If you’re feeling resistance towards your craft, I feel you. You want to draw, but it feels heavy. You want to paint, but it feels like a chore. So you tell yourself you’ll get it done “tomorrow”. The thing is, whatever you resist persists. If you find yourself resisting making art, it’s probably because of one of the following reasons:
- The art project is too big and you don’t know where to start.
- You lack the skills or knowledge.
- You have high expectations.
- You’re not completely sold on the art project, or it doesn’t excite you.
- The process is repetitive which, in time, becomes boring.
Regardless of why you feel resistance, sometimes you have to do the work. Maybe you committed to a project and it’s too late to walk away from it. Or, the artwork is important to you and others.
Here are some tips to overcome resistance, and make art when you don’t feel like it:
Simplify it.
If I experience resistance to starting a portrait, for example, instead of striving to finish it in one day, I focus on the sketch/outline on the first day. The next day, I color the eyes, and the following day I work on the nose, and so on. Once the drawing starts to take shape and leaves the ugly phase, I gain momentum, which makes me want to work a bit more every day.
You can achieve big results with baby steps. Think about how you can simplify a big project into many actionable steps.
Lower your expectations.
Setting internal deadlines is good, but when you’re feeling resistance, it’s better to create space in your calendar and be flexible with your time. If you’re working on a self-initiated piece, and you don’t have a fixed deadline, take advantage of it! Maybe you told yourself that you’d finish the artwork in one week. Lower your expectations by giving yourself an extra week.
If you have a pressing deadline that can’t be pushed, lower the expectation you have in your mind of the finished product. For example, instead of expecting your artwork to be like a previous piece you’ve made, let your artwork be unique and beautiful in its own way.
Change your perspective.
When I approach making art with the lens of hard work, guess what? Making art feels like hard work. But when I tell myself that making art is fun and relaxing (because it is), resistance loses its power. It makes me want to grab a cup of coffee, put on my favorite playlist, and enjoy my drawing time. Changing your perspective is all about seeing art with the lens of fun, rather than the lens of hard work or perfectionism.
Make it fun.
Ask yourself, how can I make the process more fun? Having a Netflix series in the background does it for me. Even if my eyes aren’t completely on the show, I love hearing the soundtrack and dialogues while I render portraits.
Maybe you can listen to a podcast or audiobook, or you can take hot chocolate breaks! Whatever feels fun for you, do it!
Act like a pro.
In his book Turning Pro, Steven Pressfield encourages us to do the work and act like pros, rather than amateurs. “The amateur tweets. The pro works.” It’s a simple but powerful concept. Whenever I’m feeling resistance, I think of my favorite artists. People who are pro in their craft and have an extensive body of work. Then I ask myself, “Would Kendyll Hillegas choose distraction, or would she do the work?” And that question instantly gives me the nudge needed to start working.
Make a small twist.
Many times when we lose our art mojo, it doesn’t necessarily mean we don’t like making art anymore. It might just mean that our art needs a twist. Perhaps you could change the medium you’re working with.
You could also change the environment by decorating your space. Maybe hang some Christmas lights to make it more cozy.
Give yourself some grace.
If none of the tips above work for you, and you can’t get yourself to make art, give yourself some grace. Sometimes, you have to be honest with yourself. Ask yourself, why is this resistance coming in the first place? Maybe your heart isn’t in a specific subject, and you need a change. Or maybe you’ve been burned out for a long time, and you need some time to recharge your batteries.
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Books to help you overcome resistance:
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