Finding creative inspiration in nature: How seasonal colours effect creative decision making
Finding Creative Inspiration in Nature
As a contemporary fine artist, I am constantly looking for new ways to inspire my work. A favourite sources of inspiration is nature. The beauty and diversity of the natural world can be a powerful source of creativity. Spending time in nature helps open my mind to new ideas, unexpected colour palettes and has the added advantage of encouraging positive mental wellbeing.
Sweden Crag Summer Shower, mixed media, 28cm x 19cm
Spring
One of mother nature’s greatest gifts is the ever-changing colour combinations she presents us with. Each season has it’s own unique personality and brings with it a new palette of colours, I find these colours can have a profound effect on my creative decision making.
For example, in the spring, I’m often drawn to fresh, cheerful colours like lemon yellow, blossom pink and peppermint green. These colours remind me of new beginnings and possibilities, and often inspire me to create pictures full of hope and optimism.
Punk Rocks I, mixed media, 28cm x 19cm
Summer
In the summer, I am drawn to bright saturated hues and warm tones. Colours like chartreuse, pops of coral pink and that blue (my pet name for Azure blue, my all time favourite colour of the sky). These are the colours, that for me, seem to demonstrate how intense sunlight creates a dazzling sparkle when bouncing off objects in the height of the summer sun.
They are the magic of the Mediterranean and a midsummer sunset all rolled into one. They inspire me to reach for delicious pots of paint and create work that is full of energy and vitality.
Jackdaw Blue, mixed media, 28cm x 19cm
Autumn
In my mind the season of richness and full bodied colour has go to be Autumn. The heady saturation of frivolous summer colours mature and ripen to the burnished golden spender of falling leaves, amber pumpkins and the glossy burnt umber of chestnuts just popped out of their prickly green shells.
In years gone by I’ve often resented the feeling of drawing to a close that this season can bring. An ending to light and growth. It’s taken the arrival of my daughter to help me realise this simply does not have to be the case. Autumn now represents a season of learning. An opportunity to dive deep into a subject and feel a spaciousness of time synonymous with the start of a new term; full of potential.
Painting Autumn Mini III, mixed media, 20.5cm x 15.5cm
Winter
Tucked inside a cozy home, the dark and wilds of winter can be mistaken for a time of spartan colour. However it’s the heralding of this seasons weather worn bleakness that can bring rare bursts of colour, perhaps more special than the rest. Quiet beauties, there for the taking, if you are brave enough look.
They hide in the cracks of a dry stone wall, show themselves sparingly at the end of barbed branches and cut clear across the horizon on the coldest of frosty days. They are the cool spearmint shades of lichen, the crisp stinging yellow of gorse and the delicate pale duck egg of a winters sky. Mingle these beauties with the mulled wine wonder of a perfect Christmas rose and winter is most certainly crowned with colourful jewels.
There for the taking
Each season offers vast and ever changing combinations of colours. They are all there for the taking, wether used directly to inform a painting or gathered as reference for a later date. Often it’s when the snippets of remembered colours stay with me that I know I’ve found a gem to hold onto. Gathered shapes and shades slowly grow and develop into appealing new compositions. Daring to put pencil to paper can be the hard bit. Once that is accomplished the wealth of natures wonders are there to guide the way.
Where to look
If you are looking to find creative inspiration in nature, here are a few helpful tips:
Visit a botanical garden, arboretum or your nearest National Trust property. These places are full of beautiful flowers, plants, and trees that can provide you with endless inspiration.
Go on a nature walk or hike with a small sketchbook and a couple of drawing supplies. This is a great way to get up close and personal with nature, learn how to gather visual notes and keep a record of natural forms.
Take photographs of trees, plants and views that catch your eye. This is a super way to capture the beauty of the outside world and helps you develop an eye for composition along the way.
Collect natural objects from your garden. This could include leaves, flowers and pebbles or anything else you find interesting. You can then use these objects for longer studies and still life composition.
Experiment with different techniques and materials. There are endless possibilities when it comes to mixed media art. Don't be afraid to experiment and see what works for you.
Have fun! Art should be a joyful and playful experience. Remember to relax, let your creativity flow, and see what happens.
How to find the hook
There is always inspiration to be found outside. On different days, weeks and months new things will catch my eye that I want to commit to paper. The more time I spend outside the more my creative inspiration is boosted. If you are looking for a way to boost your creativity, I encourage you to go to the source. Be outside amongst nature, scour the hedge rows for tiny details, look far across fields and parkland for big rolling shapes or find the patterns in the designed landscape of a formal garden. Notice the things that have captured your attention. Decide if you want to go back for a second look or consider if you want to move onto something different. By learning to recognise and take note of these thoughts about the colours and forms you’re looking at, it will help build confidence in being able to pin point what lights you up. This is the essence of inspiration, the hook that keeps us coming back for more.
Fancy a closer look at some colour inspired landscapes?
The Edge Landscapes collection are little slices of abstract landscapes conjured out of playing with layers of paint and combinations of beautiful colours. Please pop into the shop to see more.
