Finding Inspiration: Choosing the Perfect Subject to Paint

One of the most exciting and challenging parts of the painting process is finding the right subject to bring to life. Whether you're an aspiring artist or looking to sharpen your skills, the subject you choose has a huge impact on your creativity and the techniques you’ll practice. But where do you begin?

In this blog post, we’ll explore a few classic approaches to finding something special to paint, from timeless still lifes to experimenting with abstract compositions. Plus, we’ll share a few personal insights on how we (Greg and K.M.) approach this creative decision, so you can find your own artistic spark.

1. Start with the Basics: Classical Lessons

When you’re just beginning your painting journey, it's helpful to start with the tried-and-true classics. Think of these as foundational exercises that will teach you essential techniques while giving you the confidence to move forward. Some classic subjects include:

• Still Life: Simple objects like fruit, flowers, and household items offer great opportunities to practice shading, color mixing, and perspective. A small arrangement of items like a single apple or a small vase of flowers can teach you how to use light to create depth. (By the way, our hand-painted pieces of everyday objects could offer inspiration for this!)

• Landscape: If you’re drawn to the natural world, landscapes are an excellent choice. Start with a simple scene like a tree or a horizon line to practice sky gradients and atmospheric effects. The peace of a simple sunset scene is often as rewarding to paint as the vibrant complexity of a mountain range.

2. Portraiture: A Classic Challenge

Once you're comfortable with some foundational skills, you may feel drawn to more intricate subjects like portraiture. It can be daunting at first, but don't worry! Start small with self-portraits or even focus on parts of the face, like eyes or lips. Working on capturing human expression and proportions will refine your technique in a way that is both rewarding and challenging.

As you grow, you might find yourself experimenting with mood or storytelling in your portraits, much like we’ve done in some of our works.

3. Animals: From Pets to Wildlife

Animals bring their own set of challenges and rewards. Whether you’re painting your pet or a majestic animal in the wild, animals offer an incredible range of textures and emotions to capture. The fur, feathers, and skin of animals will help you practice blending and attention to detail.

If you’re looking for inspiration, consider starting with your favorite animal. Whether it’s a pet cat curled up peacefully on a windowsill or the wild beauty of a horse in motion, animals can be an endlessly rewarding subject to explore.

4. Abstract Art: Unleash Your Creativity

If realism isn’t speaking to you just yet, or you simply want to break free from it, abstract painting is a fantastic way to explore color, form, and emotion. Instead of focusing on replicating a subject, you can experiment with bold shapes, unique compositions, and contrasting colors. Plus, abstract art gives you complete freedom to explore your emotions and express yourself in new ways.

In our work, we love to play with color and form, allowing ourselves to be guided by the flow of the paint itself.

5. Finding Inspiration in Everyday Life

The best part about painting is that inspiration can be found everywhere. Whether you’re walking down the street, sitting in a café, or just observing your surroundings, there’s beauty in the everyday. Greg and I (K.M.) both find ourselves inspired by the little things in life — the way light hits a table, the texture of a wooden chair, or even the unique patterns in nature. These details can turn into captivating works of art.

At times, it’s not always about finding something “extraordinary” to paint. It’s about appreciating the simple, the ordinary, and turning it into something that speaks to you and your audience.

6. Use References to Guide Your Journey

Sometimes, it’s hard to know where to start. In those moments, using references can be incredibly helpful. Whether it's photos, objects in your home, or even online images, reference materials provide a great starting point to experiment with technique, color, and form. As you grow as an artist, you’ll eventually feel more comfortable creating from your imagination, but references are a helpful tool in the early stages.

This process can help you break down the subjects into simpler components, making the entire project feel less daunting. Plus, it can inspire new ways of interpreting and experimenting with familiar subjects.

7. Painting What You Love

One of the most fulfilling parts of being an artist is painting subjects that resonate with you. Over time, as your skills improve, you'll find your own artistic voice and style. What speaks to you? What inspires you? Whether it's a personal memory, a favorite place, or a theme that excites you, painting what you love brings passion and purpose to your work.

At times, the paintings in our collection have been inspired by the very things that matter most to us. These personal connections can infuse your work with meaning, and that emotional connection is often what draws others to your art.

Wrapping Up

Choosing a subject to paint doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you're practicing still life studies or diving into your first portrait, it’s all about building skills, experimenting, and enjoying the process. And remember, inspiration is all around you. Start simple, explore what speaks to you, and over time, your unique artistic voice will emerge.

As you embark on this creative journey, we hope you’ll find your way to some of the same subjects we’ve explored and, perhaps, get a glimpse of what we’re working on too. Our shop features a variety of paintings that showcase these themes, from portraits to landscapes, and we’d love for you to explore and find your own inspiration.