Need some art ideas to spark creativity? Go with your gut and pick a colour to see where it takes you.

Each colourful paint tub below leads to a different project, so just follow what you’re drawn to and have a go! Click a colour to see what inspo you get.

Watermelon painting

Paint a vibrant watermelon slice with bold colours and contrast. Using acrylic paints, layer bright reds, deep greens, and white highlights to make it really pop. Artist Jacklyn Foster can walk you through the project step-by-step, so check out the video lesson to see more.

Watercolour monarch butterfly

Doodle a simple butterfly in watercolour and see where the day takes you. You might start with a butterfly, then add in a flower… next minute there’s sky and mountains too. We took inspo from the monarch butterfly, layering warm oranges and yellows, then adding darker outlines to define the wings and body. Follow along with the lesson to see how it all comes together in a few quick steps.

Beginner sunflower acrylic painting

Start with a loose sunflower shape and build it up petal by petal. Layer light to medium, then stipple on some deeper tones in the centre to add some texture. It’s a simple exercise that still gives you room to play with brushstrokes and colour. Follow along with our acrylic flower guide for beginners to make a start.

Textured canvas art tutorial

Explore texture and mediums with this monochrome green artwork. Mix Light Moulding Paste into different shades of green acrylics, then build up repeated shapes with a palette knife to create that scale-like effect in the corners of the canvas. You can keep the tones soft and tonal or mix in a few deeper greens for contrast. Follow along with the lesson guided by Brittany Moscatt to see how to layer it up step-by-step.

Record painting

This is your sign to try upcycling! We took an old record and flipped it by painting a space whale design in acrylics and paint pens. You can paint anything you like, but if you’re drawn to blues, maybe try mixing the ocean and the sky for a whimsical design? Check out the project video to find out more.

Agate coaster DIY

Channel gemstone-inspired patterns with these agate-look coasters. Layer purples, whites, and cream in polymer clay, then slice through to reveal those organic rings. They’re a great pop of colour on your coffee table or kitchen bench, plus they look extra eye-catching when sealed with a gloss finish. If you’d like some guidance, follow the tutorial to see how we make the agate effect.

Heart pour painting

If you’re in the mood for something hands-on, this one’s all about movement and colour. Layer SuperCell paints in a cup then pour onto a heart-shaped canvas, tilt, and watch the layers mix and cells appear. You don’t need to overthink it – just pick your colours and go for it. Check out the video to see how each pour creates a completely different result.

Painting with coffee

Paint with your morning brew and create something a little unexpected. This piece uses coffee like a watercolour, building up soft layers to create dimension. It’s a nice way to slow down and see what you can create with what’s already in your kitchen. Follow along with the lesson to see how to turn your coffee into paint.

Black and white moon painting

Take a break from colour and focus on contrast with this moon painting. Build up layers of grey and white in acrylics and oils over a dark background to bring the moon to life. It’s a simple palette, but there’s plenty to explore in how you place each tone. Watch the project video to see the process from start to finish.

White dog drawing

Challenge yourself to draw white on white with this dog portrait study. White pencils won’t show up on white paper, so you’ll need to build up the fur texture using soft layers of grey, blue, and brown. It’s all about observing where the shadows sit and letting those do the work. Follow along with the lesson to see how the details come through step-by-step.

Octopus ink drawing

Mix linework with metallic detail in this octopus piece. Start with an ink drawing, then add gold foil behind it for a pop of reflective colour. The flowing tentacles and countless suckers give you lots of room to dive into detail and movement.  If you’d like some guidance, the tutorial explains how the foil is applied as well as the drawing process.

Which colour did you choose?

If you end up making something, share it with us by using #montmarteart or tagging us @montmarteart on Instagram or Facebook. We’d love to see what you create.

If you want to see more art, browse our Inspo collection. You can sign-up to Creative Connection by popping in your email down below to get stacks of free art projects sent straight to you. We’re here to keep you inspired!