There are many different ways to find inspiration for art-making. Some artists prefer to be constantly surrounded by inspirational sources of art, while others need complete isolation to focus on their work.
No matter your preference, it's important to find inspiration to maintain a creative flow and produce your best work. This article will discuss some practical methods for finding artistic inspiration.
Inspiration for artists, you can't work without it
There is no creative person alive who can work without being inspired. For some, finding inspiration is easy and comes naturally, while it can be a challenge for others. No creative is immune to artist's block; it happens all the time, in every creative practice. There are many ways to spark creativity for art-making, but the most important thing is to be open to it and constantly expose yourself to different sources of inspiration.
You never know when creative ideas will strike. This could mean going to art shows, browsing through books, or connecting with your peers.
What are the most common methods for professional artists to get ideas?
Professional fine artists can find inspiration in many different places. Here are eight of the most common sources of inspiration:
Visit an art museum or gallery
Spending time in art museums and galleries is a great place to find inspiration because they're a calming space to take a break and look at inspiring work. You can see paintings, sculptures, and other types of art from different eras and cultures, all in one place. This can be a great way to get inspired and expand your artistic horizons.
Some museums even have painting days where you can bring a small easel and paint using the paintings in a museum as a reference; professional painters have used this practice for centuries. This is a great way to get inspired and try something new.
Look through art books
Books are a huge source of inspiration that's largely overlooked these days. Go to your local library or museum and browse through the art books. You never know what you might find. There's something about the tangibility of holding a book and feeling the artistry behind the curation of material presented on paper that can be inspiring; it's so easy to keep looking at more and more pieces online.
Staring at people and sketching them from life
Many artists find it helpful to stare at people and draw them from life to find inspiration. By observing the world around them and capturing people in their everyday lives, artists can better understand the human form and how people move and interact. Take a ride on the train with your sketchbook, and see what exciting characters you encounter.
When you're sketching people from life, keep it loose and try to capture their essence. You don't need to create perfect portraits; instead, focus on capturing the person's character and the emotions they are experiencing. This can be an enriching exercise, and it can help you develop your artistic skills as well.
Look at work from different cultures or time-periods
When seeking creative inspiration, completely different perspectives is a great way to get your creative juices flowing. Look at Japanese Edo period paintings, ancient Indian architecture, or aboriginal rock drawings.
Get out of the studio
Most artists find inspiration by getting out of the studio and observing the world around them. This could mean going to a coffee shop, walking in the park while listening to some inspirational music, or watching people. By getting out of your comfort zone and exposing yourself to new environments, you can find new things to feel inspired by.
Critique
Fine artists often use critique to find new inspiration for their work. Receiving feedback from others can help artists see their work in a new light and inspire them to explore new directions. In addition, critiquing the work of others can help artists learn new techniques and get a better understanding of the artistic process.
Looking back at old work
Ecclesiastes 1:9 says, "There's nothing new under the sun." Dive into your archives and look for previous ideas to develop new ones. If you're feeling incredibly bold, find a piece you're not happy with, turn it upside down, and start a new painting on top of it. Sometimes just the process of seeing your progress or seeing the start of an idea you never fully explored can help bring you some ideas.
Connecting with other artists in your community
Talking to other artists; dialog with others in the industry frequently can help recognize and define new ideas more clearly. Even non-artists may provide you with fresh viewpoints that can help you progress.
Perhaps all you need is a friend, a collaborator, or a mentor to get motivated to create. The conversation will give you something to think about.
Try something new
Trying new things can be a great way to stimulate creativity. Step out of your usual routine and explore new mediums, subjects, or techniques. You'll open yourself up to new possibilities and ideas by pushing yourself to try new things. Here are a few ideas
- Take a class and learn a new technique: Joining a local art group or taking a creative class can help you learn new skills that you can incorporate into your work.
- Looking at other art forms: Inspiration can come from anywhere, so don't limit yourself to just looking at other visual art. Explore different forms, such as music, dance, literature, or film.
- Experiment with new mediums: Trying new mediums can also be a great way to find inspiration. If you typically work in painting, why not try working in sculpture? This is a great time to visit your local art supplies store to look for materials as inspiration.
- Change up your subject matter: If you're struggling to find inspiration, try painting something you don't typically paint. Instead of painting portraits, try painting still lifes. Or, instead of painting landscapes, try abstract painting. By changing up your subject matter, you can see the world differently and find inspiration for your work.
- Work in a new location: Sometimes, all you need is a change of scenery. Working in new surroundings, whether outside in nature or in a different room in your house, can help refresh your artistic practice.
