Unlock Creativity: 5 Ways to Find Painting Inspiration

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 6 min read

Have you ever found yourself staring at a blank canvas, brush in hand, waiting for a spark of painting inspo? Don't worry, you're not alone. Many artists, both seasoned and beginners, often seek new sources of inspiration. This blog is your guide to unlocking creativity and finding fresh painting inspo in the most unexpected places. Let's dive in with our first source of inspiration—nature.

1. Explore Nature

There's no better artist than Mother Nature herself. The great outdoors is a treasure trove of painting inspo, offering an array of colors, textures, and patterns that can stimulate your creative juices. Here, we'll delve into three specific aspects of nature that can breathe life into your artwork.

Observe Landscapes

Landscapes are a classic source of painting inspo. From lush, green forests to serene, sandy beaches, every landscape has a unique vibe that you can capture. Try to notice the subtle details: the way the sunlight filters through the trees, or how the waves crash against the shore. These small nuances can add depth and realism to your artwork.

Study Plants and Animals

Every plant and animal is a masterpiece in its own right. The intricate patterns on a butterfly's wings, the vibrant hues of a blooming flower, or the majestic stance of a wild horse—these are all ripe sources of painting inspiration. The next time you're in nature, take a moment to study its inhabitants, and you'll find your painting inspo.

Draw Inspiration from Weather Patterns

Weather patterns can add drama and mood to your art. The swirling clouds of a storm, the radiant colors of a sunset, or the haunting beauty of a foggy morning—all provide unique atmospheres to explore. Weather patterns can help you play with light, shadow, and color in your artwork, amplifying the emotional impact of your piece.

2. Embrace Abstract Art

Stepping away from the concrete and diving into the realm of the abstract can be a game-changer for your painting inspo. Abstract art lets you break free from the rules and express your inner world in the most unfiltered way. Let's see how colors, textures, and shapes can fuel your creativity.

Experiment with Colors

Colors can express feelings and moods better than words. Bright colors can evoke happiness and energy, while darker shades might represent melancholy or mystery. Try stepping out of your comfort zone—use bold, unconventional color combinations, or paint a piece using only shades of a single color. The possibilities are endless, and so is the painting inspo.

Play with Textures

Textures add a tactile dimension to your paintings, making them more engaging. Using different brush strokes, incorporating mixed media, or layering paint can create interesting textures. Feel the paint, play with it, and let it guide your imagination. Who knows? Your next painting inspo could come from the texture of a brick wall or the softness of a feather.

Explore Shapes and Forms

Shapes and forms are the building blocks of your painting. Simple or complex, geometric or organic, they can transform your work. Use shapes to create rhythm and movement, or to guide the viewer's eye across the artwork. Remember, in abstract art, forms don't have to represent anything specific—they're there to evoke emotions and spark painting inspo.

3. Find Inspiration in Literature

Books have a way of painting vivid pictures in our minds. Why not turn those mental images into actual paintings? Extracting painting inspo from literature can lead to some truly unique and personal pieces. Let's see how scenes, characters, and themes can be your next source of inspiration.

Visualize Scenes from Books

Remember that breathtaking landscape described in your favorite adventure novel, or the bustling city streets from a gripping detective story? You can bring those places to life on canvas. Whether it's the tranquility of a countryside or the chaos of a metropolis, painting scenes from books can provide a rich source of inspiration.

Create Art Based on Characters

Characters in literature can be as complex and multi-dimensional as real people. Their physical features, emotions, and personal journeys can be a goldmine for painting inspo. Portray your favorite character or express their emotional journey through colors and shapes. Just imagine what a portrait series of the characters from "Pride and Prejudice" or "The Great Gatsby" would look like!

Interpret Themes and Imagery

Books often deal with profound themes and use powerful imagery to convey them. Interpreting these themes and images in your paintings can add depth to your work. For instance, you could create a series of paintings exploring the theme of freedom in "To Kill a Mockingbird", or depict the symbolism of the green light in "The Great Gatsby". Let literature feed your painting inspo and see where it takes you.

4. Use Music as a Catalyst

Music and art share a deep bond - both are expressions of our innermost feelings. Using music as a catalyst for your painting inspo is like creating a visible track of your favorite song. Let's see how rhythm, lyrics, and emotions can inspire your next masterpiece.

Paint to the Beat

Why not let the rhythm guide your brush strokes? Fast beats can lead to dynamic, bold strokes, while a slow tempo might inspire more careful, deliberate lines. Try painting to the beat of different genres - you might be surprised at the variety it brings to your work. So pop on those headphones, blast your favorite tunes, and let the beat take over!

Interpret Song Lyrics

Song lyrics often tell stories, express emotions, or paint vivid pictures. Using them as painting inspo can lead to some truly creative pieces. You could take the metaphorical language and translate it into visual metaphors on canvas. Just imagine what a painting inspired by the lyrics of "Bohemian Rhapsody" or "Imagine" might look like!

Show Emotions Evoked by Music

Music has a powerful way of stirring our emotions. Sad songs might make you feel blue, while upbeat tracks can lift your spirits. Why not capture these emotions in your paintings? They could be abstract expressions of how the music makes you feel, or more literal depictions of the emotions conveyed in the lyrics. Either way, using music as a catalyst for painting inspo is a surefire way to create art that resonates with people.

5. Reflect on Personal Experiences

Art is a beautiful mirror, reflecting the artist's inner world. Using personal experiences for painting inspo can create a deep, emotional connection between the artist and their work. Let's explore how memories, emotions, and dreams can serve as powerful sources of inspiration.

Depict Memories

Memories can be a goldmine for painting inspo. Remember that summer you spent in Paris, the smell of fresh baguettes wafting through the air? Or how about that quiet moment when you watched the sunset over the Grand Canyon? These unique experiences can form the basis of evocative and personal artwork. So take a trip down memory lane, and let your canvas be the stage for your past to come alive once again.

Paint Your Emotions

Art has always been a powerful outlet for emotions. It's like a visual diary, capturing your feelings in a particular moment. Happy, sad, excited, calm - every emotion is a valid source of painting inspo. Try creating a series of paintings each representing a different emotion. This could not only be therapeutic but also result in a diverse body of work that speaks to the human experience.

Interpret Your Dreams

Your dreams are a direct line to your subconscious, making them a rich source of painting inspo. From the surreal landscapes to the bizarre scenarios, dreams can offer ideas that are out of this world. Why not interpret these dreams on canvas? It's like your very own, personal Salvador Dali or Frida Kahlo masterpiece. So, keep a dream journal by your bed and let your nighttime adventures inspire your next painting.

If you're looking to unlock more creativity and find painting inspiration, be sure to explore the workshop 'Expressing Your Unique Artistic Vision' by Michael Ryan. This workshop will provide you with valuable insights and techniques to help you develop your own unique style and express your artistic vision more effectively.