Tanraak (https://www.furaffinity.net/user/Tanraak) made a post referencing similar issues - https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/10946836/ In their case, it seems chronic illness played a part but they also mention age. I don't know if what they say will vibe with you but might.

I hope these issues you are having are temporary and you can get your mojo back. Your art was one of the first I found when I entered the furdom and it holds a special place for me.

References is the key 👌

I seem to struggle even with references as well. :/

Sometimes it helps to just step away. Trying to push or otherwise force yourself to draw never ends well

I'm sorry to hear that, to me you've always been a stellar artist! It definitely could be an age thing, but I'd lean more it being just a momentary slog. I've had similar issues for sure.

Every artist goes through that phase and goes through it multiple times. Realize its a good thing. I means you're learning and growing and you're improving. Just don't get frustrated. Just doodle and sketch. You'll work past it.

What do you mean "I realize I have never been a stellar artist", your work is really good.

But if you want some advice, I've been using 21-draws to help. It's about $25 a course but they've been really helpful
https://www.21-draw.com/my-course/?.....;lesson_id=0.1 (Rodgon - Design fun animal characters)
https://www.21-draw.com/my-course/?.....mp;lesson_id=0 (Tony Bancroft - Drawing character poses with Personality)
https://www.21-draw.com/my-course/?.....mp;lesson_id=0 (Rodgon - Learn anatomy in 21 days)

I have a couple of possible theories as to why this is: most likely you're running into a "rut" of falling back on old ways. It happens. Something you're comfortable with is much easier to slip back into than challenging yourself with something new. There's also the "requirement" hanging over you of a patreon to satisfy with new content; this is a fine thing and all, but when there's a requirement or necessity to fulfill a need for monthly new things, art become more of just "work" and this quickly sucks the passion and certainly the fun out of it.

As for art, it should always be fun. At least mostly, there's always the stages that suck, but overall it should be enjoyable. Perhaps it's about time to take an "artist" vacation. Maybe just doodle up some random sketches, perhaps abstracts, or just a mess of quick colors. Something that's fun for you, with no thought nor need to actually finish it. Find your groove again. And the easiest way for this is of course to do personal art: things which make you happy or something you're ravenous to draw. :)

Ruts are hard to get out of. Trust me, I 100% know how that goes, occasionally it helps to change up the medium, or when you have one of those "ooooh!" ideas, jump on it... run with it as far as you can. Even if you don't finish it. The trick with you is one I have suggested prior: fresh start, new slate. I know you have a ludicrous back log of WiPs... leave them be and start anew. Use them as ideas if you like, but don't backpedal to working on something you started a long long time ago.

We're always growing as an artist, even if you don't see it, you are. You're better now than you were before, even if the changes or skill differences are subtle. Like anything else in life, the trick is to push yourself to do better. Recognize mistakes, learn from them, grow. :)

I, much like you... have had this on way more occasions than I care to admit. I only get a couple of months out of things I've drawn before they become cringe. Or I'll notice glaring mistakes and make mental note to keep an eye on that. Legs too long, fingers too thin, snout twisted, tail too spindly... etc etc. Ideally, don't get stuck and hyper focused on trying to fix things. Keep moving, it's the way forward. :) But for your sake, I honestly believe a fresh slate is the way to go; New stuff, new ideas. Given your back log, I'd say have a bout of posting WiPs in scraps if you want, especially given you've already put the work in. But for your sake of feeling like you're going backwards: start up brand new things. :)

I have times nothing I draw feels right, and others whatever I draw, I love. It could simply be you're tired. Perhaps a few weeks of rest, trying out new styles, work on looser more free styles, will help. Try landscapes, or more color based work to loosen the hand and relax the mind.

To be honest, whenever I face any issues drawing or getting back into drawing after a long hiatus, I just draw as much crappy sketches or meme shitposts as possible just to get my hand moving. and I ignore as much anatomy focus just so that I can get ANYTHING out.

Sorry to hear that. this nightmare you have is very common, I had something similar years ago....
Maybe you are demanding too much with being a great artist, you already are, don't punish yourself anymore.
Now you just need to take it easy, any demand or pressure is a great enemy for creativity, it prevents you from having ideas or enjoying when you draw.
It's not the age, it's all a matter of thoughts.

I hope this helps you, best wishes and a big hug!

Do you do any anatomy studies as warmups? Those always help me shake the dust off.

I've experienced similar, though I wouldn't attribute it to age at all. I find my issue is more about personal expectations. When I'm working on commissions, the client gives me a clear end goal and criteria to work with, which makes it relatively easy to simply work towards the objective and feedback helps refine it...
However when I work on my own projects, I'm largely on my own, it's hard to get useful critique or feedback from others, and my goals constantly shift because I have trouble setting clear bounds for completion myself. This drags out the process considerably as my target constantly shifts as my desires for the subject fluctuate.
When I have much simpler goals, that don't suffer from feature creep, like exploring the anatomy of a single limb, or mucking around on break at work with sketches, I know I can produce reasonable quality with reasonable speed, but when working unbound by any constraints, it really drags things out as I'm less tolerant of imperfections and have to redraw the same thing dozens of times until it's right.

when im really stuck, refs tend to help me out a bit, but everyone learns and develops in different ways.

you could try and do one of those artist challenge type things - change your style weekly, draw something you wouldn't normally for a couple of examples - you might find you develop in unexpected ways.

I dont suppose you use Clip studio paint do you? there are 3d models and lots of assets you can download to help from their website if you didnt know.

anyway - I've always loved seeing your artwork bud - please don't stop! <3

" I have never been a stellar artist" shut up with that :D You have ALWAYS been a stellar artist, as long as I've known of you.

"Perfect is the enemy of good" as they say.
It's sometimes too easy to slip into a hypercritical mode when evaluating your own art, when the stuff you're nitpicking about would be completely unnoticed by the folks who enjoy your art.
Getting comfortable with the fact that some stylizations might not be "100% accurate anatomy" is a mental hangup that can be overcome.