Because sometimes, staring at the canvas just doesn’t do the trick.
Every artist has been there. That weird, frustrating, slightly dramatic moment where you sit in front of your art supplies and… absolutely nothing happens. The brushes are clean, the canvas is ready, the playlist is vibing and yet, your creative brain has left the building.
So what do we do when we can’t create? Here are 7 weirdly common (but oddly comforting) things artists do when art block hits hard. Let us know which one’s your go-to. No judgment we’re in this together.
1. 🧽 “Clean” Your Studio… But Not Really
You tell yourself you’re “reorganizing” your brushes, but mostly just move things around and admire how cute your supplies are.
You might even color-code your paint tubes. Again.
Bonus step: Open a sketchbook, draw one flower, then scroll Instagram for 40 minutes.
2. 📺 Watch Other People Paint… For Hours
YouTube, Reels, speedpaints you binge them all. You’re inspired, technically.
You feel like painting… just not right now. Maybe after one more video.
Relatable thought: “I could totally do that.” (But don’t.)
3. 🧴 Swatch Every Paint Color You Own (Again)
It starts with one color. Then you end up swatching all 32 shades of blue, just to “remember how they look.”
It’s satisfying. It’s harmless. It’s totally a form of productive procrastination.
Pro tip: Use a swatch card or a clean sketch page and call it a “studio reference tool.”
4. 📦 Make a New ‘Art Supplies Wish List’
You’re not painting, but suddenly you must research which synthetic brush has the best snap or if a textured paper would “change everything.”
You even add stuff to cart… just to feel closer to art again.
Retail therapy? Absolutely. Creating counts in every form. 🛒
5. 👀 Stare at Your Canvas Like It Betrayed You
You walk by your easel slowly. You glance. You pause. You glare.
You might even say, “Not today,” out loud. The canvas says nothing, of course. It never does.
Try this: Flip it around for a day. Out of sight, out of pressure.
6. 🗓️ Start a New Sketchbook You’ll Barely Use
You open a fresh one. You make a super aesthetic first page. You plan it out. Then suddenly… nothing again.
Now you have 6 half-used sketchbooks and no guilt. Just ✨potential✨.
Product plug: Hardcover spiral sketchbooks – thick paper, soft aesthetic, art-block-approved.
7. 🫠 Question Your Entire Identity as an Artist
Classic. One dry week and your brain’s like: “Maybe I was never creative at all.”
But guess what? Every artist feels this way. It passes. You’ll paint again probably soon, and probably beautifully.
💛 Final Thought
Art block isn’t failure, it’s just part of being human. If you’re doing any of these “weird little rituals,” congrats: you’re still an artist. A tired one. A slightly dramatic one. But an artist nonetheless.
Which one of these do YOU relate to most? Tell us in the comments or tag us @grandinkofficial in your next ‘art block moment’ reel. We’ll laugh (and relate) together. 🎨🙃
[Visit our online store and elevate your artistry with the finest tools. Discover the Grandink touch.]
🔗 https://www.instagram.com/grandinkofficial?igsh=YzY1MmN3dzB0Y21t&utm_source=qr