Painting 101: Choosing Painting Subject Matter
When it comes to painting, the hardest part is often choosing a subject.
After all, a blank canvas can be pretty daunting.
There are an infinite number of things to paint, so how do you narrow it down?
But don't worry, we're here to help; in this article, we'll give you a few tips on selecting subject matter that will help you get started.
Say goodbye to blank canvas anxiety and creative blocks with these helpful tips!
Start With What You Know
If you're new to painting, it can be helpful to start with subjects that you're already familiar with.
This could be things like landscapes, still life scenes, portraits, inspiration from art history, or even just simple objects around your home.
Familiarity will help you feel more comfortable as you paint and help you to better understand the process.
Whether it's something as simple as your coffee mug or a vase of flowers, start with what you know to get your creative juices flowing.
By starting with a subject that you know well, you can focus on learning the techniques without also having to worry about figuring out the subject matter.
You can also build on this foundation later on, once you're more comfortable with the painting process.
Find Inspiration in Everyday Life
If you're struggling to come up with ideas, try looking for inspiration in your everyday life.
Pay attention to the world around you and look for things that catch your eye.
This could be anything from a beautiful sunset to an interesting pattern on a piece of fabric.
Once you've found something that inspires you, try to find a way to incorporate it into your painting.
For example, if you're inspired by a certain color palette, try to use those colors in your painting.
If you're inspired by a certain subject, try to find a way to incorporate that into your painting.
The possibilities are endless!
Take a Walk
If you're feeling stuck, sometimes the best thing to do is take a walk and see what catches your eye.
You might be surprised by how many interesting things there are to paint when you start looking around.
Pay attention to the colors, shapes, and textures that you see and see if anything inspires you.
Don't be afraid to take photos or make sketches of things that catch your eye; they can be helpful later on when you're trying to remember what you saw.
Experiment With Different Mediums
When it comes to painting, there are a lot of different mediums to choose from.
If you're not sure what you want to paint, it can be helpful to experiment with a few different mediums to see what you like best.
Some of the most types of paint include oil paint, acrylic paint, watercolor, and gouache paint.
Each one has its own unique properties, so it's important to experiment with a few to see what you like best.
Also try out different types of paint brushes to see which works best with your paint medium.
Water brush pens, watercolor brushes, and oil paint brushes are different, so find the right brushes for your project.
Once you've found a medium that you're comfortable with, you can start exploring different subjects and techniques.
Consider Your Audience
Who will be viewing your painting?
If you're painting for yourself, then you can choose any subject that you like.
But if you're painting for someone else, it's important to consider what they might want to see.
For example, if you're painting a gift for your grandmother, she might appreciate a portrait of her favorite flower garden.
But if you're painting for a friend who loves dogs, they might appreciate a painting of their own furry friend.
Before you start painting, it's important to consider who your audience will be and what they might want to see.
Maybe your intended audience loves genre paintings, or they could adore religious or historical scenes.
Maybe your family loves contemporary life paintings or artwork that depicts the natural world.
Not all audiences enjoy the same subject matter, so try to hone in on their interests for your art piece.
This will help you narrow down your options and choose a subject that you know they'll love.
Paint With Purpose
When you're painting, it's important to consider your intended purpose.
Are you painting for fun? To relax? To express yourself?
Whatever your reason, it's important to keep that in mind as you're painting.
If you're painting for fun, then you might want to choose a subject that's more lighthearted.
But if you're painting to express yourself, then you might want to choose a subject that's more personal.
Whatever your purpose, make sure that you keep it in mind as you're painting.
This will help you choose a subject that's more in line with your goals.
Get Inspired by the World Around You
Once you've gotten a feel for the different mediums, it's time to start exploring the world around you for inspiration.
There's no shortage of beautiful subjects in nature!
Whether it's a landscape scene or a closeup of a flower, nature provides an endless supply of inspiration for paintings.
Look for things that catch your eye and try to find a way to incorporate them into your painting.
Pay attention to the colors, shapes, and textures that you see and see if anything inspires you.
Just make sure to take reference photos, so that you can capture the details accurately when you're back in your studio.
And if you want you can even bring back some of the things you find to use as inspiration or incorporate into your art; you can even create rock art!
Don't Be Afraid to Experiment
If you're still struggling to find a subject, don't be afraid to experiment.
Try turning off your mental chatter and immerse yourself in the creative process.
Go with the flow, listening to your intuition and feelings, and see what you can produce.
There are endless new forms you can try, and you might be surprised by what you come up with!
Explore abstract art, like acrylic pour paintings, splatter art, spin art, creating interesting textures, abstract impressionism, and more, so that you can let your creativity run wild.
This is your painting, so there are no rules!
You can paint whatever you like, however you like.
Just have fun, experiment. and see what you can create.
You might not always end up with a masterpiece, but that's not the point.
The goal is to enjoy the process and see what you can come up with.
So, go ahead and get started!
Pick up a brush and start painting because you never know what you might create!
Finding Subject Matter for Your Next Painting
Art painting can be a fun and rewarding experience, allowing for personal interpretation, but it's important to find the right medium and subject that you're comfortable with.
With these tips in mind, you should have no trouble choosing a painting subject that's right for you.
Consider your audience and purpose before you start painting, so that you can narrow down your options.
And don't be afraid to experiment until you find something that you're happy with.
With a little planning, ingenuity, and creativity, you'll be well on your way to creating a masterpiece!
So, have fun and enjoy the process!
Want to learn more about finding and selecting your subject matter? Check out Koosje Koene's video!
Interested in learning more about painting?
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