Facing the Blank page

 

 

 

Here are a few tips to overcome the ‘Blank page horrors’.

In no particular order.

 

 

 

Prime or prep pages

 

My daily routine when I come into the studio is to get busy priming pages. You see, when your body is busy doing something, especially a repetitive motion like applying gesso or colours on a page, your mind runs in the background and very often ideas will pop up! So if you feel stuck and have no idea where to start, sometimes the simple act of prepping will move you forward and prevent the worry monster taking over.

 

Unblank the page

 

Half the problem with a blank page is the blankness of it: the stark white, unblemished surface. Get messy with it! Drip, splatter, spray, or try out a new background technique (I will share a few of these during the week). Colours do inspire and while your body is busy, the mind runs in the background and takes over.

 

Don’t Over Think

 

At the risk of repeating myself, the aim is not to create masterpieces. Removing the pressure to create a beautiful page will loosen you up to get started, just begin and keep moving.  You can always cover it up, tear it up, turn the page around (who said it should go only one way up) and add more layers.

 

Why white?

 

Who said it had to be white? If that smooth creaminess is way too scary, why not skip the blank book and start with a book which has words, images on the pages. I love going to second hand bookshops and buying the cheapest old book I can find. I love the smell of them, the life they already had.

 

Start in the middle

 

Again, break the rules and jump around! Middle, front, back, move yourself through the book.

 

Break the spine

 

Ouch! Yes break it, crack it open, and make it snap ...on the practical side this will be easier to draw or paint on.

 

Why sketchbook?

 

I tend to have a selection at hand-white pages, a sketchbook, some old pages, and MDF boards of different sizes. More to play with!

 

Smaller size

 

If you feel overwhelmed by a full page of whiteness, try a pocket sized sketchbook! Great as well for portability and accessibility.

 

Add pages

 

The point of Sketchbooking is to gather ideas and promote art making. If you create a piece or a sketch outside your journal, go ahead and stick it in there!