How to Get Inspired for Art
Do you want to be a professional artist?
Do you feel like your inspiration is gone and that it’s hard to get motivated to create art?
Maybe you are just lost for ideas to draw or paint.
Whatever the reason is, this blog post will help. It will provide the steps for how artists can find their motivation, how they can use their daily routine as an opportunity for inspiration, and what the difference between a hobbyist and a professional artist really is.

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How Do Artists Get Inspired
Every day, artists have to find a way to get inspired. They need that spark of creativity and the drive to create their art.
Unfortunately, there is no one magic answer as far as what motivates all artists. Everyone is different and has different priorities in life. What might inspire one artist might not work for another.
Some artists find inspiration from nature. They might go to the zoo or spend time in a park, and see what is around them that they can draw with a pen or paint with a paintbrush. Other times, it’s not about finding something outside themselves but observing how other people react to their artworks. This gives them new ideas for what they will start working on for the next project.
How To Get Inspired For Art
Whether you are drawing for fun have a career in arts, finding inspiration to be creative can be a challenge.
Here are some ways to help you get inspiration for your daily art projects.
There is no one way to motivate yourself to create, but there are some tactics that will keep you drawing instead of staring at a blank piece of paper.
Find the strategies that work well with you and use them when your spark of creativity is coming less often.
What Is The Difference Between A Professional Artist And A Hobbyist
A professional artist is someone who makes their living from the creation of art. A hobbyist might create occasional pieces, but they are not the main source of income for that person.
Do professionals struggle with motivation at times throughout their careers?
Yes, every artist has different motivations. Some people are highly motivated by money, and some do not care about how much they make as long as the work is fulfilling.
Let’s look at some strategies and ideas that people use to help them create their artwork, even when they would rather be doing something different. There will be times during your career that you will be searching for inspiration for artists block, the tips below will help you get through them.

Set Monthly Goals
Many professional creatives set monthly goals that specify the amount of art they want to produce. These professionals estimate how long it will take to create their artwork and divide their work into intervals or outline what needs to be done in a month so that all is accomplished by the end.
You should also set personal goals outside of art, such as taking time off or having a day where all you do is relax.
This can help them refocus their energy back into creating new art once again instead of feeling like there’s no point in doing anything at all anymore.
Setting monthly goals is one way an artist can get motivated even when they don’t want to work on something creative right away.
How To Set Monthly Goals:
- Write down your goals.
- Make them realistic but challenging enough to motivate you.
- Keep a list of things that need to be done and how much time it takes each day so you can plan out the week ahead for yourself, including how many hours per project or activity should take up in the month.
Schedule Daily Work Periods
The artist’s daily routine typically involves creating art regularly, such as every weekday morning or evening after dinner.
First, decide how many hours per day you can devote to painting, drawing, or whatever your specialty is.
Then divide the number of hours by how many days you can work in a week: for example, if you have 12 hours per day and five days to create art, that equals three hours per day every weekday morning.
Setting an artist’s daily routine with some regularity help motivate you to create every day. Creating art every day will become a part of your daily schedule in time. Focusing on creating art daily will be a challenge at first but soon will become a habit.
Keep A Sketchbook
Having a sketchbook will help to keep your ideas fresh by sketching as often as possible.
Sketching is an important part of the artist’s daily routine that should be done multiple times per day, not just when inspiration strikes.
Sketchbooks are also a diary of your progress, and see how your artistic skills improve over time is inspirational.
Best sketchbooks:
- Moleskine Sketchbook
- Canson XL Mixed Media Sketch Book (The paper is good for both sketching and painting)
- Blick Studio Hardbound Sketchbook
- Canson Universal Sketch Pad
Art Inspiration Painting Prompts
Some days it feels like the world is against you. You’re tired, overwhelmed by life’s pressures and responsibilities, and all of sudden your art just doesn’t feel fueled or inspired enough to do anything productive with it.
What if we told you there was a way to get that spark back?
Take a look at this list of painting prompts to give you different painting ideas. 62 Painting Prompts That Spark Creativity
One other suggestion is to read art inspiration quotes before starting each day.
These are a few favorites:
“I didn’t wait for inspiration. I went after it with a club.” – Jack London
“Every act of creation is first an act of destruction.” – Pablo Picasso
“Inspiration doesn’t come to you every day, but when it does, grab it!”- Unknown
For more quotes vist 50 + Inspiring Art Quotes From Famous Artists.

Network With Other Local Artists
Artists find inspiration in all kinds of ways, including talking with other people in the same field.
One way to get started is to join local art communities and online groups.
You will be pleasantly surprised by how much this can support your local artistic endeavors.
Consider signing up for a class to learn more about art techniques and ideas, too. Not only will you enhance your artistic skills, but you will also meet new people to network with.
Networking with other art professionals online and offline is also imperative to get your products promoted. Meet curators, gallerists, or collectors who might be able to promote your creations.
There are many online groups on Facebook to join and connect with creatives worldwide.
Find A Quiet Place To Create Art
Creating art takes a lot of concentration. A designated area to work in is really important. Find a place where you can be creative with minimal distraction, like a room in your home or a studio.
The space you work in should have good lighting (natural light is best) and enough room for your materials and a place to create.
Create an inspirational working environment by decorating the room with motivational posters and pictures of other artists you admire.
If you enjoy listening to music while creating, have a quality blue tooth speaker with your favorite songs on your smartphone.
Keep Your Workspace Organized
Nothing will ruin your creative thoughts more than spending ten minutes finding stuff you need to use to finish a project. Keep everything organized so that you can be in the zone and create great art with ease.
Find different ways to keep your studio organized if you have a lot of art supplies. Do a search on Pinterest for organizing tips or check out what Blicks or Michaels has to offer.
When it is time to get to work, you want to know exactly where everything is so you can get the job done.
Revisit Paintings That Inspired You To Become An Artist
What painting inspired you to start painting? Why not revisit that painting for some inspiration?
Go to your favorite artists’ website and scroll through their online art gallery. You might want to consider purchasing a print of your favorite piece to hang in your studio for extra inspiration.
Another way to find inspiration is to visit your local museums and galleries to see how others have created their art. You can find something new every time you visit an exhibit, so make it a point to clear your calendar so you can schedule in time for what inspires you regularly.

Another inspirational tactic is to share your artwork with others. Many artists only share new paintings on their social media accounts, losing out on potential sales.
Post paintings you created years ago in between the new ideas you are working on. You might be surprised how many people want to purchase your older work.
When someone purchases a drawing you drew years ago, it is truly inspiring.
Text images of your work to your closest friends and family. Doing so will not only keep them up to date on what you are working on, but they will also give you support.
Try A Different Medium
Try something new.
Working on a different technique or subject with a different medium could spark new ideas. It’s not uncommon for artists to discover a new medium that triggers them with creative ideas and creates an environment in which they can feel refreshed and be more productive.
Requiring yourself to maintain and expand your artistic skills continuously will help you stay motivated while at the studio and bring more creativity to your work.
Unfortunately, many people are afraid of trying new things and making mistakes. Finding inspiration is in part a process of moving past the fear of making mistakes.
The last thing an artist wants is to ruin their hard work with a new idea that doesn’t pan out. However, learning your unique artistic style is by making mistakes and discovering ways to fix the mistakes that were made.
Look For Inspiration From Nature
Taking a walk in nature, studying its beauty and intricacies can help you find inspiration for your work.
You might notice colors that were not so prominent when you looked at the same subject before or an idea on how to draw a leaf with more detail than what was visible in the past. Nothing is more inspiring than admiring the beauty of nature.
Don’t be afraid to sketch something while out on a hike or at the beach. The outdoors can be a great source of inspiration for artists.
Finding inspiration for artists has never been easier, thanks to social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook.
Many artists and bloggers post pictures of their creations daily for others to see on social media platforms.
Scroll through the feeds of these creatives or find a hashtag related to your field, and you’re sure to get some ideas for your own creative works.
Take a few minutes during some downtime to watch a video on Youtube to learn about different art styles.
Use Photos
When looking for inspiration: look through a few photographs and try to recreate them by painting or drawing exactly as you see them. This will not just prevent you from having a creative block but it will also make you better by expanding your skillset.
Go to Pixabay for some reference photos. Pixabay is a public domain image website, which means the images are free to use. There are thousands of inspiring photos for any artistic style.
Sell Your Art
What can be more motivating for a creative artist than someone actually purchasing their work?
One way to sell your paintings and drawings is by creating an online shop on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. Or you can easily build a professional website on WordPress for as low as 3.95/month with BlueHost.
Another option might be to sell items at local markets and local craft fairs.
Learn everything there is to selling your art online and offline if you are interested in making an income from your artistic skills. There are many free blog posts and podcasts that will help you get started.
Art Inspiration FAQ
How do you get inspiration for creating art?
Artists can get ideas for their art by reading about other artists, viewing artwork from others, or going to museums and galleries. Artists may be more inclined to create work if they feel refreshed, so taking a break after working on something tough could help you get focused on the next project.
How do I get my artistic inspiration back?
If an artist feels uninspired, they can take a break for a day or two to clear their mind. Daily exercise, eating healthy, and get plenty of sleep will also keep your mind sharp.
Where do artists get their ideas and inspiration?
An artist can find inspiration in everyday life, like observing the environment around us or reading about other artists. Artists may also be more inclined to create work if they feel refreshed, so taking a break after working on something really hard.
What are the 5 main inspirations for artists?
The five main inspirations for artists are:
- observing the environment around us
- reading about other artists
- experiencing life in different cultures or communities
- traveling to new places
- Imagination and inner feelings
What are 4 places that most often inspire artists?
The four most often inspiration for artists are:
- Ocean
- Mountains
- Experiencing life in different cultures or communities
- Traveling to new places
Final Thoughts On Finding Inspiration
Artists are often encouraged to take a break from their work and do something else for a while. But you don’t have to stop working altogether if you want some inspiration; find an art form that inspires you or try out new materials.
If nothing is sparking your creative juices, consider going back to the basics of sketching anything from your home to people on the street.
The more observational drawing practice you get, the better artist you will become.
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FAQs
How can you relate art to your daily life routine? ›
Art contributes to a sense of self.
When we do something creative, we are “self”-making. Not only does art allow us to self-reflect, but it also has a positive impact on our overall health and wellbeing. Research shows that participating in creative activity can have a positive influence on health outcomes.
- Nature. The natural world is full with unexpected wonders. ...
- Acquire ideas from other artists' work. Looking at other works of art is the most effective way to generate ideas for your own creations. ...
- Life Experiences. ...
- Learn Something New. ...
- Interact with other Artist.
- • From your own life.
- • Being in nature.
- • Looking at other art.
- • Using social media sparingly.
- • Daily work.
- • Writing in a journal.
- • Reading every night.
- • Movies.
- Ordinary Experience. Most of children's spontaneous drawing fall in this category, often including some aspects of #3 below.
- Natural and Constructed Environment. Observational work fall's in this category.
- Inner Feelings and Imagination. ...
- Quest for Order.
It truly is YOUR art that will make a change. As a creative person, artistic inspiration comes very early on in life. It is an uninhibited instinct that an artist will follow blindly into the creative process. But somewhere along the line, creatives can be bogged down by work, social events, and life in general.
What is the importance of arts and artists in our day to day life? ›Helps you get away from stress:
Art activities like painting, drawing, or sketching are not just human hobbies, but also a great way to relish the emotions. The activities effectively help people to get relief from daily stress. With growing age, we observe people struggling with stress and anxiety.
- Doodle. ...
- Visit A Museum Or Gallery. ...
- Take Photos. ...
- Take An Art Class. ...
- Get In Touch With Your Inner Child.
The elements of art are both fun and useful. Remember line, shape, form, space, texture, value and color. Knowing these elements will allow you to analyze, appreciate, write and chat about art, as well as being of help should you create art yourself. Esaak, Shelley.
What keeps an artist motivated? ›Even if your art practice is independent, getting new opinions on your project can be helpful in finding motivation. Talking through your creative block with a friend or fellow artist might be just the thing that helps you get motivated and back to work.
What is an example of inspiration? ›Example Sentences
His paintings take their inspiration from nature. She had a sudden inspiration. They would have the party outdoors! Deciding to have the party outdoors was sheer inspiration.
What are artists influenced by? ›
All artist's work is influenced by many different factors; from culture to politics, surroundings, family, upbringing, the list is endless. All of these and more have such an influence in most art works.
What are 3 methods you might use to get creative inspiration? ›- 1 Listen to music. ...
- 2 Journal every day. ...
- 3 Join a group of creatives. ...
- 4 Take a walk. ...
- 5 Turn off (or cover) your monitor. ...
- 6 Reward yourself for writing with a kitten. ...
- 7 Mind map. ...
- 8 Carry an idea notebook.
Artists get inspiration from a variety of sources including nature, media, people, other artists' artwork, and personal experiences.
What are common things that inspire people? ›- Build up those around you.
- Be enthusiastic.
- Have integrity.
- Be empathetic.
- Maintain a positive outlook.
- Practice gratitude.
- Stand your ground.
- Set clear goals and strive to achieve them.
Artworks inspire creative and innovative thinking; the right brain takes what it sees and expands upon it. Staring into a picture of a forest, the right brain envisions walking through the forest, looking to the corners just beyond the frame to see animals and new vistas.
What does inspired mean in art? ›Inspiration (from the Latin inspirare, meaning "to breathe into") is an unconscious burst of creativity in a literary, musical, or visual art and other artistic endeavours.
What are topics that can inspire you to do art? ›- Examine your culture.
- Reminisce about early childhood.
- Consistently use an artist sketchbook.
- Create numerous artworks simultaneously.
- Look at the art of other artists online and at art galleries.
- Try out a new artistic medium.
- Listen to music. ...
- Take Lots of Photographs.
Scenes of everyday life, also known as 'Genre Painting', describes paintings which capture ordinary people in a realistic manner, partaking in everyday activities - either documented or staged.
What life lessons can art teach you? ›- CREATIVITY. ...
- CONFIDENCE. ...
- PROBLEM SOLVING.
- PERSEVERANCE. ...
- FOCUS. ...
- NON-VERBAL.
- RECEIVING.
- COLLABORATION DEVELOPING.
Art appreciation is the knowledge and understanding of the universal and timeless qualities that identify all great art. The more you appreciate and understand the art of different eras, movements, styles and techniques, the better you can develop, evaluate and improve your own artwork.
What is the most important element of art for you? ›
What is the Most Important Element of Art? Every piece of visual art no matter how it is made will combine at least 2 of the elements of art but they are all dependant on the viewer's ability to see the art in the first place. Value is the most important element because it is the foundation of our visual perception.
What are the most important things that an artist should consider in creating an artwork? ›- Drawing is key. ...
- Great art takes hard work. ...
- Use a reference image. ...
- Rejection comes to everyone. ...
- Uniqueness = success. ...
- Nothing is set in stone. ...
- Honesty connects people. ...
- Start projects right away.
PRINCIPLES OF ART: Balance, emphasis, movement, proportion, rhythm, unity, and variety; the means an artist uses to organize elements within a work of art.
How do artists gain attention? ›- Establish your style for maximum artist exposure.
- Secure an online portfolio.
- Include your social media accounts.
- Join artist communities and online forums.
- Visit & join local gallery exhibitions.
- Sign up with online galleries.
- Talk about your work.
- Be honest – do you have a lot of unfinished projects sitting around? ...
- Create a To Do list, every day. ...
- Be realistic about what you can accomplish. ...
- Work every day on your business. ...
- Pace yourself. ...
- Get in the studio, and close the door. ...
- Say no to distractions. ...
- Set a goal for yourself.
When you're feeling lazy and need to work on a project, set a timer for 5 minutes. Tell yourself you're going to work on it for just 5 minutes and then you can stop. After the 5 minutes are up you are most likely going to continue creating.
What are 10 words that bring you inspiration? ›- Goals. It should be no surprise that goals motivate us and inspire us. ...
- New. Choosing to learn something new every day will give you a reason to grown and change. ...
- Challenge. ...
- Truth. ...
- Determination. ...
- Laughter. ...
- Perseverance. ...
- Freedom.
"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." 13. "At the end of the day, whether or not those people are comfortable with how you're living your life doesn't matter. What matters is whether you're comfortable with it."
What are 3 the factors that influence the artist's work? ›Artists are influenced by just about anything – their life, environment, childhood, school, work, television, movies, other artists, etc.
What are the 6 steps to increase your creativity in everyday life? ›- Embrace your individuality. “Allow yourself to be different even if it isn't immediately accepted.” ...
- Practice creativity. “Creativity is not simply innate.” ...
- Be Curious. ...
- Take care. ...
- Broaden your influences. ...
- Relax.
What are the 7 methods of creativity? ›
- #1 The 5W+H Method. ...
- #2 Social Listening. ...
- #3 Brainstorming. ...
- #4 Role Playing. ...
- #5 Use Online Tools. ...
- #6 Mind Mapping. ...
- #7 Think In Reverse. ...
- Conclusion.
...
So, invent, reinvent, reconstruct, make it bigger, make it brighter.
- Clean up your workspace. ...
- Keep an inspiration box. ...
- Be observant. ...
- Sleep on it. ...
- There are no mistakes. ...
- Believe in yourself.
someone or something that gives you ideas for ... See more at inspiration.
How do I find creative ideas? ›- Generate as many ideas as possible. The first way to beat a creative block and generate new ideas is to generate as many good ideas as possible. ...
- Pay attention to your needs. ...
- Keep track of your ideas. ...
- Observe the world around you. ...
- Break your routine. ...
- Doodle. ...
- Don't be afraid of trial and error. ...
- Seek new experiences.
It is legal to copy anything. It is illegal to sell, publicize and publish a copy of an artwork unless you have prior permission from the copyright owner. It is also illegal to publish and sell an artwork that's substantially similar to another original work of art.
How do I regain my passion for art? ›Look at art books, go to an art exhibition, browse an artist's work online. Look up an artist you love and just browse their work. Nothing more! If you want to do some extra credit, keep a sketchbook with you to record your thoughts or artistic impulses or pictures that come to mind.
What influences artists to make art? ›Childhood memories and experiences, movies, environment, family, workspace, school, objects, and nature are just a few indicators that can trigger an artist's imagination and inspiration to start painting. In general, artists are influenced by life.
How do I stop being a struggling artist? ›To avoid being a starving artist, you must try to grow your exposure like an entrepreneur would expand their influence. Creating art is a small part of the equation; the bigger picture involves marketing yourself, your product, building connections, and planning for better things to come.
Why do I feel like my art isn't improving? ›You're Not Allowing Yourself to Play
If you're approaching your art too rigidly or without an element of “fun”, then you're likely to get frustrated and eventually quit over time. You're also likely not to find much improvement in your work because you're looking at it too closely.
A loss of passion in creativity is regularly a result of stress, or a lack of focus, or a fear of risk, or the feeling of doing work that is under appreciated. It's the photographer who doesn't feel as though her photos receive any recognition, or the painter who doesn't know what medium is right for him.
What are artists most inspired by? ›
Artists are inspired by many things. They may be inspired by nature, their surroundings, books they read, magazines, movies, television shows, music, travel, emotions, memories, their sketchbook, other artists and their artworks, and much more.
How does art influence life? ›Artists provide creative, intellectual and emotional insights into society at large, impacting the masses and challenging the status quo. Art helps cultures unite and boosts economic growth—helping the world become a prettier, better and happier place to live in.