How to beat creative block in visual arts

I have studied this when I was learning graphic design, so I will post here a few methods to destroy the creative block. Some are tested by me, some are just theory. (These are for visual artists, but probably you can translate them somehow for other artists)

1. Taking a walk, jogging, any kind of sport. In theory it will increase the blood flow and other stuff that I don't understand but it works for me.

2. Looking at photos, paintings, designs, magazines. This in theory works, although not so much for me.

3. Forcing yourself not to think about your creative issue. The brain will continue to think about the problem in background... Sometimes this is a good idea, but not when you have a tight deadline.

4. Thinking about the target of the art you are about to create.
In general any artwork has a main purpose. Are you trying to explore an emotion? To preserve a memory? To present the beauty of nature? Or the beauty of a human act? Are you trying to create a powerful social statement?

All these type of questions will lead to answers. Answers that will help to create your art.

The next step is to find the actors. In visual arts the actors are lighting, composition, models, location, colors etc.

In graphis design there are lots of rules like balance, contrast etc. There are no rules in fact in graphic design. The "rules" are in fact sources of inspiration.

Hope this helps!

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Save eps file from CorelDraw and keep gradients editable

Here you will learn a trick on how to save eps file from CorelDRAW and preserve gradients editable.

Over the years EPS format became the "industry standard" for vector graphics. Especially the illustrator 8 eps or illusrator 10 eps frmats.  It is required by clients, microstock websites and print houses because almost all graphic design software can open an eps file.
When you save eps from Adobe Illusrtator the gradients remain editable. Save eps from CorelDraw and gradents are break into small little pieces.

Corel Draw save in the standard eps format, but originally the eps format does not allow gradients or trasparency. The problem is this: the "industry standard eps" format is not the "standard eps", it is the illustrator eps format.

So if you want to export editable eps  from corel draw, you must save fist .ai file and rename it to .eps
Here is step by step tutorial:
1. Open your .cdr file. Use "File > save as" or "File > export" functions

2. Pick up "AI - Adobe illusrtator" from the "save as type" list

3. Pick illustratr 8 (or  10). Uncheck al boxes, like in the image below. Click OK.

4. Change extension from .ai to .eps.
For example is you saved graphic1.ai you must rename it to graphic1.eps
If you don't see the extension of your files, you must change windows settings.
There are tutorals online about this depending on your windows version. On my old windws xp machine this option is in Windows Explorer > Tools > Folder optons > view > uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types"
5. That's it! Now you can edit the eps inside CorelDRAWor Adobe illustrator and gradient fills are editable.

Notes:
1. Inside Corel Draw, use only Linear and Radial gradient fill. Adobe Illustrator don't have conical, square or other gradient types available in CorelDRAW. The reason is because the Post Script Level 3 standard only have linear and gradient fills.
2. If you deform objects after you applied gradients this trick might not work, especially with radial gradients. I did not encounter problems while deforming linear gradients, but further research and testing is necessary to avoid any data loss.
3. To preserve a clean vector file avoid effects like: transparency, drop shadow, feather etc. This effects are rendered as bitmaps when you try to export as ai / eps.

Don't be a stranger! Leave a comment if you like this or if you have questions.