Even though the concept of once excessively talked about things gradually fade, industries are still rife with the talk of creativity. It has been this way for quite a while now, and for good reason. The hype surrounding creativity is anything but unnecessary. Our businesses could get an edge over the rest if we come up with more innovative solutions. However, sometimes it is quite challenging to let our imagination run free, especially when our minds are burdened with so many other thoughts. So, if unlocking your creative side is the need of the hour but you find yourself stuck in a rut then here are a few, seriously easy ways to spark your creativity.
Studies have shown that people come up with the most amazing and interesting workarounds when their resources are limited, even if the restriction is self-imposed. Think about the article you wrote when you were allowed to write merely 600 words, instead of your usual 1000 words.
Restrictions allow you to think outside of the box, enabling you to make the best use of ideas already at hand.
Research shows that the more relatable a problem is to you, the harder it is for you to come up with ideas to tackle it. So, one way to go about it, is to psychologically distance yourself from the issue. This in turn will enable you to overcome your creative block, resulting into more creative outcomes.
Even if writing is not your strongest suit, take out time to pen down your ideas. Having it all written down on paper will help you at least get somewhere. Not only will you be able to store your current ideas, you will also be able to generate new ones during this process.
This idea might seem questionable, but research shows that dreams are an amalgamation of our creativity. Keeping a track of your dreams will give your mind fodder to chew on and create something. Based on the diversity of dreams, you can stay ensured that you will end up creating something absolutely unheard of. Even if the first idea doesn’t work out, something definitely will stand out.
Travel does things to your mind no level of concentration can achieve. Not only is it conducive to learning, it refreshes you putting you in a completely positive mood which is they key ingredient to unlocking your creative side.
If traveling internationally is out of the question for you, then worry not because domestic travels can also help you immensely.
Painting is perhaps one of the most important arts and crafts activities every artist, young or old, would appreciate. One of the most exciting and beautiful things anyone can learn to paint is the sky. Though skies and clouds are often a great source of inspiration for art and craft enthusiast, the big question that exists is how does one paint them with oils?
When painting cityscapes and landscapes one should focus on achieving a convincing and homogenous result in terms of composition, tones, colors, and brushwork. That means the sky shouldn’t be treated as an afterthought but rather be painted in connection with everything else. Here are a few tips to help you when painting skies.
Study the Colors
Before beginning your painting, it’s crucial that you take as much time as possible to observe the sky and clouds. If possible, take some notes and reference photos. You might even consider sketching cloud formations. The idea is to paint the skies and clouds with your eyes, not your brain. Focus on the colors with your eyes so you can express them freely.
The sky is rarely pure blue as the brain makes you think. If you check closely with your eyes, you’ll see hues of green, pink, yellow, and blue. Rather than using pure colors in your painting, harmonize the entire scene by embracing the different mixes with pigments present in the rest of the work.
Paint confidently and be Bold with the Brushes
When it comes to painting skies, don’t be afraid to showcase your brushwork as well as personality as an artist. Even though you’re an adult, it’s not a bad idea to reconnect with the younger version of yourself that used to have fun with brushes. This is the part where you freely convey energy and drama with those big brushstrokes. Be as loose as you’d want to. Who said you have to paint and show everything as exactly as it is. Be free to make adjustments so you can convey the right mood and improve composition Be as convincing as you can.
Don’t forget to use a Ground Color
To bring in some of the highlights and achieve vibrant sunsets, consider using the ground color of the background. Using the flow of the sky and sunlight to move the viewers’ attention to the focal point is a great way to make your painting even more dramatic and interesting. Before adding the blues, greys, and clouds, consider priming your canvas with a bright yellow or orange color. Allow for this color show through in your painting to bring in some highlights.
Paint in Clouds
As mentioned, it’s quite hard to match the exact cloud you’re seeing in the sky. So, the idea is to try to capture the mood of the sky. View the clouds in the sky as three dimensional objects affected by the sun. When painting, make the sides closest to the sun lightest and the ones furthest away darkest. You can use strong brushstrokes with hard edges for whiter/thicker clouds and more subtle marks for paler/thinner clouds.
