Painting Ideas for Canvas

Many artists find painting a relaxing out of body experience. There is nothing like the call of the canvas, once it is in an artist's blood there is no escaping. But, sometimes ideas fall short. A person sits in front of a canvas like a novelist who has been cursed with writer's block. However, there is a cure!

There are many ways to find ideas for composition. One way is to scan the Internet for popular paintings.
To actually visualize how another artist sees the world often offers a new look at one's own artwork.

It is also a good idea to visit virtual galleries. Take a world trip with the click of a button and visit the Louvre, or the Prado. Studying the paintings of the Great Masters like Da Vinci, Botticelli, or Michelangelo can also help build ideas in the creative closet.

Another option is to travel to the local bookstore and comb though landscape books. The pictures in these books are often breathtaking, and are just screaming to be recreated. Other books of use include travel and nature photography books. And if all else fails, pick up a how to paint book, or a biography of a favorite artist.

No matter how inspiration is found, it is important to seize it once it comes. There is no time like the present. If after viewing some of the world's best artworks, an artist is still lost, here are a few different ideas from a local "nobody" artist!

Pastel Forest

Materials:
Canvas
Brushes
Oil paints

A simple painting to accomplish is the pastel forest. First divide the painting at the horizon line. Paint the sky by overlapping pastel shades of paint while still wet. Paint the snow banks with a zinc white. Allow to semi-dry before painting the trees. Select pastel colors for the trees, and paint them at various depths and sizes to indicate distance.

Glacial Dreams

Materials:
Oil paints
Brushes
Canvas
Egg white
Bowl

To paint, divide the canvas into two sections. Paint an under layer of light blue on the top section, and outline the glacier with white. Next paint the glacier in its entirety using white. Add shades of blue to indicate depth and dimension on the glacier. Add egg white to a bowl and mix with the white paint. Make a thin glaze, and paint over the completed glacier. This will give it a glossy frozen texture. Paint the blowing Arctic wind and clouds with pinks and purples. Use different shades of dark blue to represent the water.