Blocked by Overthinking? 3 Tips to Deal with It - Cutepunk Tiger File + 4H Process Video

Hey guys!

My approach to illustration can often be confusing. As I've mentioned in the post about my "Composition Formula" two weeks ago, I have a list of points I like to address, but being overly technical from the start doesn't always work. Sometimes the "core" idea shifts, it could be a gesture, a composition, a cute little animal, or a video. The truth is, inspiration comes in various forms, so the goal is to be aware and create channels or daily habits that help you find something interesting.

If you are facing a similar issue here are some ideas:

1. Forget About the Plan: It's okay to have a structure or some kind of order at the beginning of your process, but don't let this blind you. During the process of creating this illustration, I drafted several sketches with a clear strategy in mind, but nothing clicked. I realized I was trying to cover too much ground, when often, processes grow organically. You start with a simple point and then gradually add more. This issue frequently occurs for me because I tend to overlook the basic rules and let my imagination run wild. Eventually, after a day of failures, I stumbled upon an interesting picture of a girl in an elevator. I found her compelling, and while using her as a reference, all the character design details slowly fell into place.

2. Just Start: Sometimes, we aim to find that "perfect" moment, reference, or concept, but that can't always be the case. Start with an idea that you think is decent enough and incorporate some of your previous concepts along the way. I've experienced starting with a great idea and ending up a bit disappointed. But, other times, I start with a simple idea that turns out to be great. The key is just to start.

3. Pause, But Don't Quit: Sometimes, we need to embark on a "journey" where we fail every single idea we try. But after some time, we try again, and all the past failures prepare us for that exact moment when we can finally put all our experiences together. Who would have thought that creating art is so similar to life itself? Don't quit—just pause, engage in something else, and then come back. Always make a point to return.

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In conclusion, if you feel you're currently failing, that's okay. Learn as much as you can and don't let your frustration stop your long term progress. Pause, reflect, and try again with a different approach after some time. Eventually, every past experience will prove useful. That's life.

Feel free to check the file to see the typical treatments I use in terms of filters and lighting for illustration oriented art. Filters like "Selective Color" help me shift the overall palette to a single tonality, such as green. This subtle adjustment creates a cinematic feeling and blends the colors nicely into a mood. I might create a board in the future dedicated solely to cinematic references. This one is tricky because the goal is not to simply copy the palette but to understand the feelings these colored scenes represent, and to work towards a similar approach

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