5 Creative Ideas for What to Paint Today

Ahh, the age old question as we artists approach the blank canvas...The whiteness looms before us. If you're like me, some days it comes easy. I wake up and know exactly what I want to paint.
Other days it's not that simple. From time to time we all need extra inspiration.

Here are 5 quick ideas to help get your creative juices flowing on your next painting. It may just be your favorite piece to date. Even better you might just sell it. Most importantly, have fun!

1) Take a favorite photo, perhaps from a recent trip or even an old black and white one from the family archives (you know that box your parents or relatives have?). Turn the photo upside down and abstract it. Can you break it down into only 10 value parts? How about 5?

2) What's your favorite color? (Mine's green for example.) Paint an "Ode to Your Favorite Color." This could be a large abstract that's more about color relationships than shapes. Or use your favorite color in interesting and surprising ways. An all green figure for example. Or a all red landscape.

3) Play "art forger" for the day. Just for fun and legally, of course. Make your own version of a Van Gogh, Manet, Gaugin, Pollock, Hopper, etc. Here's an example of one of mine, it's a "copy" of Mattise's portrait of Derain. I just loved playing with the bold brushstrokes and pure color.

4) Keep a visual idea file folder or album (I have both). It doesn't have to be anything formal--a box or envelope will do. Everytime you see something that you like such as color combination in a magazine, postcard, logo, newspaper photo, gallery show brochure, etc. grab it and file it for later. You might also end up taking some of the bits and pieces and creating a mixed-media collage.

5)Attend a live figure or model drawing, sketching, or painting class. Where can you find those? Check out your local Craigslist (under Community Artist link), local community colleges or universities (night classes), TeachStreet, local art store boards, etc.

Even if you don't normally paint the figure. I like the "non teacher" figure classes where you can be free to just practice if you are a bit rusty. There's something about painting "live" that stimulates my art making right brain. It's also great for training your eye. I try to go to a live figure class at least once a month--it takes some discipline and I don't always make it, but I'm always happy when I do make the time.

Good luck! I'll be posting more ideas in the weeks to come, in the meantime, happy art creating and thanks for stopping by!