Advice on Art (painting/drawing)?

Question

Im pretty good at painting/drawing, but im not the most creative person, which is a bad combination. I need some inspiration to start painting again. I've done portraits of people who are close to me, but i want to do something personal now, something to do with nature but also sort of surreal. Anyone got any advise? My strongest medium is probably acrylics/oil paints.

Answer 1

of course i can't be TOO specific with this (that would not be creative!!) but i can try to give you some ideas!

if you want to go surreal, try setting up a contrasting still life. for example- natural things vs. man-made things. set up a still life with a bunch of plants, flowers, etc. and some electronics mixed in. set it up in an interesting way, or just paint them all seperately and place them however you want in your painting! as for the background, place your objects in a space where they would never, ever be found (for example, the moon!) or in a completely unrecognizable place. it is interesting in surrealism when the artist paints recognizable every day objects doing things that they would never do in real life!

also, try looking at buildings. skyscrapers are massive and sturdy structures, and it would be interesting to contrast them with other characteristics. maybe paint a skyscraper that is so tall that it's bending/flopping over, or a skyscraper being moved by a mouse!

remember dali's persistence of memory? clocks which are normally dense and structured were portrayed as melted and distorted! often contrasts such as these can provoke a hidden meaning in your painting.

a good way to get inspiration is by looking at other artists' work. i would definitely suggest taking a look at salvador dali's paintings if you want to try some surrealism. maybe go to whatever art museum or gallery that you live near, or even go to your local library and check out some books with paintings of dali, renee magritte, or whatever other painter inspires you.

good luck!

Answer 2

best advice i could give is to get interested in ur subject matter, by going out and taking photos, doin sketches, takin notes etc. work in a sketch book untill you find something you really like and just let your imagination flow. nature is a great subject so it shouldnt be a problem for you to get ideas just get out there. garden centres are good as well and search the net for artists of a similar subject this will hopefully inspire you.

Answer 3

Inspiration is the hardest part.  Frida Kahlo painted her pain.  Van Gogh was guided a little by his madness.   Personally, I do water colors and I paint my "desire" or "longing."   What does your heart desire?  What visions do you see in your most private moments?   Find them and allow them to guide your brush.

Answer 4

Draw a field of long grass with old fashioned tractors, people and a big oak tree at whatever time of day you like best.

From left to right you could blend the four seasons, but blend them, don't do a block of each season.

Answer 5

I'm a bit of an artist as well, but sometimes I go for weeks without doing any painting or drawing whatsoever. Sometimes I find that if I just go for a walk and just look around I'll find some kind of inspiration. If you're in the car take a minute or two to look around and if you see someplace interesting stop and take a picture and then walk around to get the feel for the place if it inspires you artistically. Also, if you're into books, try reading Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. I'm sure you know that story already but reading the book gives you a good appreciation for the whole fantastical world. Combine an element of the fantasy you find in those types of books with that special area you found that inspires you and get painting!  

Answer 6

You are the most creative among us....you are an artist. I like youpaint and have my own website, I looked around at what others do and do well and thought why invent the wheel!. I do portaits of famous Royal people, alway differeentiate your work from others but draw inspiration from them.

Keep practising it will come to you, rember problems are solutions waiting to be found...

http://www.manorhousefineart.co.uk/

Answer 7

You can do a combination of sunny and dayy to make it look nicee

Use different colors for the sky like green and yellow

Hope this helps

-Penny

Answer 8

Paint images from your dreams..

Answer 9

Operant term is "personal to me" what is personal to you? Get a hand mirror and paint something very personal in an abstract manner. It will be liberating.