How to Find Inspiration for Art

For all the artists out there-- having difficulties finding inspiration for your next art? No worries! The possibilities are endless, here’s a list of simple things that you could do to find the perfect inspiration for your passion. 

1. Make a List

Writing down anything you think about can be a wonderful catalyst to creating artwork. List, without long paragraphs, everything that you want to keep a record. Some possible ideas are listed below:

• Things that made me happy today

• Things that I’m grateful for today

• Random things about today

• Things that I don’t really like 

Also, collect different pictures and organize them for future reference. If you come across specific things that you’d like to keep, save them, and later, go through your files and focus on what interests you. Colours? Structure? Composition? They can fulfill your missing features in the future.

2. Explore New Things

Look at / watch / listen to / read something new and inspirational. There are endless resources in today’s time, so try something unusual or push yourself towards development by observing, applying, improving, and demanding more and more things around you. Also, build new relationships! Meet new people and engage with them by sharing your stories and opening yourself up. 

3. Make Mistakes

Often we are held captive to that perfection we need to reach- the fear of making mistakes and ruining what we are doing is holding us back from doing so much more than what we can imagine. Now, take a risk and get out of the right and usual things you do regularly, the wrong turn might take your art to the next level. 

4. Be Inspired by Others

Looking at other people’s work and getting an idea is definitely one of the greatest ways to find your own inspiration. It doesn’t have to be your usual genre, just go take a look at art pieces, books, or magazines! From professional painting to sculpture to preschool art, any creativity can trigger that inspiration. Then go ahead and copy those parts, while allowing new ideas in!

5. Doodle

Sometimes you just have to have fun and relax, by following wherever your hand leads you to go. Pick up a pen and start drawing whatever you want; any subject, any form, any colour, or any material is okay. This can offer you new creative ideas.

Lastly, best wishes to everyone delving into the world of art! 

Written By: Ella (Sunghyun) Kang