Are you feeling uninspired when it comes to your artwork? Are you struggling to find new and interesting subject matter? If so, you’re not alone! Many artists including me, find themselves in this position at one time or another. However, don’t worry – there are plenty of great ideas out there that can help jump-start your creativity. In this blog post, we’ll explore some sensational art subject matter ideas that will help take your art to the next level! So whether you’re a beginner artist or a seasoned pro, be sure to check out these tips!
What are your average boring art subject matter ideas?
Most art subject matter falls into one of the categories below. What we want to explore in this post are the ideas that stretch each one of these categories into something special and unique.
- Landscapes – Instead of thinking about a traditional landscape, try painting or drawing a scene that’s completely imaginary. This could be anything from a surreal landscape to an otherworldly one.
- Cityscapes – these artworks that depict city life can be beautiful and full of energy. But sometimes, they can feel a little mundane.
- Still lifes – A still life doesn’t have to be a bunch of flowers in a vase. It can be anything that’s not moving!
- Abstracts – An abstract painting can be anything you want it to be!
- Portraits – A portrait doesn’t have to be a traditional headshot. It can be a full-body painting or even a close-up of someone’s hands.
- Figures – A figure painting can be anything from a nude to a person in everyday clothing.
How can we take the boring subject matter and make it next level?
We can close our eyes and create the artworks in our imagination, visualize the artwork in our minds, and then bring it to life on the canvas.
When it comes to art, there are no rules. You can paint whatever you want, however you want. So, let your imagination run wild and see what you can come up with!
Here are some sensational art subject matter ideas linked to each traditional subject matter idea to skyrocket your art:
Cityscapes – For cityscape art, look for interesting architecture or try painting a cityscape at night.
Take the subject matter to the next level:
- To add some spice to your cityscape, try painting or drawing a city that’s fallen into ruin. This could be because of a natural disaster, war, or even just the passage of time.
- Use surrealism to make it more interesting: If you want to really challenge yourself, try painting a cityscape that’s been taken over by nature. This could be vines growing over buildings or trees growing in the middle of streets.
Still lifes – Instead of painting the usual fruits and flowers, try painting a still life with unusual objects.
Take the subject matter to the next level:
- To make your still life more interesting, try using unexpected items like tools, toys, or food.
- Use surrealism or hyper-realism if you want to really challenge yourself.
- Try painting still life using only Tonalism or monotones – remove any color from the still life.
- You can also paint optical illusions where the still life looks like still life and when viewed at a different angle, looks like a portrait of someone.
- Look for the beauty in everyday objects: Instead of painting a still life of flowers, try painting a still life of kitchen utensils or your child’s toys.
Abstracts – When it comes to abstract art, get creative and experiment with different shapes, colors, and textures.
Take the subject matter to the next level:
- If you’re struggling to come up with an idea, try thinking about how you can represent an emotion or feeling. For example, you could try painting a memory or a place that’s special to you.
- Think outside the box: If you’re stuck on art subject matter ideas, try thinking about things that are unique to you and your experiences.
- What are your interests? What are your hobbies? What’s your favorite food? Drink? Place? Turn these into abstract (or non representative) art.
Portraits – For portraits, think about painting someone in an unusual setting or using unexpected colors.
Take the subject matter to the next level:
- If you’re painting a portrait of a friend or family member, try to capture their personality in the painting. For example, if they’re always joking around, try to capture that in the painting. If they’re always serious, try to capture that in the painting. Alternatively, flip it on its head – paint a serious portrait of someone known to be always joking or a laughing portrait of someone who is always serious.
- Show people a side of the portrait sitter that others never get to see.
- Get the person to speak about their lives and add those elements into their art piece.
- Think about the colors you use and how they will make people feel.
- Warm colors: Red, orange, and yellow can bring feelings of happiness, comfort, and energy.
- Cool colors: Blue, green, and purple can bring feelings of sadness, relaxation, and peace.
Figures – When it comes to figures, get creative and experiment with different poses and settings.
Take the subject matter to the next level:
- To make your figure more interesting, try using mixed media or incorporating other elements into the painting.
- Find figures in nature: Take a walk and look for interesting patterns, textures, and colors in the world around you. Turn people walking in a park into dancers at a ballet in the park.
- Find overlaps between everyday poses and superimpose them with the extraordinary.
- Use unconventional materials: If you’re struggling to find interesting art subject matter, try using unconventional materials. For example, you could paint with coffee, tea, or even food.
Get inspired by other artists – If you’re stuck for original art subject matter ideas, take a look at other artists’ work for inspiration. Try to find art that is similar to your own style and see how they approached the subject matter then add something personal or unique to the idea and make it your own.
Think outside the box: When it comes to art, there are no rules. So don’t be afraid to think outside the box and experiment with different mediums and styles.
Remember, it’s your art and you can do whatever you want!
So go out there and create something beautiful!
With these ideas in mind, you’ll be sure to use your newly found art subject matter ideas to sky-rocket your art!
Sources
Cover image – by Manfred Steger from Pixabay
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