For many beginners, it can be hard to find inspiration for their art only because there are so many creative ideas out there and it can be difficult to know where to start. But don’t worry, we’re here to help!
In this article, we’ll give you 4 easy tips on how to get creative inspiration for beginner artists and professionals alike.
How to find inspiration for art
“A blank canvas… has unlimited possibilities.”
~Stephanie Perkins
ALL Artists at some point in their creative journey may find themselves struggle with finding inspiration for their work . Whether you are a beginner painter or a seasoned artist, the process of finding inspiration is something we all engage in time and again. And while it is often said that looking for inspiration is for amateurs that not necessarily true.
The process of finding inspiration and overcoming creative blocks is an essential part of the painting process, not just for beginners.
For some beginner artists looking for inspiration could be due to difficulties getting into their creative head-spaces and meet the ‘urge’ to dump their anxieties on canvases. Or the creative block could arise out of the need to try something different from one’s usual painting subjects. Fear of judgment is another challenge that can cause creative blocks and often take the fun away from the creative process.
So, here are 4 easy ways for beginner artists and experts alike to get started on your path to finding inspiration to paint
Observe the ‘masters’
Spend time observing and appreciating art. Visit art galleries and shops. Observe the various interpretations of subjects you like by other artists. There is so much we can learn from the greats who came before us such as Vincent van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci, Claude Monet, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol. Observe the greats, to gain inspiration and learn from them.
Draw from the environment
Awaken your senses to the beauty in our natural environment. Nature is an infinite source of patterns, textures and colours. Observe, breathe, hear, smell, and feel nature’s bounty to draw an endless source of possibilities to paint from. You could also print using a bit of paint and dried or fresh leaves. Pressed dried leaves are great for mixed media collages as are pressed dried flowers. Nature indeed offers endless possibilities for play and creativity aside from also making you feel better emotionally and contributing to your physical wellbeing,
Explore the Web
Explore art tutorials from books and videos online. There are many choices from paid to free online art courses offered by reputable schools and artists as samplers to their more intensive course offerrings. Referring tutorials not only helps finding inspiration but also for troubleshooting a specific technique that is difficult to grasp.
YouTube offers a rich resource for learning from artists across the world sharing their skills and demonstrating how to troubleshoot issues with a technique all available to you at the click of a mouse.
If you have a budget for creative courses then there are plenty of paid options for art classes for adults on portals such as Udemy and Patreon where you can get started from as little as price of a cup of tea! You only need to find the time to add creative self-care into your routine :).
Create from a place of love
If you’re afraid to be judged by your work or if you feel like your work will be criticized, then this is what’s holding you back from creating something new. The way to overcome this is firstly to remind yourself that one cannot create from a place of fear and obsessing over perfection. Secondly, paint with a sense of curiosity and playfulness. You are less likely to make mistakes when you are less stressed.
As Bob Ross famously said, be prepared for ‘happy accidents’. If you do make a mistake, note what did not work for your next project. When you make mistakes, you learn what works and what doesn’t. Painting fearlessly will allow you to find inspiration for every step of your creative journey.
As an artist and art educator, I find many students give up before even starting. I’ve written this post for those who desperately seek to paint like someone they admire or perhaps find their unique creative voice. To the frustrated newbie artist, I’d suggest that you start small, paint regularly and enjoy the painting process instead of getting fixated on perfection or the final outcome.
Have a look at some of our courses to get started on your path to creativity and well-being:
Online Art Courses
Warm regards
Soma M Datta
Founder of
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