75+ painting inspiration ideas

Hello hello! In my last blog post, I wrote about overcoming creative blocks in order to unleash your creativity (in case you missed it, here’s the previous blog post). Sometimes you just need a fallback list to add a little structure in those moments of uncertainty. To fuel your creative fire 🔥, I’ve put together a comprehensive list of painting inspiration ideas to turn to whenever you’re feeling a little stuck. Just remember, this list is simply a starting point; let your imagination run wild and make each idea your own!

My home painting studio is my personal space where I feel inspired to create. Artwork featured is original acrylic painting titled “Ponies”. Art prints are available here!

Before we get to the gigantic list of painting inspiration ideas that I’ve compiled, here are a few bonus painting tips to help you refine your skills on your creative journey:

• Experiment with different brush strokes and mark-making techniques to add texture and depth to your paintings
• Play with color palettes to evoke different moods and emotions in your artwork
• Scroll through artist social media accounts and flip through art books to see what stands out
• Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and try new techniques or materials
• Embrace the unknown and see where it takes you!

A collection of art and inspiration books I keep in my studio; they serve as great reference points when I’m feeling stuck.

Capture nature’s beauty through the serenity of these landscape painting ideas:

• A farm with sheep, horses, chickens, etc.
• A field with round hay bales
• A rustic barn
• A hiking path full of plants
• An iconic spot in a national park
• An early morning sunrise
• The warm colors in a sunset
• Snow-capped mountains
• Desert sand dunes

This original acrylic painting titled “Angels Landing” is based on the iconic hiking spot in Zion National Park, Utah. The original sold, but art prints are available here!

Find creative sparks while traveling on your next beach vacation:

• A rocky shoreline
• The ocean with wildflowers in the foreground
• A winding road on the coast (i.e. Big Sur)
• Somewhere tropical
• A beach with smooth sand
• A choppy sea
• Calm waters

Original acrylic painting titled “Lovers Point” is named after this beautiful spot on the coast of California. Art prints are available here!

Try your hand at the following scenic cities for painting:

• Lisbon, Portugal
• New York City
• Oia, Santorini (e.g. blue domes)
• The reflection of Chicago from Cloud Gate (aka “The Bean”)
• Madrid, Spain at dusk
• Positano/Amalfi Coast in Italy
• Paris, France
• The beautiful archways in Morocco
• Seattle, Washington
• Iconic buildings in your hometown

Original acrylic painting titled “Vestergade” based on a street in Copenhagen, Denmark. Art prints are available here!

Capture everyday moments and turn ordinary scenes into extraordinary paintings:

• Your favorite houseplant
• The intricate patterns on a leaf
• Flowers in a vase or jar
• A garden scene
• A vibrant rainforest
• A botanical garden
• The contrast in birch tree bark

Original gouache painting titled “Rainforest”. The original sold, but art prints are available here!

Transform everyday objects into art in still life compositions:

• A bowl of fruit
• Your favorite coffee mug
• A bottle of wine
• A rustic basket of vegetables
• An array of seashells
• A collection of your art supplies
• A tablescape set up for a meal
• Choose a theme (e.g. blue objects, antiques, etc.)

Original acrylic painting titled “Sea Glass”. The original sold, but art prints are available here!

Check your fridge + pantry for unexpected sources of artistic inspiration:

• A bowl of colorful berries
• Eggs (cooked or in the shell)
• A slice of cake or pie
• Fresh veggies from your garden
• Jell-O
• An ice cream cone
• A tin of sardines
• A piece of wrapped candy
• A bowl of ramen
• A wedge of fruit
• A freshly steamed lobster
• Oysters, clams, or mussels
• All different kinds of donuts

Original acrylic painting titled “Blueberry Pie”. The original sold, but art prints are available here!

Use the human form to challenge yourself with these portraiture and figure painting ideas:

• A self portrait
• A friend or family member
• Strangers in nature (e.g. sitting on a park bench)
• A favorite celebrity
• Sign up to paint in a figurative life or nude painting class
• Try a caricature
• Paint the human figure in motion

An original acrylic painting of me in Barcelona! This painting is titled “Bunkers of Carmel” after the scenic viewpoint in Spain. Art prints are available here!

Find inspiration in the colors and textures of fur + feathers:

• Your pet(s)
• Birds/feathers
• Tropical fish
• A butterfly (or series of butterflies)
• A zebra
• Horses

A quick sketchbook study of my dog, Arthur 💙. Check out other pet portraits I’ve painted!

Embrace your inner Picasso by expressing emotions through abstract forms:

• A splatter painting (think Jackson Pollock)
• A portrait, but with the face covered by an object (e.g. flowers, a balloon, etc.)
• Two animals combined

A super fun, abstract painting I created during a “30 Days of Painting” challenge; this original acrylic painting is titled “Dotty”. The original painting is available!

Explore and experiment with various painting techniques:

• Paint only using a spatula
• Paint only using a palette knife
• In the style of a famous artist
• Using a limited color palette
• Only using straight lines
• In a specified timeframe (i.e. 30 minutes)
• En plein air
• Paint on a new surface/texture

A painting I created on a wood slice. The shape and texture were equally challenging and fulfilling to work with. This painting sold, but check out more of my paintings here!

Hopefully this list serves as a reference point whenever you’re feeling stuck. And don’t forget! These ideas are just starting points. Let your imagination run wild and adapt these ideas to suit your unique style and vision. You are always just one spark away from your next great work of art.

Happy painting! 🎨👩‍🎨