One of the best ways to express your inner thoughts is by painting. Throughout history, mankind has always been engaged in some sort of painting.
There are billions of paintings in the world, and millions are made each year. Yet, every artist has his own distinct touch to the painting. This is the gift of creativity that humans have.
If you are looking to take up painting as a hobby or profession, and you are clueless about where to start, don’t worry. I am here to help you out. Here are 10 creative painting ideas you can try as a beginner painter and still look professional.
Before getting your hands dirty with the paint, just double-check that you have the following basic equipment:
Paints, any decent-quality watercolor or acrylic paints.
Canvas or high-absorbancy paper.
Different sizes of brushes.
Masking tape for the messy peeps and to get a crisp border!
Gesso for preparing the canvas
Palette for mixing the paints.
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10 Creative Painting Ideas
Calm Ocean
Beginning something is always the hardest part of the journey. I recommend starting with something easy, and that’s why I have chosen calm ocean painting for beginners to try.
As a rule of thumb, always sketch the basic outlines rather than starting to paint randomly. Doing this will give you a clear roadmap for completing the painting and help you play with colors later in the process.
Start your painting by drawing a thin sketch of the horizon. Blend different shades of blue, pink, and orange to paint your setting sun.
To paint the sky, start from the top of your canvas/paper and work your way downwards. Use horizontal brushstrokes of blue color variants to paint your ocean. You can also create ripple effects in the sea by using a knife or stick end.
Blend colors thoroughly to create a soothing and realistic picture. As an additional element, you can also paint a sailboat and a seashore to enhance the beauty of your painting.
The Moon and Stars
Another easy painting that you can try as a beginner is the moon and stars. For painting the moon and the stars, you’ll need a black canvas.
Alternatively, if you don’t have one, you can also use a dark black or blue color as a base coat and build your painting from there. Start by painting the moon first. Outline the moon.
I recommend trying it on a rough paper first so that you can decide what size and arrangement of the moon would look good. Also, you can decide the density of stars.
Take a medium-sized brush and start filling the center portion of your moon with a mild shade of white or yellow. Slowly and carefully paint the edges of the moon. Blend the edges of the moon for a smoother picture.
Window To Nature
This is one of those paintings which I like the most. This painting is all about creativity. A window to a landscape painting is a visualization of escape from daily life to a serene green life.
Take a thin pencil and sketch a complete the outline of your window frame by painting it once again, this time with a small-sized brush.
Now, it’s time to get creative. Imagine a beautiful natural place with plants, trees, a lake, and maybe animals, or simply a place you visited with your family, as a child.
This scenery would set the context of your painting. Take notes of the overall tone of your painting. You can add curtains and other equipment in your room accordingly.
Remember, your picture should be self-explanatory. Draw as if the reader would judge the context of your image at first glance.
Old Town
This can be a bit challenging, but not for those who try. With concerted efforts, you draw this one too.
Think of how houses in Western Europe used to be a few hundred years ago. Something like archaic, yet oddly attractive homes will come to your mind. If not, then you can take help from Google to understand the architecture of that era. Now summarize this information and sketch it in your mind.
Jot down your ideas on a page and start working on the project. Decide the color composition of your painting. Try different colors according to your idea and select the ones more relevant to the event.
Set the tone of your painting according to the idea you have in your mind, or the reference picture that you are using. Draw an initial draft so that you can later fill in the subjects according to your plan.
Proceed with the painting of the elements of your painting. These elements can be historical personalities, buildings, places, or things like artifacts, props, signs, and cultural identifications.
You’ll most probably make mistakes but don’t lose your morale, as history too is full of mistakes, and through those lessons did we reach at this point.
Sci-Fi City
Fiction has always been the interest of mankind. The fantasies of having a perfect world where you have everything have always enchanted the human mind.
AI is in full swing nowadays. You can get your sci-fi painting inspiration from hundreds of AI software available across multiple platforms.
Your painting will primarily consist of futuristic things, the ones I imagine is that we’ll be able to see in coming years, yet not invented.
You can try painting a utopian city, an otherworldly landscape, a city of technological apex, and things like that.
The architect here is the key. Tall buildings with minimal people in sight. The foggy and cloudy atmosphere and lit building windows. All these factors and their placement will decide the complexity and comprehensiveness of your painting.
Use bright and vibrant colors for this painting. For contract, use monochromatic and subdued color shades of blue, pink, yellow, and green.
Build the skyscrapers first. Add futuristic and scientific touches to it, such as advanced infrastructure. Flying vehicles are a must in your painting.
You can also add billboards to portray a time from the future. The overall tone of your painting should be hazy and dull.
Mountainscape
I always love drawing mountain as mountains are more than just natural wonders. Every time I’ve hiked or explored the trails, I’ve always felt a deep sense of calm. This painting serves as a reminder of the peace and calm I feel. And, because they are quite easy and look good even when a beginner paints them. Mountain comes in every shape and size, so you never go wrong, just have a base color, show some highlights and tree and you are good to go!
White Clouds
Windy clouds painting is also very easy to paint. You’ll need shades of white, black, gray, and blue colors for this painting.
Determine the composition of your painting pre-hand. Try different colors on rough paper and see what fits best according to your painting.
Start by painting the sky in the background. As I am painting windy clouds. Sketch out your sky with the help of a lead pencil and start painting the clouds by using a light shade of gray and white colors. Use diagonal brushstrokes to indicate the direction of clouds.
Blend these colors and gradually give these clouds a darker and denser look. For separating the clouds and giving them a realistic shape, use a palette knife, or you can also use a toothbrush for creating gaps.
Vary the sizes of clouds and try to create round and fluffy edges. Blend the colors well and smoothen the edges for a seamless transition. Give it a final review and you are good to go.
Skyscrapers
Skyscrapers are a must-try if you are planning to start painting. They are quite easy to paint and will help boost your confidence in the beginning.
You can get your painting inspiration from hundreds of skyscrapers in the metropolitan cities of the world such as those in Dubai, New York, Shanghai, etc.
Scan the images visually and plan what your skyscraper’s painting would look like. Also, plan pre-hand the number of buildings you want to include, their composition, proportion, and effect of light and shadow.
Create a realistic look by showing the city’s landscape. Pay attention to small details such as the clouds and the skyline.
If you find that difficult, then just a straight line of buildings along the coast will work too, as shown in the video below.
Tail Lights in Rain
This is one of the most beautiful paintings one can paint as a beginner. Tail lights are the lights attached at the rear side of your car, in most cases above the bumper of a car.
For reference, observe several images of tail light in rain from online sources, if you do not know what it looks like in real. This will help you have a clear image of what you want your painting to look like.
Sketch the basic composition of a rainy, dark scene with the help of a lead pencil. Fill shades of dark color in it.
Use blue, gray, black, and purple colors depicting wetness to create rainy Iather. Once you are done with the background, move towards painting the tail light.
Tail lights are usually red, so you’ll need shades of red to paint your tail light. Now, you can either mount your tail light on a complete car or just show one side of your car having a tail light.
Use thin and vertical strokes to depict falling rain. Create a wet and moist background so that it fits in well with the tail light.
To beautify your painting, you can also paint a streetlight in the background. Including shadows and highlights is another good option.
Rural Meadow
It is also one of those foundation paintings that all beginners should try. The painting is simple yet attractive and fun too.
Rural meadow painting would primarily consist of countryside scenery and a grassy landscape. Let’s break it down further.
You can add animals grazing in a field with a huge tree in the middle. On one corner you can locate a tiny house. You can also create an impression of farmers working in the field.
The sky is an integral part of this painting. Paint the grass and fields earlier in the process. These would make the opening part of the painting. Do gentle brushstrokes to make random-sized grass.
Try medium-sized brushstrokes to create a dense and thicker look. Bring variety in your strokes to create a random look.
Add other details, highlights, and shadows to your painting. These include painting the sun in the background and plowing machines. Review your draft and see if it requires any changes.
Painting is not a difficult task, especially when you are doing it for fun, and not as a necessity. However, it does require patience and dedication. Once you dedicate enough time, practice basic stuff, and learn from your mistakes, you’ll become an expert in no time.
Just don’t hesitate in trying new things. Be creative, be yourself. Give yourself enough time to understand things. Take breaks in between.
Revisit the fundamentals daily. Review your painting once you are done with the first draft. Explore new things, and you’ll definitely end up on the winner’s side. Happy painting!
