Artist block is an oft-discussed problem, and I have a lot more to say about it than will fit in this post. So much. But when I've been suffering from a block, a drain, a burnout, or a lack of passion, these three things are the most efficient at getting my creative heart beating again.
1. Remember what made you start art in the first place. I used to be obsessed with fairies and dragons, with fantasy dresses and pretty princesses. Those aren't things that I normally want to draw any more, but if I'm really in a bind, sketching out something I used to love can get me back into the mindset of being a kid who was absolutely infatuated with everything artistic. What did you love? It doesn't matter how silly it is, or how long it's been since you thought of it. Draw it. Draw it badly, but draw it.
2. Go back to the basics. If you're feeling like your art isn't as good as it should be, it's probably because you don't have a good grasp of the fundamentals of art - line, shape, form, value, texture, space, and color. I went through a 4-year art program and I still need reminders of these sometimes, so don't be proud and think you know it all! We all need a refresher sometimes.
Research each of these and practice them. Getting your pencil (or pen or brush or...) going is important, because as great as theoretical knowledge is, it's nothing compared to firsthand experience.
3. Mentors! I've had a number of mentors in my life, both in people I knew personally and in people I only know parasocially through their work on the internet or in books. These are people who are already masters of the art that you want to make. I find that YouTube offers a huge variety of excellent art mentors, and all of them are people who are willing to give away excellent knowledge for free. I'll included a list of some of my personal favorites in an upcoming blog, and they often branch out to other potential mentors.
Personal mentors who can look at your work and give you personal feedback are obviously the best, but even hearing general advice from someone who knows what they're talking about and seeing their process can sometimes yield unimaginable practical inspiration.
I'll be writing more about each of these points on my Patreon, so if you'd like to join in on the conversation and share some tips of your own, hop on in there! It's only $5 per month, and for the price of a coffee you get to chill with me and other art-lovers, taking about art stuff and helping me build my art empire ;)
As always, make it a good day!