For artists and photographers alike nature has been a wellspring of inspiration for a long time. There is an endless amount of creative expression that can be done because of the beauty, diversity, and ever changing landscapes. Whether you’re a painter, sculptor, or photographer, the natural world is a great place to be inspired and to create new ideas. Here’s a guide to finding inspiration in nature.
Observing the Details
Details are one of the best ways to get inspired by nature. Find the time to stop and study the patterns leaves have, or the textures of tree bark, or the shapes of flowers. These little things can be great subjects for your art or photography. As you go out exploring, contemplate bringing a sketchbook or a camera to take note of these details. Whatever action is used to observe nature closely can yield one unexpected idea or composition.
Embracing Different Environments
There are all sorts of different types of environment that nature presents in which each has its own personality and mood. Serene forests and vibrant meadows, rugged mountains and tranquil beaches, all setting inspiration for different emotions and a uniquely different art style. Take on the challenge to see different landscapes—go to a local park, hike a mountain trail or walk along a coastline. Here, you will get new perspectives and new opportunities for creativity in each environment.
The Influence of Light
How we see nature is heavily reliant on light and can change the mood of your work dramatically. Golden hour, when there is early morning or late afternoon light, throws a warm glow that improves color and makes long shadows. Try different times of day to see what light does to your subjects. For photographers, we should consider how light changes in our surroundings, and for painters how light changes can influence color palettes.
Capturing Movement
The movement of water down a stream, or the rustling wind through the trees, describing the world as Nature is truly dynamic, always changing and moving. This movement can add life and energy to your work, if you can capture it. If you are a photographer, long exposure techniques can produce some amazing effects that show motion. Movement can be represented through brush strokes, or dynamic compositions that suggest action. Sometimes watching how nature moves can develop into an innovative way of doing things in your art.
Finding Personal Connection
If you want to find inspiration in nature, you have to connect to what you observe personally. Think about your experiences, and feelings, about particular natural elements or landscapes. You may know one tree reminds you of a fond memory from your childhood or that a sunset feels peaceful. When you allow your personal narrative into your work you are really creating artwork that is felt not only by you, but by others who feel the same way as you.
Experimenting with Techniques
But not only can Nature be the subject, it can also be an inspiration for artistic technique. Experiment with different mediums, try testing the softness of a flower with water colors, then perhaps the vibrancy of autumn leaves in acrylics, etc. It offers scope to different styles like macro photography for close up details or landscape photography for sweeping vistas. Experiment; you might find the most profound discovery out of nothing.
Conclusion
Doing so is an enriching journey for artists and photographers alike finding inspiration in nature. Details, diverse environments, light, movement, personal connection to subject, and technique are all areas in which you can investigate new creative pathways by observing, embracing, understanding, capturing, and experimenting. For me, nature isn’t something to stand against, but something to work with an active participant in the process of creating art and an endless source of possibilities to begin to explore and express. So step outside, get out in nature, and let it’s beauty fuel your creativity.