What to do when you dont know what to draw

Lately I have been feeling like “Why should we force ourselves to draw, when we don't feel like it?!”. What exactly is going to happen if I skip drawing for a whole week or year?

I did try for a week and……….Well I couldn't do it. Even if I let go of art,Art goddess will never leave me!!

And the reason why I love drawing is because it’s fun. And just because I love something,it doesn't mean I will always feel joyous and fun whenever I do it. Sometimes it can feel utterly boring and nothing.

I used to attempt 100 day challenges and 30 day challenges to get over this boring/blank phase and also I thought I have to draw daily to get better at art (Lazy brain,shut up!!). These challenges always felt like a chore and I gave up halfway. I did finish a 30 day challenge and do you know how it felt and what I remember? It always feels like the night out(exam cramming) I do before my final exams. Just cram in everything,no breaks,wake up early/sleep late(a few days of horror). It sucks!!I passed all the exams but I remember nothing (I don't even remember my subjects).

Last year I learnt book binding. Whenever I don't feel like drawing ,I do book binding. Like magic I get this urge to draw again and I draw and draw till I feel bored of it.

Going for walks also has the same effect on me. I see a blue ambassador car or a tree with a peculiar shape,trains and it all appears in my pages with ease. So I oscillate between these activities,no forceful 100 day challenges.

Surprisingly I became curious when #theimaginedbookcover challenge was announced.

I had a blast during that challenge!!I created stories(synopsis),made art with different media and thoroughly enjoyed the process. I was very surprised by the outcomes. I had never created something like that before.

#theimaginedbookcover challenge

So why all this story??? Well,whenever you find yourself in a position of “I should be drawing but I don't know what to draw!!”, spare yourself and do something else. It works.

Gracias,

Aparna

P.S If you do like art prompts/challenges let me know in the comments. I will make a monthly or weekly challenge.