Where To Find Offline Inspiration

Creating your own moodboards and inspirational (sketch)books

In an age where everything is viewed on screens, I sometimes find myself longing for the days I spent studying at art school. I loved collecting various items from my surroundings, creating a physical mood board, and using these elements to inspire me to make my own artwork. It was a way to immerse myself entirely in my subject, without getting overwhelmed.

My much used much loved fabric swatches

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Where can I find inspiration?

1. Taking photos in museums

   While you can find the most beautiful works of art online, experiencing them in person reveals their true dimension. You can observe how they were made, the types of brush strokes used, their actual size, and how these aspects resonate with you. I often take photos of my favourites to help me remember.

2. Clippings from magazines

   Remember magazines? In today’s digital world, seeing images that aren’t moving makes your eyes less tired. You can use these images in mood boards or create collages as preparatory work for your final artwork.

3. Collecting treasures

   Sometimes, the smallest and simplest things can be the greatest sources of inspiration. I enjoy collecting items, not necessarily by purchasing new things, but by gathering little finds—like a leaf from the park or treasuring my grandmother’s mint green vase. I even swap items with friends.

4. Dry Flowers

   Gathering items from nature and drying them serves as a diary of what I encounter. I often use these dried flowers to create new compositions that are the starting point for my artwork.

   

   A few of my dried flowers

5. Swatches from the hardware store

   For colour inspiration, the paint department of your local hardware store can be very helpful. You can often take home numerous swatches, which look great on your mood board or in your sketchbook. Wallpaper samples are fantastic as well!

6. Swatches from leftover paint colours

   Got leftover paint? Use it to create colour palettes by applying them to blank paper. You can cut the painted paper into pieces to rearrange the colours and then glue them into your sketchbook.

   

   Palette from the fiml Pride and Prejudice, a beautiful leaf I found in the street

7. Pieces of fabric

   Similar to the previous item, old clothes and leftover fabric can be great sources of inspiration. I once received a collection of fabric swatches that continue to inspire my colour palettes.

8. Art books

   Books are fantastic because they can be placed next to you for inspiration. You can find a wealth of art books at your local library, so buying them isn’t needed.

9. Films and series

   While watching TV, I often come up with great ideas. Films provide music, colours, landscapes, and moods, which I then incorporate into my sketchbooks. For example, the landscapes in "All Creatures Great and Small" made me start tackling landscapes, and revisiting "Practical Magic" inspired our drawing session, "Magical Apothecary."

10. Nature

    My favourite source of inspiration is a walk in nature. It helps clear my mind, allows me to observe things from different perspectives, and leads me to discover various animals and plants. Plus, it’s healthy—what more could you want?

These are just a few ideas of course. There are hundreds more. Which is your favourite way?