How can I improve my focus while doing artwork?

Center, clear your mind, take a walk, a drive, and listen to music

First, think of something you like, other than girls and take about 5 minutes sketching it with a pencil. Then do another sketch of the same thing only this time in about 30 seconds. Finally, do the same sketch in 5 seconds. doing this over and over will improve your ideas and drawing skill. Now the topic of what to draw is a toughie. If you look at famous paintings by Vermeer and stuff its just someone in a plain, natural pose, and maybe doing something. Or you can be an abstract painter like Picasso and draw a lanscape or a person with horrible depth perception and proportion and choos one color and paint it, differing only in shade.

Take LSD. Seriously, let your imagination run wild.

Look up artists that you like and their paintings ... find random quotes and things that you like such as pics of family and friends ... post it around your room and inspiration will come to you ... GOOD LUCK ...

If you're having trouble getting ideas of what to do and getting inspiration from museums and looking at kick @ss art, then one excercise that might work is self portraits. Do three self portraits of yourself in three different styles and three different types of mediums, even if they're something you never worked in. Push the envelope and challenge yourself by getting out of your comfort zones. The ideas should be bursting outta your head by the third piece. Also, seek out other visual artists. My work was completely stagnant and elementary until I started becoming friends with other artists. People whose work I admire and respect. It made me want to step up and make things that they would in turn respect. Always surround yourself with people you think are more talented than yourself. It keeps you on your toes.

I have the same problem with my art. I find that its much easier to paint something within set parameters. Try asking your friends what you should paint. Sometimes friends have really good ideas. Or do studies, where you just copy a painting done by a famous artist. Or try to illustrate a favorite book. Definitely look up reference online or shoot your own, just go crazy with it. As for people judging your work, dont worry about it. If you make art to appease others, it's not so much art as it is work. ive done work for blizzard and i hate working with them because they are soooo specific on everything they want. but it pays well so i cant argue. Just sketch out something that interests you, find some reference and paint it. Good luck!

Coming up with new and creative ideas to paint can be difficult for even the most of seasoned painters. When i find myself having a hard time thinking of what to paint but really want to paint something, i do what has worked for me many times. My brother is an artist and a friend of ours is also and we get together often and exchange ideas. If you don't know other artists, ask people you know what they like. My art can be checked out at hellosanantonio.com under artist name GUERRO1.