Snapshots from London as Inspiration

Today I'm sharing some snapshots from London with some thoughts on how they might be useful in art making. Remember, inspiration is all around you!

Finding actual art-in-the-wild is always exciting:

 

Don't forget that architecture is a kind of art-in-the-wild as well!  All of these historical buildings have wonderful details to inspire patterns, stamps, textures, etc:

The photos you take of yourself and your family are perfect studies for body position:

How about portraits?  I'm always drawing straight-on faces.  This photo has a great example of a 3/4 face:

I'm also guilty of using supermodel magazine images as reference material.  How much more interesting would it be to draw this ice cream eating moment than a Maybelline ad?!

I'm always on the lookout for interesting signs and typography:

Contrast is one of the most important principles of art making.  You can see it demonstrated in architecture or even silly selfies!

 How about contrast in color or scale:

When I take photographs I often think about framing.  This easily translates to art.  The framing in a photo gives the eye a place to rest as in this busy skyline or the literal white space around the mirror:

Nature is always inspirational -- the colors and the shapes (check out those shadows or all the variations on the color green):

Don't forget that nature inspiration can come from inside as well!  House plants, or even house pets!

I believe that being an artist is more than making art.  It's about seeing the world as art.  After all, when creating art aren't we attempting to show other people how we see the world?  What is a painting after all but one person's interpretation of what they see?  Learning to see the world is a huge part of learning to make art.  It's one of the reasons that drawing is an important art fundamental.  Drawing is important not because realism is important.  Drawing is important because it's how you learn to really observe what you're seeing.

I challenge you to look at the 10 most recent photos you've taken.  I guarantee you that there is inspiration for art making in there.

I hope you found this useful!  Thanks for stopping by!