Illustration Tutorial: How to Tackle the Blank Page
Adolfo Serra shares three drawing exercises that will get your pencil moving and help you to overcome a creative block
Illustrator Adolfo Serra (@adolfoserra) insists that you should never obsess over what the final image will look like and, instead, keep trying until you achieve something that feels fresh. Here he shares three ways to unleash your creativity when you’re experiencing a creative block, let your pencil and mind soar free, and create something special.
1. Draw with your eyes closed
Serra’s first tip is to try drawing with your eyes closed. In other words, draw the character that has caused the block, which in Adolfo’s case is a fox, from memory. You can look for references to inspire you, however, when you are drawing, it’s essential that you rely entirely on your memory and don't look at any examples. Although the result might not be what you’re expecting, hopefully this spontaneous drawing will provide you with something to work on and develop.
2. Draw with geometric shapes
A way to avoid using repetitive, uninteresting shapes is to simplify your character or object using geometric shapes. We can also make it more interesting by using unexpected shapes for certain features. For example, while a circle is usually the first choice for a head, what would happen if you were to use a triangle?
3. Change the color of the character
There are certain objects and characters that we always associate with certain colors, yet we should take more risks with our choices. Adolfo suggests breaking the habit and ripping up the color rulebook to reawaken your creativity, reinvent your character, and make them stand out. When it comes to creativity, there’s no wrong way to use color.
These are just a taste of the many tips Adolfo offers up in his Domestika course, Illustration Techniques to Unlock your Creativity, in which he shares techniques and processes that will help anyone looking to try a more experimental approach.
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