Linda Krall - Artists Block Cured!: 201 Ways to Unleash Your Creativity

201 ways to unleash
your creativity

BY LINDA KRALL AND AMY RUNYEN

2012 Walter Foster Publishing, Inc.

All rights reserved.

Walter Foster is a registered trademark.

Images for the following entries Amy Runyen: 5, 8, 19, 24, 26, 28, 31, 48, 59, 62 (chimp), 65, 78, 89, 90, 92, 94, 97, 98 (collage), 102, 104 (toy photo), 111, 114, 118, 120, 138, 143, 149, 153, 160, 165, 168, 176, 177, and 183 (with Jana Rumberger). Lion image, entry 62 Nathan Rohlander.

Project Managers: Elizabeth T. Gilbert and Michelle Prather

Art Director: Shelley Baugh

Managing Editor: Rebecca J. Razo

Senior Editor: John Welches

Production Designers: Debbie Aiken and Amanda Tannen

Production Manager: Nicole Szawlowski

Production Coordinator: Lawrence Marquez

Administrative Assistant: Kate Davidson

This book has been produced to aid the aspiring artist. Reproduction of work for study or finished art is permissible. Any art produced or photomechanically reproduced from this publication for commercial purposes is forbidden without written consent from the publisher, Walter Foster Publishing, Inc.

Digital Edition: 978-1-60058-255-4

Softcover Edition: 978-1-60058-255-4

www.walterfoster.com

Walter Foster Publishing, Inc.

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Theres no doubt about itblank canvas syndrome can be a giant burden, indeed. But if you open your mind to new ideas, processes, and the possibility of fun, you can overcome it and learn a lot about yourself as an artist while doing so. Whether youve hit a creative roadblock or just need some encouragement, Artists Block Cured! offers a multitude of ways to help you move outside your comfort zone and into the realm of heightened creativity.

How you use this book is completely up to you. Although each of the 201 entries is numbered from start to finish, you can just as easily start from the back of the book and work your way forward as you can from the beginning. Open the book at random, and there it is: inspiration. Beautiful, isnt it?

Entries are divided into six color-coded categories to make selecting an activity or piece of wisdom that much easier:

ASSIGNMENTS

This category is full of creativity-boosting challenges and step-by-step projects that outline a process, but also allow you to make the final determination about where your project goes. Its like school, but without the pressure and harsh grading.

INSPIRATION

Inspiration comes in all forms, and the entries in this category are no different. There are new concepts to ponder, thought-provoking examples of how other artists work, and suggestions for finding sources of inspiration.

MENTAL EXERCISES

These prompts send your mind in new and stimulating directions. The end product of your cerebral labor wont be on your canvas, but it will certainly be evident the next time you approach it.

EXPERIMENTS IN MEDIA

This category provides a quick and basic overview of a media or technique that may be new to you. Youll be surprised how entering unknown territory can kick start an entire series of new work! If you find a project particularly enjoyable, research the medium further. There are myriad ways to use and apply all of these examples.

GAMES

Like Mental Exercises, the games included in this category will get your brain working, but theyll also get your hand drawing in a fun and uninhibited way. Keep an eye out for collaborative games that wrangle friends and colleagues into your creative process. Theyll thank you for it.

ARTISTS SPOTLIGHT

These full-page profiles of professional artists from various genres and backgrounds offer useful advice for combating creative blocks, as well as encouragement about making a living in the art world.

You might also notice several Did you know? and Do it now! entries throughout the book. Theyre exactly what they sound like they should be: intriguing facts about the world of art and suggestions for spontaneous creativity-enhancing action.

Weve offered 201 ways to reawaken the artist within. What you can achieve with what you learn, however, is limitless.

Artist Jasper Johns took cues from Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein when approaching the canvas. Johns appreciated Wittgensteins regard for logic and his analysis of how and why logic falters. Johns, too, sought a higher understanding of logic and used painting as a process by which to better comprehend it.

GAMES

This is a fun drawing game to play with a partner or alone. First, draw a squiggle on a piece of blank paper; just let it flowdont think about it (A). Then, with a different colored pen or pencil, try to make something out of your squiggle (B). Make sure to turn it around several times and view it from various angles. It can be anything: a person, animal, object, or a monster. It can even be a scene of some sort. Perhaps it becomes inspiration for a short story (C), (D), (E)... A. R.

Octopus and man artwork Amy Runyen. Bird and Rhino artwork Max Lizzaraga.

ASSIGNMENTS

Photo Juliette Becker

A flower display outside a store caught Juliettes eye.

#3 Random Shots

Artist Juliette Becker has a useful method for unblocking creativity: When you lack the inspiration to paint or draw, take your camera and start shooting anything of interest. Even random shots that may not engage you are useful because when you examine the photos later, youll likely find something unexpected. After you finish shooting, use your computer to make a slideshow of what you shot. You can even enlarge pieces of a shot to discover unusual elements you didnt see initially. Because I often find inspiration this way, I always carry my camera with me, says Becker. Its amazing how many opportunities you have to find interesting subjects by keeping a camera handy. I was doing my grocery shopping one day and found this inspiration for a painting for my daughters housewarming gift. Even grocery shopping can inspire you. L. K.