{"id":1408202,"date":"2020-05-07T08:30:01","date_gmt":"2020-05-07T07:30:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jacksonsart.com\/blog\/?p=1408202"},"modified":"2026-08-14T17:15:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T16:15:07","slug":"jarvis-brookfield-on-creative-block","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jacksonsart.com\/blog\/2020\/05\/07\/jarvis-brookfield-on-creative-block\/","title":{"rendered":"Jarvis Brookfield on Creative Block"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jarvis Brookfield is an artist living in Leicester, UK, whose practice celebrates a reverence for nature and the depths of the human experience. Here he writes about creative block and what can be done to overcome it, providing some useful exercises and techniques along the way. <\/p>\n

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Overcoming the Cunning of Creative Block<\/strong>
\nby Jarvis Brookfield <\/p>\n

At least once we\u2019ve all experienced the strange phenomenon we commonly call \u2018creative block\u2019, aka white page fever, aka writers block. A project fails or comes to an end and our creative spark has now dwindled into dimly flickering candlelight, under the darkness of a night sky. And I confess, I\u2019ve given up on paintings, painted over paintings, even ripped and slashed a canvas off its stretcher, doing more damage to my fingers in the process (lesson learned). However, the truth is that creative block is a psychological state, brought on by a lack of clear understanding about how creativity works. <\/p>\n

The first most fundamental thing all artists and creators should understand about creativity is that all ideas already exist. All we must do is show up. For example, have you ever been walking, cycling, or simply sat down looking into space when an idea or solution to a problem you\u2019ve been having, spontaneously presents itself to you? In part, this is what I\u2019m referring to. And, the beautiful thing about that, is that you do not have to wait. You can consciously create those moments through understanding basic principles and cultivating simple habits. <\/p>\n

As a quick exercise, grab a piece of paper and a pen or pencil and ask yourself ‘when do I, or have I experienced, a creative block?’ Think back and when you see it, write it down. For me, it used to come several days after I had completed a painting. This often took the form of pangs of self-doubt, feeling depressed, procrastinating, and eating more than I should be. A road to nowhere good. <\/p>\n

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Nevertheless, I am going to share with you several principles, ideas, and practical exercises to help you create new habits that can resolve and may even eliminate the problem of being creatively blocked. <\/p>\n

To start off, here are several guiding principles, that through repetition may help to create a larger sense of possibility, creativity, and confidence, diminishing the fear of failure and performance anxiety in the process. At the end of the principles section, I\u2019ve provided several creative exercises that you can turn into regular habits. <\/p>\n

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Studio rules in the back of a sketchbook. 2020.<\/em>
(Sister\u00a0Corita Kent’s Rules [The Immaculate Heart College Art Department] lettered by David Mekelburg)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Never work for results<\/h3>\n

It’s natural to have an intention of what you\u2019d love to make, but let go of your attachments. Working for results creates unnecessary suffering. Instead, be as present as possible. When you feel yourself getting tense or stressed about your work, it\u2019s because you\u2019re attached to how you think it should be. We\u2019ve all been there. Nonetheless, when you feel yourself thinking too far ahead or becoming tense, breathe in and out, slowly and deeply, 5 – 7 times. Focus on the present moment. Allow yourself to enjoy the sounds, smells and sensations of your chosen tools as they make contact with your work of art.<\/p>\n

The quality of intention on the object of attention will bring about the desired results. \u2013 Deepak Chopra.<\/em><\/p>\n

Physical exercise<\/h3>\n

Artists predominantly work inside. Some of you may have the pleasure of a larger studio space or create work outside. For those who do not and sit down a lot, this is especially important. I recommend creating a regular and consistent exercise routine. Start simple with daily walks and then perhaps more intense exercises a couple of times per week.<\/p>\n

According to a recent Harvard study, running for 15 minutes a day or walking for one hour reduces the risk of depression. You might also find that solutions to problems present themselves to you more frequently as you become consistently physically active. <\/p>\n

Work on what you find most difficult<\/h3>\n

What is the one thing that you always see, without fail at life drawing classes, other than a nude model? Headless bodies, handless arms, and footless legs, right? People often avoid these parts out of a fear of failure. Fear is natural, but the issue with it is that it grows the more it’s avoided. <\/p>\n

We naturally want to avoid pain as its biologically hardwired into us. However, by regularly facing what is difficult and problematic such as anatomy, perspective, colour temperature, or whatever you’re curious toward but often avoid, you will begin to develop a stronger sense of confidence, resilience, and the ability to take risks.<\/p>\n

Nurture a healthy relationship with drawing<\/h3>\n

Drawing is such a primitive and basic form of expression, which goes back for a time immemorial. We\u2019ve all heard people say, \u2018I can\u2019t draw\u2019 and this may be their truth, but largely this isn\u2019t the reality. They just have an image in their head of what they think drawings should look like and believe it to be true. <\/p>\n

Have you ever watched a child draw? They are carefree, they scribble, mash every colour together and even stab the sheets of paper! Essentially this is what you want to do. The key is that you don\u2019t need to draw anything specific. Just simply scribble for 5 \u2013 10 minutes every day and by doing so you\u2019ll naturally develop a healthy relationship with yourself and your unique sense of creativity. The interesting thing about this is that it\u2019s a one size fits all. The entry point is as simple as a mark-making tool and piece of paper. <\/p>\n

Morning pages<\/h3>\n

This is an idea I picked up from a fantastic book called The Artists Way<\/em> by Julia Cameron. I am sure many of you are familiar with this book and\/or have heard the term morning pages. For those who haven\u2019t, here\u2019s what it is. Write 1-3 pages of longhand writing, on anything that comes to your mind, and do not censor it. To name a few benefits, this process, of pouring out your thoughts, puts us in touch with our centre, helps to resolve personal issues (can contribute to blocks) and access the source of your creativity. <\/p>\n

Over time it lessens the volume of the inner critic who says \u2018oh I am not good enough; I can\u2019t draw or I\u2019m terrible at …\u2019. Julia goes into far more detail than I have here, so I\u2019ve provided a link at the bottom for you to learn more. <\/p>\n

Fill the creative well<\/h3>\n

Filling the creative well is basically about absorbing more of the things that inspire and intrigue you. This can be in the form of visiting charity shops and hunting for art books or objects. Visiting museums. Gathering images on the internet and saving them to a board on Pinterest. Cutting out images that you love from magazines and filling your sketchbook. Drawing from life. Reading stories and listening to music, or watching movies that you love, and so on. <\/p>\n

Be sure to schedule a few hours every week for this and do your best to stick to it. Consistency is key. I like to see this as a reward and usually spend my Sunday\u2019s doing a variety of the above. <\/p>\n

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Start another project before you finish a new one<\/h3>\n

This is critical and one of the most important principles for avoiding the pitfalls of creative block and its unhealthy symptoms. I picked this idea up from a film writer named Dr Ken Atchity in a YouTube video called Understanding Time, Work, and Creativity. It\u2019s such a simple, and since having personally adopted it, profound idea. <\/p>\n

Often the depression experienced after finishing a project can be unnecessarily painful and is a place that many artists struggle to get out of, some of which never do. This is often the seed of a creative block. The premise for this idea is that, as you switch between two, three or four projects, regardless of their size, you inadvertently invigorate your enthusiasm for the other. And, if one project fails, you have another to fall back on. So, if you\u2019re currently coming to the end of a project, hold the line! Start filling the creative well and get started on another.<\/p>\n

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Creative Exercises:<\/h1>\n

The key to having these work for you is to schedule at least 1-3 sessions per week. Incorporate these into your studio practice while keeping at least 1 or 2 principles in mind. Early in the morning or just before you start working on your project is an optimal time. You can have a dedicated sketchbook for these exercises. <\/p>\n

Not only will these help diminish the fear of failure, but they will also provide you with a stronger sense of confidence and put you in touch with your unique sensibilities. Even if you don\u2019t draw it\u2019s important to understand that creative energy is universal. The only difference is the clothing it wears i.e. what makes you, you. <\/p>\n

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Things you will need:<\/p>\n