As an artist, I know how important it is to find inspiration to fuel creativity. Whether I’m working on a new painting, sketch, or digital art project, sometimes the hardest part is simply getting started. Inspiration can come from anywhere – a walk outside, an image on social media, or even the colors in a piece of fabric. But more often than not, I turn to my phone to help me discover something new. In this article, I’ll explore some of the best apps for finding art inspiration, discussing their features, benefits, and how they can help spark your creativity.
Table of Contents
Why Use Apps for Art Inspiration?
Art inspiration is everywhere, but sometimes it’s difficult to notice. Apps make it easier by providing a curated space where you can quickly access visual ideas, reference images, and creative tools that spark new concepts. I use these apps regularly because they allow me to explore different styles, moods, and mediums, all from the comfort of my own space. Instead of aimlessly browsing the web, these apps focus my search and give me access to fresh and diverse content.
The Best Art Inspiration Apps
Below is a comparison of some of the most popular apps available for art inspiration. I’ve tested and reviewed each one, taking into account its features, ease of use, and overall effectiveness in providing fresh ideas.
| App Name | Platform | Main Features | Best For | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iOS, Android | Pinning, boards, search by keywords, collections, recommendations | Visual exploration, mood boards | Free (with ads) | |
| Behance | iOS, Android | Showcase portfolios, explore creative projects, community feedback | Professional portfolios, networking | Free |
| ArtStation | iOS, Android | Showcase artwork, discover digital and traditional art, tutorial resources | Digital art, concept art, and tutorials | Free (with premium) |
| iOS, Android | Photo sharing, hashtags, explore, follow artists, save posts | Quick inspiration, following artists | Free (with ads) | |
| Dribbble | iOS, Android | Design inspiration, visual storytelling, discover creative trends | Graphic design, web design, branding | Free (with premium) |
| Color Hunt | iOS, Android | Color palettes, color inspiration, user-generated palettes | Color exploration | Free |
| Sketchbook by Autodesk | iOS, Android | Drawing and sketching tools, inspirational gallery, tutorials | Digital sketching, practice, and concepts | Free (with paid features) |
| Daily Art | iOS, Android | Daily prompts, art history insights, artist’s tools, challenges | Daily art practice, learning history | Free (with premium) |
Pinterest: A Treasure Trove of Ideas
I find Pinterest to be one of the most versatile and user-friendly apps for art inspiration. It’s more than just a collection of images – it’s a space where I can build entire boards dedicated to a specific project or theme. By using Pinterest’s search function, I can easily explore different art styles, color schemes, and even specific techniques like watercolor or digital painting.
The beauty of Pinterest is its algorithm. As I pin images I like, Pinterest learns my preferences and begins to suggest similar content that I might not have found otherwise. It’s a great tool for creating a mood board for a project or just finding ideas that resonate with me. With its mix of both professional and amateur works, it offers a wide range of perspectives.
Best Features of Pinterest:
- Boards & Pins: I can organize my inspirations into boards and pin the images I find most interesting.
- Collaborative Boards: I can share a board with other artists and collaborate on creative ideas.
- Endless Content: The sheer volume of visual content available means I can always find something new and interesting.
Drawbacks:
- Sometimes the algorithm can be a bit repetitive, showing similar images across different categories.
Behance: For Professional-Level Inspiration
When I want to see the best of the best in the art world, I turn to Behance. This app showcases portfolios from talented professionals across various creative fields, including illustration, graphic design, photography, and even architecture. The quality of work on Behance is often higher than what I find on more general platforms, making it an excellent resource for top-tier inspiration.
I especially appreciate the community aspect of Behance. By commenting on others’ work, I can connect with fellow artists, receive feedback on my own projects, and gain new insights into the creative process. Additionally, Behance allows me to follow specific artists, ensuring I never miss their new work.
Best Features of Behance:
- Portfolio Showcase: View entire portfolios of artists, showcasing their best work in one place.
- Creative Fields: Explore specific categories, such as illustration, animation, or UI/UX design.
- Community Engagement: Interact with other creatives through feedback and comments.
Drawbacks:
- While it’s great for discovering professionals, beginners may find the work on Behance intimidating.
ArtStation: A Hub for Digital Artists
If you’re like me and love digital art, then ArtStation is a must-have app. ArtStation is a leading platform for showcasing digital artwork, especially in the fields of concept art, 3D modeling, and game design. I often visit ArtStation to see stunning pieces that push the boundaries of what’s possible with technology and traditional art combined.
The app’s search function allows me to easily find work based on medium, style, and even software used. Whether I’m looking for inspiration for a futuristic cityscape or a fantastical character design, ArtStation provides a wealth of options. Plus, the tutorials and resources available make it a great learning tool for aspiring digital artists.
Best Features of ArtStation:
- Advanced Search: I can search by specific tools or software, allowing for a tailored search experience.
- Tutorials & Learning Resources: Helpful for artists wanting to improve their skills.
- High-Quality Artwork: The work on ArtStation is typically of a professional or near-professional level.
Drawbacks:
- ArtStation can be overwhelming for beginners due to the high skill level of the content.
Instagram: Instant, Visual Inspiration
Instagram is the most commonly used platform for social media-based inspiration, and I find it incredibly useful for quick and spontaneous bursts of creative fuel. Whether I’m following established artists or discovering new accounts, Instagram is a great way to see what others are working on. The platform’s focus on visuals means I can scroll through hundreds of inspiring images in just a few minutes.
One feature that stands out is the “Explore” tab, which shows a mix of posts based on my activity. This feature is great for discovering new artists and art trends. I can also save posts I find inspiring and revisit them later when I need a creative boost.
Best Features of Instagram:
- Visual Content: Quick, easy access to a variety of visual content, from illustrations to sculptures.
- Hashtags: I can use or follow hashtags to discover specific art styles or themes.
- Saved Posts: Easily save posts I like and refer back to them whenever needed.
Drawbacks:
- The fast-paced nature of Instagram means that content can quickly disappear from my feed.
Dribbble: Where Design Meets Art
Dribbble is perfect for those interested in design-based art. Whether I’m looking for logo inspiration, web design mockups, or UI/UX designs, Dribbble offers a plethora of examples. Like Pinterest, Dribbble allows users to post their work, but it has a more professional and polished feel. The app’s clean interface makes it easy to explore different types of design work and find inspiration for my own projects.
Best Features of Dribbble:
- Design-Focused: Great for graphic designers, illustrators, and anyone interested in branding.
- Trending Work: Quickly see the most popular designs and trends.
- Search by Tags: Find inspiration based on specific themes or styles.
Drawbacks:
- The app tends to be design-heavy, so it may not offer as much fine art inspiration as other platforms.
Color Hunt: Exploring Color Palettes
As an artist, color is a key element in my creative process. That’s where Color Hunt comes in. This app offers a huge selection of color palettes, created by users from around the world. I often use Color Hunt to find new color combinations for my work, whether I’m designing a new digital painting or choosing a color scheme for a physical piece.
Best Features of Color Hunt:
- Curated Palettes: Choose from thousands of user-generated color schemes.
- Filters & Search: Easily filter palettes by mood, category, or popularity.
- User Community: Share my own palettes and gain feedback from other users.
Drawbacks:
- It’s strictly focused on color and doesn’t offer other types of art inspiration.
Sketchbook by Autodesk: Tools for Artistic Creation
While inspiration is important, having the right tools to create is just as crucial. That’s why I love Autodesk’s Sketchbook app. While it’s primarily a drawing and sketching tool, it includes a gallery of inspirational images and tutorials to help me refine my craft. Whether I want to try out new brush styles or explore drawing techniques, Sketchbook provides everything I need to bring my ideas to life.
Best Features of Sketchbook:
- Sketching Tools: Wide variety of brushes, textures, and drawing tools.
- Gallery of Inspirations: Provides art tutorials and inspirational galleries.
- User-Friendly: Easy to navigate, even for beginners.
Drawbacks:
- Some features are only available in the premium version of the app.
Daily Art: Inspiration and Learning Combined
For those who like daily challenges, Daily Art is an app that offers a new prompt every day. It’s a great way to push myself to try new techniques and explore different aspects of art that I might not otherwise focus on. The app also includes snippets of art history, so I can learn about famous works while practicing my own.
Best Features of Daily Art:
- Daily Challenges: New prompts every day to keep me creating.
- Art History Insights: Learn about famous artworks and artists.
- User Engagement: Share my daily art practice with the community.
Drawbacks:
- The daily prompts can feel limiting if I’m working on a larger project.
Conclusion: The Right App for Your Creative Journey
In conclusion, the right app can make all the difference in your creative process. Each of the apps I’ve discussed offers unique features that help me find fresh ideas, learn new techniques, and stay motivated in my art practice. Whether you’re looking for digital art inspiration, color schemes, or even daily challenges to keep your creativity flowing, there’s an app for that.
As an artist, I highly recommend exploring these apps and finding the ones that best suit your needs. Inspiration can come from anywhere, and with these apps, it’s never been easier to discover new ideas and push your creative boundaries.
