Where To Get Inspiration Ideas and Prompts

Denise has been studying and teaching art and painting for 40+ years. She has won numerous prestigious awards for her art and design.

My Art Sped Up

I love art. I love the hours invested in art. It doesn’t seem like a job to me. It’s fun and fascinating. When I create a video for YouTube, I usually do a voice over after I have sped up the action. That’s when I get so fascinated with my own hands flying over the work that I forget to talk about how I did the piece. That’s pure joy.

Woman Reading Collage

The Motivation Inside

So where does the inspiration to do art even when the monetary rewards are minimal? I always thought it came from inside me. Somewhere deep inside I have an ambition and a drive that will not let me rest until I have created some art every day. I know great artists who don’t work their craft every day but most days. Still when you draw, paint or create that often, sometimes you run out of ideas and subjects.

Sketches of boy for The Emperor's New Clothes.

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Jim Kwik

Jim Kwik is a lecturer and teacher on speed-reading and memory techniques. He says, among other things, that the place between awake and sleep is one of the most creative spots where mentally you can work out problems and solutions. He says that the same state can be achieved in the shower. I feel validated when he says that because I get some of my best ideas there. He says that there are many things that you can do to encourage and promote that creative state. You should watch his YouTube video.

Inspiration List

If you have ever had trouble thinking of ideas, I found the perfect inspiration list. It was created for photographers but it works just as well for artists. I’ve added a few things to the list. It works for any creative: writers, photographers, artists, etc. Think of these as themes or titles. If you saw this word, what do you think of first? There are almost enough here for a full year. Pick and choose your favorites. Keep the list near you or posted on sticky notes of your computer or art board. A little inspiration jumpstart is always helpful. Feel free to copy and use these ideas.

Animals

People

Buildings/Structures

Things

Clothing Things

Eating Things

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Play Things

Colors

Concepts

Events

Profession

Emotions

Food

Nature

Things To Keep In Mind

Then when you are painting or creating, you want to keep in mind the things that make a painting successful. Having a focal point is key. Then having some repetition and color variety. Remember the foreground, middle ground, and background. Also the 5 values; where a dark shadow is present you need a light highlight.

Many artists keep a list next to their computers, drawing boards, or easels. These lists help the artists keep track of all of the areas to consider while composing. Many of the points to consider seem elementary but are often overlooked. Here are a few:

• awareness of audience
• use of opposites
• positive and negative space
• variety in shape
• variety in size
• symmetry of positioning
• tangents
• consistency in lighting
• cast and core shadow separation
• angles of imagery
• cropping
• point of view
• foreground, middle, and backgrounds
• overuse of verticals or horizontals, unless desired
• value pattern
• focal point
• value pattern through entire piece
• unity
• repetition
• similarity
• proximity
• color harmony
• edge control

• • • based on placement
    • based on shape
    • based on color/value

Others may include:

• gesture
• proportions
• application
• size/dimensions

Why?

Another concept that isn't on the list, but should possibly be heading all lists, is simply "Why?"

• Why are you doing what you're doing?
• Why did you choose this subject?
• What is it that pushed you in this direction?

It happens altogether too often that we forget the original reason behind the work. When your art starts to become a chore, ask yourself why. Where was the original fun? If you can’t find it, then your audience won’t be able to find it either.

Creative and Inspirational Comments Welcome

Denise McGill (author) from Fresno CA on May 29, 2021:

Prompts are sometimes a good thing when the voices all around are hard to drown out and the world keeps crowding into my creative time. Thanks for commenting.

Blessings,

Denise

Denise McGill (author) from Fresno CA on May 21, 2019:

Time to peruse my list. I feel like I need some inspiration today.

Blessings,

Denise

Denise McGill (author) from Fresno CA on April 19, 2019:

Lawrence,

Thank you. I love painting and creating but I find myself keeping them to myself too often. Sharing them so others can enjoy them too makes my heart sing! Thanks for commenting.

Blessings,

Denise

Lawrence Hebb from Hamilton, New Zealand on April 19, 2019:

Denise

I started keeping a list of some kind and 'outlining' some of the stories I want to write, I've got eight two paragraph outlines written out and about forty more that are 'in my head' that will just have to come out at some point.

I've decided to work on them one at a time as there's just too much goes on to write more than that.

Loved the paintings by the way.

Denise McGill (author) from Fresno CA on March 05, 2019:

Bede,

Thank you for your good thought. I believe you are right that inspiration is from the divine. I know my inspiration comes from above. I thank God for all He has given in my skills and talents. Thanks for commenting.

Blessings,

Denise

Bede from Minnesota on March 05, 2019:

It’s a very helpful hub, Denise. And as always, your collages enliven my day. They are unique and beautiful. I try to have some quiet time each day where I have some good inspirations. The relaxed environment makes it happen. It could be the Holy Spirit is involved also. After all, doesn’t the word “inspiration” have divine connotations?

Denise McGill (author) from Fresno CA on February 27, 2019:

Oh, Mary, thank you, but I know there are quite a few collage artists who are better than I am. Sweet of you to say though. I do try to get better with every one I create. The pages are from my newly published Fairy Tale Alphabet book. If you're interested, it can be found here: http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/the-fai...

Blessings,

Denise

Denise McGill (author) from Fresno CA on February 27, 2019:

John Hansen,

Thank you so much. I appreciate your kind words. I have been working on a collage called forest fire (mostly because we had so many here in California not long ago) and because fire was one of the prompts on the list. Unfortunately, it isn't ready to include in this article. I can't wait to show it. It is really awful and awesome. Thanks for commenting.

Blessings,

Denise

Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on February 27, 2019:

There are so many ideas here worth keeping for future reference. Thank you as they are really from your experience. I, too, love creating and I am so excited now that I have more time to do it. Yours are the best collages I have ever seen.

John Hansen from Australia (Gondwana Land) on February 27, 2019:

Wow, Denise, what a comprehensive list of prompts.I am sure I can find quite a few ideas among them. You are a wonderful artist, and those collages are amazing. The videos are also wonderful. Thank you for sharing this creative process.