How to Unblock Your Art Forever: The Theory of Constraints for Artists

ArtWod is an online art school that offers a complete roadmap for you to follow at your own pace, and a variety of ways to improve your art skills while having fun and connecting with a community. They offer art “workouts,” drawing courses, painting courses, art classes for specific techniques, and art puzzles to keep the learning both fun and engaging.

They also offer a variety of short tips and tutorials on their YouTube channel. In the video below, they discuss a common issue for artists: “art blocks” that can interrupt your productivity and progress. Watch and/or read along to learn how these tips can help you move through artists’ blocks and get back to creating.

Unblock Your Art Forever: The 4-Step System to Break Creative Barriers

Struggling with art block? You’re not alone. Antonio Stappaerts, founder of Artwod, shares a powerful strategy called the theory of constraints – a method from systems thinking and business, adapted to help artists break through stagnation.

Below, you’ll find a clear, actionable summary of Antonio’s approach so you can diagnose and overcome your main artistic blocker, no matter where you are in your creative journey.

What Is the “Theory of Constraints?”

Imagine your art progress is like a factory: no matter how many small tweaks you make, your growth is held back by a single, most-limiting factor – a “constraint.” Remove this constraint, and you unlock new potential. Avoid or ignore it, and growth stalls.

Common Constraints for Artists

Antonio identifies 5 typical roadblocks:

1. Skill deficits (missing foundational drawing skills)
2. Not enough practice time
3. Fear (of failure, or of the blank page)
4. Lack of clarity (no clear plan or next step)
5. Lack of exposure (not learning from others, isolation)

The most common constraint for beginners is usually a missing fundamental skill, like perspective, gesture, or design basics.

See: 6 Steps to Draw Anything: A Beginner’s Guide for help with foundational skills.

The Artwod 4-Step Process for Unblocking Growth

1. Identify the Main Constraint

Take a brutally honest look at your current art practice.

• What’s the one thing holding you back most? Is it knowledge, fear, no plan, or just not drawing enough?
• Ask for feedback from a more experienced artist if you’re unsure.

Tip: For many artists, just admitting the constraint is the biggest breakthrough.

2. Exploit the Constraint

Focus all your creative efforts on tackling this weak spot.

• If you’re missing perspective skills, devote your practice to perspective.
• If you’re short on drawing time, fix your schedule to create a drawing habit.

3. Subordinate Other Goals

Let your primary constraint shape everything you do.

• Practice all other drawing skills “through the lens” of the thing you need most.

Example: Work on figure drawing by applying perspective to every figure sketch.

4. Repeat (New Constraints Will Appear!)

Once your original constraint is no longer holding you back, a new one will show up!

• Repeat the process: Identify, attack, and move forward.
• This keeps your growth sustainable and exciting.

Why This Method Works

• Motivation: Tackling your biggest blocker creates small wins, which add up to big results.
• Focus: Instead of jumping between dozens of skills, you make targeted progress.
• Adaptability: As your artistic skills change, your challenges (and solutions) do, too.

Get Started: Free Resources

Antonio encourages all artists – especially those returning after a break – to grab a structured, actionable roadmap. Download a free eBook from ArtWod for help! With this eBook, you can start with simple, daily action and let Artwod’s foundation help you target your specific constraint with confidence.

Conclusion: Progress Is One Constraint Away

Every artist faces blocks, but trying to fix everything at once just keeps you stuck. By focusing on the one main barrier using the theory of constraints, you’ll see faster improvement and greater motivation. Be honest with yourself, ask for feedback, and celebrate every constraint you eliminate because each one unlocks a new level in your art journey.