Natural elements in art projects are nothing new. However, it may be new to you or the children when creating something as a family. For your next project, you can tackle the problem of inspiration by looking outward to look inward by opening yourself to what nature has to offer. So, how can nature help with this? Nature is smarter than you might think and offers what you need. From observing the seasons to using natural materials as subjects, here are some ideas.
Take Inspiration from Your Surroundings
Connecting with nature is vital for everyone’s well-being. It lifts the mood, encourages positivity, and offers a multitude of mental and physical benefits. Additionally, nature also inspires people to create wonderful things. Even your own backyard can be a treasure trove of inspiration with the right lawn help to keep it looking stunning and emerald green. But then there are local parks, distant sandy shores, and wild and rugged cliffs that have inspired poets for millennia.
Natural Elements in Art through the Seasons
Seasonal changes are among the biggest inspirations for artists. Every three months, the natural world offers something new and interesting. But it can be challenging to notice some of the smaller changes. However, it is well worth your time for many reasons, such as these:
- Taking seasonal inspiration allows you to sample a wide range of hues and tones.
- There are also seasonal sounds that can inspire you to include certain elements.
- Weather, sunlight, and shade provide a broader range of feelings for your projects.
Focus on Patterns and Textures
The natural world is filled with many complex and intricate patterns and textures. For thousands of years, artists and engineers alike have been inspired by these. Take a simple shell, leaf, or seed. All of these adhere to the golden ratio, closely related to the Fibonacci sequence. Some believe that observing the sequence of the previous two sums makes up the next as the face of God himself. This is perhaps why all Freemason buildings are designed around this sequence!
Different Materials for Natural Elements in Art
With enough inspiration, you can make anything from everything! If you are looking for something a little different, then you may want to put down the paintbrush for a while. There are many ways you can make artwork using natural materials available in abundance:
- Natural clay is an age-old medium for creating sculptural artworks.
- Fruits cut in half make wonderful stamps for catching complex and intricate patterns.
- Organic and mineral-based pigments can be more vibrant when capturing natural colors.
Observe and Interpret What You See
One of the most incredible things about nature and how inspirational it can be is that there is no shortage of observable changes. Just think how different the world looks from the golden hour to high noon! Colors, shade, and movement conjure up just about anything in a mind that has been inspired. And what about sound? When sketching, for example, close your eyes and listen to what the world is telling you with birds, wind through the trees, and crashing distant waves.
Try Natural Elements in Art as Subjects
Of course, you can also take things from the natural world to be included as subjects in your pieces themselves. With small inclusions, you can make a big change to how artwork is displayed. The limit is your imagination. But here are some quick ideas to get you started:
- You can use twigs as tree trunks or use them as stamps for forest scenes.
- Crystals can provide complex patterns and textures with rich and vibrant colors.
- Dried fruits and vegetables offer a captivating twist on classic still artwork.
Try Natural Color Palettes
Of course, all the colors we know and love are found in nature. The differences occur between hues and tones. Natural colors are inspiring enough. But they are also perfectly balanced according to color theory too! If you are learning about colors and how they work together, natural color palettes are a must. Observe the colors of the season, such as light and flowers. These are coordinated in such a way that is hard to imagine, but there they are for you to see.
Summary
Your immediate surroundings can provide all the inspiration you need when outdoors and looking to include natural elements in art. Light, shade, and tone change, all for your artistic pleasure. You can also use different natural materials across a wide variety of projects, such as clay. Of course, nature is a master painter! For nothing short of perfect color theory, all you need to do is pay attention to the balance of the natural world. It’s all there if you look close enough.