25 Acrylic Painting Ideas for Your Sketchbook: Creative Inspiration
September 1, 2024
Are you looking for creative ways to fill your sketchbook with beautiful acrylic paintings? As an artist who loves experimenting with colors and techniques, I’ve compiled 25 acrylic painting ideas that you can try in your own sketchbook. These ideas are inspired by my personal artwork, offering a blend of landscapes, doodles, and therapeutic exercises to ignite your creativity.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, these sketchbook ideas are perfect for practicing with acrylic paints and exploring new styles. Plus, these ideas can help you unwind, express your emotions, and improve your painting skills. Dive in and discover how to bring your sketchbook to life!
Before you get started, explore my favorite Art Supplies for sketchbook painting. Having the right tools can make a world of difference and i’m here to guide you to some of my favorite tools!
Quick Breakdown of the 25 Sketchbook Painting Ideas:
This blog post is packed with 25 inspiring acrylic painting ideas for your sketchbook, perfect for artists of all levels. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Sunset Landscapes: Weeping willow sunset, wildflower sunset with a river
- Seasonal Landscapes: Summer hills, fall foliage, winter scenes, misty spring forests
- Skies & Clouds: Puffy blue skies, sunset clouds, starry night skies
- Fun & Pressure-Free Doodles: Fruit collages, flower doodles, abstract elephant
- Therapeutic Exercises: Self-love flower, self-love butterfly
- Wildflowers: Sunset wildflowers, daytime summer wildflowers, solo wildflowers
- Tropical Sunsets: Ocean sunsets
- Palm Trees: Beachside palms
- Jellyfish: Underwater jellyfish
- Flower Vases: Elegant blooms in vases
Now, let’s get into it! Let’s spark some creative inspiration!
Sunset Landscapes with Acrylic Paints
Weeping Willow Sunset:
Imagine a peaceful evening where the sun dips low, casting a golden glow on a weeping willow tree. This painting is all about soft, blended colors and delicate details.
learn to paint this sunset weeping willow and wildflower field with my online paint class!
or, check out the step-by-step blog here!
Wildflower Sunset with a River:
Picture a serene river winding through a field of wildflowers as the sun sets, turning the sky into a canvas of pinks, purples, and oranges.
Seasonal Landscape Painting Ideas for Your Sketchbook
Summer Hills:
Vibrant green hills under a clear blue sky, capturing the warmth and joy of summer.
New to sketchbooking? Check out my Sketchbook Tips for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide to get started on the right foot!
Fall Foliage from Gatlinburg, TN:
Inspired by a trip to the Smoky Mountains, this scene is all about rich oranges, reds, and browns, with trees standing tall against rolling hills.
Winter Wonderland:
Snow-covered trees and an icy river make this a perfect piece to practice your winter palette.
Misty Spring Forest:
Embrace the soft, foggy colors of spring with this landscape featuring vibrant trees emerging from the mist.
Skies & Clouds with Acrylic Paints
Puffy Blue Skies:
Capture the light and fluffy clouds that dot the sky on a perfect day.
Looking for more cloud painting tips? Visit my How to Paint Fluffy Clouds blog or take my Online Paint Class focused on clouds.
Sunset Clouds:
These clouds are tinged with the soft, warm colors of sunset, creating a dreamy effect.
Starry Night Sky from the Black Forest Star Party:
Every year in PA, I attend this incredible event, where the night sky becomes the most magical view you’ve witnessed! We all camp out under the stars, zero lights allowed, and stargaze. Recreate that magic in your sketchbook!
Fun & Relaxing Acrylic Doodle Ideas
Fruit Collage:
Play with shapes, colors, and textures in this fun and carefree fruit-themed doodle.
You can learn to paint these fun fruits with my online paint class!
Flower Doodles:
Simple and sweet, these flower doodles are perfect for unwinding after a long day.
Abstract Elephant:
Let your imagination run wild with this abstract elephant, combining bold lines and vibrant colors.
You can learn this elephant painting with my step-by-step online paint class!
Therapeutic Acrylic Painting Exercises
Self-Love Flower:
Each petal of this flower represents something you love about yourself. It’s a gentle reminder to nurture your inner garden.
Need a boost of self-confidence? Read my Feeling Like You’re Too Much? blog for some empowering insights.
Self-Love Butterfly:
Similar to the flower exercise, each wing of the butterfly holds a positive affirmation or aspect of self-love, fluttering across the page.
Treat yourself to some self-love and learn to paint this butterfly exercise with my online paint class!
Painting Wildflowers with Acrylic Paints
Daytime Summer Wildflowers:
Bright and cheerful, these wildflowers stand tall against a clear summer sky.
For more on painting wildflowers, check out my Wildflowers Online Paint Class on Etsy.
Sunset Wildflower Fields:
Blend the colors of a setting sun with the delicate beauty of wildflowers.
Solo Wildflower:
Sometimes, less is more. A single wildflower can be just as impactful as an entire field.
Tropical Sunset Painting Ideas with Acrylics
Ocean Sunset:
Feel the warmth of the tropical sun as it sinks below the horizon, painting the sky in brilliant oranges and purples.
This dramatic sunset is such a relaxing and peaceful painting to try! Learn how to create it step-by-step with my online paint class!
Painting Palm Trees with Acrylics
Beachside Palms:
These iconic trees are perfect for practicing your brushstrokes, bringing a slice of paradise to your sketchbook.
Jellyfish with Acrylic Paints
Underwater Wonders:
Capture the ethereal beauty of jellyfish floating gracefully through the ocean depths.
Flower Vase Painting Ideas for Your Sketchbook
Elegant Blooms: Play with different shapes and sizes as you paint vases filled with vibrant, blooming flowers.
learn to paint this vibrant flower vase with my step-by-step online paint class!
Each of these acrylic painting ideas not only allows you to explore different techniques and styles but also helps you build a personal connection with your art. Whether you’re painting landscapes, doodling, or working through therapeutic exercises, your sketchbook becomes a reflection of your creative journey.
For more tips, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes insights into my artistic process, visit my Sketchbook Painting Tips blog. If you’re on Pinterest, save the graphics from this post to keep these ideas handy for your next painting session!
stay shining and stay creating! ☀️
sincerely, your artsy friend that is rooting for you –
Arastasia Rolain – Traveling Mural Artist, Art Educator, & Creative Entrepreneur
