I have been watching some art videos lately, mainly in mixed media, and the majority of the focus has been exercises you can do to help you find your style.

An idea I had from these classes, that I wanted to share, is a swatch inspiration journal. I found a little mixed media book that I had, with black pages, that I decided to dedicate to the purpose. I would have liked something slightly (or much) bigger, but perhaps this will help me focus in on an idea or theme or colour scheme, with less space to meander (I tend to meander). I just wanted to get started, so I didn’t wait to find something larger at the store.

First, I flipped through some interior decorating/design magazines and books that I had found at the thrift store. I tore out some images that seemed connected in some way, and that were exciting or beautiful to me (or both). I arranged them in a pleasing way, and then went through my stash of paint swatches and chose a colour palette inspired by the images. Finally, I wrote some notes that were either things that were common to all the images, things that stood out to me, things I like, and things I may want to incorporate in future artworks.

Now, when I am needing some inspiration, either for my art journal, mixed media work, or even abstract paintings, I will have a great little book to flip through for colour ideas, patterns, and pretty images.

I hope you find this idea helpful too! It’s very simple and accessible. You can use any old notebook or art pad you have lying around, a cheap or free magazine (junk mail magazines even.. summer often has pretty themes), and you can just mix up paint for the colour swatches if you don’t have ready made ones.

Have fun!