Breaking Through Art Block: Rediscovering Your Creative Spark

If you’re a creative person, you’ve probably been here before: staring at a blank page, canvas, or a linoleum block with absolutely no idea what to do next. Or maybe you can’t even bring yourself to stare at the black page.

That's where I’ve been lately. It’s not that I’ve stopped wanting to create; in fact, there’s still that deep need to make something, anything. But for some reason, the art is not arting!

Welcome to art block. It’s frustrating, disheartening, and can make you question your identity as an artist. But here’s the good news: you’re not alone, and art block doesn’t last forever. Let’s talk about what causes it and how to gently guide yourself back to creativity.

What Causes Art Block?

Art block can come from a variety of sources. For me, it often sneaks in when I’m feeling overwhelmed or putting too much pressure on myself to create something perfect. Sometimes that fear of perfections can prevent us from even starting something, so we procrastinate endlessly. Other times, it might stem from Burnout: Too many projects or responsibilities can drain your energy, leaving little for creative pursuits.
Other reasons that can make you feel this way are (I can honestly say I experienced them all):
🎨 Fear of Failure: Worrying that your next piece won’t live up to your own (or others’) expectations.
🎨 Lack of Inspiration: Feeling like you’ve run out of fresh ideas or that nothing excites you.
🎨 External Stress: Life’s challenges can easily shake your creative mojo.

How to Overcome Art Block

When you’re stuck, it’s tempting to push yourself harder. But in my experience, what works best is showing yourself a little compassion and giving your creativity room to breathe. Here are some strategies that have helped me:

🎨 Take a Break
Sometimes the best thing you can do is step away. Go for a walk, spend time with a pet, or immerse yourself in a completely unrelated activity. Giving your brain a rest can help reset your perspective and spark new ideas. 
🎨 Try Something New
Experimenting with a different medium or style can reignite your curiosity. If you’re a printmaker, try sketching, painting, or even baking—anything that gets your hands moving and your mind engaged.
🎨 Revisit Old Work
This one I do a lot when I’m stuck. Flipping through a sketchbook or looking at past projects can remind you of ideas you’ve loved and might want to revisit or reinterpret. It can also help you appreciate how much you’ve grown as an artist. Sometimes I flip through my sketchbook and see if any of my sketches will spark my interest with taking it forward, and many of the times - it does!
🎨 Set Small Goals
Instead of aiming for a masterpiece, challenge yourself to create something small and manageable. It could be a quick sketch, a test print, or even just doodling shapes. Small victories build momentum.
For example, I have a sketchbook that’s dedicated to low pressure, 2 color pen drawings of flowers. By setting such strict limitations, it helps me not overthink too much, and get me engage in something creative and easy.

My "Low Pressure" sketchbook, which is dedicated to 2 color (only) flower drawings.

🎨 Connect with Other Creatives
Talking to fellow artists or joining a creative community can be incredibly motivating. Sharing your struggles (either online or in real life) and seeing how others overcome their blocks can remind you that you’re not alone in this (I definitely need to get better with this one!). 
🎨 Reframe Your Perspective
Instead of seeing art block as a dead end, think of it as a pause. This is your creativity’s way of saying it needs time to recharge. Honor that process and trust that inspiration will return. After experiencing art block so many time throughout my life, I trust it will pass, and my spark will be back 🌟

You're Still an Artist

One of the hardest parts of art block is the nagging feeling that you’ve somehow lost your spark. But here’s the thing: being an artist isn’t just about constant output. It’s about how you see the world, how you process experiences, and how you connect with others through your work.

Even in moments of stillness, you’re still an artist.

So if you’re in the middle of an art block, know that it’s okay to take your time. Be kind to yourself, try some of the strategies above, and trust that your creativity will come back when it’s ready. And when it does, you’ll have a deeper appreciation for the process—and for yourself as an artist.
And on a personal note, I would say that social media can be a tad misleading, and can make you feel like everything is working all the time, and you’re left behind. But don’t forget that social media is edited, and we can never know what someone is going through behind the scenes. 

Have you experienced art block? What helps you move through it? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!