From Inspiration to Page: How to Turn What You See into Art

Sometimes inspiration is obvious — a breathtaking landscape, a delicate flower, a photograph that pulls at your heart. Other times it sneaks in quietly — a moody sky, a streak of sunlight on the floor, or even a small memory. Whatever form it takes, the magic happens when you translate that inspiration into your art journal.

I recently made a page in purples, inspired by the heathers on the moor and a photo of myself from five years ago, pregnant with my second daughter. As I layered colour, marks, and textures, I realised that turning what we see into a page isn’t about copying exactly — it’s about capturing mood, movement, and memory in a way that feels alive.

Here are some tips to help you do the same:

1. Notice the feeling first

Before picking up a brush or pen, ask yourself: what does this scene, photo, or object make me feel? Calm, restless, excited, wistful? Let that emotion guide your marks, textures, and colours.

2. Break it down visually

Identify the shapes, lines, textures, and colours that stand out. Don’t try to copy exactly — translate the essence instead. A craggy hill could become jagged strokes; a cloudy sky, soft washes. Focus on what makes the scene distinctive to you.

3. Pick a palette

Choose 2–3 main colours from your inspiration and add a highlight or accent if you like. Limiting your palette keeps the page harmonious and expressive, rather than chaotic.

4. Translate texture into marks

Rocks, grass, clouds, or water can all become different kinds of marks: dashes, dots, scribbles, smudges. Experiment freely — texture is how your page starts to feel like the scene.

5. Think in layers

Build depth gradually: base colour, texture marks, glazes, highlights, small details. Let earlier layers peek through to add richness and complexity.

6. Abstract, don’t copy

Your goal is the feeling of the scene, not a photograph. Mood, light, and movement matter more than exact representation. Trust your intuition.

7. Add a personal element

Include a small photo, handwritten word, or symbolic mark. Something that ties the inspiration to your own story will make the page uniquely yours.

8. Leave breathing space

Negative space gives your eye somewhere to rest and makes the page feel open rather than cluttered. Sometimes what you don’t put on the page is just as important as what you do.

9. Play, experiment, forgive

Nothing has to be perfect. Even “mistakes” can become textures, layers, or new directions. Give yourself permission to explore and enjoy the process.

Turning inspiration into an art journal page is as much about observation as it is about expression. Whether it’s a sweeping landscape, a fleeting feeling, or a small photograph, the key is to notice, distill, and translate it into marks, colours, and layers that speak your language.

The next time something catches your eye, try letting it guide a page — and see what blooms.

10. Follow your curiosity

Let your attention wander on the page. If a colour, texture, or small detail keeps drawing you in, explore it. Sometimes the most interesting parts of a page come from following what catches your eye rather than what you planned. Curiosity leads to surprises and discoveries you never expected.

The Moor that inspired my art recently.

Turning inspiration into an art journal page is as much about observation as it is about expression. Whether it’s a sweeping landscape, a fleeting feeling, or a small photograph, the key is to notice, distill, and translate it into marks, colours, and layers that speak your language.

The next time something catches your eye, try letting it guide a page — and see what blooms.

Thank you for reading