How to Find Things to Paint

We all know the feeling of staring at a blank canvas or piece of paper, and not knowing what to paint. Finding things to paint has always been a challenge for me, but I’ve learned ways to come up with ideas quicker. These are shortcuts that almost always work for me.

The first resource I love to use is Pinterest. Oddly enough, drawings and paintings aren’t the main thing I search for. It’s photography. Right before I paint, I like to stay away from the work of other artists. This helps me keep a clear head and to keep imposter syndrome at bay. Don’t get me wrong, I love looking at the work of other artists. Just not right before I paint. The photos I love searching for are vintage photos or any photos of architecture, food, travel, and home decor.

In order to keep my work from looking like a direct copy of a Pinterest photograph I find, I like to combine ideas from several photographs. I’ll also infuse my own color palettes and patterns into the piece. I like to alter the positioning of elements in the piece, and even add in some new elements. I keep a board of inspiring photographs on Pinterest, so I have a direct source of inspiration available at all times.

Another resource I love is reference books. Any time I can stay away from screens, sign me up! I recently purchased this Smithsonian book, and it is my favorite resource for painting animals and plants. It has everything on earth you can imagine. No literally - it says that in the title. I challenge you to get through this entire book without finding one thing to paint. I plan to purchase more books like this in the future.

Another thing I can recommend for inspiration is a painting series. Paint one subject for 30 days - whether it be plants, people, animals, flowers, food, etc. Sometimes we just have decision fatigue and this takes all the decision making out of the creative process. It allows you to focus solely on technique. Sometimes this is all I need to pull me out of a bad spell. I find that doing a series is the quickest way to become a better artist as well.

A painting inspired by my recent travels to New York City and Central Park Zoo

Sometimes we have those days (or weeks, or months) where we can try and try, but nothing feels interesting. We just feel uninspired and off our game. When this happens, I simply allow myself to take a break. Painting should not feel painful! It’s supposed to be fun, so give yourself the grace to step away when things aren’t flowing.

When this happens to me (which is at least a few times a year), I put down my paintbrush and get out and experience things. This is the ideal time for me to travel, watch new movies, go to museums, or go to the zoo. If I just get outside my comfort zone, I find myself feeling inspired again in no time at all. Accepting these ebbs and flows as part of the creative process seems to make these inspiration droughts much shorter.

Think of the creative process as a gas tank. You need to put new experiences in to get great work out. If you have some gas in your tank, you can often fill up while you work. However, if the gas tank is completely empty, you need to put down your paint brush and put all your efforts into filling up.

It can be hard to stay positive when you’re going these dry spells. It might feel like you’ll never get your mojo back. I can say with certainty, that you most definitely will. My inspiration has always returned with a vengeance every time I give myself a break. Just hang in there, and stay positive. Fill up your tank with experiences. The more you flow with these phases, the quicker your inspiration will return.

Well, those are my tips! I’m curious, how do you all find inspiration? And what’s the longest you’ve gone without feeling inspired? I think my record is a month, but I’m sure I will top that at some point!