Art prompts can help to unleash your inspiration and creative development. When feeling stuck and artist's block hits you, reach for ready-made art prompts to help you get started and explore new ideas. Read on to find out what art prompts are, how they can help artists and find ready-made prompts to try out yourself.
What are sketchbook prompts?
Sketchbook prompts (also referred to as art prompts) are hints or suggestions that aim to trigger inspiration. They are often random one-word prompts so that artists can interpret the prompt from many angles. That way, the artist is still using their own ideas and techniques. A quote I like is from the Spanish author Isabel Allende. She talks about how if we show up daily and keep working/experimenting/trying new things then we will find our true inspiration.
“Show up, show up, show up, and after a while the muse shows up, too.” —Isabel Allende
Sketchbook prompts also work around this concept. Keep showing up at your studio, devoting even just a short time daily, creating art based upon the art prompt and your painting style will develop.
Why should artists use sketchbook prompts?
They stop the artist from having to ask 'What should I draw today?', 'What will the theme of my next art project be?' or 'Which art materials should I use?'
It releases the pressure when faced with a blank sketch pad or canvas.
Having a set list to follow helps to motivate you to create. You know there is a prompt waiting for you so you feel more obliged to reach for your sketchbook!
They encourage the artist to try painting different subjects or using a different media.
A sense of community can be experienced if they know other artists are following the same set of prompts. Being an artist is quite a solitary career and it can give you a warm feeling if you think others are also using the same art prompts.
They are fun!
Can experienced artists benefit from them?
Yes! With sketchbook prompts, experienced artists can use their existing knowledge and skills to generate new ideas, explore different techniques and styles or simply to practice what they already know. All artists, professional or not, suffer from artist's block from time to time. No matter what your level of experience, sketchbook prompts are an excellent tool that can help you create beautiful artwork.
5 ways to make the most of art prompts
1. Discover which type works for you.
It can be helpful to look at a variety of different art prompts and see which one speaks to you. There are a number of places you can find art prompts online (see online prompt generators below), or you can even create your own. Once you've found a prompt that you're interested in, it's time to get started.
2. Break the prompt down into smaller pieces.
Once you've selected a prompt, it can be helpful to break it down into smaller pieces so that you don't feel overwhelmed. For example, if the prompt is to "paint a landscape," you could start by sketching out the basic outline of the landscape, and then add in the details later.
3. Experiment with different mediums.
If you typically work in one medium (such as painting or drawing), why not try something new? Experimenting with different mediums can help to jumpstart your creativity and give you a fresh perspective on the prompt. For example, if you're stuck on how to start a painting, try using charcoal or pastels instead.
4. Set a timer and just start creating.
Sometimes the best way to get started is just to start creating, even if you don't know what you're going to do yet. Set a timer for yourself and see what you can create within that time limit. You may be surprised at what you come up with!
5. Use reference materials.
If you're having trouble getting started, it can be helpful to use reference materials such as photos of the subject. Use these to get you started. I like using references: I like having a photo of the subject I to give me a stable starting point. I then take it from there in my sketchbooks - adding stronger colours or shadows where I see fit.
3 different types of sketchbook prompts
1. One-word prompts
Pick a word, set a timer for 5-10 minutes, draw whatever comes to mind. If you like what you see, stick with what you've created and experiment further. For example, use the same type of image but use different materials, different size or different background. If you're not impressed by your quick burst of creativity, move on to the next prompt!
Here are sets of one-word art prompts for you to follow. I hope they help to give structure to your working day and open up new ideas! You can also download a copy of these art prompts to print out and keep handy in your studio. The Sweet Pea prompts hint more towards nature and the Messy Mixed Media ones are completely random but can easily spark inspiration.
2. Drawing idea prompts
Select ones that interest you and get sketching or commit to doing one daily to get in to a healthy creative routine. Here are seven drawing idea prompts to get you started:
An abstract illustration of a favourite word or phrase
A person horseback riding in the countryside
A portrait of a person wearing a unique cultural outfit
A group of people singing around a campfire
A person running through a field
A group of people playing music in a band
A landscape with a stunning sunset or sunrise
3. Prompts made from quotes
Here are 7 inspiring quotes to use as sketchbook prompts. You can find gazillions more using Google. Your art can be prompted by controversial, upbeat or sad quotes: it doesn't need to always be a positivity quote!
"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” - Oscar Wilde
“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.” - Marilyn Monroe
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.” - Bill Keane
“I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” - Albert Einstein
“Everything you can imagine is real.” - Pablo Picasso
“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” - Dr. Seuss
“To the well-organised mind, death is but the next great adventure.” - J.K. Rowling
Art prompt generator websites
There are websites dedicated to helping people in the arts find their next step to inspiration: they provide 'prompt generators' for you to use for free! Take a look at the following websites that will shower you with art prompts:
The Story Shack (technically for writers but I think is equally helpful for artists)
What to do with your art prompt-inspired creations?
Show them to the mixed media art community. I would love to see your results: share them on Instagram using hashtag #mixedmediasketchbook.
Experiment further with the subjects, themes or techniques you discovered whilst creating your art prompt work.
Create larger pieces of art based on your smaller sketchbook studies.
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