There are certain types of people that would classify creativity as their drug of choice. Producing something artistic gives them purpose, meaning, and personal satisfaction. Producing something they are proud of will in fact, boost their creative confidence.

Some will stay up all night after having written a piece or produced a painting, clearly riding on a high they don’t want to forget. 

Does that sound like you?

No?

Perhaps you want to be more artistic. So you purchase Paint by Numbers…looking for some kind of validation from social media upon a completed piece…

That’s not you either. You have a bit more dignity. 

Maybe, just maybe you need to revive something that’s wilted in you. A kind of creative spark. And if you can partially relate to any of these, you need some tried-and-true techniques that are going to get you back in the creative zone. 

You need to build up your creative confidence. Here’s how to do it based on the level of complexity.

How to boost your creative confidence (and learn new skills in the process) 

Creative processes must not be interrupted. I’ll just add a disclaimer here that you need not create something constantly and frequently, dashing something out on a regular basis. Be kind to yourself, building up your creative confidence takes time and care. 

So here we go…

Work with your hands

If we talk about really easy, simple ways to get your brain back in the zone, there’s a step up from Paint by Numbers. I once purchased a very complex Klimt sewing kit. It’s similar to paint by numbers, except you start with a blank canvas (literally), and you have to figure out what goes where in terms of colors based on a guide. 

That was therapeutic. It keeps you busy, and it gets your brain thinking. It makes you slow down and re-evaluate what your next steps as an artist should be. And hey! In the process, you might just finish a really impressive piece (or abandon it 1/10th of the way like I did to move on to something better). 

Speaking of something better…

A drawing a day

You might not have the hand to do very complex drawings, but there’s a simple technique you can use to do so. All you need are some pencils ranging from HB – 6B (yes, go shopping for some cheap art supplies!), and some thick A4 paper or bigger. 

Print out a black and white photograph you like or that you took (your own work would be better of course). Use a pencil to create a 1×1 inch grid over your photograph. Do the same on your blank paper. 

What you do next is use your photograph as a reference, and start working from the top left square down to the right bottom square filling in the gaps. 

Pay attention to all the nuances of the shades of black. Really focus on what you’re doing. This is great practice if you’ve always wanted to draw but felt like you didn’t have it in you. Cheat a little, will you? 

Take a pottery class

This might be a bit more difficult depending on your location, but if you have a local craftsman that is willing to teach you, or some standard pottery classes available near you, by all means – go for it. 

Pottery is a world of wonders. If you manage to grasp the most complicated parts and basic techniques (centering the clay! omg), you’ll have a really rewarding hobby to always turn to. 

It does get messy. For a long time, I’ve wanted my own pottery wheel at home, but the necessity to rework clay and its lifecycle of it just makes it difficult to find the space. A kiln and other pottery supplies can be expensive as well, so if there’s a studio you can work in that rents all this, that’s great. 

Experiment with shapes and get creative if this is really out of your comfort zone. You’ll find that the more you get into it, the more you’ll want to do it. I knew someone that built a business out of a part-time hobby with pottery. Anything is possible!

Sit down for some quiet time with a sketchbook

A blank notebook, a simple pen. Just you and some quiet time. Jot down your ideas, vent your frustrations, write some poetry, make lists. I find that devoting time to my sketchbook in the evenings helps me regroup after a long and exhausting day and really makes me feel like I produced something very small, but valuable for my creativity. 

Sketchbooks (used in a variety of ways) are a great way to focus and also great to keep track of all your ideas, thoughts, and observations. Whereas many other techniques mentioned here might be ‘meh’ and uninspiring for you (or hard to act on, not your cup of tea, etc), anyone can write! Take it as an opportunity to build a great creative habit. 

Working with a sketchbook using the technique I described in this article can also help you learn a thing or two about design thinking. That is – if you get really into it. 

Go shopping

No, not that kind of shopping. Not clothes or food or anything that strays away from the goal. Go to a stationary store or an art supplies store. Get inspired by all the materials out there, sitting on shelves, waiting for you to pick them up. 

Go and explore. If something catches your eye or piques your interest, buy it and Google how to use it. In times of desperation, even something simple like treating yourself at a stationary store can greatly boost your creative confidence because of the sheer act of going out of the house and doing something about your artistic block or general lack of enthusiasm. 

Write an article

Sit down at your laptop and do what I’m doing now! Have something to share? Well, share it with the world! If you don’t have your own blog, you can post on Medium. You can also create a private Tumblr account and start posting your articles or writing there. 

But don’t just write any article. Make it a good one. 

Is there something you consider yourself an expert in? Something you’re opinionated about? Write about it! We want to hear from yooou. 

Photography to create an inspiring narrative of your everyday life

No need to buy a camera! That certainly will drain your bank account, not boost your creative confidence. Photography is a way to gather new ideas. It’s a way to document your daily life, and you need a tool that’s always with you. Like your phone. 

That’s right. All you need is your phone to take shots in your everyday life and while going on walks. When you get home, redraw or sketch some things you took pictures of.

Make tiny drawings. Make huge ones. Do collages. Print your pictures. Moodboards anyone? Go crazy. Photography is a great way to stretch your creativity muscles because there’s sooo much you can do with your own works. 

Take pictures everyday. Put them in your sketchbook if you’re fond of the idea. Find out how to work with photography in this article. 

My thoughts

I believe that everyone has creative potential. I’ve only listed the things that have helped me in the past but you might have your own techniques. I hope this article got you thinking and will help you stumble on your own ideas. 

If you do, make sure to come back here and share in the comments section 😉