what to draw when you feel stuck
When you don’t know what to draw, don’t think yourself out of it just do something. And cutting with scissors somehow feels less intimidating than a pencil sometimes…
What do you do when you feel stuck?
When I find myself stuck and unsure what to draw next, I often turn to simple, tactile activities like folding and cutting paper. Starting with a square piece of paper, I fold it into different shapes and then draw lines on the folded paper. Cutting along these lines can feel less intimidating than drawing freehand because the result is unexpected and spontaneous. When I unfold the paper, patterns emerge that act as a fresh drawing or a prompt for new ideas. This hands-on process is a great way to bypass the pressure of producing a perfect sketch right away. It provides a physical starting point that sparks imagination. Tracing or embellishing the unfolded design further helps build on the initial abstraction, turning it into something uniquely personal. I’ve found that using scissors in this way makes creativity feel playful rather than forced, opening up new possibilities. Also, reminding myself that finding inspiration anywhere—including from unconventional methods like paper folding and cutting—isn't cheating. It’s about jump-starting the creative flow when ideas don’t come easily. If you’re stuck, try putting a pencil aside for a moment and experiment with folding and cutting paper. This simple, meditative practice might just unlock your next great drawing idea and relieve the frustration of the blank page.