When you don’t know what to draw

For years I found myself thinking "I gotta draw". I used to always start with the same line as a head shape, then I added eyes and ears. I made tons of heads that looked like myself.

It was muscle memory. Sometimes I slapped on color and shared it.

I felt lost.

As creatives we are inclined to explore. We are drawn to create worlds with themes of exploration. An aimless wanderer in a cloak, carrying a stick is a classic example. We hurry to draw the explorer and flesh out their world with various creatures or environments.

Before rushing pen to paper, there’s something else you should do.

You might think a project, or the right idea will help. But you could still feel lost if all you have is ‘somebody with a stick in a landscape’.

Imagery inspired by adventure just looks like exploration, to actually discover something you need to ignore appearance for a moment. You need to change your mindset.

This helps;

• Delve into your past, think of the stories you return to in conversations.

• Find what other people believe about something. Shape your opinion about it.

• Discover a problem and find a way to solve or talk about it.

• Find something in the world you think should be different and flip it on its head.

• Deep dive into subjects that interest you, see where it leads you.

You limit yourself if you explore only by drawing.

Thoughts come as words, so save those words as they come. Make it shiny later. Don’t bother writing perfect sentences yet. Keep a notebook, write, journal or make voice memos. Draw if it keeps you motivated or if it’s actually necessary.

Decisions, values and events are more fit to be thought about through writing than drawing. You have to be a thinker if you want to be more than skindeep.

It’s easy to get fixated on skin. At those times you need to remember; impressing someone with your skills is empty. Making them feel something is not. Your role is not to impress. If you have something to say you don’t even need to impress at all, a stick figure can be enough.

Having careless fun is healthy sometimes. Not all your art need deep, profound meaning. But you can create with curiosity beyond visual appeal. If you are excited about a subject, dig on. If not, keep searching.

If you do more thinking your wanderer might not look as nice. But they won’t be as aimless.