maybe we need to do a PW episode for non-creative spouses. “Understanding your artistic partner” lol!
That is an awesome idea Lora! We creatives are great to be around but not always easy to deal with when in the zone. That episode might help to stave off a few battles between the partners.
My wife is an avid reader and has some photography background so she has a wonderful understanding for how story and visuals need to work together. She helps keep the pieces of the puzzle looking like they could actually fit against one-another. She has done a little drawing in her younger life too and that helps. She takes whatever reference photos I need and that is another way she helps me get past some project roadblocks. References ROCK!
She is awesome and is a major reason that much of the creative ventures are possible. She has helped to facilitate and fuel an environment where it can flourish.
Footnote, I just wanted to thank you and Chris for mentioning the eBook and adding the kind words in the podcast. I am glad that I was able to add to the community and give something back. I hope everyone enjoys it and remembers what they were and are a part of.
Best wishes to all,
Captain Dutz
Hey there everyone!
Long time listener, first time commenter. My name is Rico Jackson. I’m an animation student at the Columbus College of Art and Design.
Ok, so this was VERY helpful for me guys! And I really do mean it! I personally struggle with creative block and experience each of the five points on a almost constant basis. I often use “I Need Inspiration To Create” as an excuse. Oh boy, and describing it as a staring contest is spot on! I fully plan on applying everything you’ve mentioned here to all I do this coming semester. So thanks!
I also plan on using all you guys teach here. PaperWings is awesome. I don’t know if this was intentional, but when I think of paper wings… I think of all of us listeners having or gaining paper wings, and that the two of you are the wind beneath our wings (one for each side)guiding us! It’s a lot more inspiring and beautiful in my head haha also it being PAPER WINGS means that you guys are giving us light wings, and making the journey easier than perhaps if we had iron wings weighing us down.
With that said, I am also starting a SIGGRAPH Student Chapter/Animation club at CCAD this year. PaperWings will be a CONSTANT reference to all the students in it. So thanks for providing such a great resource.
All that said, thank you so much guys! Keep it up! You guys are rockstars
Rico
Ps Lora, you have one of the BEST laughs ever. It’s very contagious. Keep laughing please haha
HOLY COW I was so excited to post my comment that I forgot my questions for Chris! Honestly, I have far too many questions, so I’ll just condense it down to something like….
What are 5 things you wish you knew or did while you were in college.
WOW! Rico, this is the kind of question that got me started podcasting in the first place. VERY insightful. Please keep in touch about all this stuff (SIGGRAPH group, your own personal growth/ dreams etc…)
Rico, I live in Columbus! After you get the group started and you have regular meetings, etc, invite me out for one. I’d love to stop by. I have a soft spot in my heart (always) for CCAD students.
It’s so wonderful to hear that the show has helped you. And I think your picture is spot on: PW is all about giving YOU the ability to go out and make things happen for yourself, and for your art. We want to inspire you… and teach you… but not hold your hand and do it for you.
Best of luck!
Great podcast again! I`m definitely going to try some of that stuff when creative block hits.
I recently found a list of “obstacles for productivity/creativity” which I`ve hung above my desk. It deals with the “real problems” lying underneath the artist block. I don`t think they all fit, but I do find it helpful to be reminded of every now and then. It makes me think about what my own obstacles to create are. If you guys are interested I can post the list here. A few of the obstacles are: “Yes, but….” thinking, “that already exists/is unoriginal”, or “I can`t do it.”
I also keep a few pages in my sketchbook free for inspiring quotes about creative thinking, or how to approach your projects. I get them from people, articles and these podcasts. It really helps to go over them when you feel blocked or discouraged.
I`m trying out Wunderlist now, great program!
What I would like to ask Chris: I wondered, do you find it challenging to have a day job in the creative field and also doing your own creative projects? How do you manage your time and energy to create, both in your day job and in your own time?
I`m also very curious about your webcomic, I`d love to hear more about that!
Thanks again for a great podcast!
I swear. I am so proud to be a part of such a brilliant and inspiring community. You Wingers never cease to amaze me. What a GREAT idea about the quotes in the sketchbook, Henrike!
And yes, of course! We would LOVE to see the list of obstacles. You could write your own blog post and share the link here to get a little more mileage out of it too (if you want).
That`s a GREAT idea Chris! I`ve made a blog post with two lists that I found helpful.
http://pencilsandstories.wordpress.com/
Chandra Posted on Love it! Glad I had a chance to run with you the other day! Helped me to get back on track while I was up there! Know that you keep me inrepsid!
I’d also love to see the list! It sounds like something that needs to be near my workspace!
Made a blogpost about it.
Click my name to go to the page.
Thanks again guys, for a wonderfully informative and inspirational blast of fresh air. This place is amazing, and I’m using its lessons every day and I can actually feel my dreams creeping closer.
(Glacially slow, but definitely moving closer!
)
Now THERE’S an idea for a podcast episode! “How To Accelerate A Glacier.” ; )
Thanks, Nathan! Can’t wait to hear your take on the next string of episodes!
ah ha ha, I like that!
Lora you made an excellent summation of the discussion. I think my years of listening to the dream killer are over! And I LOVE the way you guys break it down! It is always easy to take away loads of digestible creator stuff from the show. You have really nailed the perfect Podcast structure!
Thanks, Sam. We have finally found an “outline format” that really works. And there are more segment ideas we’ll be trying out in the future so keep us posted on what you think is working/ not working. Oh, man, I can’t wait to start the next phase of this thing!
Thank you so much for the recommendation of Wunderlist! I’ve been using a free program called Task Unifier that was… buggy. I did like that you could set tasks up as recurring, but Wunderlist seems much better overall! Downloaded it and am moving all my tasks over to it!
I really love the podcast, thank you so much to both of your for taking the time out to record it and put it up for all of us! Looking forward to the next one!
Mike put it onto the program and we all love it. And it’s free!! Glad to share that with the rest of you–glad it’s made a difference!
I have a stack of photocopies I made of comic artist’s work that I admire. I tape tracing paper on top of one page and copy it before I start to thumbnail my own work. What is surprising is that days afterward while sketching my comic I can see the influence of their work in mine and it is was totally unconscious! Yeah, I copy and think it is a great tip to work out kinks and get inspired.
Also, studio dance parties, which goes along with your move around tip. I basically dance around my studio like a goon for a couple of songs and then I can get back to work and try to focus.
The other tips I am definitely going to try out if I ever get stuck again.
WOW! Studio dance party! I wonder what would happen if I tried that at Disney…
I used to leave my DDR set up on my Wii… and then go dance a few songs. But shhh! don’t tell anyone..
Great Solutions! I can point to several instances where these were similar to the solutions that got me through and it’s so awesome to list them out and have them accessible so I don’t have to think, “now how did I solve that problem?” One of my most interesting blocks was when I worked as a graphic designer and had an opportunity to design cartoon characters for an ice cream franchise. I was so excited but I kept putting it off. My initial thought was “creative block” but as I searched for the larger problem I realized that I didn’t want the project to end. I had pressure from the client to do things fast (to keep the cost down) and I wanted to be able to enjoy the opportunity. The solution came as I talked to the owner and he told me to take my time and he’d back me up. Problem solved! I took my time, thoroughly enjoyed the process and the client was happy enough that the bill didn’t matter.
So my question for Chris…I’d like to know more about his #1 creative dream and his plans to reach it. I noted somewhere…maybe on his website…that he wants to direct a film and/or TV series and this really sparked my interest I’ve heard alot of criticism against animation professionals who say they want to direct (because I have a very similar dream and have seen eyes rolling when I share it). So how does he deal with that “stigma” or is it an issue at all? What’s his biggest obstacle?
Again, this is a very insightful podcast and I will surely use it. Thanks so much.
Great insight as usual, Scott! I can’t WAIT to respond to that question! …I am a dreamer after all. : )
Thanks Chris! I can’t wait to hear your answer!
Clients just don’t realize the attachment we have to our projects do they. Ok, Ok, THEIR projects, but still we make it our own to do our best, and I can understand not wanting the project to end.
) Think of all the eyes John Lassetter must have sent rolling early in his carrier. Let the Dreamers make it happen while the nay sayers (and eye rollers) can just eat hay I say! Looking forward to next week!
And Scott, you got my question! so that makes two of us waiting for the answer!
You know if you listen close enough, you can actually hear the rolling of their eyes! The “Nay” sayers. Blast them all! (I men that in the nicest way.
John was fired from Disney right before Ed Catmull partnered with him to start Pixar. Amazing.
I KNOW! Can you believe it! The Pixar Story is my favorite Doc of all time. You know, John Lasseter must have really been crushed by that. He could have given up and become a car salesman or something. Thank Goodness his focus was so strong and the insightful people were in place to help make his dream a reality. Lessons from Lasseter to be learned.
Allright, so now I’m getting warm fuzzies to be part of such a great conversation. Sam, I think about that story all the time (among many others) and I think that by staying focused and pushing forward no matter what, that we are totally LIVING the dream – which is the JOURNEY toward our achievement – and frankly, I’m really enjoying this journey. Hugs to Sam & Chris!
Actually, on this particular project…the client came to see it as OUR project. When I left that job to enter the animation industry they said, “But what about our [characters]?” Out of respect for my former employer, I haven’t continued working on that project, but they saw me as the torchbearer because of the devotion I put in.
Ow hey, don`t know how that link got here, that`s convenient….
I have two lists above my desk that might be helpful uncovering the underlying problems of creative block. Instead of posting an enormous text wall here I`ve made a post on my blog. Click my name or click the link above to read it.
It’s called a trackback. It automatically posts here when someone links to the site. Cool, huh?
I learn something new every day!