Yesterday I had a huge to-do list and oh-so-very-little-time for making art. In these moments, quick art prompts can get my pen moving, even when my mind is completely dry.
There’s a stack of quick art prompts on my desk for times like this. I’ll add a link below to a download of 16 art prompts, if you’d like to have a similar tool handy.
I pulled a prompt to fill a page with a connected collection of triangles, and use no more than three colors to fill them in.
I’ve been filling a new sketchbook with art experiments, and want to share some of the simplest ideas with you. This is one of them.
Triangles are a great shape for beginners because they’re simple to make, and the pattern of making and connecting them is satisfying.
I reached for a sketchbook, pen, and watercolors, and got to work. I also made the rule even simpler: Just use two colors, greens and yellows.
Materials for This Quick Art Prompt:
Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolors
>> Get my list of Art Journaling Essentials here
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First, with a permanent pen (Sharpie) I built a series of connecting triangles. This pattern is seriously relaxing to make.
Next, I filled the individual triangles with variations of green and yellow watercolor paint. The bleeding of paint from one triangle to another made me enormously happy. Do you see that little starburst of yellow in the turquoise? Fabulous!
The process was familiar, soothing, and enjoyable.
It was also meditative.
And I reflected on how art doesn’t have to be grand, definitive, or earth-shattering to be important.
If you’re short on time or not sure where to begin, quick art prompts are something you could try, too. I’d love to hear what you discover.
Variations
- Try different shapes like circles, diamonds, or squares
- Try a different color combination
- Work with a partner. Make a page for them to paint, and vice versa
Reflection:
How did you feel while making this page?
Did anything about this exercise surprise you?
If you were to do this again, what would you do differently?
Interested in more art prompts?
Get 16 free art prompt cards here.
