Here are 32 art prompts for painting, collage, mixed media and art for feelings, suitable for beginners, kids and experienced artists in a rut. They're about making, not just drawing, and they include a set inspired by how art therapists use creative work, with an honest note on what art therapy is and isn't.
Art prompts are different from drawing prompts. A drawing prompt usually asks you to observe or invent a subject. An art prompt can be about a material, a colour, a feeling or a process: paint only with a sponge, make a collage from one magazine, show anger without drawing a face. That shift opens up the fun. These prompts work for a rainy afternoon with kids, a weekly creative habit or a way out of a slump.
Art for wellbeing: what it is, and what it isn't
The American Art Therapy Association describes art therapy as a mental health profession that uses active art-making, the creative process and applied psychological theory within a therapeutic relationship, facilitated by a professional art therapist. The feelings prompts below borrow the spirit of that, making art about emotions, but doing them on your own isn't therapy. Inktober's simple rules, make something, share it if you like, repeat, are a good model for a relaxed creative habit.
| Approach | What it involves | Prompt group |
|---|---|---|
| Material play | Trying a new tool or surface | Painting prompts |
| Found materials | Building images from what's around you | Collage and mixed media prompts |
| Emotional expression | Art about feelings, done for yourself | Art for feelings prompts |
| Regular habit | Make, share if you like, repeat | Quick art challenges |
Painting prompts
Watercolour, acrylic, poster paint or even coffee. The material matters more than the subject.
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Paint the same view at three different times of day.
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Paint a countryside view using only two colours plus white.
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Paint with a sponge, a fork or your fingers instead of a brush.
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Paint a portrait of someone using colours that match their personality, not their skin tone.
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Paint the sky every day for a week on small cards.
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Paint a still life of three fruits, then paint it again in an abstract style.
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Paint a memory of a holiday using loose, quick strokes.
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Paint a stormy sea without using the colour blue.
Collage and mixed media prompts
Use magazines, packaging, fabric, tickets and photos. Glue and scissors are the only tools you need.
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Make a self-portrait collage using only words cut from magazines.
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Create a dream house from cereal boxes and food packaging.
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Make a collage map of your neighbourhood from old leaflets.
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Build a seaside scene entirely from scraps of fabric.
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Make a portrait of a friend using objects that represent them.
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Create a collage using only one colour, in every shade you can find.
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Layer tissue paper to make a stained-glass window effect.
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Turn an old book page into a scene by painting over parts of it.
Art for feelings prompts
Inspired by how creative work can help express emotion. Do these for yourself, not to show anyone.
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Paint or draw what today felt like, using only shapes and colours.
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Show calm without drawing a single recognisable object.
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Make a piece that shows the difference between worried and relaxed.
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Create a 'safe place' picture of somewhere you feel at ease.
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Draw a line that changes as your mood changes across a day.
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Make art about something you're looking forward to.
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Show a feeling you find hard to talk about, using only colour.
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Create a piece that says thank you to someone, without words.
Quick art challenges
Ten to twenty minutes each. Perfect for a daily habit or a family activity.
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Make something using only the materials on your kitchen table.
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Create a piece in ten minutes, then make it again in two.
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Draw with a pen tied to a stick at arm's length.
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Make a tiny artwork no bigger than a postage stamp.
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Turn a stain, splash or scribble into a creature.
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Make art using only natural objects from outside: leaves, stones, twigs.
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Copy a famous painting in your own style.
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Create a piece inspired by the last song you listened to.
Setting up a no-fuss art corner
You don't need an art room. A tray with glue, scissors, a few brushes, paints and a stack of old magazines is enough, and it's far more likely to get used if it lives somewhere visible rather than in a cupboard. Keep a pile of scrap paper and cardboard nearby so nobody's scared of wasting the good stuff. With children, cover the table, roll up sleeves and accept that it'll get messy; that's part of the fun. With adults, it's the same, just with fewer complaints about the glue.
How to get better at making art
- Change the material when you're stuck. A new tool often shakes loose a new idea.
- Work small at first. Postcard-sized pieces are quick to finish and easy to repeat.
- Keep everything. Your 'failures' are where your style shows up.
- Make it a habit, as Inktober suggests: make, share if you like, repeat.
- If you're using art to cope with something heavy, consider a qualified art therapist, who can support you safely.
For a digital twist, my guide to making pixel art for free has simple tools to try, and my piece on why downtime matters for your mental well-being makes the case for creative breaks.
My advice for your next art session
Pick one prompt from the painting or collage group and one quick challenge, and give yourself permission to make something ugly. The point is to play. If you want to make art a regular habit, choose a rhythm you can keep, weekly is fine, and keep everything you make in one folder so you can see how far you've come.
Frequently asked questions
What are good art prompts?
Prompts about materials, colours and feelings, not just subjects, such as painting a countryside view with only two colours or making a self-portrait collage from magazine words.
What are art prompts for kids?
Try making a dream house from cereal boxes, painting with a sponge or fork, or creating art from leaves and stones found outside.
Is making art the same as art therapy?
No. The American Art Therapy Association describes art therapy as a mental health profession facilitated by a professional art therapist within a therapeutic relationship.
How can I get out of an art slump?
Change your material, work small, set a short time limit or try a quick challenge like turning a scribble into a creature.
What is mixed media art?
Art that combines different materials, such as paint, paper, fabric and found objects, in one piece.
