I'm not going to give you an easy answer because there isn't one. Every artist suffers. Sorry man but keep drawing so you can improve.

Doesn't mean that that's all you do. Go out take extra-luxurious breaks after tough days.

*Hug* from an admirer. I know how you feel--wish I had more than a virtual hug to reply with.

i know exactly how you feel, but its martial arts for me XD
when i have trouble or feel stuck sometimes i either focus very carefully on the fundamental rules of what im trying to do or on the other hand sometimes i just try to do it with no rules at all and just see what comes out with zero intention to get any result at all....... umm yeah XD

84 COMMENTS MY ASS

I go through many moments of anticreativity. This may persist for months or years. I can only advise you to find a source of inspiration. Something that will spark passion ... That passion that driven you to be an artist in the first place.

Indeed, it is very difficult when I am experiencing extreme emotion such as depression, anger, or resentment. We have to push through these moments and somehow derive energy from these emotions. I also play a piano and that helps when I'm unable to spend an hour gathering of my art supplies and canvases and water and pencils and table cloth ... By the time I finish preparing, I don't feel like drawing anymore.

We need to devote a room as an art studio. A place where our art supplies are already sitting ready to use. Don't waste that first hour of vital passionate energy hunting down materials.

I understand what you're going through. I find art blocks for me are typical, especially during high stress times when everything around me is so negative, and particularly at the end of a semester. I'm so burnt out from all the drawing required for my final projects, afterward I don't even want to look at a pencil again for quite some time. This is no good for me either, because I notice I tend to "fall down" when I don't draw often. My skills suffer, sketching becomes something thats forced, and the drawings look that way. And that can be especially frustrating.

Improving is a tricky subject as well. I know quite a few people who never improve, they get better and better gradually, and then plateau. And for years and years and years. I think it really comes down to a major lack of effort. Either they've given up (consciously or unconsciously, who knows), or there's a general refusal to try new things, to study, and learn. To break old habits. Merely drawing everyday will not guarantee steady improvement. One of my instructors told us that the reason we're called struggling artists is because we truly are struggling. No matter how far you go you're never satisfied.

I know before comments went poof you had mentioned that sometimes you feel that no matter what ideas you come up with, they never seem any good. I also get like that. Sometimes ideas just come to me, one after the other. I'll scramble and crawl out of bed, over my mate in the middle of the night and he'll be asking what's wrong and I'll blurt out; "I had an idea. I must write it down! o.o" I've gotten into the habit of saving ideas that come to me, for I find that they're like opportunities, and if you don't take notice of them they're quick to leave you forever. And then, sometimes I can't come up with anything. Everything seems stale, cliché, overused. The pencil doesn't want to move. Those are the times it's important to push yourself as much as you can to draw. It's not always the subject matter that's important. Sometimes the subject can be just a means to an end. Merely an easy choice just to be able to partake in mark making.

Improvement is an odd thing for me. I find it's not as much a gradual process as much as I feel like I have eureka moments. Something inside you snaps open and a new way of understanding just flows in, and something you couldn't do right before is so natural. It was like that for painting with me. For years and years I couldn't paint, it was always like trying to draw when you have a giant block pressing down on you. When I reached Illustration IV my instructor was able to explain the process in such a way that the entire concept just snapped into my head. I was painting within two weeks of starting that class. I know, personally, I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I was able to make texture like you. That's always been my biggest weakness, and I'm not entirely sure how to approach it. I feel my line work is quite strong, and it's something I love to do. But there's something about rendering texture that I just can't quite wrap myself around. I keep trying though.

Get a canvas and throw paint at it, then smear it. Once you do get some more paint and repeat, maybe add sand or other objects with the paint. If you are lucky you can call it abstract, but the point is just to have fun. Sometime an idea hits you while doing this and you end up turning it into some insane work of art.

I get frustrated with my own work a lot cause I can see what I want, but I don't have the skill/experience to make it yet. I guess that is similar to you in a way. Seeing how you think you can do better than what you are.

I usually try to re-evaluate why I draw what I draw. Nothing deep or soul-searching, just kind of looking through my most recent images and trying to ask myself why I did them, and then looking up any of my images I was the most satisfied with and trying to see what was different between those and my most recent stuff. Usually I'll find myself making a break from whatever my most recent trend in work has been, and going back to that older style or technique, maybe updating it with more recently-acquired knowledge and ideas too. Sometimes it involves possible losing some of your audience, but, if you live only to please the crowd, how can you be happy with yourself if you're ever alone?

Wow, you already have loads of advice here.. but I thought I would put in my two cents :3
I think you should know that, while you have personal expectations and goals for your art, your completed pieces are simply amazing (at least to your admirers!) Not sure if it helps at all, but your art most certainly motivates others; I aspire to oneday be able to create such lovely finished pieces as you do. >^.^<

...As you have said, I think the only way to get back into a groove is to just 'do it.' :/ Not super helpful advice, but the plain truth. I can't even begin to state how many ruts I've encountered that the only way I made it through is to force myself to continue on. I often laugh at how I torture myself doing what I love; art.

Hope these words help.. :)