Art is an inspiration in itself. The human mind uses creative thinking to create something mundane and exceptionally beautiful. On the other hand, a randomly positioned brush stroke painting that does not appeal to the majority of people can hold value immeasurable.
Have you ever wondered how artists such as Monet, Rembrandt, and Rubens got the inspiration to create such marvelous and breathtaking paintings? If you’re an artist who aspires to be as great as the legends, I am sure you must have stumbled upon this curious predisposition one way or another.
Getting ideas for your artwork can be a daunting and tricky task but once you know how to get the creative juices to flow, you’re not so far from moving forward in the right direction. Many artists use certain techniques and methods to remain consistent with their work. The answer to what might inspire you will be different than for another artist. Since, like all other art forms, visual art is also subjective, there is no proper one way of knowing how or what might give you the perfect idea.
Thus, let us look at a few examples in this matter:
Draw ideas from life
Every human being experiences a different life on its own terms. What may be an exciting event for you can be a common recurrence for another. We might have all heard people often pondering over the idea that life is the best teacher. In this sense, life can give us a multitude of opportunities to get inspired. Observing things that happen around yourself can help you get ideas for your next artwork, whether it is a painting, sculpture, or design. Many artists such as Issac Julien and Susan Philipsz have stated in their interviews that they get inspiration from everyday experiences, from pastoral settings to their surroundings.
Pick a subject and Illustrate.
Sometimes, you need a more narrowed and concrete vision to be able to create something. If you’re wondering what to pick which will captivate the attention of your audience, then you should try creating different versions of one thing. This will help you develop your own unique perspective and bring your vision to life. It happens quite often that the best subject is there right in front of us but we fail to see it. For example, if you use your imagination to paint your perception of a fruit basket or a tree you see every day, it will help you find meaning and inspiration in these objects which are present in front of you but mostly invisible to the creative eye.
Choose a theme, word, or phrase.
Many artists follow a theme in their paintings and artwork to sustain an image or story that they wish to convey to the audience. When feeling low on ideas of what to make, you can pick a theme that suits your mood and start planning a base for your piece. One simple way to execute this would be to imagine what your chosen word would look like if it was painted or used as a description for a sculpture or design. This might also help you think outside the box or reiterate an already existing notion into something distinctive and valuable in the world of art.
People and everyday activities
It is not new for artists to get inspired by people they see or observe around them. Observational pieces are one way for painters to depict real-life emotions on sheets of paper. Additionally, art inspired by people can help you depict an image as your own story and recreate reality in your own way. Many times, events happening around us also hold certain beauty and aesthetics in them. It is not uncommon to discover that even the mundane moments are distinctly praiseworthy.
However, it is not easy to instill a creative outlook towards things in yourself. You need to imbibe it in your bones and spirit, then and then only you will be able to create something worthwhile. Almost anything and everything can be art if looked at properly. We can find meaning in everything and at the same time, in nothing. Do not worry about the philosophies, but isn’t the whole point of art is to display and create something which holds value?
Let us look at some artworks from EdNet Art School in which students have used different mediums and experimented with ideologies and techniques.
This first piece gives a sneak-peak into the colorful personality of the artist. The thought behind making this portrait is a journey of self-discovery and here, art is a representation of the artist’s self which he painted on the canvas. Using his personal experience of boxing, he has showcased his passion for the sport and depicted thoughts of control and strategy.
Aarnav Bahl is a trekker and free-spirited person who takes inspiration from nature and its bountiful beauty.
In this particular work, the artist was inspired by the poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers by Adrienne Rich which she studied in her school’s literature book. It demonstrates how a woman is oppressed in marriage but can’t do anything about it and aspires to be like a tigress: strong and confident. Therefore, here she has shown a half-woman-half tigress to show how the artist wishes to be.
Yeva Rajpal is inspired by works of Psychology and likes to experiment in her artwork by using different mediums and techniques.
Here, the artist was inspired by the pattern and style of “Kalamkari”, originally a style of Andhra Pradesh, India. She chose this to garner a deeper understanding of this intricate piece. The colour schemes are similar to that of a peacock, India’s national treasure that represents novelty and pompousness.
Deeva Thomas is an aspiring artist who enjoys music and likes to take ideas from real-life events and experiences to create meaningful art.
By looking at these examples and studying, we know how each artist uses their imagination and draws ideas from different things, be it life, people, or personal experience. Similarly, the best way to get free from the shackles of a creative block is to identify what you wish to make. Occasionally, it is also a good exercise to draw without giving much thought to the final outcome. Sometimes, a rough sketch or idea might turn out to be an exceptional piece of art.
Whether you wish to become a painter, sculptor, fashion designer, or an artist in any other specialized area, it is always good to trust your instincts and let the creative energy flow freely. This will not only help you discover a new way or medium you enjoy but might also become your next best piece of art.