What does art/writer's block feel like to you?

[DokiDokiTsuna]

So I recently saw a tweet that implied that what some artists call 'art block' could actually just be them not wanting to draw and refusing to accept that. Like, y'know, becoming so used to constant production that a day where you just can't feels like some kind of problem.

It's an interesting observation...I dunno if it applies to me, though. ^^; I'm not that much of a workaholic...at least not when it comes to any one medium. Some days are comic days, some days are writing days...and some days are music or animation days. And of course, there have been plenty of days where I just blow off all my projects and play video games. ;9

Anyways, to me, both art block and writers' block are just moments where I want to create but the drive isn't there. I can physically draw or write if I force myself, but I don't feel excited about it and I can't get into a flow state...which also means at least 40% of my skill and insight goes out the window. X[ As I usually say, my muse just isn't with me.

So what does it mean to you? Does the aforementioned 'observation' apply...?

[Hexigate]

Most of the time, writer's block feels--to me--more like writer's swamp. There's so much noise, conflicting ideas, worries, and anxieties in my head that it feels like trying to wade through oil. It's so much effort for such little distance covered, and it makes me not want to do it.

It's been getting better through the years. I find that it's the start that's always the hardest. But you decide to dive in anyways and keep moving, you build momentum; it gets easier.

[Kaydreamer]

For me, 'art block' is a combination of lack of inspiration/drive, and/or everything I do try to draw turning out wonky. Sometimes it's one or the other, sometimes it's both.

I sometimes really struggle to picture what I want a finished piece to look like. If I'm working on a comic page, it'll usually be the initial panel layout which stumps me. Sometimes poses and expressions for the characters in the panels, too. It can also be not knowing what kind of colour palette I want, what the environment design is supposed to look like, any number of those kinds of issues. I get around this by spending more time trawling through references, colour picking, etc until they jump-start something.

The 'wonky drawing' aspect is irritating, but it's also an unavoidable part of improving as an artist, so I just power through it. Something which helps if it's particularly bad at any given time is to use a 3D pose program and sketch over the top of the model I've posed for each panel. It's tedious, and way more time-consuming than freehand drawing, but it helps me keep pace with my comic updates when my hand doesn't feel like it's connected to my brain anymore.

I can also suffer from a dearth of actual creative drive, where I really don't want to do anything... But I have basically no comic buffer left since I combined a bunch of pages before changing my update schedule, so I don't have a choice in that regard anymore! Gotta just draw anyway, whether I feel like it or not!

[a.g.meade]

I am without a doubt a workaholic, which is why I have 2 active comics, 2 jobs, sleep like 6 hours a day, and still feel like I'm not doing enough. I used to think art/writer's block was some kind of failure or inadequacy, like I was fundamentally doing something wrong. I've come to understand that these blocks are just my body telling me to stop and give myself permission to chill out every once in a while. But I definitely have a bad habit of just going until I literally cannot go anymore.

[TheOddFungi]

I kind of feel the same way about it that you do. Often times my writer/artist block comes from just a lack of inspiration. I can sit and stare at a blank screen and nothing will come to mind. I remember reading an article for school last year about how inspiration is often likened to an actual being, how it comes and goes of its own will. I can't find the article to share unfortunately

[noenoh]

I feel so much frustration cause it mostly comes when I have accumulated a lot of stress and then deflated. It sucks all the inspo comes, you have no time or energy to do art and when you finally has passed the stressful time everything is gonne, you are empty and restless....

[Lady_T_Musings]

A block to me just feels like frustration.

Usually, I only get a block when I'm drawing or working on something I have preconceived dread for, like architecture. When that happens I just need to take a break and remember that I can work on it in pieces and not try to knock it out in one shot. I take a breath, do something else and come back later to do a little more on it. Trying to tough it out only builds more frustration and the possibility of making myself feel ill. Like literally start feeling sick, so I just take it a bit at a time.

[TedGravesArt]

Ditto. I'm also a workaholic, and get like 5-6 hours of sleep a night, with almost no rec time at all. There are days where I feel physically sick when I consider continuing to work, and that's usually when I take a break, maybe a half day the next day. I took a full day off a few days ago, which was the first time in....I actually can't remember. Months? Art block for me is like hitting a brick wall where I feel like I'm actually losing my mind because it's the only thing I ever do.

[nathanKmcwilliams]

I don't get it often as creating is my favorite thing to do.
But when I do, it feels like nothing. An absence of creativity, my mind goes blank, and I feel a total disconnect from that part of my mind.

In times like this, I still try to at the very least draw a shape or two. Also I'll do a quick fan art from reference, or maybe do a few studies from reference. This way at least I can still be productive.

[PapaDom]

For me, art block feels physically like an engine that won't start after revving it up multiple times.
And mentally, it's like looking into a void of nothingness while I try getting to start drawing on something.