Overcoming the fear of the blank page

We all know that feeling of sitting down ready to start a piece of art, but for some reason, you feel blocked, stuck, and unable to get anything down on the page. As an artist myself, I know how frustrating this can be. But there is hope! Here are some ways you can beat that blank page:

Look for inspiration

Art books and magazines, art websites and apps, and physical art collections in galleries and museums can help you get ideas for your own work.

But don't stop there! Also, look at art that's already out there on the walls of the world around us: paintings in restaurants or shops you pass on your daily commute; advertising boards that feature well-known images; murals painted by local artists; graffiti scrawled onto walls at bus stops or tube stations—the list goes on! The more sources you have for finding inspiration, the better off you'll be when it comes time to put pencil to paper.

Remind yourself why you started in the first place

You probably started creating because you were inspired or something drew you to it. Think back on what inspired you to pick up a pencil or paintbrush for the first time, and remember what exactly made you feel like this was something worth pursuing.

Take a look at your past artwork and explore which parts of the painting excite you. Are there any techniques that you used that you haven’t used recently?

Tackle the problem from a different angle

If you're having trouble starting an art project, try approaching it from a different perspective. Maybe you've been working on something but aren't happy with how it's going. Or maybe your piece is almost finished, and now you're at a loss for what to do next. Try one of these methods:

Look at the problem from another angle. There are many ways to approach an art project visually, so if one method isn't working, try another creative tactic instead. For example, if you're stuck on what to paint next in your series of still life's, consider changing where the light source is coming from. Instead of painting objects lit by sunlight streaming through windows, have them lit by lamps or candles; this will allow for more dramatic lighting effects in your work and give it a whole new look!

Experimenting with different mediums can help bring fresh ideas into play. Try using mediums other than pencils or oil paint when tackling a new project—perhaps watercolours would be better suited to creating a softer image? Or maybe pastels would work better when contouring facial features?

Create a support network.

There is a support network of people who understand what you're going through, and they can help. They will know how to get past the fear of the blank page. You can find them online or in real life; there are many resources available to you right now on the internet, such as The Art Class, that can give you guidance and support as well as advice on overcoming this fear.

We hope we've given you some ideas to overcome the blank page and continue your creative journey. Remember to take breaks, use inspiration from other sources, and create support networks for yourself. And if all else fails? Remember that this is an ongoing process, so don't be afraid to experiment with different methods until you find one that works for you. We know it can be daunting at times but just keep going—you'll get there!