Overcoming the Fear of the Blank Page: My Journey to Enjoying Sketching

As a printmaker and illustrator, my creative journey has taken me through various mediums and techniques. From my former work as a digital illustrator to the tactile joy of linocut printmaking, and to the satisfaction of seeing my designs as a finished products, each process has its unique appeal. However, there was one aspect of my creative practice that I struggled with for a long time: sketching in my sketchbook. The blank pages seemed to taunt me, and the pressure to create something beautiful was overwhelming. In this blog post, which is a subject close to my heart, I want to share my journey of overcoming this fear and finding joy in sketching. I'll also delve into the broader concept of the fear of the blank page and how embracing imperfection can lead to greater creativity.

The Pressure of Perfection

The sketchbook, a seemingly simple tool, can be a source of immense pressure for many artists. The blank pages represent endless possibilities, but they also bring a significant amount of anxiety (and if you know me, anxiety and overthinking? check). The fear of making mistakes or creating something "ugly" can be paralyzing. This fear is not uncommon; it’s something many artists experience at some point in their creative journey. For me, the sketchbook felt like a place where every line needed to be perfect, and every drawing had to be worthy of admiration. 

Understanding the Fear of the Blank Page

The fear of the blank page, also known as "white page syndrome", is a well-documented phenomenon. It’s a form of creative block that can affect writers, artists, and creators of all kinds. This fear comes from the pressure to create something perfect from the very start.The blank page represents potential, but it also highlights the absence of content, which can be intimidating. Psychologically, this fear can be linked to perfectionism and the anxiety of being judged for our creative output. Personally, I don’t see myself as a perfectionist, but this conflict kept me torn between the desire to experience the freedom that sketching brings, and the fear that whatever I create will be ugly and not worth showing. 

My Personal Journey

For a long time, I avoided sketching. I preferred working digitally, where I could easily undo any mistakes. I was also very very used to working digitally because my line of work as an animator and illustrator sort of demanded that in my previous jobs. However, I knew that sketching could be a valuable part of my creative process. I knew that it can bring something out of me that sketching digitally cannot, sort of unexplored part of my creative side. It wasn’t until I allowed myself to make mistakes and embraced the imperfect nature of sketching that I began to overcome my fear.
Don’t get me wrong, I have so many pages in my sketchbook that I still believe are ugly, but I’ve learned to accept it. And getting used to no undo was not easy either (have you ever accidently did the undo motion on paper? haha I have). I learnt that this sketchbook is for me and is not judging me, in the same way that a journal will not judge you for your thoughts. I don’t need to show it to anyone, I just need to let myself express myself.

Embracing Imperfection

One of the key steps in my journey was understanding that a sketchbook is a personal space. It’s not meant to be a gallery of perfect artworks but a playground for ideas, experiments, and mistakes. I started to give myself permission to create "ugly" sketches, to doodle without a plan, and to make marks on the page without worrying about the outcome (and as an overthinking and someone who plans everything - that wasn’t easy), it’s ok to have mistakes and lines that are not perfect, it’s ok to draw something wrong that doesn’t make any sense, it's ok to draw the same thing over and over again. After a while of insisting on this, I found this mindset liberating. 

Finding Joy in the Process

I began to appreciate the tactile feel of the pencil on paper, the sound of the pen as it moved across the page, and the freedom to explore without constraints. Sketching became a way for me to capture fleeting ideas, practice new techniques, and express myself in ways that digital drawing couldn’t replicate. I also think that finding the right tools for me such as the right markers and pencils helped me enjoy what I’m doing and be happier with the results. 

I want to share a tip that I, myself, did not practice yet, but I think can be beneficial if you experience the same struggles. You can always have 2 sketchbooks, one to consider ugly with no regard to the final results, and one that is more polished that you are pleased to flip through. I know that overcoming that “ugly sketchbook” fear is hard, so this could be a good start. 

The Benefits of Sketching

Over time, I realized that sketching offered several benefits that enhanced my overall creative practice:

• Idea Generation: Sketching allowed me to quickly jot down ideas and concepts that could later be developed into more polished works. I still work digitally, and if there is a sketch that I like to develop I will take a picture and work on my ipad, but that first step captures the idea in an organic way.
• Skill Improvement: Regular sketching improved my drawing skills and helped me refine my artistic style. As mentioned before, I think finding the tools I enjoy helped with this point. 
• Creative Freedom: The sketchbook became a space where I could experiment freely, leading to unexpected and exciting discoveries.

Conclusion

Overcoming the fear of the blank page wasn’t an overnight process. It took time, patience, and a willingness to embrace imperfection and to flip through this sketchbook and not liking things about it.. But in doing so, I found a new source of joy and creativity in my sketchbook. If you’re struggling with the same fear, remember that your sketchbook is a personal space meant for you. It doesn’t need to be perfect, and it’s okay to make mistakes. Embrace the process, enjoy the journey, and let your creativity flow.

Do you have any tips or experiences with overcoming the fear of the blank page? Share your thoughts in the comments below! I’m sure other people experience the same feelings about sketching. 

Happy sketching!