OCD and Art

Something I’ve noticed that I don’t think started happening until after my ocd began to spiral is that I am afraid to draw more. Which is funny, since I’m going into animation for college. What I mean is I’ll go through major spurts of drawing, but then if I miss a day, I’m suddenly too afraid to start it up again and have to muster up the strength to put the pencil down. I fear that if I draw again it won’t be as good, or that it won’t turn out how I want. All this overthinking really hinders my abilities. Hopefully, with the help of zoloft, I can draw without thinking again and just enjoy it like I used to.

Perfectionism OCD

Username: ZoeyOlson2024ZoeyOlson2024

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y ago

Kind of in the same boat it feels like, I'm on fluoxetine and I'm thinking more clearly and I want to draw like I used to and did a little bit today, point is I relate and medication does help to have a balance

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 2y ago

That’s good to hear. I’m about to make fanart of a singer i like, so hopefully I can stick to it :)) thanks for the support

Username: ZoeyOlson2024ZoeyOlson2024

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y ago

@Anonymous Anytime and that's awesome too

Username: StellaaaStellaaa

Date posted: 2y ago

Same! I actually went to school for art, but would start having an anxiety attack staring at blank photoshop documents. I also do the scared to start back thing with other activities. I've been studying Japanese and if I miss a little bit, then I'm scared to start it back up. The key that helped me was to make it non threatening. I thought I'd forget all the Japanese that I had learned, but every time I went back to it, it was like it got reinforced stronger. Same with art, with each spurt I notice a huge leveling up. Try to reenter in a safe way. Try something easy or something low pressure. Just doodle or scribble. Starting back is the hard part. Don't force it, just see how it feels once you pick up your drawing utensil. In my last spurt, I actually drew doodles, got stressed and stopped several times before something stuck and I started working on my current piece. Also notable, if you do digital art: I had a Wacom tablet with like a million wires. The wire that connected to the tablet was loose. If I bumped it by mistake, then it would mess up my PC's drivers and I had to spend several hours fixing the drivers by Uninstaller and reinstalling. The reason I mention this is because that tablet was not very conducive to getting me to draw. I associated drawing with hours of tech issues. I have an iPad with Procreate now (excellent and would highly recommend it in case you have been doubting Procreate for professional art, it can do it!). Since there is no set up and I can literally just pick it up and start drawing, I draw more. Now, you don't have to go out and buy a whole other tablet or anything, but think about any obstacles that are in your way to drawing other than the fear. Is your tablet in an inconvenient place? Do you not have a good surface to put your notebook? Is your tablet broken like mine was? See if there is something fixable like that, that has been preventing you from wanting to draw. Just make things as easy as possible for you to pick it up and go with it should the mood strike you. Sorry for the long post, this is just something I've dealt a lot with unfortunately. Also, if you can't muster up drawing, maybe you can muster up writing down things you might want to give a go in the future, or watch some YouTube speed paints or tutorials. Kinda dip your toes in before you pick up the pencil

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 2y ago

This is exactly what I needed to see, thank you so much for taking the time to comment. That “drawing spurt” cycle is so relatable. Like I’ll be practicing and improving over and over, but then stop and just not improve for a minute. Sounds like this is something a lot of artists go through, so that’s nice to know. and yeah I REALLY want procreate, I have a surface pro 8 and use Clip Studio paint which I do love. But procreate just looks so user friendly and the brushes are insane. I’m definitely gonna take your advice and start by doodling, and trying not to care. I did some sketches yesterday which felt good. But yeah, again thanks for commenting :,))

Username: StellaaaStellaaa

Date posted: 2y ago

@Anonymous I'm so glad to hear that!!! Good luck!!!!! I used an app called Art Flow on android devices. It's not quite everything we need, but I liked it a lot compared to other apps. I've heard great things about clip studio, but never really tried it myself

Username: Claymation 711Claymation 711

Date posted: 2y ago

That is relatable af!!😃 I used to put a lot of pressure on myself to make my art look decent but then it got so stressful that I just avoided doing it altogether...after a long time of artlessness (new word just made it up👍), I was like "Well it's not like I'll ever be Picasso anyway so I guess I'd rather do it and possibly be bad instead of not doing it at all." I also totally feel you on the overthinking I do that for almost everything , (I am literally overthinking writing this message right now.) Anyway, I hope the Zoloft works out and you can get your animation on! (which is really cool btw my friend is studying art at SCAD and it looks super fun)😊

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 2y ago

That’s such a great attitude to have! It reminds me of a quote I try to remember, by Chuck jones who was one of the lead animators for Looney Toons: “Every artist has thousands of bad drawings in them and the only way to get rid of them is to draw them out.” Also that’s awesome for your friends, SCAD is really cool!

Username: Lizzie

Date posted: 6y ago

Does anyone else here’s OCD prevent them from doing things that you used to love? Because of my OCD I avoid partaking in any of my hobbies including reading or painting. Just wondering if anyone can relate!! :)

Username: Theocdguitarist

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y ago

Musician OCD

I've been a musician for 13 years now, and I have had some incredible moments with it as well as trauma too. My OCD has gotten so intense lately, especially while I'm with my band, that I feel like my only option is to stop doing it for a while. It feels like when I make any progress with it, I take 2 steps backwards. When I'm around them, I can't stop obsessing about how much better looking, smarter, and cooler they are than me. Those things may sound silly, but I truly get engulfed by the pain of OCD in those moments. I just don't know what to do. I know music is an important part of my life, but maybe it's too much for me right now? Especially with all of the other change going on in my life.

Username: Anonymous

Date posted: 2y ago

Artist with ocd

I hate having ocd as an artist. In some ways I think it’s stunted my growth. I’m an animation major, and I absolutely love drawing, but ocd instills this constant anxiety that everything I draw will turn out bad. It causes me to not want to pick up the pencil. Anyone relate?

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