How to Stay Inspired as an Acrylic Painter

Even the most passionate artists go through phases where creativity feels hard to come by. Whether it’s burnout, stress, or simply being in a rut, these periods can leave us wondering where the magic has gone. But inspiration is all around us, and often, it’s about finding the right techniques and strategies to reignite that creative flame.

Here are 12 actionable ways to stay inspired as an acrylic painter, packed with ideas that will help you recharge your creative batteries and keep that excitement for painting alive.

1. Create a Vision Board

One of the best ways to stay inspired is to keep your long-term goals and dreams front and centre. Creating a vision board filled with your favourite colours, subjects, and artistic aspirations can help keep you focused and motivated.

Penny’s Tip:
Fill your board with images, quotes, and sketches that reflect the kind of art you want to create. It acts as a visual reminder of why you love painting and where you want your work to go.

2. Develop a Daily or Weekly Creative Routine

Building a creative routine can help you stay consistent and inspired over the long term. This doesn’t mean you have to paint every day (although that’s great if you can!), but carving out regular time for your art practice—whether it’s sketching, planning, or experimenting—can keep the creative juices flowing.

Pro Tip:
Even 15 minutes a day dedicated to your art can make a big difference. It’s about showing up for your creativity regularly, even in small ways.

3. Take a Break from Painting and Try Something New

When inspiration is running low, sometimes stepping away from painting altogether can actually help. Try something new—whether it’s photography, writing, or even cooking. Engaging in a different creative activity can reignite your passion for painting by giving you a fresh perspective.

How I Do It:
I love taking breaks to explore other creative outlets, like photography or art journaling. These different mediums often bring new inspiration and ideas into my painting practice.

4. Collaborate with Other Artists

Collaborating with other artists can open up new ideas and creative approaches. Whether it’s working on a joint project, doing an art exchange, or simply brainstorming together, collaborations can help push you outside of your comfort zone and spark new directions.

Penny’s Collaboration Idea:
Try a “painting swap” with another artist. You start a painting, and they finish it—or vice versa. It’s a fun, low-pressure way to see your work in a new light and experience someone else’s creative approach.

5. Study the Masters and Contemporary Artists

There’s so much to learn from both the great masters and today’s contemporary artists. Spend time looking at other artists’ work—not to compare, but to get inspired. Studying their techniques, use of colour, and composition can spark ideas for your own work.

Pro Tip:
Find a few artists (past or present) whose work resonates with you, and dive deep into their process. Ask yourself: What makes their paintings stand out? What techniques can you borrow or adapt to your own style?

6. Set Artistic Goals and Challenges

Having clear goals or challenges can give your painting practice a sense of purpose and direction. Maybe you want to improve your brushwork, master a new technique, or complete a series of paintings by a certain date. Setting these goals will keep you focused and motivated.

Penny’s Challenge:
Try a month-long painting challenge where you create one small painting each day or week. Focus on a theme—like portraits, landscapes, or abstract shapes—to explore a subject in-depth and refine your skills.

7. Visit Galleries, Museums, or Art Shows

Seeing art in person is an entirely different experience than scrolling through images online. Make time to visit local galleries, museums, or art shows to soak up the energy of other artists’ work. Being in an environment filled with creativity can be incredibly inspiring.

How It Helps Me:
I always come back from art exhibitions with fresh ideas and a renewed excitement to paint. There’s something about being surrounded by other people’s creativity that makes me eager to get back into the studio.

8. Explore Different Surfaces and Materials

If you’re feeling stuck, it might be time to shake things up by painting on a new surface or using different materials. Switch from canvas to wood, paper, or even fabric. Each surface brings its own challenges and opportunities, sparking creativity.

My Favourite Alternative Surfaces:
I love painting on wood panels when I want a sturdier, textured surface. Experimenting with different surfaces keeps things fresh and encourages new techniques.

9. Revisit Old Sketches or Paintings

Sometimes, your past work holds the key to future inspiration. Revisit old sketches, paintings, or unfinished pieces and see if any ideas jump out at you. Maybe you’ll find a concept you forgot about or a painting that just needs a fresh perspective to complete.

Penny’s Tip:
Flip through your sketchbooks or photo albums of your past work. I often find that ideas I once abandoned suddenly seem fresh and exciting after some time has passed.

10. Take Inspiration from Nature

Nature is one of the most powerful sources of inspiration for artists. Get outside, observe the changing light, colours, and textures in your environment, and bring those elements into your paintings. Whether you’re painting landscapes or abstract pieces, nature has endless inspiration to offer.

How I Stay Inspired:
I take regular “inspiration walks” with my camera, capturing textures, colours, and forms in the world around me. These images become reference points for future paintings, even if they’re abstracted or reinterpreted.

11. Keep a Collection of Colour Palettes

If you’re a colour lover like me, one way to stay inspired is to keep a collection of your favourite colour palettes. Whether you save swatches, create digital mood boards, or make physical charts, having a library of colour combinations can spark new ideas for your next piece.

Penny’s Colour Idea:
When I find a colour combination I love, I document it. I mix a small swatch and note the colours used. When I’m stuck for inspiration, flipping through these colour combinations often gets me excited to start a new painting.

12. Experiment Without Pressure

Finally, remember that not every painting needs to be a masterpiece. Some of the most inspiring moments happen when you give yourself permission to play, experiment, and just have fun. Paint for the joy of it, without worrying about the outcome, and often that freedom leads to creative breakthroughs.

Pro Tip:
Set aside a day or two each month for “no-pressure painting.” Play with colours, textures, and techniques without worrying about creating something perfect. This keeps the creative process light and fun.

Final Thoughts

Staying inspired as an acrylic painter is all about remaining open to new experiences, ideas, and approaches. Whether you’re setting artistic goals, experimenting with new materials, or simply stepping away to recharge, there’s always a way to reignite that creative spark.

By using these 12 strategies, you can keep your creative energy flowing, even when inspiration feels low. Remember to stay curious, have fun, and embrace the creative journey—there’s always something new to explore.

Until next time, Keep splashing colours!
Penny 😊🎨✨