Inspiration

When it comes to drawing anything on the computer, you have to think about where to get an idea about what it is going to look like. Now I know a lot of you out there tend to go online to find examples of what you want to draw (I am guilty of that as well), but the fact is, if you looked it up online, then someone else has possibly looked it up and used it was well.

Go Outside!

Instead of going online, turn off that computer and head outside!
You can find loads of inspiration by going out, this can range from a color palette to an object to draw.

Take this quilt for example, it was taken at the local county fair (this picture does no justice to the real thing) there is almost an instant palette there with each colored hectagon, as well as colors that work well them.

In fact the way the hectagons off set from the center gave me the idea for the color circles in header of this blog!

You don't need to go that far either, anything in a room or just outside in the yard can help if you are drained of all creative energy.

This picture was taken out in the yard, colors look somewhat familiar? They should! they were used for this site!

No Fancy Equipment Needed!

Now you might be saying that you need a fancy camera to capture images, the fact is you don't. I took my picture with a four year old camera, and with my phone. If all else fail, if it is a tangible object, take it with you (as long its legal to do so and small enough that it isn't a hindrance). A leaf or a flower, a wooden spoon, doesn't matter as long as it provides you with what you're looking for.

What Else Can I Do?

So far i've touched slightly on colors and objects, but remember you can also look for textures and patterns. Its best just to take a camera of sorts and just capture anything that catches you're attention, because you never know when you might need it. again want a texture like dirt and you don't have a camera, just take a jar with you and scoop it up.

Oooh, sand, but it could used fro a project in the future.

And here the streamers from the piñata make a nice square pattern, and the jarred guavas are a squishy pattern.

Remember

Going out should be accompanied by research on the internet, but only after you've gone out. I take my style of drawing from "Kawaii" (cute) drawings from Japan.

Without the internet I would have never discovered this style. So take researching on the internet with a grain of salt. There are great and some not so great resources out there.
Even if you aren't working on a project, or drawing just for fun, get out there and make a collection or reference that uniquely suits your needs and the way you see things.