Quick doodle sketch with notes begins the design process. Letting it flow and not edit is key.

by Rachael McCampbell

January 19, 2015

To stare at a blank canvas is intimidating – I call it the blank canvas blues. If you don’t have any great ideas, doubt can seep in:

• What do I have to say as an artist?
• I can’t think of anything new or original.
• I’m going to waste a perfectly good and expensive canvas!

We all have those moments as artists no matter what form of art we’re involved in. Nobody said it would be easy to be creative every day. When you hit that wall, consider these 10 ways to jumpstart your creative juices.

1. How do you feel?

 After you’ve stared at the blank canvas for a while, ask yourself some questions to open the creative channels. How do I feel today? Frustrated? Not creative? What do those feelings look like? What are their shapes and colors? Instead of trying to push away how you are feeling, GO WITH IT. It might lead you to your best work to paint your frustrations.

A 2″ x 3″ cardboard viewfinder — detail of an unfinished painting. A great way to walk around the house and get ideas for a new composition.

2. Observe through a viewfinder

Take a piece of cardboard and cut out the proportionate shape of your canvas (if the canvas is 2’ x 3’, make a rectangular hole that’s 2” x 3”) and walk around with it —look at your surroundings, photographs, etcetera through the viewfinder and you might find your next great idea or composition.

3.  Look at art

Reach out to other artists. Pull out art books, or go to library and look at new ones. There are internet sites full of interesting photography and art that might stir things up. Go to museums and art galleries. Sometimes an artist’s choice of color, subject matter or they way they used a line will trigger a new, great idea.

4.  Make lists

Write down ideas, any ideas for art. Let your mind free-associate and bounce from one idea to the next. Don’t edit. Keep going. There’s bound to be a good idea or part of one in that list.

5.  Start scribbling

Get playful, make scribbly marks on paper, then turn the page around until you see shapes and make them into something. Don’t judge, just draw. From random lines, surprises may emerge — maybe whole paintings.

6.  Turn off all forms of communication

By keeping your phone or computer near you as you work, it creates anticipation. You are half listening for the little beep or ring to notify you of a call, text, tweet or email. Once you hear it, it’s hard not to look at it, which interrupts your concentration. Turn it all off, or, better yet, take those devices out of your creative space. Give yourself the gift of silence so you can create.

 7.  Go for a walk

Get away from that glaring, white canvas. Let your mind wander and take in the beauty around you. Perhaps something on your walk will inspire you. Bring your camera or notepad to record your ideas.

8.  Daydream

Just sit back with a pen and notepad, shut your eyes, and daydream. Let your subconscious mind have a chance to come and play. And be ready to take down the ideas that emerge.

9.   Start painting anyway

Put down color and marks on that looming, white canvas. Sometimes, by the act of making some sort of an effort, something will come to you. Or, you’ve just created a nice textural background for your painting.

10.   Seek other creative outlets

Listen to music, watch art films or read poetry full of rich imagery. Attend a dance, an artist talk, a musical concert or read a great short story. Other art forms can often inspire and inform your own work.

These are just some ways that I find inspiration when I’m fresh out of good ideas. What are some of the ways you attack the blank canvas blues? I’d love to know.