What to do when inspiration is lost?
polycounter lvl 7
Lately I've been losing my creativity.
It could be because not enough time has passed since I finished my last project, which was a big load on my back for a long time (watch it here). But nonetheless.
I do want to make something.
My "personal project time slot" is completely clear, and all I have to do is think of something to make. I do want to make something, I do want it to be awesome more than anything I've done before, I do have quite a few things in the back of my mind that I've been wanting to do for a long time... but for some reason, the juices just don't flow.
Instead of getting my arse up and starting one of the projects I've been holding back until today, I play video games. I cook. I sleep. I watch series', etc. I waste time instead of using it to build something awesome.
I'm sure I'm not the only one dealing with this sort of things. It's a common thing among artists. But each time it happens to me, I get frantic over "how to get back my juice".
I'd love to hear some advice from you all... what do you do when this kind of thing happens to you? Do you take a break? Do you go out, to get inspired? what do you do?
It could be because not enough time has passed since I finished my last project, which was a big load on my back for a long time (watch it here). But nonetheless.
I do want to make something.
My "personal project time slot" is completely clear, and all I have to do is think of something to make. I do want to make something, I do want it to be awesome more than anything I've done before, I do have quite a few things in the back of my mind that I've been wanting to do for a long time... but for some reason, the juices just don't flow.
Instead of getting my arse up and starting one of the projects I've been holding back until today, I play video games. I cook. I sleep. I watch series', etc. I waste time instead of using it to build something awesome.
I'm sure I'm not the only one dealing with this sort of things. It's a common thing among artists. But each time it happens to me, I get frantic over "how to get back my juice".
I'd love to hear some advice from you all... what do you do when this kind of thing happens to you? Do you take a break? Do you go out, to get inspired? what do you do?
Replies
http://www.polycount.com/forum/showthread.php?t=104550
This one is good too. Pay special attention to Mark's words.
http://www.polycount.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92325
Whatever that means . . .
It's like anything I think I should make, I think "meh... donno".
Creating anything takes a long time. It's a big commitment. So it feels like if I'm gonna commit to something that'll take me so long and will be such a big "thing", it should worth it.
No matter how long I've been carrying an idea, whenever I reach the point of actually having to decide to start making it, I back off. I ask myself "Am I REALLY going to fully commit, and put everything I have into it? Or will it just end up being another short sculpt, doodle, or a simple drawing?"
And then, if I even have the slightest doubt as to whether or not I'll fully commit, I back off, play a video game or something, hoping next time I'll say "YES!!! Lets DO THIS!".
So, in other words, motivation... as you said.
The sooner I think of something and decide what to do, the sooner I can start doing it. Maybe taking a total break from things, and starting to think about it in a month, is a good idea... but I feel like I'm not keeping up, you know? Like I should keep learning, keep pushing, keep getting better... otherwise I won't net that dream job soon enough. =\
BTW, thanks for all the links, it took me to some interesting places.
...not talking from personal experience or anything.
Dedicate a day working on 1-2 things, then cross them off as you're done with them. That will keep you going and by crossing items off of your list, you will have a sense of being rewarded each time you finish something. That will keep you going and motivated to continue. If you're stuck on something, hit up Google or Technical section here on PC.
You also need to assess your goals, really. This is very important because if you don't have clear goals, your work will stagnate and you will suffer for it (depression, frustration etc.) What do you want to accomplish? Let's say your goal is to get a job in the games industry, you want to know the things that will get you there. Do some research. Obviously, a goal of getting your dream job is a big one - break it down. What have others done to get there? What are your weaknesses/strengths? Assess your skills and see what you need to focus on. Playing games won't get you anywhere. You have to be hungry for knowledge and with Internet, the possibilities are limitless. Always try to absorb as much info as possible and make sure to practice it so it sinks in.
Hope that helps.
1. push through it, continue doing work.
a. go hang out with people, watch a movie, go fishing, etc. then continue doing work.
"look at bank statement"
See its at zero or negative
/Cry
Man the hell up and do something awesome or it will be like that FOREVER
also be around people who push you and other artsy like crap, Do things your not use to , learn something new, go look at some porn. I mean the list goes on. Just do something other then sulking (trust me from exp ) It does jack for you
There's a catch though. Dont look at the stuff you usually would. If you like romantic comedy films watch a foreign horror flick, you like action films watch a scifi drama. You like fantasy novels, read a historical biography of someone or a medical book on disease. You see where this is going I hope...
Stop looking at blank canvases trying to just magickly do and take some time to think some ideas through. Drawing cool shapes works for awhile but ultimately can be destructive without clear direction.
I've found in the past if I just doodled, my ideas are too open and soon conflict with each other having no real direction, "is it a cyber mechanic or a medieval knight" not sticking to either I would get a mess of directions which just resulted in a piece of crap. Where as if I just stick with one direction, I know where I'm going and I stop switching about halfheartedly creating neither.
younger generation seems to lack moral fibre:)
Seriously, without the pressure to "keep up" and stay on top of the game, I'd be WAY more creative. But since there are SO MANY talented people out there, it feels like if I don't get GOOD, FAST, I'll love my spot in the industry.
It might be bullshit, but that's what stress does. Clouds judgement.
Try and match their level, bawl when you can't
Then take note of how high you landed by shooting for the moon
repeat;apply
just keep noodling away at whatever takes your fancy
eventually you'll realize you've been following one thread a little longer than the others so you pick it up and run with it...
these things usually just wander in, but they're hard to go out and hunt down in my experience.
Anyway to topic I would say, if you fancy making something then just start to make it. Sounds stupid but I mean, load up max or whatever you are wanting to do and just get stuck into it. More often than not you will get into it and find it hard to put down until hours later. I think its linked to the feeling you have when you have finished a project and if that project was a pain in the arse (i hate uv mapping) I just think "AHHHHH UV MAPPING NOOOO" when really its not like that until the end and even then its not so bad because what you usually stress about; atleast for me is that I know I could always make something better.
So after every project, sure have a break; enjoy yourself a bit then just semi force yourself into it
Working a lot should come naturally, you shouldn't force yourself too much because that's how you get burnt out.
3. Use your brain...I am not sure if many people who have lost the inspiration are doing that. The CG/Arts side of this realm is based on infinite imagination. You can make anything from needle to the entire environment. Or you can just make the penis tank. Anything art worthy that you look at falls under the inspiration.
EDIT: I keep pushing myself to do something I truly desire. It does knock me back when I see other people making some kick ass art, but I come back to the drawing board and continue on doing what I like doing. Making art. Doesnt matter if its crappy, or really good. For the sake of practice I dont finish them unless I find a happy medium between the unfinished models / concept art and bring out a proper concept to work with.
Not sure if it makes any sense. I've learned this thing from other artists. Like here and I think in art school, they would want you to finish your drawings or models but it isnt necessary if you are just looking for an inspirational spot and say "Thats it!!! I've got an idea and I'll start working on it."
That being said though, can't always be at the top, sometimes a break and just stepping away from the computer completely is quite necessary.
http://www.youtube.com/user/digitalbobert/videos?sort=da&flow=grid&view=0
[ame="
Must be moonblood season.
Yeah I agree, the young'uns didn't seem to get the memo saying that being 'angsty' doesn't jive with the game art side of the artistic world. :thumbup:
If you can't think of anything creative to do, just model a f**n gun like the rest of us :poly136:
ha! true story.
Or some fucking heads. They are always funny to do.
Also, I was thinking maybe taking an online course, like Scott Eaton's anatomy course. That's something I've been wanting to do for a while now.
EDIT:
Just finished watching The Fountain. Gonna sleep now, and probably hug my GF quite a bit. Like any Aronofsky film, it made me weird inside. But a great movie.
I don't think inspiration is ever really "lost" I believe existing in a state of constant creativity is actually very exhausting! Like a lot of things in life, it just goes in cycles.
I learned this lately when I switched projects at work. I was hired as a 3D artist and because I've been drawing and painting traditionally since I was very young I was asked to be the concept artist for the new project.
Concept Art/Industrial Design is without a doubt the hardest, most energy sapping thing I have done to date. I love it, and it's also one of the most rewarding things I've had the opportunity to do. But I wont lie... when I got home at night now I felt like I just wanted to play games or go to bed. I used to be up for personal projects and the like when I spent my days modeling/texturing. Not so much during that period when I was deep into concepting 8 different factions, each with their own unique look and feel.
My best advice is... rest up, clear your mind of anything and everything related to CG for just a little bit(say a weekend or two). When you return you'll have a new perspective on things, I promise you.
I think the brain sometimes just needs to cool-down a bit after being in overdrive for so long.
That's just my 2 cents, hope it helps!
I've been working on my anatomy knowledge. Been fun.
Here's the model I'm making while studying:
Still gotta work on my arms/hands/feet. There's a lot to fix on other areas. But it's much better imo than my best anatomical model before (which I used as a starting point for this one).
Maybe I'll do some prop studies next, to improve my ability to model leather, cloth, some weapons...
THIS
I WILL SAY IT AGAIN
ONLY LEGITIMATE MOTIVATION IS GET MONEY
GET MONEY