You might find yourself wrestling a creative block that feels insurmountable. Whether you’re staring blankly at Adobe Photoshop or can’t muster up new ideas, it’s important to remember: you’re not alone… and this is so common. Creative blocks happen to the best of us. The key is to keep moving forward, even if it feels like you’re crawling. Here are some tips for reigniting your creative spark.
Workshop with Other Tattoo Artists
Creative block is harder if you tackle it alone! So, collab it up. Form social groups or team up with your artist friends for workshops and creative meet-ups. These gatherings don’t have to be strictly about tattooing—exploring other creative mediums can sometimes release that tattoo block and open up new pathways for inspiration. Painting. Photography. Pottery. Whatever. Taking on any creative outlet gets the juices flowing and eventually services your primary passion: tattooing.
For tattoo-specific collabs, tattoo expos and conventions are fantastic options. You get to meet top artists specializing in your style and various other styles, creating a melting pot of inspo. Sharing ideas and techniques can spark new concepts and keep you feeling creative.
Join Online Communities and Social Groups
If traveling isn’t feasible, don’t fret. Social media is your new best friend. Online communities are teeming with supportive artists ready to share tips and encouragement. Sure, there are plenty of trolls and assholes, too, but just ignore those folks and know the majority of people in these groups are there to better themselves and their careers.
Check out Facebook groups and forums where you can ask questions, share struggles, and get pointers from those who’ve been in your shoes. Here are a few pages to get you started:
- Tattooing for Beginners
- Tattoo Beginners on Facebook
- Tattoo Page
- Tattoo Artist and Piercer Guest Spots
Bear in mind some of these pages require application to ensure you’re a licensed artist (which is a good thing… it cuts down on the aforementioned trolls and assholes). So join something exclusive and share some creative energy.
For less exclusive, more accessible opportunities, you can also check out Reddit. You’ll find tons of the tattoo artist-centric threads according to what inspiration, education, or information you’re seeking.
Have Fun Backup Projects
Keeping a few fun backup projects in your toolkit can be a lifesaver. Whether it’s large-scale tattoo designs, unfinished tattooable practice skins, or small-scale flash sheets and doodles, having something to fall back on can ease the pressure of starting from scratch. When you already have a foundation, it’s much easier to build upon it and break through that creative block.
Draw While Doing Other Things
This might sound unconventional, but doodling while you’re watching TV, snacking, or listening to music can work wonders. It’s not about creating your best work—it’s about getting those creative juices flowing again. By multitasking, you can trick your brain into relaxing and releasing any creative blockage. For being so smart, the brain can be really stupid.
TAKE A DAMN BREAK, You Overachiever
Sometimes, the best way to overcome a creative block is to take a step back. Rest and recovery are essential for any kind of skill-building. Constantly pushing yourself can lead to burnout. Burnout leads to blockage. So, take a break, engage in other activities you enjoy, and make space for relaxation. This downtime can help rejuvenate your mind and body, making room for new ideas to surface.
Try Drawing Challenges
Challenge yourself with drawing prompts or daily drawing challenges. These can be simple like “draw something from nature” or themed like “cyberpunk creatures.” Use apps or websites that offer random drawing prompts to keep things interesting. The pressure of a challenge can push you out of your comfort zone and help you explore new styles and ideas. Plus, it’s a fun way to create something new without the weight of a big project.
Check out Books for Inspiration
Yep, people still read books in 2024! Tattoo books specifically designed for creative inspiration can be gold mines of new ideas. Yeah, the internet is all well and good, but reading activates different parts of the brain. And there’s something extra inspiring about rifling through a physical collection of flash, designs, and other artwork. Discovering new artists, different styles, and unique design concepts can provide the spark you need to create new flash, stencils, or custom ideas for your clients. You can also always check out our full blog page for other tips, news, and education.
Remember – It’s Only Temporary!
Overcoming creative block as a tattoo artist is all about finding what works best for you. Whether it’s collaborating with others, joining online communities, working on backup projects, doodling during downtime, taking breaks, or diving into inspirational books, there’s a method to help you get back to doing what you love. Remember, creative blocks are temporary, but only if you let them be. It comes down to something you may not want to hear: ya just gotta buckle down and do the thing (with breaks, of course). So keep experimenting, stay inspired, and let your creativity flow!
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