Abstract Art Painting Ideas

If you're looking for painting ideas or abstract art inspiration, this collection of photos, and suggestions of how they could be developed into paintings, is the place to start. (For a demo, see How to Paint Abstracts from a Photo.)

It's much easier to use something 'real' as the starting point for developing an abstract painting, rather than grabbing an idea out of nothing. Look at the photos for shapes and patterns, rather than what the object is. Simplify down the elements, consider alternate colors, focus in on a small part of the photo. Then do it again, and again. That's how ideas for paintings are developed.

You're welcome to use the photos to create paintings of your own, subject to these terms and conditions. If you'd like to add a photo of your own, or a painting you'd done using these photos, here's how.