Break the creative slump
“Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way.” ~ Edward de Bono
The Creative Slump
Do you find the desire and creativeness comes together all at once and you just have to create an image or photograph elements for the stock library or get out with the camera?
Then nothing, that feeling goes "missing in action" and you struggle for ideas. I have many times, it used to frustrate me. Now I recognise the signs and I either go with the flow and step back to re focus (not too long though) OR I work on a few strategies to kick start “me” again.
Here are some tips that work for me, hope they can help you "beat the creative blues".
The inspiration for this image came from the paper boat! Then I had to think what could I do with it.
Look for inspiration
◼ For me I find "visually looking" helps clear the brain cells. I will look at various platforms to look for images I like, it could be colour, the elements or background used to create a composite that attracts me.
◼ I also do an exercise where I breakdown the image and make a mental note of what was used ~ for example I saw an image where the artist used a shoe. It gave me an idea for the future. I did not have a photo of a shoe, so I photographed my grandson's Converse shoe, so I could create an image using the shoe.
Get it down on paper
◼ When you have an idea or see an image that inspires you, write it down, putting it pen to paper ( I find using the phone it goes into the black hole and I forget about it. I use a "visual diary" (paper version) to record my ideas, etc and have it sitting on the desk as a reminder helps.
◼ That is what I did for this image, I wrote down the elements I needed, I started to write keywords, such boat, person in boat, did I need a background or start with a texture, and so on (if you can draw why not roughly sketch your idea).
◼ Then I looked in my stock library for elements, the background I could use, what animals did I have photos of. If I didn't have the elements I needed, I wrote it on the page in my "visual diary". Then when the desire to create comes along I look in my visual diary for ideas and inspiration to kick start “me”.
Look in unlikely places
◼ Go and do something else entirely. You will be amazed where new ideas are hiding out. They're often where you would least expect them to be.
◼I will often do a "cut out day", this means I look in my stock library for elements ( I have found some gems) and cut them out ready to use when I need them. I’m still being creative, but in a different way.
◼ This can help in several ways , you are practising your selections, masking out techniques in Photoshop, as well sometimes a random idea to create an image can happen when you are doing this.
Give yourself permission to play
◼ Life can get in the road of a "creative" work, family commitments the list can go on.
◼ One of the biggest "obstacles" for a creative to create or learn new skills, is not giving yourself time to "play". I know I do. I have bought a tutorial on digital drawing and I keep saying I must watch that, guess what I keep on keeping busy, not feeling it blah blah and I haven't watched. To beat this I have put a reminder in my calendar to watch this video one day/night when I don't have too many commitments on that day and I have given myself a week to watch it. It’s about managing yourself and REMEMBER YOU ARE IMPORTANT TOO !
Stay in the lines (or not)
◼ Colouring is probably one of my favorite ways to combat a work slump. Not only does it reduce anxiety, relieve stress, and increase my focus, it’s also fun and helps a creative mindset. I have a few adult colouring books and a good set of coloured pencils.
Bring warmth and richness to your digital art and photography with the Earthy Tones LUT Collection. Designed to add subtle shifts in colour and mood, these handcrafted LUTs are perfect for creative composites, landscapes, florals, and people-based imagery.
Whether you're after sun-drenched warmth, muted neutrals, or deep, moody browns, this collection helps you create images that feel organic and timeless. Each LUT has been thoughtfully crafted as part of my own creative workflow—now you can use them to enhance yours.
WATCH HOW THIS PRODUCT can add subtle colour depth to your photos and images.
Why use LUTS?
LUTS (Look-Up Tables) are an easy and powerful way to add professional colour grading to your images. With just a few clicks, you can completely change the mood, enhance tones.
Using these LUTs, you'll notice that the colour grading effect will vary depending on your image’s tones, lighting, and style — making each result uniquely tailored. Colour grading is a big part of my creative process, and these LUTs reflect the style I love to weave into my digital art — muted but rich, emotional but soft.
Perfect for photographers, and digital creators who want to add depth, mood, and magic to their work.
What's included:
10 hand-crafted LUTs (.CUBE files)
A mix of warm and earthy tones
Video how to use your the LUTS and Instructions how to Install
Includes 10 colour tones: Autumn Haze, Burnt Sienna, Caramel Dust, Clay Richness, Ember Glow, Golden Earth, Olive Fields, Rusted Bronze, Terracotta Glow and Warm Sand.
Compatible With:
Photoshop
Any software that supports .CUBE LUT files
These are NOT Lightroom presets.
NOTE:
Please keep in mind that the LUTS may require some tweaks to suit the individual image, as the final result can vary from one image to the next, depending on lights, shadows, colours, tones. If you have any questions or need help with additional adjustments, please feel free to contact me.
INSTANT DOWNLOAD
This is a digital product available for instant download after purchase. Your download link will be sent to the email address used at checkout. Please download and save your files promptly, as Squarespace download links expire after 24 hours. If your link has expired, click it again and a new download link will automatically be sent to your email address.
TERMS OF USE
Personal and commercial creative use is permitted. You may use these resources to create your own finished artwork, composites, photography and client work.
You may not resell, redistribute, share, give away, extract or claim the original files as your own. The resources must be used as part of your own creative work and cannot be made available for others to extract, reuse or redistribute.
This is a single-user licence. Copyright remains with SandraD Imagery / Sandra Dann and ownership of the original files does not transfer.
Digital-download purchases are non-refundable once downloaded, except where required under Australian Consumer Law.
◼ Colouring brings you back to childhood, and we all know how imaginative and creative children are. Picking colours that bring the pages to vibrant life is therapeutic. After colouring for just 15 to 20 minutes, I feel re-energized, and I’m ready to start working again. It is just one technique I might use.
Don't be frightened to step away
◼ Sometimes you just have to step away and recognise you aren't feeling it.
◼ I do now, I didn't before and I would try to force myself, even though I was "feeling it". There were times I wanted to create an image and when I started I found ideas did not come to me, I would try and create a composite image and choose a background or a texture then look for elements, but it was not happening. I just was not in the groove. I now step away and do something else, until that feeling comes again.
Don't beat yourself up
◼ Remember being in a creative slump is natural, just roll with it, recognise the signs and try some of these tips to kick start the "creative cells" firing again.
Try this Visual Exercise
Look at the shoe image and see what elements I used to create this image. Then write down your thoughts, ideas, source the elements in your photo stock library.
◼ Think outside the "box" if you don't have an element “where can you photograph or create one”
