Generating ideas
There are many ways to get ideas for your own artwork.
Art generally comes from an idea or thought.
Sometimes you just need something to spark an idea or inspire you.
Many artists keep a sketchbook to help them come up with new ideas.
Artists are often inspired by other artists.
They visit galleries and exhibitions to look at art that already exists.
Learning about other artists can help you with your artwork.
Inspiration
Some people are inspired by what they see around them or maybe by things that happen to them.
Where can you find inspiration?
- Image source, BBC
Image caption, Go outside
Nature can play a big part in helping us create an idea. It is everywhere around us and often beautiful to look at.
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Your feelings might help you come up with an idea
Emotions are a big part of art.
Look at some artwork.
How does it make you feel?
Do you feel that way because of the colour the artist used or the way they have created the work?
Find out what painting is and all the different ways to do it with Oliver Jeffers
Oliver Jeffers: We're going to have some fun, making a mess, doing some painting!
Painting is putting wet colours onto a surface to create a picture.
You can use paintbrushes of course, but you can also use sponges, or rollers or even your fingertips!
So, expressionism is painting to show how you feel about something, rather than what it looks like, and you can use whatever colours you like to express yourself and of course with expressionism it doesn't have to look like anything in particular.
So, I'm going to make a map of my favourite park and use different colours for different parts of the park to show how I feel when I'm there!
So, I'll start by sketching the park out using my pencil.
My park is kind of, there's a curvy bit there, and then it comes down straight and then goes like that.
Now I'm going to add some colours in. What colours do you think you guys are going to use?
Tida: I'm going to use purple because it makes me feel excited.
Brody: I think I will use light blue because it makes me happy.
Oliver Jeffers: Alright, happy and excited, those are two good feelings to go to the park. So I'm going to have a go.
I also get excited when I go to the park so I'm going to do my entrance as orange. I think that's a really good choice of colour for that.
We'll put the playground over here and that's the most fun part, especially when you're flying down the slide.
So I'm going to do that really bright green because it makes me feel energetic and also makes me feel happy to see other people out there walking their dogs in the park and when I go for a walk, so I'll paint all the paths yellow.
Great, that's my painting. It's an expressionist painting of my park.
So, it doesn't actually look anything like my park, but that's the joy of expressionist painting. It shows how I feel.
So, let's see yours. Aw this is great, it looks like a machine! Wow.
And this is terrific, I love these flowers going on.
I bet you can find loads of different places and even people to paint using different colours for each feeling! So, why don't you have a go?
Memories
Memories you have can be a big influence in your work.
Have a look at some photos of when you were younger.
Try chatting with a friend or family member about something you did together. It might inspire you to do some something creative.
Try a sketchbook
Artists often carry a sketchbook with them and sketch things they see.
They use these sketches to create a bigger piece.
You can draw what ever you want in your sketchbook.
It is your sketch book after all.
Try making a new animal
Illustrator Nick gives a great tip on creating ideas for drawings.
Ideas come from anywhere and everywhere. Keep your eyes and mind open and get creative!