Art Inspiration / Creativity for Artists / Art Journals
Every artist has days when they feel uninspired and uncreative. Here's help on getting over creative burnout and getting your enthusiasm and creativity back.
Painting Show and Tells
It's time for a painting show and tell! Below is a list of various categories for you to share your experiences and photos of your paintings. Don't be shy, share with us! It's inspiration to browse through paintings, seeing how other people have painted something or interpreted a subject.
It's time for a painting show and tell! Below is a list of various categories for you to share your experiences and photos of your paintings. Don't be shy, share with us! It's inspiration to browse through paintings, seeing how other people have painted something or interpreted a subject.
Where to Find Painting Ideas
All the technical painting skills in the world will do you no good if you haven't got ideas for paintings. Here are some options for where to find ideas for paintings, and to develop them into your own, original artworks.
All the technical painting skills in the world will do you no good if you haven't got ideas for paintings. Here are some options for where to find ideas for paintings, and to develop them into your own, original artworks.
Art is Not About Talent
Why artistic talent is a dirty word which wrongly makes it seem art is for a select few only.
Why artistic talent is a dirty word which wrongly makes it seem art is for a select few only.
Right Brain / Left Brain Quiz for Artists
Test whether your right or left side of your brain is dominant with this quiz devised specially for artists.
Test whether your right or left side of your brain is dominant with this quiz devised specially for artists.
Painting Critique: 10 Things Never to Say About a Painting
It can be tough knowing what to say when a friend asks you what you think about their latest painting, but there are some things you should never say in a painting critique!
It can be tough knowing what to say when a friend asks you what you think about their latest painting, but there are some things you should never say in a painting critique!
Painting Photo Quiz
Have fun testing your knowledge of painting tools and equipment with this quiz.
Have fun testing your knowledge of painting tools and equipment with this quiz.
30 Painting Ideas from Idioms and Sayings
If you're wanting to do a painting a day but are stuck for ideas, here are 30 painting ideas from idioms and sayings to keep you busy for a whole month.
If you're wanting to do a painting a day but are stuck for ideas, here are 30 painting ideas from idioms and sayings to keep you busy for a whole month.
31 More Painting Ideas from Idioms and Sayings
If you've painted your way through the month's worth of Painting Ideas from Idioms, here's another 31 painting ideas inspired by idioms and sayings to keep you painting daily. So no more excuses for not picking up a brush because you haven't got an idea for a painting!
If you've painted your way through the month's worth of Painting Ideas from Idioms, here's another 31 painting ideas inspired by idioms and sayings to keep you painting daily. So no more excuses for not picking up a brush because you haven't got an idea for a painting!
30 Painting Ideas from Classic Novels
If you're wanting to do a painting a day but are stuck for ideas, here are 30 painting ideas from classic novels to keep you busy for a whole month.
If you're wanting to do a painting a day but are stuck for ideas, here are 30 painting ideas from classic novels to keep you busy for a whole month.
31 Painting Ideas from Poetry
A month's worth of ideas for paintings inspired by poetry.
A month's worth of ideas for paintings inspired by poetry.
3 Reasons a Creative Block is Hard to Beat, but Not Impossible
You can dig yourself out of a creative hole and beat artist's block once you understand the reasons you're in there in the first place.
You can dig yourself out of a creative hole and beat artist's block once you understand the reasons you're in there in the first place.
5 Ways to Destroy Your Artistic Creativity
It’s to be expected that there will be ups and down in your creativity, but there are also things that can sap your creativity. Here's a list of five ways to destroy your creativity...
It’s to be expected that there will be ups and down in your creativity, but there are also things that can sap your creativity. Here's a list of five ways to destroy your creativity...
5 Ways to Grow as an Artist
Forget about exhibitions and juries, get back to the spirit of painters in Paris and you'll truly grow as an artist.
Forget about exhibitions and juries, get back to the spirit of painters in Paris and you'll truly grow as an artist.
Recommended Artist Biographies
This is a list of biographies of artists and painters that I've enjoyed reading. Biographies are great for finding out more about an artist's methods, their sources of inspiration, and their working life.
This is a list of biographies of artists and painters that I've enjoyed reading. Biographies are great for finding out more about an artist's methods, their sources of inspiration, and their working life.
Printable Art Journal Pages
Use this collection of free printable pages to start your creativity or art journal.
Use this collection of free printable pages to start your creativity or art journal.
Painting Ideas Machine -- Get Ideas for Paintings
Looking for ideas for paintings? The Painting Ideas Machine will generate plenty of options for you.
Looking for ideas for paintings? The Painting Ideas Machine will generate plenty of options for you.
Photo Gallery: Inside Artists' Studios
Take a peek inside the studios of various painters in this photo gallery of artist's studios.
Take a peek inside the studios of various painters in this photo gallery of artist's studios.
12 Tips for Beating Artist's Block
Suffering from artist’s block doesn’t mean you’ve lost your artistic ability and it can be overcome. Dr. Janet Montgomery has some tips to help beat artist’s block.
Suffering from artist’s block doesn’t mean you’ve lost your artistic ability and it can be overcome. Dr. Janet Montgomery has some tips to help beat artist’s block.
10 Tips for Loosening Up
If you think your paintings are too tight or controlled and you want to work more freely, try some (or all) of these 10 tips to help you loosen up your work. You'll be surprised by the results.
If you think your paintings are too tight or controlled and you want to work more freely, try some (or all) of these 10 tips to help you loosen up your work. You'll be surprised by the results.
Painting Tips: 7 Ways to Improve Your Painting While at Work
What can you do to benefit your painting while you're at work? Each of these tips works at stimulating the creative side of your brain and keep you thinking about painting during the day.
What can you do to benefit your painting while you're at work? Each of these tips works at stimulating the creative side of your brain and keep you thinking about painting during the day.
What is Art and the Purpose of Making Art?
A painter expresses his thoughts on what makes something art, whether it has a purpose, and why people make art.
A painter expresses his thoughts on what makes something art, whether it has a purpose, and why people make art.
How Chocolate Can be Good For Painters
While I'm too much of a chocoholic myself to suggest that painting could (or should) ever replace chocolate in your life, here a few ways to use your love for chocolate to the benefit of your painting...
While I'm too much of a chocoholic myself to suggest that painting could (or should) ever replace chocolate in your life, here a few ways to use your love for chocolate to the benefit of your painting...
Art Jokes: You Must Be An Artist If...
A humorous look at the things you may do that indicate you're an artist.
A humorous look at the things you may do that indicate you're an artist.
Tips from Painters on Overcoming a Creative Block
Suffering from a creative drought, or artist's block, does not mean you're losing your artistic ability. These tips will help you get painting again.
Suffering from a creative drought, or artist's block, does not mean you're losing your artistic ability. These tips will help you get painting again.
Pretend You Are Dancing a Painting
When you're painting, focus on the activity of painting rather than the final result, and you're more likely to end up with something you're pleased with.
When you're painting, focus on the activity of painting rather than the final result, and you're more likely to end up with something you're pleased with.
Murphy's Laws on Art and Painting (and Variations)
Murphy's original law states that if anything can go wrong, it will. So what variations of it occur in art and painting? Find out here...
Murphy's original law states that if anything can go wrong, it will. So what variations of it occur in art and painting? Find out here...
Light Painting
An explanation of how to create a light painting, that is a "painting" where you've used light at the "paint".
An explanation of how to create a light painting, that is a "painting" where you've used light at the "paint".
The Real Reason We Paint
Why do we paint and what do we get out of it? Take a read what modern-day Impressionist Jerry Fresia believes.
Why do we paint and what do we get out of it? Take a read what modern-day Impressionist Jerry Fresia believes.
Four Steps in Dealing with Criticism of Your Art
Destructive criticism is not really an issue about the content of the artwork, it's about deciding what you won't tolerate from others. Here are four steps to setting the boundaries of what's acceptable criticism, or not.
Destructive criticism is not really an issue about the content of the artwork, it's about deciding what you won't tolerate from others. Here are four steps to setting the boundaries of what's acceptable criticism, or not.
Healing Power of Art
Why you need to express your inner artist, your creativity, to release the healing power of art.
Why you need to express your inner artist, your creativity, to release the healing power of art.
10 Things I Learned About My Art
The top 10 things I've learned about my art and painting, about how I like to paint and what works or not.
The top 10 things I've learned about my art and painting, about how I like to paint and what works or not.
Books for Creative Inspiration and Ideas for Artists
My personal choice of the best books on creative inspiration and ideas for artists.
My personal choice of the best books on creative inspiration and ideas for artists.
Pages From My Sketchbook
Take a look at some of the pages from my pocket sketchbook.
Take a look at some of the pages from my pocket sketchbook.
30 Reasons Why I Hate to Stop Painting....
Don't you hate things that force you to stop painting?! Here is a list of 30 things interfere with painting.
Don't you hate things that force you to stop painting?! Here is a list of 30 things interfere with painting.
I've Lost my Passion to Paint, Any Ideas?
Suggestions on what you might do if you've lost the desire or passion to paint.
Suggestions on what you might do if you've lost the desire or passion to paint.
Why Women Should Paint
Judi Morales Gibson of Artista Creative Safaris explains why she believes all women should paint, and what stops women from painting.
Judi Morales Gibson of Artista Creative Safaris explains why she believes all women should paint, and what stops women from painting.
New Year's Resolutions for Painters
New Year's Resolutions for painters (ones you''ll be able to keep!).
New Year's Resolutions for painters (ones you''ll be able to keep!).
Do You Feel Guilty for Being an Artist?
Do you feel guilty for being an artist, for enjoying what you do, rather than working in a 'normal' job? You really ought not to, but you're not alone in feeling like this...
Do you feel guilty for being an artist, for enjoying what you do, rather than working in a 'normal' job? You really ought not to, but you're not alone in feeling like this...
Symbols Dictionary: Love
Add hidden meanings to your paintings with these love symbols and signs.
Add hidden meanings to your paintings with these love symbols and signs.
Symbols Dictionary: Flowers and Plants
A look at the traditional meanings associated with various flowers and plants. A great way to add another layer of interpretation to a painting!
A look at the traditional meanings associated with various flowers and plants. A great way to add another layer of interpretation to a painting!
Symbols Dictionary: Death
A collection of the various symbols and signs associated with death and dying. A bit sombre true, but useful to know when working on more serious paintings.
A collection of the various symbols and signs associated with death and dying. A bit sombre true, but useful to know when working on more serious paintings.
Painting a Day: 28 Ideas for February
If you're wanting to do a painting a day but are stuck for ideas, here are 28 suggestions to keep you busy for the whole of February (plus one extra for when it's a leap year).
If you're wanting to do a painting a day but are stuck for ideas, here are 28 suggestions to keep you busy for the whole of February (plus one extra for when it's a leap year).
Painting a Day: 31 Ideas for January
If you're wanting to do a painting a day but are stuck for ideas, here are 31 suggestions to keep you busy for January.
If you're wanting to do a painting a day but are stuck for ideas, here are 31 suggestions to keep you busy for January.
Painting Your Own Christmas Cards
Make this festive season particularly special by painting your own Christmas cards, or using prints and/or photos of your paintings for Christmas cards. Here is a list of various painting techniques or approaches you can use, some of which are perfect for last-minute cards.
Make this festive season particularly special by painting your own Christmas cards, or using prints and/or photos of your paintings for Christmas cards. Here is a list of various painting techniques or approaches you can use, some of which are perfect for last-minute cards.
Painting Quotes Calendar
Get inspiration from artists' quotes the whole year round with this free, printable Painting Calendar for. (It's in an easily printable, .pdf format, so there are no adverts.)
Get inspiration from artists' quotes the whole year round with this free, printable Painting Calendar for. (It's in an easily printable, .pdf format, so there are no adverts.)
Your Favorite Landscape Painting
Which painting of yours is your all-time favorite, and why? Share your painting and see those of other painters.
Which painting of yours is your all-time favorite, and why? Share your painting and see those of other painters.
Sketchbooks in the Archives of American Art
A collection of pages from various artist's sketchbooks, clearly demonstrating there's no 'correct' way to keep a sketchbook, just a personal way.
A collection of pages from various artist's sketchbooks, clearly demonstrating there's no 'correct' way to keep a sketchbook, just a personal way.
Your Favorite Abstract Painting
Which abstract painting of yours is your all-time favorite, and why? Share your painting and see those of other painters.
Which abstract painting of yours is your all-time favorite, and why? Share your painting and see those of other painters.
Your Favorite Portrait Painting
Which portrait painting of yours is your all-time favorite, and why? Share your painting and see those of other painters.
Which portrait painting of yours is your all-time favorite, and why? Share your painting and see those of other painters.
Your Favorite Still Life Painting
Which still life painting of yours is your all-time favorite, and why? Share your painting and see those of other painters.
Which still life painting of yours is your all-time favorite, and why? Share your painting and see those of other painters.
The Painting You Wish Didn't Exist
Have you ever had a painting that you really didn't like, but other people did? Share you experiences with the paintings you wish didn't exist.
Have you ever had a painting that you really didn't like, but other people did? Share you experiences with the paintings you wish didn't exist.
What's On Your Painting Easel?
What's on your painting easel at the moment? Show us using this online form, and see what other people have on theirs.
What's on your painting easel at the moment? Show us using this online form, and see what other people have on theirs.