Box.

How to think outside of the box? First, know your box.

Created with graphite pencil, coloured and edited with procreate

Hello friends!

Hope you all have a great start of the week!

I had some interesting and inspiring conversations with illustrators and artists last week. Although I need to spend days alone after being so socialised— according to my own introvert dictionary, these conversations allow me to analysis my art practice and myself in a deeper level. I’m so grateful that I have all these lovely like-minded people to talk to.

One of the things that always comes up in conversations is art block. I feel like I’m not pushing myself enough creatively. There is a feeling of lack of excitement and spark while making art.

But why?

I thought the reason was drawing same type of things again and again. Food. Food is always, or mostly, included in my art because it is the thing that inspired me to start illustrating. Would this be the reason why I lost my spark?

Box.

“Think outside of the box.” they said.

Right. Does it mean when I try to develop a new story, I should stay away from food characters? Does it make sense?

To get out of my comfort zone, I must step away from food. I started drawing humans and animals characters, but it didn’t work. They just didn’t speak to me. There was no connection and communication whatsoever between me and my characters.

Hang on a minute.

I always create food characters because I have spent so much time observing, holding and feeling them. I know how they are structured and how different they are from each other. I can spend hours in grocery stores, just to observe and see what they have to say (fyi: I am mentally healthy). And hence, I’m able to create food characters, highlighting their unique characteristics. Here I’m not saying I CANNOT create other characters other than food. At least, I don’t think food is my box.

What is my box then?

My tools.

I have been using Procreate since I started illustrating. I can confidently say that I am good at my craft after practising for years, drawing almost 365 days a year. I feel comfortable using it. Maybe too comfortable. I realised it’s time to get out of the box. Although I sketch on my sketchbook quite often, I never be able to make a completed artwork with analog materials. I always want to finish a drawing with traditional materials but it is SOOOOO scary.

I cannot undo stuffs.

I’m gonna waste materials.

I’m gonna make mistakes.

And then, I realised making mistakes is essential for fostering creativity.

So, here I am, pushing myself out of the box—using analog materials. To reduce my resistance to complete the challenge, I decided to redraw an old artwork of mine with graphite pencils only.

Old artwork means I can dedicate all my energy to drawing, without thinking about characters, composition, elements and details. Graphite pencil means monochrome art— I don’t have to concern about colours. Less thinking, more doing. Also, pencil sounds less terrifying to me because technically, I can “undo” my mistake with an easer. Brilliant!

The artwork is nowhere near professional but I’m thrilled that I have pushed myself out of the box. I am in love with the texture that created by the pencils. Yes, it’s more time consuming but yet, more satisfying.

I cannot resist to edit it digitally because….. I’m only a human HAHAHHAHA! But seriously, I think it is okay to allow myself to edit the piece. Because it’s my art. I am allowed to do whatever I want. I want to improve the quality of the art by editing it digitally; nevertheless, I still feel connected to the final version because I draw it on paper using pencil with my own hands.

The get-out-of-my-box art!! New artwork drew with traditional materials

Old artwork created digitally

Things I have learnt -

To get out of your box, you have to know your box first— be honest to yourself. Your box should be the thing that you are currently very comfortable with. Is it colour palette? Materials? Composition? Certain subjects? The way you create?

And then ask yourself a question: What is the thing that you have always wanted to try but scared of doing? Don’t think. Just do it.

Your goal is to finish the work, not making good work.

Many might think experiencing an art block is a negative thing, but maybe, it is a sign from your inner child for you to explore new territory. Do you have any experiences of having an art block? What did you do to overcome it? Share with me in the comment!

I apologise if there’s any grammatical, logical or slpeling mistakes because it’s written by me, a human being who makes mistakes.