5 Ways To Find Inspiration For Art
/Ever feel like your creative well's runnin' dry? Trust me, I’ve been there. Inspiration's all around, just waiting for you to gently take charge. Whether you're dealing with a creative block or swimming in a sea of ideas, no worries. I've got some easy tips to get you back on track.
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Use these tips for your mixed media projects, paintings, art journals, and sketchbooks. These ideas will help you figure out what to draw or paint next. All my supplies are listed at the bottom of the post.
FASHION
clockwise: bisjoux, zsazsa bellagio 2018, we dream in colour, Not just a label
Go to Pinterest and look at your fav style of fashion. Why do you like it? Is it the color, pattern, or vibe?
TIP: Pick 1 photo and make a work of art based on that outfit. You don’t have to copy in a realistic way, just take out the elements you like.
You may not know it, but I’m a fashion school dropout. I had a semester left and decided to leave (I was broke). Fashion is still a huge part of my creative inspiration.
It’s a great place to get color palettes, textures, composition ideas, body postures, and face angles. Accessories are my passion, I love adding them to my portraits. It makes my paintings unique and personal.
Here are a few things to take from fashion inspiration:
mixed media portrait with collage earrings
color
texture
print
composition
mood
body postures
embellishments
time period
expression
NATURE
I painted my first fox portrait in 2014 and liked the outcome but didn’t think that it was really for me. Later on, I started painting owls and got hooked. Animals can be used as symbols to tell stories, educate, bring awareness, or observe their beauty.
TIP: Create a few different studies of the same animal. Fill up a page. Choose another animal, rinse, and repeat. Don’t aim for perfection, focus on observation. Think about what types of animals represent you as a person.
Here are a few things to take from nature/animal inspiration:
Forest Animal paintings & Sketches
symbolism
storytelling
studies/observations
folklore
color palettes
texture/pattern
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MUSIC
clockwise: sade, bob marley, ella fitzgerald, snoh aalegra
Sade is my fav singers of all time. I’ve listened to her since I was a high schooler. Her music is soulful, uplifting, feminine, and relaxing. It makes me think about muted earthy colors and moody atmospheres. I also like Bob Marley, his music is empowering and upbeat. I think of bold contrasting colors and strong compositions.
TIP: What colors would you associate with your fav artist? If they lived in a magical place, what would it look like? Design an album cover or poster for them.
Here are a few things to take from music inspiration:
mood/vibe
energy
movement
messaging
MOVIES & TV
clockwise: wakanda forever, dune, shadow & bone, stardust
What’s your fav movie or TV show? I recently watched Shadow & Bone and loved the storyline. I’m naturally drawn to shows with a female lead.
TIP: You don’t have to do a portrait. If you love Twilight, paint a misty forest - if it’s The Little Mermaid, paint a shipwreck. How do you connect with these shows?
Here are a few things to take from film or TV inspiration:
Alina - Shadow & Bone illustration - mixed media watercolor
character appearance
character traits
character struggles
character wins
character relationships
movie setting
props in the show
origin
ART HISTORY
elizabeth catlett, Klimt, Georgia o’keeffe, Jean-michel basquiat
Recreating artwork from your favorite artists can help you discover your personal style, overcome artist's block, gain new techniques, and an appreciation for creatives who came before you.
TIP: After recreating the artwork, try to incorporate it into your style. Can you experiment with color palettes, finishings, or materials? Divide your page in half, do one side in the artist’s and the other in your own.
personal style
materials/supplies used
creative processes
techniques
meanings behind the work
Supplies Used In This Blog Post:
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If you liked this post click the heart ♥︎ and leave me a comment! -Danielle
