Art Marketing

The art of writing about your art: from artwork description to artist statement.

creative writing on painting

There is a popular saying we all have accepted as a truth: “A picture is worth a thousand words”. But what happens when we want to talk about the picture, and what we think of it, what it made us feel, what it reminded us of? For visual artists, words are a tool needed to effectively communicate what they do, and spark conversation around their work.

For artists and art businesses alike, mastering the art of writing about their creations is a key communicational asset that can help them improve how they present their work to their target audience.

Good communication can elevate a pitch for exhibitions and events, strengthen the connections built through networking, and drive more traffic to a website, generating opportunities for more art sales or commissions. Keep reading to find helpful guides, prompts, and even “fill in” forms to improve your art writing skills.

creative writing on painting

Why polishing your writing skills is key to growing as an artist or art business

Language helps us elaborate on a subject and create a connection with the reader. It’s also a tool to focus people’s attention on particular characteristics and even, to drive them to follow an action, like moving forward in the art buyer’s journey you have designed for people that have shown interest in your work.

Writing is an indispensable skill in a world where the digital and physical spaces are intertwined . Creative writing is an essential part of any art marketing strategy or communication plan that aims to promote your work and get it noticed online or offline. 

Plus, there are several instances where you will need to use your writing skills as an artist, for example:

-Creating your own business or professional website .

-Writing a blog post to engage with your audience.

-Coming up with a creative caption for your social media posts ,

-Improving your artwork descriptions for exhibitions or e-commerce websites .

-Describing your virtual exhibition or online art show .

-Crafting an artist statement or an exhibition statement .

-Updating your artist resume .

-Crafting an exhibition proposal.

-Writing invitations for an art show.

-Creating an art or artist newsletter or any email communication.

-Submitting your work for art fairs.

-Applying for scholarships, awards, grants, and residencies.

-Filling out your application for teaching opportunities.

-Drafting an art business plan.

How to break free from “writer’s block” as an artist

Have you ever faced the fear that only a blank canvas can produce? The same thing might happen when you face a blank page and the pressure to write. It happens to everyone, even the most prolific writers.

Writer’s block is only a period when your creative flow finds a roadblock, and there are many ways to break from it. Here are some ideas to spark your imagination and get you into writing:

– Record yourself: use the recording app on your mobile phone and freely talk about the subject you want to write about. After, you can listen to yourself, take notes, and turn them into text.

– Talk to a friend: a really good prompt to get you writing about any subject is leaving aside the pressure of sounding “artsy” or “professional”, and telling whatever you want to express in your own words like you would do in an intimate conversation with a friend.

– Use AI tools: technology is always there to help you, if you don’t know where to start you can use AI software to draft general ideas or even the structure of the text. Here are some proven ChatGPT prompts to write everything from an artwork description to an email.

– Feed your creativity: remember that Pablo Picasso quote, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working”? Well, sometimes, you need to work to get inspired. Read a book or an article about the subject you want to write about, listen to music that gets you in the right mindset, and even watch a movie or series that can give you a different point of view about that theme. 

creative writing on painting

Prompts to write about your artwork

If you want to exercise the way you write about your art and what you create, following creative prompts is a good way to take you to new places and express yourself beyond the canvas (or medium of preference). Here is a list of prompts, ideas, or phrases to follow and get you writing about your art and create a first draft: 

-I usually find inspiration in…

-I created this because…

-My primary emotion while making this was…

-My main influences are…

-I decided to work with this medium because…

-What you are looking at is…

-Through my creations, I’m investigating…

-I chose this subject because…

-The concept of this artwork came to me when…

-I could describe my creative process as

-What defines my body of work/collection/group of artworks is…

creative writing on painting

List of adjectives to write about your art

In their most simple definition, adjectives are words we use to describe characteristics of a certain subject. When you are writing about art, these are your tools to convey your impressions and ideas about a certain piece and communicate them to the reader.

Here is a list of art-related adjectives you can use to nurture your writing:

– About the style or genre: abstract, realistic, modern, contemporary, digital, postmodern, expressionist, mixed media, avant-garde, minimalist, pop art, pointillist, sculptural, surrealist. 

– About the subject: portrait, self-portrait, still-life, landscape, symbolic, figurative, seascape, mythological. 

– About the tone: expressive, symbolic, provocative, articulated, crude, defying, dramatic, dynamic, evocative, fragmented, gestural, harmonious, introspective, interactive, organic, subliminal, traditional, and experimental.

– About the colors: bright, saturated, muted, subtle, bold, monochrome, contrasting, tonal, complementary, balanced, vibrant, warm and cool.

Want to continue expanding your vocabulary? Check these lists of art terms every creative should know: Part 1 and Part 2 .

creative writing on painting

Start writing about your artworks: “fill in the blank” exercises

Now that you know how to find inspiration, and even have a list of prompts to motivate you to write, it’s time to work on different formats that you will certainly use for career or art business purposes .

Take these “fill in the blank” exercises as a first draft for any of the suggested content, you should always revisit them, and edit them before publishing. Remember to always check twice for grammar and spelling mistakes.

How to write an artist’s statement

Artist’s statements are usually the welcome message to their exhibitions and related publications. This text is also a way to present themselves and their work in summary, covering the main information any art lover or potential collector should know about their body of work and the person behind it at first glance.

Draft your first artist’s statement with this “fill in the blank” example:

“(Artist’s name) is a (type of artist) whose work delves into ideas of (broad topic). This exhibition brings together (types of artworks) that explore (narrow theme).”

How to write a press release

Part of the success of a virtual or in situ exhibition relies on a killer art marketing strategy to promote it. One of the main assets you will need to prepare to get media attention and assistance is a press release. You can start working on your own with this exercise, just fill in the blank spaces:

“Press release title: (name of artists) presents (name of exhibition) at (venue or website)

(Artist’s name or collective) presents their latest exhibition (name of the art show) based on (overall theme) in (name and location of the venue or link to website for online shows) from (opening date) to (full duration of the exhibition).

Dive into the work of (artist’s name), who lives in (location), where they have developed a body of work focused on (themes). They have a background on (education or experience) and have been the recipient of (awards, grants, and residencies).

With their latest work (artist’s name) explores (themes), focusing on (subjects) through the use of (medium or technique). The exhibition conveys (visitor’s experience) as a result of the work with (name of curator).

Contact information: email, phone number, website, and social media channels”

Check Gita Joshi ’s prompts and recommendations for writing a press release on this exclusive ArtPlacer Academy webinar “ How to craft an art show proposal ”. Take the lesson by logging into your ArtPlacer account or starting your free trial.

How to write an artwork description

One of the most important texts you will write is an artwork description, this text is essential to drive traffic to your website, and e-commerce page, to get your art noticed by people looking for similar creations on social media. This is also used for gallery and exhibition purposes. 

With this basic “fill in the blank” form, you will be able to quickly come up with a draft for a description for any artwork:

“(name of the artwork) created by (artist’s name) on (medium) with (technique or style). This piece details/captures (subject matter) inspired by (theme).”

creative writing on painting

How to write a short bio for an artist

A short bio of you as an artist could be requested when applying for a job, when working on the “About me” page of your website, or the brochure of your next exhibition. This might be one of the texts that artists usually hesitate to write because it is difficult to summarize oneself in a few words, but with this “fill in” exercise you’ll come up with a starting paragraph for it.

Remember: your bio can be written in the first or third person depending on where you are going to present it and the tone you need to convey.

“(Artist’s name) is a (type of artist), based on/from (country, city). Born in (year), his/her/their work focuses on (main themes) which they explore through (preferred medium). They have a background in (expertise) having assisted to (academic background) and have worked with (previous commissioned work or general working background). They are inspired by (themes) and moved by the exploration of (subjects), they have been influenced by (general influences). They have exhibited their work in (previous exhibitions) and are the recipient of (awards, residencies)” 

Now that you know the basics, you can start working on your texts and polishing your writing skills to better communicate your vision as an artist!

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Inspire thoughtful creative writing through art, important factors to consider ...

  • by John McGill
  • Artists Featured Articles Galleries & Fairs Marketing Tips Tips

Klaudia Piaskowska, Unsplash

There are many ways to boost your creative writing performance However, the most effective and sophisticated of them is to inspire thoughtful, creative writing through art. The process listed below is a way to make any creative writing process thoughtful and make any creative text meaningful. Read on to find out how art could influence your writing in unexpected ways to make them brilliant and unlike others.

What is creative writing?

Before exploring the peculiarities of inspiring thoughtful creative writing through art, let’s take a closer look at the term creative writing. Here are some vital elements that define creative writing:

This element can be considered fuel for an entire plot. Usually, readers choose a character to sympathize with or anticipate him or her. And, generally, readers also identify themselves with a particular character subconsciously.

  • Scene and surroundings:

When you tell a particular story or describe something with creative writing, it requires specific settings and surroundings. Depending on the plot, there may be only one scene or several of them. It is always necessary to present to the reader at least one scene that is described very well so the reader can imagine it easily.

This is a core element of any creative writing, be it a novel, a play, a poem, or a book. The plot usually has an ark that sets the whole story from introduction to end. Plots are something you cannot ignore; without them, the entire story is not possible.

Readers must spectate something that is going on between several characters personally or between one character and circumstances. The conflict sharpens everything and makes the plot catching.

Everywhere you go, it’s all about style — and writing is no exception. It is ephemeral but an essential element of creative writing. For famous world-renown authors, their style is the same as their unique fingerprint or signature they leave on their books for fans. You cannot underestimate the meaning of style. For published authors, their style is a reason why people buy the books they create. Compare the writings of Stephen King and Ernest Hemingway, and see the style of creative writing of both those fantastic personalities. The styles are completely different, but you can read their style in each paragraph.  

  • Point-of-view:

In simple words, they, you, or I can tell a story. In other words, in the first, second, or third person. This can be a vital element for some creative writing pieces, and for others, it is not. However, in my opinion, the easiest way is to narrate from the first person, as the personal opinion of the author.

creative writing on painting

Photo by: Sixteen Miles Out, Unsplash

Core elements of creative writing

Assuming the list above, you need to be very open-minded in practicing thoughtful creative writing. It may be challenging at first, but as you progress, you will learn there are stages to creating a well-written piece. Any art masterpiece can be taken as a source of inspiration to activate your creativeness. There are four core elements, combine them and you will be able to achieve thoughtful, creative writing through art:

1. Observation

Art teaches people to observe patiently by slowing down their daily routine to find more profound meaning. Train yourself to compile your creative writing goals with the process of observation. Try to stop and think out-of-the-box when observing a particular piece of art. For example, if it is a painting, try to explore more of the details (if we are talking about paintings). Does the image contain people or mysterious characters, mythology elements, etc.? Depending on what kind of creative writing you are working on, choose pieces that create a particular mood.  

When observing a painting, you need to ask yourself various questions that will stimulate your writing afterward. For example, what are the first five words coming to your mind when you see this painting? How do the color combinations make you feel? How did the artist use a focal point of the painting to draw your attention? If there are some unusual elements, then what do they symbolize? Imagine yourself getting inside the painting, which you are observing. What do you feel about being there? Can you imagine yourself staying here forever? If there would be sounds or smells inside the world you see in the picture, how could you describe them? Write down all your assumptions and thoughts. Be as much open-minded as possible. Do not try to analyze your thoughts and feelings at this stage.

2. Interpreting

Thoughtful, creative writing through art will be impossible without interpreting your thoughts after your art exploration. A good question to ask yourself is “What is going on because of things I   observed?” and “Why do I feel the way I feel?” These two questions lie at the core of the creative writing process, and after you answer them, they will lead you to new plateaus in your creativity. Give yourself time to understand and interpret everything related to the artwork, don’t rush yourself, and be patient with your thoughts and feelings. Think over the reasons and variants of everything you understand as part of your creative writing process.

3. Communicating

Now you are ready to communicate your thoughts to others. It would help if you had a community of like-minded people who are willing to develop thoughtful, creative writing through art the same way that you are. Explain your ideas after completing the stages of observing and interpreting, be open, and share everything you want. Remember that the core of creativeness lies in an open mind and critical thinking. After the previous two stages, people are usually full of various thoughts and ideas, and you’ll likely feel the explosion of more ideas after sharing them. Communication is a key to success when it comes to creativeness. Trying to verbalize what you have achieved after diving into a particular piece of art in conversation can lift your interpretation to the next level.

Arash Asghari, Unsplash

Photo by: Arash Asghari, Unsplash

4. Creating

Now it is time to dedicate time to thoughtful, creative writing itself. Here are some practical   exercises that may be useful:

  • Explain characters from the perspective of the protagonist and antagonist’s ideas; define essential values of their personalities and behavior.
  • Pretend you are not a human, but a tree, a pattern, a piece of art, and describe your thoughts and feelings while playing this unexpected role.
  • Imagine telling the story by another person, not you; how will the narrative change in such a situation?
  • Create unexpected dialogues that could change the whole plot by making an unexpected twist.
  • Describe the behavior of characters through their motives and the prerequisites defined by their previous life experience.
  • Imagine that you have to persuade another person that your beliefs and thoughts are correct.

Using art to inspire thoughtful creative writing is an effective way to lift your writing performance to the next level. Before you start practicing creative writing, you need to understand what creative writing is and which core elements it contains. Among those elements are style, plot, character, scenery, conflict, and other vital parts that define this vast term.  

It can be very rewarding to widen your vision and influence the outcome of your creative writing by using art as inspiration. It is easy to start by simply observing a piece of art, for example, a painting. Recall all the feelings arising in your soul and remember them. Do not analyze anything at this stage. Allow the following stage for interpreting and understanding your feelings and thoughts on the art. Then try discussing and interacting with other people to refine your idea further. The final stage will be you putting it into practice in your creative writing.

About the author:

John McGill is a professional author of a lead paper writing service essayshark.com and creative writing tutor. My hobby is Antic philosophy and a favorite modern author is Stephen King.

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John McGill

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Learning resources

Use art to inspire poetry and creative writing

KS3 (ENG) , KS4 (ENG) , KS3 (NI) , KS4 (NI) , CfE L4 (SCO) , CfE L3 (SCO) , KS3 (WAL) , KS4 (WAL) , CfE Sen. (SCO)

Cubism , Pre‐Raphaelitism , Post‐Impressionism , Figurative art , Abstraction

Reading and writing , Literature , Self portraits

Cubist Head (Portrait of Fernande)

Cubist Head (Portrait of Fernande) c.1909/1910

Pablo Picasso (1881–1973)

About this resource

How can we use art for creative writing inspiration?

This resource suggests ideas for using artworks as the starting point or inspiration for a poetry or creative writing project. 

Use it to explore:

  • poets and poetry inspired by art
  • artworks on Art UK to use as a starting point for creative writing projects
  • suggestions for looking closely at an artwork
  • ideas for planning a creative written response to an artwork

The resource offers opportunities for cross-curricular study across English and Art & Design. The examples of artworks, related poems and activity ideas included in the resource can be used together as a lesson plan or as individual components to integrate into your own scheme of work. The resource is devised for KS 3/CfE Level 3 & Level 4 students but could also be suitable for Key Stage 4 and CfE senior phase students and 16+ learners.

See also our related resource: How can poetry be used to inspire art?

Curriculum links

Art and design

- Evaluate and analyse creative works - Actively engage in the creative process of art - Know about great artists and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms

Reading Pupils should be taught to:

read and appreciate the depth and power of the English literary heritage through:

- reading a wide range of high-quality, challenging, classic literature. The range should include works from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries; poetry since 1789.

understand and critically evaluate texts through:

- reading in different ways for different purposes, summarising and synthesising ideas and information, and evaluating their usefulness for particular purposes - drawing on knowledge of the purpose, audience for and context of the writing, including its social, historical and cultural context and the literary tradition to which it belongs, to inform evaluation  - identifying and interpreting themes, ideas and information - seeking evidence in the text to support a point of view, including justifying inferences with evidence - distinguishing between statements that are supported by evidence and those that are not, and identifying bias and misuse of evidence - analysing a writer’s choice of vocabulary, form, grammatical and structural features, and evaluating their effectiveness and impact - make an informed personal response, recognising that other responses to a text are possible and evaluating these.

Pupils should be taught to:

write accurately, fluently, effectively and at length for pleasure and information through:

- adapting their writing for a wide range of purposes and audiences - selecting, and using judiciously, vocabulary, grammar, form, and structural and organisational features, including rhetorical devices, to reflect audience, purpose and context, and using Standard English where appropriate - make notes, draft and write, including using information provided by others [e.g. writing a letter from key points provided; drawing on and using information from a presentation]

Grammar and vocabulary

consolidate and build on their knowledge of grammar and vocabulary through:

- studying their effectiveness and impact in the texts they read - drawing on new vocabulary and grammatical constructions from their reading and listening, and using these consciously in their writing and speech to achieve particular effects - analysing some of the differences between spoken and written language, including differences associated with formal and informal registers, and between Standard English and other varieties of English - using linguistic and literary terminology accurately and confidently in discussing reading, writing and spoken language.

KS 4 - Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating a critical understanding of sources - Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses - Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates an understanding of visual language

English literature

Students should be able to:

- read and understand poetry - respond to poems critically and imaginatively - select and evaluate relevant textual material - use details from poems to illustrate interpretations - explain and evaluate the ways in which the poets express meaning and achieve effects - relate the poems to their social, cultural and historical contexts English Language Writing for purpose and audience Students should be able to: - write accurately and effectively - use an appropriate writing form - express ideas and/or information precisely and accurately - select vocabulary to persuade and/or inform the reader - use accurate grammar, spelling and punctuation Speaking and listening Students should be able to: - communicate clearly and effectively - present information and ideas - use standard English as appropriate - structure and sustain talk - choose and adapt language appropriate to an audience - respond appropriately to questions and views of others - interact with others - make a range of effective contributions - express ideas clearly, accurately and appropriately - listen and respond to others' ideas and perspectives - challenge what they hear where appropriate and shape meaning through asking questions and making comments and suggestions

Studying spoken and written language

Students should be able to: - understand the characteristics of spoken language - understand influences on spoken language choices - explore the impact of spoken language choices - understand how language varies in different contexts; - read and understand texts - understand how meaning is constructed - recognise the effect of language choices and patterns - evaluate how texts may be interpreted differently depending on the reader's perspective - explain and evaluate how writers use linguistic and presentational features to sustain the reader's interest Personal creative writing

Students should be able to: - write clearly and fluently (as well as imaginatively, if appropriate) - organise ideas to support coherence - use an appropriate writing form - select vocabulary appropriate to the task to engage the reader - use a range of sentence structures for effect - use accurate grammar, spelling and punctuation Reading Literary and Non-fiction Texts Students should be able to: - read and understand texts - understand how meaning is constructed - recognise the effect of language choices and patterns - select material appropriate to purpose - evaluate how texts may be interpreted differently depending on the reader's perspective - explain and evaluate how writers use linguistic and presentational features to sustain the reader's interest.

Level 4 - I can analyse art and design techniques, processes and concepts, make informed judgements and express considered opinions on my own and others' work (EXA 4-07a)

Literacy and English

Listening and talking

- When I engage with others I can make a relevant contribution, ensure that everyone has an opportunity to contribute and encourage them to take account of others’ points of view or alternative solutions. I can respond in ways appropriate to my role, exploring and expanding on contributions to reflect on, clarify or adapt thinking (LIT 4-02a) - As I listen or watch, I can clearly state the purpose and main concerns of a text and make inferences from key statements; compare and contrast different types of text; gather, link and use information from different sources and use this for different purposes (LIT 4-04a) - As I listen or watch, I can make notes and organise these to develop thinking, help retain and recall information, explore issues and create new texts, using my own words as appropriate (LIT 3-05a / LIT 4-05a) - I can show my understanding of what I listen to or watch by giving detailed, evaluative comments, with evidence, about the content and form of short and extended texts (LIT 4-07a) - When listening and talking with others for different purposes, I can: communicate detailed information, ideas or opinions; explain processes, concepts or ideas with some relevant supporting detail; sum up ideas, issues, findings or conclusions (LIT 4-09a)

- Through developing my knowledge of context clues, punctuation, grammar and layout, I can read unfamiliar texts with increasing fluency, understanding and expression (ENG 2-12a / ENG 3-12a / ENG 4-12a) - I can make notes and organise them to develop my thinking, help retain and recall information, explore issues and create new texts, using my own words as appropriate (LIT 3-15a / LIT 4-15a) - To show my understanding, I can give detailed, evaluative comments, with evidence, on the content and form of short and extended texts, and respond to different kinds of questions and other types of close reading tasks (ENG 4-17a) - I can: discuss and evaluate the effectiveness of structure, characterisation and/or setting using some supporting evidence; identify how the writer’s main theme or central concerns are revealed and can recognise how they relate to my own and others’ experiences; identify and make a personal evaluation of the effect of aspects of the writer’s style and other features appropriate to genre using some relevant evidence and terminology (ENG 4-19a)

- I enjoy creating texts of my choice and I am developing my own style. I can regularly select subject, purpose, format and resources to suit the needs of my audience (LIT 3-20a / LIT 4-20a) - As appropriate to my purpose and type of text, I can punctuate and structure different types of sentences with sufficient accuracy, and arrange these to make meaning clear, showing straightforward relationships between paragraphs (LIT 3-22a / LIT 4-22a) - Throughout the writing process, I can review and edit my writing independently to ensure that it meets its purpose and communicates meaning clearly at first reading (LIT 4-23a) - I can justify my choice and use of layout and presentation in terms of the intended impact on my reader (LIT 4-24a) - I can use notes and other types of writing to generate and develop ideas, retain and recall information, explore problems, make decisions, or create original text. I can make appropriate and responsible use of sources and acknowledge these appropriately (LIT 4-25a) - By considering the type of text I am creating, I can independently select ideas and relevant information for different purposes, and organise essential information or ideas and any supporting detail in a logical order. I can use suitable vocabulary to communicate effectively with my audience (LIT 3-26a / LIT 4-26a) - I can engage and/or influence readers through my use of language, style and tone as appropriate to genre (ENG 3-27a / ENG 4-27a) - I can create a convincing impression of my personal experience and reflect on my response to the changing circumstances to engage my reader (ENG 4-30a) - Having explored and experimented with the narrative structures which writers use to create texts in different genres, I can: use the conventions of my chosen genre successfully and/or; create an appropriate mood or atmosphere and/or; create convincing relationships, actions and dialogue for my characters (ENG 4-31a)

Art and design - Students use their knowledge about the work of other artists to enrich and inform their work through analysis and evaluation - Students evaluate their work through discussion

Learners should be given opportunities to:

- respond orally to continuous and non-continuous texts - respond orally to a variety of stimuli and ideas, including written and dynamic texts, e.g. paintings, music, film, still and moving images  - communicate for a range of purposes, e.g. recount and present information, instruct, argue and explain a point of view, discuss an issue, persuade, question and explore interpretations, convey feelings - speak and listen individually, in pairs, in groups and as members of a class - present, talk and perform in formal and informal contexts and for a variety of audiences including teachers and peers - engage in activities that focus on words, their derivation, meanings, choice and impact - listen and view attentively, responding to a wide range of communication, e.g. written and dynamic texts, theatre and poetry performance, visiting speakers, explanations, instructions - speak clearly, using intonation and emphasis appropriately, e.g. recitation, oral storytelling - use appropriate vocabulary suitable for the situation or purpose - use appropriate vocabulary and terminology to discuss, consider and evaluate their own work and that of others, e.g. authors, peers

read a wide range of continuous and non-continuous texts, in printed and dynamic format, as a basis for oral and written responses. These should include:

– extracts and complete texts – traditional and contemporary poetry and prose – texts written by Welsh authors, texts with a Welsh dimension and texts from other cultures – texts that have challenging subject matter, which broaden perspectives and extend thinking – texts with a variety of structures, forms, purposes, intended audiences and presentational devices – texts that demonstrate quality and variety in language use – texts with a variety of social, historical and cultural contexts – texts that extend learners’ intellectual, moral and emotional understanding – texts with a variety of tone, e.g. irony, parody, word play, innuendo and satire

read individually and collaboratively, e.g. paired reading, guided group reading, shared reading

read for different purposes, e.g. for personal pleasure; to retrieve, summarise and synthesise key information; to interpret and integrate information; to verify information; to deepen understanding through re-reading; to identify language devices used by the writer to analyse purpose; to identify alternative readings of a text

develop appropriate vocabulary and terminology to discuss, consider and evaluate their own work and that of others, e.g. authors, poets, peers, in written and dynamic texts.

write for a variety of purposes, including to: – recount – inform – explain – argue/persuade – discuss/analyse – evaluate – narrate – describe – empathise

write in a range of continuous and non-continuous texts in a variety of forms

produce poetic writing, using imagery and poetic devices, e.g. rhyme and form

use a wide range of written and dynamic stimuli, e.g. stories, picture books, images, poems, experiences, film, paintings, music

use appropriate vocabulary and terminology to discuss, consider and evaluate their own work and that of others, e.g. authors, peers.

Expressive Arts

Exploring the expressive arts is essential to developing artistic skills and knowledge and it enables learners to become curious and creative individuals.

Progression step 5:

- I can investigate and analyse how creative work is used to represent and celebrate personal, social and cultural identities.

- I can independently research the purpose and meaning of a wide range of creative work and consider how they can impact on different audiences.

Responding and reflecting, both as artist and audience, is a fundamental part of learning in the expressive arts. 

- I can critically and thoughtfully respond to and analyse the opinion and creative influences of others in order to independently shape and develop my own creative work.

- I can purposefully apply knowledge and understanding of context when evaluating my own creative work and creative work by other people and from other places and times.

- I can critically evaluate the way artists use discipline-specific skills and techniques to create and communicate ideas. 

  

Languages, literacy and communication

Understanding languages is key to understanding the world around us

- I can listen empathetically, respecting different people’s perspectives and can critically evaluate them to arrive at my own considered conclusions.

- I can employ a range of strategies to recognise and predict the meaning across a wide range of texts and from this enhance my own expression and communication.

- I can use  inference  and  deduction  to gain in-depth understanding of complex texts, and can evaluate the reliability, validity and impact of what I read.

- I can use my knowledge of word construction,  grammar , including  syntax , and text organisation to support my understanding of what I hear and read.

- I can read empathetically to respect and critically evaluate different people’s perspectives, using them to arrive at my own considered conclusions.

- I can listen and read to build an extensive range of general and specific vocabulary, and I can use them with precision in different contexts.

Expressing ourselves through languages is key to communication

- I can convey meaning convincingly in a range of contexts so that the audience is fully engaged.

- I can make informed choices about vocabulary and grammar to enhance my communication skills

- I can reflect critically on my use of language and can consider the effects of my spoken, written and  visual communication  objectively.

- I can evaluate and respond critically to what I have heard, read or seen.

Literature fires imagination and inspires creativity

- I can engage with a wide range of literary  genres  in depth in order to explore and craft my own work.

- I can experiment with and craft my own literature.

- I can critically evaluate key concepts and the impact of language choices and techniques on the reader/viewer using an assured selection of relevant textual detail.

- I can appreciate literature, showing empathy when evaluating different interpretations of literature, including my own.

How to use this resource

1. Explore paintings and poetry

The first section of this resource introduces poems inspired by portraits, narrative paintings and abstract artworks.

Choose one or two of the paintings with accompanying poems to explore with your students. Look at the painting first, encouraging students to discuss what it shows and their response to it.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828–1882)

Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828–1882) 1853

William Holman Hunt (1827–1910)

You could think about:

  • what does the artwork look like?
  • is it an abstract arrangement of shapes and colours or has the artist represented something from the visible world?
  • is there a story, meaning or message in the work?
  • what is the mood of the work and how does this affect your response?
  • how has the artist used techniques such as brushstrokes or chisel marks? What colours have they used?

Then discuss how the poet has responded to the painting.

  • What aspects of the painting have they focused on?
  • What type of language have they used?
  • Have they used the painting as a starting point to discuss bigger ideas or themes or to reflect upon issues that are personal to them? 

2. Activity ideas and suggestions

The second section of the resource includes ideas and suggestions for responding through poetry or another form of creative writing to an artwork.

Did you know?

There is a dedicated term for poems inspired by artworks. Ekphrastic poetry is taken from the Greek word Ekphrasis , meaning to describe something in vivid detail.

Elizabeth Jennings and Rembrandt's late self-portraits

Rembrandt van Rijn was a seventeenth-century Dutch painter. During his long career, he painted over 90 self-portraits that record how he looked from youth to old age. (See additional self-portraits on the Rembrandt artist page on Art UK  and watch a video to find out more.)

Rembrandt's self-portraits from old age are brutally honest, showing melancholy eyes staring out from sagging features and dishevelled hair and clothing.

Self Portrait at the Age of 63

Self Portrait at the Age of 63 1669

Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–1669)

Poet Elizabeth Jennings  responds to the self-portraits that Rembrandt painted in later life.

You are confronted with yourself. Each year The pouches fill, the skin is uglier. You give it all unflinchingly. You stare Into yourself, beyond. Your brush's care Runs with self-knowledge. Here

Is a humility at one with craft There is no arrogance. Pride is apart From this self-scrutiny.

Read the whole poem and listen to a recording of Elizabeth Jennings reading her poem

Explore an analysis of the poem

Raza Hussain and Holman Hunt's portrait of Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828–1882)

In 2017, we challenged five young poets to create an original piece inspired by a painting of their choice from Art UK.

Birmingham-based spoken word artist and rapper Raza Hussain chose an 1853 portrait of Pre-Raphaelite artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti by William Holman Hunt . 

Hussain sees the Pre-Raphaelites as rebels who wanted to implement change and Rossetti as 'an iconic and profound symbol of passionate creative madness – the kind to change perspectives – the kind to change the world'.

Find out more about the portrait and Raza Hussain's response to it .

Rowan MacCabe and Ethel Wright's 'Bonjour, Pierrot'

Rowan McCabe is another young poet commissioned to respond to a painting on Art UK as part of the Art Speaks challenge.

Bonjour, Pierrot is an imagined portrait, made in the early 1890s, of the character of Pierrot from French literature. Pierrot has held a fascination for many artists including Jean-Antoine Watteau and Pablo Picasso . The poet Rowan McCabe responds to this depiction of Pierrot by British portrait painter  Ethel Wright and sees Pierrot in the painting as a sad figure, despite his clownish appearance.

McCabe has been affected by mental health issues and, for him, the painting is a reminder that people might seem silly and fun on the surface but can, in fact, be hiding issues relating to their mental health.  

Find out more about the painting and Rowan McCabe's response to it

Explore more paintings by Ethel Wright

Narrative painting

A narrative painting  is a painting that tells a story. The story could be from religion, literature, myth and legend or history. Or it could be a story of everyday life (often referred to as genre painting .)

Poetic responses to Titian's Diana and Actaeon

In 2012, The National Gallery in London invited 13 leading poets to respond to three paintings by Titian (c.1488–1576): Diana and Actaeon   (1556–1559);  The Death of Actaeon  (about 1559–1575); and Diana and Callisto   (1556–1559).   The paintings depict stories from the epic poem Metamorphoses   by the Classical poet  Ovid , who lived   from 43 BC to 17/18 AD.

Diana and Actaeon

Diana and Actaeon 1556-1559

Titian (c.1488–1576)

The myth of Diana and Actaeon recounted in  Metamorphoses tells the sad story of the hunter Actaeon who comes across Diana, the Roman goddess of hunting, while she is bathing with her escort of nymphs. The nymphs try to cover the naked Diana who, in a state of shock and embarrassment, splashes Actaeon. This splash turns Actaeon into a deer and he flees the scene. Tragically, however, his own hunting dogs don't recognise their master and attack and kill Actaeon.

Find out more about the paintings in the HENI Talks video on this artwork page

Patience Agbabi on Titian's 'Diana and Actaeon'

In this video poet Patience Agbabi reads her poem About Face inspired by Titian's painting Diana and Actaeon  (1556–1559).

She imagines the thoughts and response of a Black nymph who is depicted standing beside Diana in the painting and helps to cover Diana from the gaze of Actaeon. 

Hear more poets' responses to Titian's paintings on The National Gallery website

Sabrina Mahfouz and Ludolf Backhuysen's 'Boats in a Storm'

Ludolf Backhuysen 's painting,  Boats in an Upcoming Storm with the Church of Zandvoort  (1696) depicts a large sailing vessel, being buffeted by strong winds as it enters a harbour. Men on shore are pulling on a rope to steady her stern while other smaller boats come to the assistance of the distressed passengers. 

British Egyptian poet Sabrina Mahfouz was drawn to the painting by its depiction of a storm, struck by the fact that something as still as a painting is able to capture such ferocious movement and activity.

Abstract art

E. E. Cummings and Cubism

American avant-garde poet E. E. Cummings  was profoundly influenced by early twentieth-century art movements and the experiments with abstract style that Cubists and other modern artists were conducting. In 1913 he visited the International Exhibition of Modern Art in New York  (also known as the Armory Show) where he saw work by artists including Pablo Picasso , Georges Braque , Henri Matisse , Paul Cézanne and Marcel Duchamp . 

Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque's Cubist experiments revolutionised painting. In attempting to suggest the three-dimensionality of objects, landscapes and people by showing them simultaneously from different viewpoints they created fragmented, abstracted images. 

E. E. Cummings was inspired by these fractured artworks and began to explore similar experimentation in his poetry. His poems became visual as well as verbal as he experimented with the form and arrangement of his words. (His poem r-p-o-p-h-e-s-s-a-g-r  is a good example of this.)

Cummings begins his poem, Picasso , with the words:

'Picasso you give us Things which bulge: grunting lungs pumped full of thick sharp mind you make us shrill presents always shut in the sumptuous screech of simplicity'

The poem ends with:

'you hew form truly'

Read the full poem here

Anne Sexton and Vincent van Gogh's The Starry Night

Artist Vincent van Gogh is best known for his powerful portraits, flowers and landscapes painted using bold colours and loose brushstrokes that seem to whirl around the surface of his canvases.

The Starry Night, painted in 1889, shows the view from Van Gogh's room in the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum where he was placed after a breakdown (during which he self-mutilated his ear). The view was painted just before sunrise and as well as the trees and hills and starry sky that he could see, Van Gogh added an imaginary village to the landscape.

The Starry Night

The Starry Night

1889, oil on canvas by Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890)

In her response to The Starry Night,  poet Anne Sexton has managed to convey the powerful emotions as well as the loose abstracted style of Vincent van Gogh's painting.

'The town does not exist except where one black-haired tree slips up like a drowned woman into the hot sky The town is silent. The night boils with eleven stars. Oh starry starry night!'

Ann Sexton researched Van Gogh and read his letters before writing the poem and includes, as an epigraph  to her poem, a line from a letter that Vincent van Gogh wrote to his brother.

'That does not keep me from having a terrible need of – shall I say the word – religion. Then I go out at night to paint the stars.'

In creating her response to the painting she imagines Vincent van Gogh thinking about religion and mortality.

Read the full poem here

See an analysis of the poem

Activity: write a poem inspired by an artwork

Now that you have explored a range of poems inspired by paintings, have a go at writing a poem or piece of creative writing inspired by an artwork.

This activity includes tips and suggestions for finding, looking at and creating a written response to an artwork.

Step 1: find an artwork to inspire you

If you are a teacher, task students with finding an artwork that inspires them as a homework project in advance of the class. They could choose an artwork from a local collection or find one on Art UK.

Use the tips below to find artworks on Art UK.

Search by artist

Look for an artist on Art UK. Start typing the artist's name into the search box on the Art UK artworks search page .

A list of artists will appear. Select the artist that you are interested in.

Screenshot of Art UK's artwork search page

Screenshot of Art UK's artwork search page

You will be shown a list of artworks on Art UK by your selected artist. Browse these and choose an artwork to inspire your creative writing project.

Screenshot of Art UK's artworks search page, showing art by Sonia Boyce

Screenshot of Art UK's artworks search page, showing art by Sonia Boyce

  • Go to the artworks search page to search by artist

Search by theme

You can also type a subject or theme into the search box. This could be anything from 'holiday' to 'celebrity' to 'football'. Once you've typed your theme, click the search icon or press return.

You will be shown a list of artworks relating to the keyword.

  • Go to the artworks search page to search by theme

Another way to search by theme is to explore Topics on Art UK. We have gathered together a selection of artworks related to a wide range of themes from 'home and family' to the 'natural world'.

  • Browse Topics

Search by location

If you'd like to find artworks in museums or galleries near you, use our venue search.

This will allow you to search by UK country and region to find a local gallery or museum and see the artworks that they hold.

  • Search by country, region and venue

Be inspired using the artwork shuffle

If you are not sure what you're looking for (but will know when you see it!), use our artwork shuffle.

The artwork shuffle shows a random selection of artworks in different media from collections around the country.

If you don't see anything you like, shuffle again to see another selection.

  • Inspire me with the artwork shuffle

Step 2: look closely at your artwork

Once you have found an artwork to inspire you, look closely at it. Note down your thoughts about the work and your feelings in response to it.

  • What does the artwork look like?
  • Is it an abstract arrangement of shapes and colours or has the artist represented something from the visible world?
  • Is there a story, meaning or message in the work?
  • What is the mood of the work and how does it affect your response?
  • How has the artist used techniques such as brush strokes or chisel marks? What colours have they used?

In this video, created by The Grampian Hospitals Art Trust , writer Shane Strachan shares some useful ideas for looking closely at an artwork.

Step 3: plan and write your creative response

How are you going to respond to the artwork in your creative writing piece?

Your response could be a poem, a text, a memory or a form of your own invention. As well as what you see in the artwork (the imagery, colours and mark-making or use of materials) think about your own interpretation and your response to it.

  • What does the artwork make you feel?
  • Does it make you think of other things such as memories, places or people?
  • Does the artwork tell or suggest a narrative or story?
  • Are there any details or imagery within the artwork that draws you in?
  • What do the colours, shapes and marks remind you of?

Research and be inspired by others

You could also research the artwork to inform and inspire your approach. Find out more about the artist and their ideas and techniques or research the subject depicted.

Be inspired by the approach of other writers. Revisit the poetry included in the first part of this resource.

Or read creative responses to artworks written by young people for our  Write on Art competition.

  • Write on Art: Ruby Langan-Hughes on The Broken Mirror by Jean-Baptiste Greuze
  • Write on Art: Variaam Tratt on Preserve 'Beauty ' by Anya Gallaccio
  • Write on Art: Aoife Hogan on Childen and Chalk Wall 3 by Joan Eardley

Writing art: inspiration and tips

In this second video from Grampian Hospitals Art Trust , writer Shane Strachan shares ideas and tips for responding to an artwork creatively in writing. He also shares his own poems inspired by artworks.

Watch the video and then get started on your own creative writing project!

Find out more

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More Art UK resources

5 Quick Art Activities to Incorporate Writing in the Art Room

exemplar

Can art teachers confidently incorporate creative writing into lessons? Is there space for writing in the art room? Can handwriting turn into artwork? The answer to all these questions is—yes! Incorporating writing into the artmaking process will benefit your students’ learning regardless of age or grade level. Students can discover a love for creative writing and gain confidence in their literacy skills. You can help them improve their writing skills, make bigger connections, and formulate new ideas. Get your students writing in the art room with these five engaging art activities.

These five quick ideas will show you how to incorporate writing into artwork and improve students’ writing skills.

These art and writing activities are appropriate for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade, but you can adjust them for younger and older artists. The ideas allow students to use their imaginations and get creative with their writing and art.

exemplar

1. Turn handwriting into art (Grades 3–6).

Students can incorporate their handwriting into a final art piece. This idea comes from the work of the artist Cy Twombly . Twombly was an Abstract Expressionist who used writing and language in his artwork. His abstract paintings often showcase poetry, scribbles, and distinctive lines inspired by handwriting.

Select a specific theme, such as school , community , art , positivity , connection , or friendship , and help students generate a list of related words. Students select one word and handwrite it several times to create a pattern. Paint over the text with translucent watercolors or thinned tempera paints. To finish, trace the text with oil pastels, pen and ink, or markers.

2. Create your own Pokémon® Card (Grades 4–6)!

exemplar

For this lesson, students design and illustrate an original Pokémon character. Their card will include a visual image as well as a written description of abilities and animal information. Students go wild over this assignment! You can even make more interdisciplinary connections if you bring in science with types of energy and animal habitats.

exemplars

3. Provide quick writing prompts.

Are you unable to spare valuable class time for lots of writing? No need to worry! You don’t have to design an entire lesson plan centered on writing. Check out Literacy through Storytelling , a Collection in FLEX Curriculum  full of strategies for writing integration. The Mini Artist Statement is a fabulous student-facing resource in this Collection that scaffolds the reflective writing process. You can also do a deeper dive into writing with these prompts . For even more tips, check out the article, 3 Stress-Free Ways to Bring Writing Into Your Art Room .

downloadable resource

4. Design a print (Grades 4–6).

exemplar

This interactive printmaking activity is a sure bet to get your students excited about the power of text. Show video clips and/or provide written excerpts of famous speeches throughout history. Facilitate a class discussion about specific words or phrases that capture the essence of the selected speech. Students carve a word or short phrase into their printing plate and create a series of prints using different colors. Discuss how color can impact the word or phrase.

This lesson is another opportunity to make interdisciplinary ties. You can highlight historical connections by researching influential leaders and speakers from the past and present to show to your students. Check out the Lesson, Printmaking to Convey a Message in FLEX Curriculum  for more ideas and resources!

printmaking supplies

5. Illustrate a storyboard (Grades 4–6).

Students love to write and illustrate a story. This activity will help your students express storytelling ideas visually. And the best part is that the sky’s the limit! You can choose a fairytale, a folk tale, or any creative writing piece. Take this opportunity to collaborate with their classroom teacher to find out what students are reading in their ELA curriculum, and challenge them to illustrate part of the story or even create a sequel.

Assign each student a section of the story. Discuss and show examples of how to illustrate words, scenes, action, and mood. Students draw images to illustrate their sections of the story and assemble the pages to form a storybook. Read the story as a class, holding up the students’ illustrations for all to see!

writing sample

Implementing writing into the artmaking process is fun and engaging. We can use art to improve students’ writing skills by incorporating literacy into art lessons. Students can expand their vocabulary, improve communication, and practice writing. Additionally, they will make connections between art, history, and literacy. Use these lesson ideas to challenge your students to harness the power of words in their art!

How will you adapt your art projects to incorporate writing?

What literacy skills do you want to focus on improving this year?

What questions do you still have about bringing writing into the art room?

Magazine articles and podcasts are opinions of professional education contributors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Art of Education University (AOEU) or its academic offerings. Contributors use terms in the way they are most often talked about in the scope of their educational experiences.

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Need some help to get the creative writing juices flowing? Try starting with some art and the prompts below. Who knows where your imagination will take you …

These activities are great for children ages 7 and up, but can be enjoyed by learners of all ages. Younger children may benefit from the help of an adult.

For related educational resource packets, visit our  educator resource finder .

Exploring Haiku

Although haiku poetry originated in Japan, it is created by poets around the world today. The basic form includes seventeen syllables broken down into a 5, 7, 5 pattern over three lines of verse. Haiku poets often write new poems daily to respond to the ever-changing world around them. To craft your own haiku, begin by creating a word bank with five words that describe what you are noticing in your world today. Use one or more of those words to inspire and structure your poem. Try to keep things simple by using the present tense and avoiding similes, metaphors, or fancy adjectives. And, remember, it can be as silly or serious as you choose! 

Examples of Haiku

Five syllables here. Seven more syllables here. Are you happy now?

Haiku are easy. But sometimes they don’t make sense. Refrigerator.

I Wish I’d Had a Camera

Photographer Robert Frank was known for working in the “street” style, using his small camera to quickly capture fleeting moments in everyday life. Stylistically, his work was tied to that of his friend Beat poet Jack Kerouac (American 1922–1969), who often wrote using stream of consciousness, a way of writing that captures a subject’s thoughts and reactions to an event in a continuous flow. 

Visualize a moment from your life—a fleeting scene or cherished memory—that you wish you had captured in a photograph. Set a timer for five minutes (or less for younger learners). Without stopping to edit, write a stream of descriptive words that evoke the sights, sounds, and feelings of that moment. Share this written memory with a friend. 

Margo Hoff’s 1945 painting, Murder Mystery , portrays a reader propped up in bed late at night with their head buried in the pages of a book. Hoff’s stylized forms, intricate patterns, and dark palette make the scene mysterious, reminding us of how the tone of a good story can affect our experience of the world.

Imagine you are writing a fictional novel that will one day be a bestseller. You think your story is interesting and exciting, but now you need a title. What title would you give your book? What genre does it fall into—mystery, fantasy, science fiction, or something else? What is the conflict that drives your story? How might it be resolved or worked through?  Write a summary of your story for the back cover—but don’t give away the ending! 

Every Day is History

Each day, small moments come together to create history on a large and small scale and in personal and public forms. Japanese artist Noda Tetsuya captures this spectrum of experiences in his multilayered prints, which feature intimate moments with his family as well as monumental global events. His Diary series encourages us to reflect on the accumulation of memories that mark the passage of time—and our own personal place within this history.

Document your own moment in history by creating a daily journal. Jot down the major and minor events of the day, based on the context of your life and experiences. What is important today—to you or in the world? Experiment with using your own voice to tell the history of the week. Clip a photo or add a drawing to build on your written notes. At the end of the week look back at each day’s events and consider what new insights you might take into the following week.

What’s Your Word? 

The varied colors and paint strokes in Joan Mitchell’s City Landscape provide us with multiple points of entry and engagement. The impact of the image may in fact stay with us, jostling our thoughts and taking root. With this and so many works of art, we often wonder: How can I make personal connections? How might an artwork stay with me long after I’ve seen it? 

Spend a moment free writing your own thoughts about this painting. Pay attention to how it makes you feel; what emotions come up; what memories are activated. Free write your thoughts for two minutes; try to let your hand and pen connect. Read back over what you have written, and underline two lines that resonate with you the most. From within those lines, circle three of the words, then place a triangle over just two of your three chosen words, and finally draw a box around just one. You should now have redacted your writing to one simple word. Think about how and where you want to display your word; you may want to cut it out, draw it large, or place it on your bathroom mirror! As you move about your day, keep coming back to this word and the personal connections you’ve made.

Round-Robin Story

Work together with your family to tell the story unfolding in this artwork. Have someone start the story and write down the first sentence. Pass the paper to the next person to write the next sentence. Repeat this process until everyone has gotten a chance to contribute at least once. Put your sentences together and read your thrilling tale for all to enjoy.

Crafting Your Movie Pitch

In this colorful painting, Archibald Motley Jr. depicts the vibrancy of a crowded cabaret in Chicago’s South Side neighborhood Bronzeville. 

Imagine that this painting is the opening scene of a movie that begins with this line: “I knew then that my life would never be the same.” Using clues from the picture, decide who will be the main character of your film and then build out your story. What happened in the days before what we see here? What is happening now? What happens after this moment and what changes happen in the life of the main character? Write out these moments as if you were constructing the plot for a movie and getting ready to sell it to a big-time producer. Share the storyline of your movie with friends and family to see if they would want to watch it on opening night.

A Poem in Five Lines

A five-line poem is also called a cinquain. Some forms of cinquain poetry follow specific rules about the number of syllables or elements in each line. Look closely at this sculpture by German artist Katharina Fritsch and respond to the following prompts to write your own cinquain. 

Line #1: Choose one noun to identify the subject of the artwork. Line #2: Pick two adjectives describing the subject of the artwork. Line #3: Write three verbs ending in –ing that detail the action in the artwork. Line #4: Select four individual words or a four-word phrase to describe emotions related to the artwork. Line #5: End with one noun that is a synonym for the subject of the artwork.

Have a friend or family member also write a cinquain about this sculpture and share your poems with each other!

Conversation in the City

In Dawoud Bey’s Harlem, U.S.A. series, he explored the identities of the people and places of New York City’s Harlem neighborhood in the 1970s. Look closely at this scene from the series. Think about the personalities of the people and the events taking place around them based on details you find in the image. Select two people and imagine the conversation they might be having. How would their discussion unfold and what would they say to each other? What might they say to you if you were in this scene? Write out the conversation, expressing the personality of each character and the story that might occur in this scene.

Dream a Little Dream

Like the works of his Surrealist contemporaries, Cornell’s art is often connected to the world of dreams. Based on what you can see in this Cornell box, write a short story that begins with this line: Last night I had the strangest dream …

A Tale about Things

Philip Guston painted everyday objects like clocks and shoes as if they were characters in a narrative rather than inanimate objects in a still life. Think of two or three everyday objects you’d want to use to create a scene. What sort of personalities do they have? A book, for instance, might be intelligent but shy. Write a short story about these characters.

A Story from the Window

Identify one object, figure, or animal from the windows—this will be the subject of a story. Look closely at its details. Pay attention to surrounding shapes, colors, objects, and figures in the same panel. Write your story from the perspective of the subject, describing what it is like to be a part of the environment of the windows.

Tip: For a closer look at the details of this work, click on the image and zoom in.

Travel Assignment

Imagine that you are a writer for a travel magazine. The editor assigns you to go to Japan and write a report based on your experiences at the cherry blossom viewing festival. Step into the screen and write about what you see, feel, smell, and hear. Where would you want to go? What would you want to see?

The Storyteller’s Story 

This ceramic figure was created in the Ameca Valley of Mexico. The figure appears to be in the midst of telling a story, and in many early societies storytellers told heroic legends and myths that helped people understand their history and their place in the natural world.

Though seated, its pose is energetic and its gestures expressive. Notice that the mouth on the Storyteller Figure is partially open. Is the figure speaking? If so, what is he saying? Write the story Storyteller Figure might be telling. 

What’s in a Title?

Write your own titles for artworks— they can be funny, serious, descriptive, or completely made up. Browse the museum’s collection to find your favorites, or write new titles for works that artists never gave a title to in the first place.

If you are in a group, share your titles with each other to see what creative ideas you all came up with. You can also visit the webpage for your selected artwork to find out if there is a featured title. Look at the artwork again. Why do you think the artist chose this title?

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Writing through art: 9 ways art can make you a better writer

  • by Claire Bown
  • April 14, 2021 January 8, 2022

Writing through art: 9 ways art can make you a better writer

Writing through Art: 9 Ways Art can Make you a Better Writer

Throughout the ages, looking at art has been a unique way of finding inspiration and creativity. if you go as far back as the greeks, you can find examples of writing inspired by art, called ekphrasis, which means “a literary description of or commentary on a visual work of art” art is a frequent source of inspiration for many writers and poets over the centuries. john keats’ “ode on a grecian urn” is a famous example and william blake said that poetry and art are ‘ways to converse with paradise’., but how does this work for us, mere mortals with a keen interest in improving our creative or reflective writing in this week’s blog i’m exploring 9 ways looking at and discussing art can make you a better writer., #1 slow down, art invites us to slow down and look closely at what we see. art and creative works are made to engage and hold our attention. developing the practice of slow looking will help you to notice more – how you can be more attentive to your environment, see beyond your first impressions and look a little deeper. looking slowly and carefully naturally asks us to reflect, wonder and ponder – and this reflection leads to new insights and ideas. these new perspectives offer us rich and deep material for writing too., #2 train your eye, looking at and discussing art improves your visual acumen and makes you more alert, aware and attentive to details in all aspects of your personal and work life. if you practice looking at art regularly, your observation skills will noticeably improve. your ability to describe and use descriptive language will also get better, as you notice more details and find more precise ways to describe what you see., #3 make interpretations, once we have fully observed the artwork, we can then begin to make interpretations or inferences about what is happening. this interpretation draws on the observations and invites us to think about what we’ve already seen and observed. we often ask ‘what do you think is going on’ or ‘what is the story here’. this part is about thinking creatively and coming up with plausible ideas and hypotheses about the artwork.the observation and interpretation parts leave participants buzzing with ideas and thoughts and this provides a perfect springboard for writing prompts or exercises., #4 develop vocabulary and descriptive language, when we describe an artwork we are often using descriptive language to try and evoke an image of the artwork in someone’s mind. descriptive writing makes use of precise language – the right noun, adjective or verb that will give life to the image you are describing in someone’s mind. i will often ask participants to look for categories of words when observing and describing artworks too – nouns, adjectives, verbs or to be as specific and descriptive as possible when describing colours, shapes and lines – as if they are describing them to someone who is on the telephone. participants can also make long, descriptive inventories of the artwork in the observation stage. descriptive language also makes use of the senses (see below) and figurative language – colour, symbol, image and creative comparisons are good thinking routines to use with artworks to encourage metaphorical thinking., #5 learn how to engage with different perspectives, once participants have observed and analysed the artwork in question, they can then choose the artist, or a person, object or animal in the image to ‘step inside’ they can then engage in discussion or writing from the perspective of that character – literally stepping inside their shoes and seeing things through their eyes. through this process, participants can consider different experiences and viewpoints that they discover through ‘stepping inside’ a character., #6 inspiration, taking yourself off to a museum, or going online to take part in an art discussion will allow you to get out of a rut and get inspired. immerse yourself in some artworks. think about what might be happening. let your eyes and your mind wander freely. choose artworks that you are curious about or ones that draw you in. looking at art slowly and carefully – either on your own or as part of a group discussion- can dissolve writer’s block and will foster creativity, #7 improve our sensory perception, looking at art stimulates the senses in many ways and can help us to work on our descriptive language skills. stepping inside an image and being able to describe what you saw, heard, smelt, felt and tasted is a good way to brainstorm ideas for sensorial description. or write down 50 words for each artwork you look at, with 10 in each sensory category. being able to describe how something tastes, smells, sounds, or feels rather than the way it looks, will bring your writing to life., #8 precision, looking and discussing art often involves the skills of a detective to investigate, find out and discover answers to questions. every artwork is full of mystery, intrigue and adventure – the artists and their subjects. using art as a prompt for writing exercises is a good way to keep asking questions, questions that you can use in your own writing to dig a bit deeper and wonder aloud., #9 develop critical thinking, looking at art allows you to observe the world more closely. art is frequently detailed, complex and packed with multiple meanings. this process of observation and interpretation teaches you to look more closely and analyse the world around you —skills that form the basis of critical thinking. good writing comes out of good thinking. and artworks are good things to think about., interested in learning how to use art to inspire creative and reflective writing, join us for my new 4 part mini-course ‘art and words’ starting online on 22 april 2021., this online course uses artworks as the inspiration and prompt for creative and reflective writing., it is intended for both educators, creatives and writers who would like to use art to inspire and drive their writing and those of others, too. find out more about art and words via the button below. , privacy overview.

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7 Creative Lessons Painting Can Teach Us About Writing

When my sister Sara visited last week, we spent our most luxurious moments painting small watercolors on my deck while listening to birdsong and later sitting on the beach, painting a favorite cove as the sunlight sparkled on the ocean and huge waves sprayed off the rocks the day of the full moon.

Creative Lessons

creative writing on painting

While I’m not wild about any of the paintings I created, I thoroughly enjoyed the time spent painting, picking up tips from my talented sister, being inspired by nature and each other, laughing and learning new things about painting.

And, as you might expect from me, I couldn’t help but parlay those lessons into tips that apply to writing and other creative ventures. Here goes:

#1 Small Works Make it Easy to Experiment.

Because we used small 5 x 7 watercolor paper intended for use as greeting cards, we could create three or four paintings in a sitting. Each one enabled different experiments in color, shading, brush use, contrast, composition (oops, I forgot about that one a couple of times) and more.

Likewise, when you give yourself time for smaller projects, like writing poetry, journaling or creating short stories, you can experiment and learn things in smaller bursts. You might play with rhythm, word-play, syntax, alliteration, character development, dialogue, point of view or other experiments. These may well find their way into your bigger work, without having to experiment on the bigger work itself.

#2 “Go for an impression, not the precision of a photograph.”

creative writing on painting

Have you ever read anything that gave so much detail you got lost or bored? One great skill of the writer is to pick out the very particulars that will make your scene or character come to life, without providing every last detail, photograph-style.

Put in too many details and we don’t know where to look to understand the character or to envision the scene. When you share just the right elements, you convey exactly what you want readers to grok.

Think broad brush strokes. What small peculiarity reveals the most about a character? Her snarky expressions? The way she struts? His long pauses? Their nervous tics?

#3 Have a vision, structure, a big picture plan.

As we painted, my sister reminded me about composition and the rule of thirds: “Break your page up into thirds—both horizontally and vertically.” This means the sky should take up 1/3 or 2/3 of the canvas, not half, for example. I forgot a couple times and it made the painting weaker.

For writing, you don’t always need a plan. Some writing just flows onto the page—the “happy accident.” However, for longer works, like a book, it pays to have a plan, even if that plan transforms over time.

Or if you might start with that amazing download (like the 30 or so prompts I wrote in an hour that became the seeds for The Joy of Writing Journal ). But then, you need a vision and structure for how to integrate and make the most of that initial “download.” At least, I did. I often see that same need for vision and structure in my clients’ work.

#4 Leave White Space.

In watercolor, we often leave white space that can become the tops of waves or a place for contrasting colored detail at the end.

Writing is more forgiving. You can make infinite changes. However, there is something to the idea of space. For example. I often suggest that nonfiction writers write from what they know in a state of flow. You can later do more research and expand the work; but if you try to start with every detail and include all the research from the beginning, you can easily get stuck in minutiae and never get to the actual writing!

#5 Employ a light touch when mixing colors.

When you mix too many colors together, you get a muddy mess. In fact, if you mix colors to leave a bit of variety (a dot of yellow or red in the brownish green, for example), your painting will hold more interest and look more real.

With writing, avoid the mixed metaphors and clichés. Precise language will help your reader see what you see and focus where you want them to focus.

#6 Practice is its own reward.

Like I said, I’m not in love with any one of the small paintings I created, but I do love aspects of each of the cards. In one, I learned how to make water sparkle. In another, I learned which brush makes the best short grass and tree leaves. In another I experimented with color and shadow.

I’m not sure these cards are even worthy of using as a greeting card, but the output doesn’t matter as much as the time I allowed myself to play, create and enjoy my sister. We reminisced about how painting made us feel particularly close to our mother.

It’s well and good to write for a particular purpose (as in this blog post I am writing now!). But it’s also important to just write for enjoyment. To play. Your inner muse will reward you with more inspiration and success when you make time for just practicing.

#7 Create in community from time to time!

There is something quite magical about creating with others. Writing can be a lonely act, which is sometimes fine. Yet, it can feel especially refreshing and energizing to experience the camaraderie of fellow writers, to know you’re not alone and to work off the group energy.

In fact, I wrote 96% of this blog post during my Get Your Writing Done call last week (yes, even the teacher gets to write!).

Consider joining us to get your own writing done, and experience a heightened sense of joy as you write. We meet Thursdays at 11:30 ET (8:30 am PT) and I’m also thinking of adding an evening session with another teacher or two this fall. Find out more here . If you are interested in an evening class, comment below or shoot me an email to let me know which times and days of the week will work best for you this fall.

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How to Use Images to Teach Creative Writing

Landscape paintings can inspire elementary students to use their five senses and incorporate imaginative details in their writing.

creative writing on painting

As soon as my elementary students have learned how to string words together to form sentences, I have them writing paragraphs and essays. To me, teaching writing is about passing my love of the creative process on to my students—and I have yet to meet a child who was not born to write.

When I was a new teacher, my students were fascinated by my daily calendar, which featured landscape paintings. They would stand by my desk between classes and tell me stories about the paintings. From there, the leap was natural: I could use art to teach them how to use their imaginations to write. Over time, I’ve refined the approach by having them pair paintings with prompts rooted in the five senses.

Back then, I saved the landscapes as I tore them off each day until I had enough for every student in my class. Each student first shared their painting with the class and then wrote, “What I see in the painting,” at the top of a sheet of paper.

Next, I had the students use simple sentences to list what they saw in their picture. I walked around the room helping them to grow their sentences. Sentences such as “I see a cloud ” became “I see a big, white, fluffy cloud.” As the students added adjectives to their sentences, we discussed other ways to grow sentences with similes, metaphors, and personification; with a little thought, the sentence became “I see a big, white, fluffy cloud that looks like cotton candy and I would like to eat it.”

My students quickly caught on, and their sentences became more imaginative. At the end of class, I had them turn in their picture and paper to me to keep for the next day.

On the second day, I passed out the paintings again, with a second sheet of paper. When I had students write at the top of the paper, “What I hear in the picture,” they were confused: How could they hear a picture?

“Imagine the painting is real and you are standing somewhere inside it. Point to where you are standing.” The students studied their pictures carefully, chose their spots, and pointed.

“Now close your eyes and imagine you are there,” I instructed. “Can you see it in your mind? Tell me what you hear.”

The students scrunched up their faces as they concentrated. “I hear a bird,” one finally said. “I hear a fountain,” another said.

Suddenly they were all chiming in. As they wrote down their sentences, I moved around the room as I’d done the day before, helping them grow their sentences. This time, the students were much quicker. “I hear a bird” quickly became “I hear a mama bird yelling at her kids because they made a mess of the nest.” At the end of the class, I again collected their papers and pictures.

The third day’s prompt was “What I can touch.” Once they’d chosen a spot in their painting, I asked them to close their eyes and imagine the weather within it. “Can you feel a breeze? Is it hot or cold?” This time, the students told me they were running through their painting on the warm grass, splashing in the cold water of the creek, climbing the scratchy bark of the trees, and touching the soft petals of the flowers. This time, I didn’t have to help them with growing their sentences; their creativity was running wild all on its own.

Taste and Smell

We explored the last two senses together. I first explained to my students how smell and taste are linked and started off by asking them what they could smell in their paintings. The students talked about the scent of the roses in the garden and the freshly mowed grass in the yard; one of the students said that the house in the picture reminded him of his grandmother’s and he could smell and even taste her fried chicken. Another said that they were having a picnic with delicious lemonade, and yet another told me that the American flag in the painting reminded him of July Fourth—he could smell the fireworks.

Putting It All Together

On the final day of the project, I passed all four pieces of paper back to the students along with a fifth, with lines organized and indented into six paragraphs. In the first paragraph, I had the students introduce themselves and share the name of their painting and artist. Then they used their notes from earlier in the week to write a paragraph for each day. They ended their essay with what they liked best about their painting. (For older students, try some of these strategies for revising a final draft.)

Then they mounted their picture on construction paper and drew a frame around it. I gathered their paintings into a notebook; students took turns reading each other’s essays for the next week. A local art gallery displayed the notebook, and seeing their work being read by others inspired my students to keep writing. Now, because I no longer use a printed calendar, local art galleries donate postcards that we use in exchange for exhibiting the notebook.

As an international teacher, I’ve seen art bridge gaps that diplomacy could not. Once a seventh-grade English language learner wrote that she could hear the sound of freedom in her picture. When I asked her about it, she pulled out her picture of a painting of an American soldier walking toward the light. “I don’t know what freedom sounds like,” she said as she reverently touched the soldier, “but I know he’s hearing it.”

Interesting Literature

10 of the Best Poems about Creativity

Poetry, as one of the creative arts, has often addressed the topic of creativity. Where do ideas come from? What is inspiration? What is the relationship between originality and creativity? Below, we introduce ten of the very best poems about creativity and creation of various kinds – not just artistic or poetic creativity but other forms of ‘making’ too.

1. Sir Philip Sidney, ‘ Loving in Truth ’.

Loving in truth, and fain in verse my love to show, That she, dear she, might take some pleasure of my pain,— Pleasure might cause her read, reading might make her know, Knowledge might pity win, and pity grace obtain,— I sought fit words to paint the blackest face of woe …

Let’s begin this pick of creativity poems with a trio of sonnets from the Renaissance, penned by three of the most celebrated poets of the Elizabethan era. Sidney (1554-86) wrote one of the first great sonnet sequences in English, Astrophil and Stella , and this opening poem from the sequence sees him biting his pen and trying to create a poem to honour his beloved, the woman ‘Stella’.

Sidney – or his fictional alter ego, ‘Astrophil’ (‘star-lover’; ‘Stella’ means ‘star’) – acknowledges that he truly loves the woman he is to write about, and wants to convey that through the poetry he writes, so that his pain – in being transmuted into great verse – will please the woman he loves. This will have the knock-on effect of making her want to read on, and through reading on she will come to know how deeply he loves her, and when she realises this she will pity him, and thus he will win her ‘grace’ or attention and blessing.

2. Edmund Spenser, ‘ One Day I Wrote Her Name upon the Strand ’.

One day I wrote her name upon the strand, But came the waves and washed it away: Again I wrote it with a second hand, But came the tide, and made my pains his prey …

Along with Sidney and Shakespeare, Edmund Spenser (c. 1552-99) was one of the leading sonneteers of the Elizabethan era. This poem from Spenser’s 1595 sonnet sequence Amoretti , which he wrote for his second wife Elizabeth Boyle, tells us that he wrote his beloved’s name on the beach one day, but the waves came in and washed the name away. He wrote his beloved’s name out a second time, but again the tide came in and obliterated it, as if deliberately targeting the poet’s efforts (‘pains’) with its destructive waves. But there’s a twist: here we have another take on the popular Renaissance conceit that the poet’s sonnet will immortalise his beloved.

3. William Shakespeare, Sonnet 83 .

I never saw that you did painting need, And therefore to your fair no painting set; I found, or thought I found, you did exceed That barren tender of a poet’s debt …

creative writing on painting

4. Elizabeth Bishop, ‘ One Art ’.

Bishop (1911-79) is now regarded as one of the great American poets of the twentieth century, although her reputation is still eclipsed by the confessional poets such as Sylvia Plath. ‘One Art’ considers losses and losings of all kinds, celebrating them as ‘art’: all loss, no matter how terrible and heart-breaking, can feed an artist’s creativity. The artful artifice of the villanelle form is here pressed into glorious service.

5. Dylan Thomas, ‘ In My Craft or Sullen Art ’.

This poem sees Thomas (1914-53) addressing that common question: why does a poet choose poetry as their vocation? Or does the calling choose them? What motivates a poet to devote their life to the creating of poetry?

The answer, in Thomas’ case, is romantic: the poet talks about labouring ‘by singing light’ not for money or out of ambition, but for the ‘common wages’ of the ‘secret heart’ of lovers down the ages.

6. John Ashbery, ‘ The Painter ’.

The hugely influential and popular American poet John Ashbery (1927-2017) gave us one of the finest poems about the art of creating a painting. In ‘The Painter’, he uses the difficult form of the sestina to describe a painter who depicts the sea in his paintings. Through utilising a half-dozen key words of the sestina (which stand in for the usual rhyme words), Ashbery brings together the buildings, the portrait, the painter’s brush, the canvas on which the portrait is painted, the idea of prayer, and the subject of the painting – with the painting itself being the subject of the poem.

7. Ted Hughes, ‘ The Thought-Fox ’.

This is probably Hughes’ greatest poem about poetic creativity, and it had its origins in his time as a student of English at Cambridge. He was losing his ability to write poetry because the practice of critically analysing poems by other writers was stifling his own creativity.

One night, while working on a literature assignment, Hughes was ‘visited’ by a fox which entreated him to stop analysing poems and start writing them. He did so, and this poem – which appeared in his first collection, The Hawk in the Rain (1957) – remains one of his best-known poems.

8. Sylvia Plath, ‘ Words ’.

As the poem’s title implies, ‘Words’ is a meditation on the very stuff of poetry, although it is neither wholly favourable nor wholly damning about the power of words. ‘Axes’, the opening word, immediately invites us to draw a link between title and opening line: words are axes, in that they are cutting, powerful, but also potentially deadly. After one has struck the wood of the tree or log with an axe, the wood ‘rings’. Like that axe felling a tree or slicing a log, words echo, and the echoes travel away from the ‘center’ (the one who has spoken or written those ‘words’?), galloping away like horses.

This poem is on this list because it explores both the creative and destructive power of words, which can be used to cut (like those axes) as well as echo down the ages.

9. Carol Ann Duffy, ‘ The Love Poem ’.

This poem appeared in Duffy’s 2005 volume Rapture, and is a poem about the difficulty of writing a love poem. Duffy explores this difficulty – the notion that ‘everything has already been said by everybody else’ – by quoting snippets from famous love poems from ages past, such as those by John Donne, William Shakespeare, and Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

‘The Love Poem’ shows that Duffy is aware of the rich tradition of love-poem sequences in English literature: it is a poem that feels the weight of these former masters – Shakespeare, Sidney, Donne, Shelley, Barrett Browning – and finds it difficult to write a love poem that won’t sound like a bad pastiche or copy of these literary greats. ‘I love you’, as Jacques Derrida was fond of pointing out, is always a quotation.

10. Claudia Emerson, ‘ Beginning Sculpture: The Subtractive Method ’.

Emerson (1957-2014) was an American poet who won the Pulitzer Prize for her 2005 collection Late Wife . In this poem, she describes the art of sculpture, referencing the famous line attributed to Michelangelo about subtracting bits from the block of marble until the sculpture emerges. Here, though, the setting is a class in which girls chisel away at blocks of salt.

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Creative Primer

What is Creative Writing? A Key Piece of the Writer’s Toolbox

Brooks Manley

As we delve into the world of writing, it becomes apparent that not all writing is the same. One form that stands out due to its unique approach and focus on imagination is creative writing. This section will explore the question, “ what is creative writing ” and highlight its key characteristics.

Definition of Creative Writing

Creative writing is a form of writing that extends beyond the bounds of regular professional, journalistic, academic, or technical forms of literature. It is characterized by its emphasis on narrative craft, character development, and the use of literary tropes or poetic techniques to express ideas in an original and imaginative way.

Creative writing can take on various forms such as poetry, novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, and more. It’s a way for writers to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas in a creative, often symbolic, way. It’s about using the power of words to transport readers into a world created by the writer.

Key Characteristics of Creative Writing

Creative writing is marked by several defining characteristics, each working to create a distinct form of expression:

1. Imagination and Creativity: Creative writing is all about harnessing one’s creativity and imagination to create an engaging and compelling piece of work. It allows writers to explore different scenarios, characters, and worlds that may not exist in reality.

2. Emotional Engagement: Creative writing often evokes strong emotions in the reader. It aims to make the reader feel something — whether it’s happiness, sorrow, excitement, or fear.

3. Originality: Creative writing values originality. It’s about presenting familiar things in new ways or exploring ideas that are less conventional.

4. Use of Literary Devices: Creative writing frequently employs literary devices such as metaphors, similes, personification, and others to enrich the text and convey meanings in a more subtle, layered manner.

5. Focus on Aesthetics: The beauty of language and the way words flow together is important in creative writing. The aim is to create a piece that’s not just interesting to read, but also beautiful to hear when read aloud.

Remember, creative writing is not just about producing a work of art. It’s also a means of self-expression and a way to share one’s perspective with the world. Whether you’re considering it as a hobby or contemplating a career in it, understanding the nature and characteristics of creative writing can help you hone your skills and create more engaging pieces. For more insights into creative writing, check out our articles on creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree and is a degree in creative writing worth it .

Styles of Creative Writing

To fully understand creative writing , one must be aware of the various styles involved. Creative writing explores a multitude of genres, each with its own unique characteristics and techniques. The styles we’ll explore in this section are poetry , short stories , novels , screenplays , and plays .

Poetry is a form of creative writing that uses expressive language to evoke emotions and ideas. Poets often employ rhythm, rhyme, and other poetic devices to create pieces that are deeply personal and impactful. Poems can vary greatly in length, style, and subject matter, making this a versatile and dynamic form of creative writing.

Short Stories

Short stories are another common style of creative writing. These are brief narratives that typically revolve around a single event or idea. Despite their length, short stories can provide a powerful punch, using precise language and tight narrative structures to convey a complete story in a limited space.

Novels represent a longer form of narrative creative writing. They usually involve complex plots, multiple characters, and various themes. Writing a novel requires a significant investment of time and effort; however, the result can be a rich and immersive reading experience.

Screenplays

Screenplays are written works intended for the screen, be it television, film, or online platforms. They require a specific format, incorporating dialogue and visual descriptions to guide the production process. Screenwriters must also consider the practical aspects of filmmaking, making this an intricate and specialized form of creative writing. For those interested in this style, understanding creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree can provide useful insights.

Writing for the theater is another specialized form of creative writing. Plays, like screenplays, combine dialogue and action, but they also require an understanding of the unique dynamics of the theatrical stage. Playwrights must think about the live audience and the physical space of the theater when crafting their works.

Each of these styles offers unique opportunities for creativity and expression. Whether you’re drawn to the concise power of poetry, the detailed storytelling of novels, or the visual language of screenplays and plays, there’s a form of creative writing that will suit your artistic voice. The key is to explore, experiment, and find the style that resonates with you. For those looking to spark their creativity, our article on creative writing prompts offers a wealth of ideas to get you started.

Importance of Creative Writing

Understanding what is creative writing involves recognizing its value and significance. Engaging in creative writing can provide numerous benefits, including developing creativity and imagination , enhancing communication skills , and exploring emotions and ideas .

Developing Creativity and Imagination

Creative writing serves as a fertile ground for nurturing creativity and imagination. It encourages individuals to think outside the box, explore different perspectives, and create unique and original content. This can lead to improved problem-solving skills and a broader worldview, both of which can be beneficial in various aspects of life.

Through creative writing, one can build entire worlds, create characters, and weave complex narratives, all of which are products of a creative mind and vivid imagination. This can be especially beneficial for those seeking creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree .

Enhancing Communication Skills

Creative writing can also play a crucial role in honing communication skills. It demands clarity, precision, and a strong command of language. This helps to improve vocabulary, grammar, and syntax, making it easier to express thoughts and ideas effectively.

Moreover, creative writing encourages empathy as writers often need to portray a variety of characters from different backgrounds and perspectives. This can lead to a better understanding of people and improved interpersonal communication skills.

Exploring Emotions and Ideas

One of the most profound aspects of creative writing is its ability to provide a safe space for exploring emotions and ideas. It serves as an outlet for thoughts and feelings, allowing writers to express themselves in ways that might not be possible in everyday conversation.

Writing can be therapeutic, helping individuals process complex emotions, navigate difficult life events, and gain insight into their own experiences and perceptions. It can also be a means of self-discovery, helping writers to understand themselves and the world around them better.

In conclusion, the importance of creative writing extends beyond the realm of literature and academia. It fosters creativity, enhances communication skills, and provides a platform for self-expression and exploration. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, the benefits of creative writing are vast and varied. For those interested in developing their creative writing skills, check out our articles on creative writing prompts and how to teach creative writing . If you’re considering a career in this field, you might find our article on is a degree in creative writing worth it helpful.

Steps to Start Creative Writing

Creative writing can seem daunting to beginners, but with the right approach, anyone can start their journey into this creative field. Here are some steps to help you start with creative writing .

Finding Inspiration

The first step in creative writing is finding inspiration . Inspiration can come from anywhere and anything. Observe the world around you, listen to conversations, explore different cultures, and delve into various topics of interest.

Reading widely can also be a significant source of inspiration. Read different types of books, articles, and blogs. Discover what resonates with you and sparks your imagination.

For structured creative prompts, visit our list of creative writing prompts to get your creative juices flowing.

Planning Your Piece

Once you have an idea, the next step is to plan your piece . Start by outlining the main points, characters, settings, and plot. This can serve as a roadmap to guide your writing process.

Remember, a plan doesn’t have to be rigid. It’s a flexible guideline that can be adjusted as you delve deeper into your writing. The primary purpose is to provide direction and prevent writer’s block.

Writing Your First Draft

After planning your piece, you can start writing your first draft . This is where you give life to your ideas and breathe life into your characters.

Don’t worry about making it perfect in the first go. The first draft is about getting your ideas down on paper. You can always refine and polish your work later.

And if you don’t have a great place to write that first draft, consider a journal for writing .

Editing and Revising Your Work

The final step in the creative writing process is editing and revising your work . This is where you fine-tune your piece, correct grammatical errors, and improve sentence structure and flow.

Editing is also an opportunity to enhance your storytelling. You can add more descriptive details, develop your characters further, and make sure your plot is engaging and coherent.

Remember, writing is a craft that improves with practice. Don’t be discouraged if your first few pieces don’t meet your expectations. Keep writing, keep learning, and most importantly, enjoy the creative process.

For more insights on creative writing, check out our articles on how to teach creative writing or creative writing activities for kids.

Tips to Improve Creative Writing Skills

Understanding what is creative writing is the first step. But how can one improve their creative writing skills? Here are some tips that can help.

Reading Widely

Reading is a vital part of becoming a better writer. By immersing oneself in a variety of genres, styles, and authors, one can gain a richer understanding of language and storytelling techniques. Different authors have unique voices and methods of telling stories, which can serve as inspiration for your own work. So, read widely and frequently!

Practicing Regularly

Like any skill, creative writing improves with practice. Consistently writing — whether it be daily, weekly, or monthly — helps develop your writing style and voice. Using creative writing prompts can be a fun way to stimulate your imagination and get the words flowing.

Attending Writing Workshops and Courses

Formal education such as workshops and courses can offer structured learning and expert guidance. These can provide invaluable insights into the world of creative writing, from understanding plot development to character creation. If you’re wondering is a degree in creative writing worth it, these classes can also give you a taste of what studying creative writing at a higher level might look like.

Joining Writing Groups and Communities

Being part of a writing community can provide motivation, constructive feedback, and a sense of camaraderie. These groups often hold regular meetings where members share their work and give each other feedback. Plus, it’s a great way to connect with others who share your passion for writing.

Seeking Feedback on Your Work

Feedback is a crucial part of improving as a writer. It offers a fresh perspective on your work, highlighting areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. Whether it’s from a writing group, a mentor, or even friends and family, constructive criticism can help refine your writing.

Remember, becoming a proficient writer takes time and patience. So, don’t be discouraged by initial challenges. Keep writing, keep learning, and most importantly, keep enjoying the process. Who knows, your passion for creative writing might even lead to creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree . Happy writing!

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Creative Primer  is a resource on all things journaling, creativity, and productivity. We’ll help you produce better ideas, get more done, and live a more effective life.

My name is Brooks. I do a ton of journaling, like to think I’m a creative (jury’s out), and spend a lot of time thinking about productivity. I hope these resources and product recommendations serve you well. Reach out if you ever want to chat or let me know about a journal I need to check out!

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19,890 quotes, descriptions and writing prompts, 4,964 themes

a painting - quotes and descriptions to inspire creative writing

There is a reason we evolved as artists in so many forms, for this is how our neurology self heals and seeks to both heal and stabilise society. The painting, the artist and the art, is part of the story of how humans became more humane.
Every painting is a story of healing, of seeking "love-tings" and "comfort-tings."
When we let the "tings" of pain, the stings that linger, out into the painting, then we see it. Then we can comprehend it at every level of the brain from the conscious to the subconscious. For we speak in many languages other than words.
The painter is a healer of the self and others, for their art is a story told in the foundational languages of the brain - in emotion, in visual dream-language. And so their painting is societal medicine and the reason we are so drawn to art becomes ever more obvious.
The painting is my soul upon the canvas, a story of colours and rising hope.
The painting speaks directly to my soul in a language I knew at my birth.

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Researcher: I study the therapeutic qualities of writing about art. Here are three steps for trying it yourself

W hat do we learn about ourselves when we write creatively about an artwork? I asked myself this question during my creative writing Ph.D., where my focus was on writing a collection of poems in response to modern and contemporary art.

While the early phase of my research involved sitting in galleries and museums, viewing images and objects in the flesh, during the pandemic I had to retreat home and recalibrate how I could access these visual prompts. I made use of books and postcard reproductions of artworks and also looked online, using resources such as Google Images and virtual gallery tours.

Lockdown had an impact on my mental health, and the poems I produced during this time went beyond straightforward descriptions of the artworks. They explored my thoughts and feelings—with the artwork aiding in uncovering parts of myself I was not aware of, or helping to warp or disguise personal content that would have left me feeling exposed if written about directly.

The idea of using images as a therapeutic tool has been a long-term interest of mine. When I ran creative writing workshops at the Whitworth Art Gallery and Manchester Museum, I asked participants to select an image or object and write something in response, incorporating aspects of their own identity or sense of place.

During lockdown, however, I was led to reflect not only on how art galleries and museums are often inaccessible (due to illness or disability, for example), but also how environments like this can feel intimidating or exclusionary for some people. And I reflected on how it's possible to nurture a love of art and creativity despite such feelings of marginalization.

Having also observed a shortfall in provision for mental health conditions, I wanted to develop techniques that would enable people who don't have prior knowledge of art history or a particular artist's intentions to write about issues that affect them, through the prism of an artwork.

What might we see in a late Rothko, for instance? Or in J.M.W. Turner's final and often considered "unfinished" seascapes? Is there something in the obscurity or formlessness that chimes with something buried in our psyche? Perhaps trauma and depression require (at least at first) an image to serve as a metaphor between that which is unspeakable and more direct language?

Maybe creative writing—and particularly writing that makes use of artworks—can perform this function, and even work as a precursor or complement to psychotherapy. This is a process whereby things we can't name are brought to light and find expression. Often when this occurs, it's healing.

So, here are three steps I have found to be effective when using an artwork as a prompt to "write therapeutically."

1. Choose your artwork

The first decision to make is your choice of prompt. People often say a piece of art "resonates" or "speaks" to them. See if you can allow an image to find you in this way. It doesn't need to be an artwork in a museum or gallery—any image you feel a connection with is a good choice.

Then, ask yourself why it resonates with you. Does the image evoke something that you associate with? Is it a distorted portrait of yourself? Or is it a surface on which to project your own reality?

2. Embrace 'slow looking'

Next, I suggest trying the exercise of "slow looking," where your attention is deliberately focused on the image for an extended period of time (say, a few minutes). As you do so, analyze the image and try to notice as much as possible.

This may contrast with most of our more accustomed way of looking, where we glance at an image for a few seconds and make a snap judgment about it—often deciding that we like it or we don't. What do you see? Or what do you think you see?

It can be useful to test out a kind of "naive looking," making the most of your subjective and idiosyncratic perceptions (those we have conjured up ourselves but which others struggle to relate to). This kind of attention involves looking around the entire artwork, without assuming that some parts are more important than others. Instead, try to treat everything as though it's of equal significance (at least initially).

3. Try uninhibited writing

Follow your slow looking exercise with some uninhibited and uncensored writing. This can either be done while still looking, or you may choose to work from your memory. As you work, consider adopting a particular mode of writing in response to the image.

One option is to just describe what's there. Another is to imagine what you think you see, or what could be occurring out of your vision in the blind field beyond the frame. And another option: how about writing from the position of one of the figures in the picture? There are many alternatives—you could even try writing poems about the artwork.

Whatever your approach, have patience and experiment with different ways of seeing and writing—especially those that run counter to our fast-paced visual culture, and might provide fresh insights into ourselves and the world.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article .

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A Look Into Creative Writing | Oxford Summer Courses

Exploring the magic of creative writing with oxford summer courses.

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Defining Creative Writing

Creative writing , as taught at Oxford Summer Courses, is the process of crafting original and imaginative works of literature, poetry, prose, or scripts. It transcends conventional writing, encouraging individuals to explore language, structure, and narrative. Whether it's a heartfelt poem, a captivating short story, or a thought-provoking novel, creative writing allows us to communicate our unique perspectives and experiences with the world.

The Magic of Imagination

Creative Writing is a catalyst that sparks our creativity and empowers us to breathe life into our ideas on the page. With Oxford Summer Courses, aspiring writers aged 16-24 can embark on an extraordinary journey of creative expression and growth. Immerse yourself in the captivating realms of Oxford and Cambridge as you explore our inspiring creative writing programs. Teleport readers to distant lands, realms of fantasy and creation, introduce them to captivating characters, and craft new worlds through the transformative art of storytelling. Discover more about our creative writing course here . Unleash your imagination and unlock the writer within.

What Are the Different Types of Creative Writing?

Creative Writing comes in many forms, encompassing a range of genres and styles. There are lots of different types of Creative Writing, which can be categorised as fiction or non-fiction. Some of the most popular being:

  • Biographies
  • Fiction: novels, novellas, short stories, etc.
  • Poetry and Spoken word
  • Playwriting/Scriptwriting
  • Personal essays

At Oxford Summer Courses, students have the opportunity to delve into these various types of Creative Writing during the Summer School.

The Benefits of Creative Writing with Oxford Summer Courses

Engaging in Creative Writing with Oxford Summer Courses offers numerous benefits beyond self-expression. By joining our dedicated Creative Writing summer school programme, you would:

  • Foster self-discovery and gain a deeper understanding of your thoughts, emotions, and personal experiences.
  • Improve your communication skills, honing your ability to express yourself effectively and engage readers through refined language and storytelling abilities.
  • Enhance empathy by exploring diverse perspectives and stepping into the shoes of different characters, broadening your understanding of the world around you.
  • Gain new skills for further education or work, expanding your repertoire of writing techniques and abilities to enhance your academic or professional pursuits.
  • Nurture your creativity, encouraging you to think outside the box, embrace unconventional ideas, and challenge the status quo, fostering a life-long mindset of innovation and originality.

Embracing the Journey

To embark on a journey of creative writing, embrace curiosity, take risks, and surrender to the flow of imagination. Write regularly, read widely, embrace feedback from tutors and peers at Oxford Summer Courses. Begin to experiment with styles and genres, and stay persistent in your course of action. The path of creative writing requires dedication, practice, and an open mind. Join us as we provide tips to help you start your creative writing journey and unleash your full creative potential under the guidance of industry professionals.

Creative Writing is a remarkable voyage that invites us to unleash our imagination, share our stories, and inspire others. It offers countless personal and professional benefits, nurturing self-expression, empathy, and creativity. So, grab a pen, open your mind, and embark on this enchanting journey of creative writing with Oxford Summer Courses. Let your words paint a vivid tapestry that captivates hearts and minds under the guidance of experienced tutors from Oxford and Cambridge. Join us as we explore the magic of creative writing and discover the transformative power it holds within through the renowned Oxford Summer Courses summer school.

Ready to study Creative Writing? Apply now to Oxford Summer Courses and join a community of motivated learners from around the world. Apply here .

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Creative Writing Prompts

Descriptive Writing Prompt: Paint Vivid Imagery with Words

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My name is Debbie, and I am passionate about developing a love for the written word and planting a seed that will grow into a powerful voice that can inspire many.

Descriptive Writing Prompt: Paint Vivid Imagery with Words

Painting a Scene: How to Capture Vivid Imagery in Descriptive Writing

Choosing the right words, creating a sensory experience, creating a visual experience: tips for engaging the senses in descriptive writing, choosing the right words: enhancing imagery with strong adjectives and descriptive language, enhancing imagery with strong adjectives and descriptive language, setting the stage: utilizing setting and atmosphere to enhance descriptive writing, appealing to the reader’s emotions: using metaphors and similes to evoke vivid imagery, transporting readers: creating a sense of place through rich and detailed descriptions, 1. engage the senses:, 2. show, don’t tell:, frequently asked questions, insights and conclusions.

When it comes to descriptive writing, the words you select can make all the difference in painting a vivid scene in the reader’s mind. To capture the essence of a scene, it’s essential to choose words that evoke the desired imagery. Instead of simply describing what you see, try incorporating sensory details that engage the reader’s senses. For example, instead of saying “The sun was setting,” you could say “The sun melted into the horizon, painting the sky with fiery hues of orange and pink.” By adding descriptive words such as “melted” and “fiery hues,” you create a more vibrant and captivating image for your readers.

Moreover, utilizing strong and vivid verbs can further enhance the imagery in your writing. Instead of relying solely on adjectives, consider using verbs that convey motion or action. For instance, instead of describing a flowing river with adjectives like “wide” or “beautiful,” you could use verbs like “gushed” or “rushed,” which animate the scene and bring it to life. Additionally, using figurative language such as metaphors or similes can add depth to your descriptions. Compare a quiet forest to a “whispering cathedral of trees” to evoke a sense of peacefulness and tranquility.

To make your descriptive writing truly vivid, it’s crucial to engage the reader’s senses. By incorporating sensory details, you can transport your readers directly into the world you’re describing. Include descriptive language that appeals to sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. For instance, instead of simply stating that the air was cold, you could describe it as being “crisp and biting, sending shivers down your spine.” By evoking the sensation of coldness, you immerse your readers in the scene and make them feel a part of it.

Take advantage of similes and metaphors to create sensory connections that are relatable and comprehensible. By comparing a beach to “a soft, golden blanket stretching as far as the eye can see,” you provide both a visual and tactile image that engages the reader. Additionally, don’t forget to incorporate sounds and scents. Describe the melodic chirping of birds or the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through the air. By including these sensory details, you bring your descriptive writing to life, making it more engaging and memorable for your audience.

Creating a Visual Experience: Tips for Engaging the Senses in Descriptive Writing

Tips for Engaging the Senses in Descriptive Writing

When it comes to descriptive writing, captivating your reader’s imagination is key. Creating a vivid visual experience through your words can transport your audience to another time and place. To help you engage the senses and bring your writing to life, here are some tips to consider:

  • Use descriptive language: Paint a picture with your words by using adjectives and adverbs that appeal to the senses. Instead of saying “the house was old,” try “the dilapidated house creaked with the weight of its years.”
  • Incorporate sensory details: Engage your reader’s senses by including specific details about sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. For example, when describing a bustling marketplace, mention the vibrant colors of the stalls, the lively chatter of the vendors, and the enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee .
  • Create vivid imagery: Draw upon metaphors, similes, and analogies to add depth and richness to your descriptions. Comparing a thunderstorm to an angry giant unleashing its fury can help your readers visualize and feel the power of the storm.

Remember, descriptive writing is an art form that enables readers to fully immerse themselves in the narrative. By appealing to the senses, using descriptive language, and creating vivid imagery, you can craft a visual experience that will captivate and engage your audience.

Choosing the Right Words: Enhancing Imagery with Strong Adjectives and Descriptive Language

When it comes to painting vivid pictures in the minds of our readers, choosing the right words is absolutely vital. By incorporating strong adjectives and descriptive language into our writing, we can transport our audience to different worlds, evoke powerful emotions, and create unforgettable experiences. Here are some tips to help you master the art of enhancing imagery in your writing:

  • Select specific adjectives: Instead of settling for generic adjectives like “nice” or “pretty,” dig deeper and choose words that precisely capture the essence of what you are describing. For example, instead of saying “the flower was beautiful,” you could use “the enchanting flower bloomed with vibrant colors, captivating every eye that beheld it.”
  • Appeal to the senses: In order to immerse your readers into your world, utilize descriptive language that engages their senses. Describing how something looks, sounds, tastes, smells, or feels can make your writing incredibly vivid and engaging. For instance, instead of merely stating “the cake tasted good,” you could say “as I took a bite of the luscious chocolate cake, its velvety smoothness melted on my tongue, the bittersweet flavor wrapping my taste buds in pure ecstasy.”
  • Paint a visual image with comparisons: Comparisons can be a powerful tool to enhance the imagery in your writing. Utilize similes or metaphors to describe things in a unique and relatable way. For example, instead of saying “the sunset was beautiful,” you could write “the sunset painted the sky in hues of blazing red and golden orange, as if nature’s canvas was ablaze with the fiery passion of a celestial artist.”

Making the conscious effort to infuse your writing with strong adjectives and descriptive language will elevate your words from mere sentences on a page to captivating journeys for your readers. Remember, the right words have the power to unlock limitless possibilities, so embrace your creativity and let your imagination run wild!

Setting the Stage: Utilizing Setting and Atmosphere to Enhance Descriptive Writing

When it comes to crafting vivid and captivating descriptive writing, one cannot underestimate the power of setting and atmosphere. These two key elements provide the foundation for immersing readers into a world of sights, sounds, and emotions. By carefully incorporating the right settings and cultivating the appropriate atmosphere, writers can elevate their descriptive works to new heights, making them truly unforgettable.

To effectively utilize setting, authors must pay attention to the intricate details that bring a location to life. Whether it’s a bustling city street or a serene countryside, painting a picture with words helps readers to visualize the surroundings. By vividly describing the physical attributes of the setting, such as the colors, textures, or even the weather, writers can transport their audience to a different time and place.

  • Create a sensory experience: Engage readers’ senses by describing the smells, sounds, and tastes associated with the setting. This multi-dimensional approach allows readers to feel fully immersed in the world being depicted.
  • Establish a mood: The atmosphere of a setting plays a crucial role in evoking emotions and setting the tone of a scene. Whether it’s a hauntingly eerie forest or a joyous beach, choosing the right words and phrases will help create the desired ambiance and enhance readers’ emotional journey.
  • Utilize symbolism: Combine the physical attributes of a setting with symbolic significance to deepen the meaning behind a scene. For example, a dilapidated house can represent the decay of a character’s psyche, adding layers of depth to your descriptive writing.

By masterfully crafting settings and atmosphere, writers can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, engaging readers on a sensory and emotional level. So, next time you embark on a descriptive writing adventure, remember the incredible impact that setting and atmosphere can have on the overall experience. Take your words beyond mere descriptions and transport readers to a world they won’t want to leave.

Appealing to the Reader's Emotions: Using Metaphors and Similes to Evoke Vivid Imagery

Metaphors and similes are powerful tools that writers employ to captivate their readers’ hearts and minds, creating a deep emotional connection. By comparing two seemingly unrelated things , they invite readers to visualize abstract concepts in a tangible and relatable way, provoking a strong emotional response. Metaphors enable writers to convey complex emotions and ideas by drawing parallels between two objects or experiences. For instance, using a metaphor like “her laughter was music to his ears,” instantly evokes a sense of joy and delight, allowing readers to envision the beauty of her laughter as a harmonious symphony.

Similes , on the other hand, utilize comparisons using words like “like” or “as” to create vivid imagery. Employing similes in writing stimulates the reader’s imagination and elicits an impactful emotional response. By saying something like “as bright as the blazing sun,” writers ignite a visual representation of brightness so vivid that readers can almost feel the warmth emanating from their words. Similes enable writers to establish strong connections between the known and the unknown, creating a sense of familiarity that resonates deeply with readers.

Transporting Readers: Creating a Sense of Place through Rich and Detailed Descriptions

Whether you’re writing a thrilling mystery novel or a captivating fantasy epic, transporting your readers to another world is essential to captivate their imagination. One powerful tool at your disposal is the art of creating a sense of place through rich and detailed descriptions. By skillfully weaving descriptive language, you can transport your readers to exotic landscapes, ancient cities, or even imaginary realms, making them feel like they’re truly experiencing the story alongside the characters.

So, how can you create a sense of place that deeply resonates with your readers? Firstly, immerse them in the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures of your chosen setting. Whether it’s describing the fragrant aroma of blooming flowers in a tranquil garden or the gritty texture of the cobblestone streets beneath their feet, these small details can bring a location to life. Additionally, consider the atmosphere and mood you want to convey – is the setting eerie and foreboding, or perhaps vibrant and lively? By effectively using vivid language and carefully selecting adjectives that evoke specific emotions, you can fully engage your readers’ senses and create a palpable atmosphere that seeps into their imagination.

Immersing the Reader: Weaving Descriptive Details Seamlessly into Narrative Writing

When it comes to crafting a compelling narrative, incorporating descriptive details is crucial to captivate the imagination of your readers. By merging vivid descriptions seamlessly into your storytelling, you can transport your audience to the very heart of your narrative, creating a sense of realism and emotional connection. Here, we delve into some effective techniques that will help you master the art of weaving descriptive details.

One key aspect of immersive writing is appealing to the reader’s senses. By incorporating sensory details, you bring your story to life and make it more relatable. Think about how an object looks, feels, sounds, smells or even tastes, and describe it in a way that stimulates the reader’s imagination. For instance, instead of simply saying “The flowers were beautiful,” you could vividly describe “The vibrant red tulips danced in the gentle breeze, their petals releasing a sweet, intoxicating fragrance.”

Avoid spoon-feeding your readers with generic adjectives or flat statements. Instead, engage them by showing the details through actions, dialogue, and observations. Allow your characters to interact with their environment, creating opportunities for rich descriptions to organically emerge. For example, instead of saying “He was nervous,” you could show it through his actions by writing “His hands trembled as he fidgeted with the loose button on his shirt, his gaze shifting anxiously from side to side.”

Q: What is descriptive writing?

A: Descriptive writing is a form of writing that aims to paint a vivid picture in the reader’s mind by using detailed and sensory language. It focuses on creating a sensory experience, allowing readers to visualize and connect with the subject matter.

Q: Why is descriptive writing important?

A: Descriptive writing helps engage readers by appealing to their senses. By using expressive and imaginative words, it brings a story or scene to life, making it more captivating and enjoyable for the reader. It allows them to immerse themselves in the narrative and form a deeper connection with the content.

Q: How can I improve my descriptive writing skills?

A: There are several ways to enhance your descriptive writing skills. First, practice observing your surroundings and pay attention to sensory details. Notice colors, sounds, smells, textures, and tastes. Incorporate these sensory experiences into your writing. Secondly, expand your vocabulary by regularly reading and exploring new words. This will enable you to choose the most precise and evocative language to describe your subject. Lastly, edit and revise your work to ensure that your writing includes vivid and specific details, making it more engaging for the reader.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid in descriptive writing?

A: One common mistake in descriptive writing is providing excessive detail that overwhelms the reader’s senses, leading to a lack of clarity. It is important to strike a balance between providing enough information to create a vivid picture while leaving some room for the reader’s imagination. Another common mistake is relying too much on clichés and overused metaphors. Instead, aim to be original and fresh in your descriptions. Lastly, be cautious of long, run-on sentences that may confuse or bore the reader. Aim for clear, concise sentences to maintain the reader’s interest.

Q: What are some writing prompts for practicing descriptive writing?

A: Here are a few writing prompts to help you practice descriptive writing: 1. Describe your favorite place from childhood, focusing on the sights, sounds, and smells that made it special. 2. Imagine you are walking through a bustling city street. Describe the scene and the people you encounter using sensory language. 3. Write a vivid description of a thunderstorm, capturing the atmosphere, sounds, and the emotions it evokes. 4. Describe a mouth-watering meal in detail, highlighting the colors, aromas, and tastes of each dish. 5. Picture a serene beach at sunset. Describe the colors, sounds, and sensations that envelop the scene.

Q: Can you provide any examples of vivid descriptive writing?

A: Sure! Here’s an example: “The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a dazzling array of orange and pink hues across the sky. The cool breeze gently caressed my face, carrying with it the faint scent of salt from the nearby ocean. As I walked along the sandy shore, the rhythmic crashing of waves soothed my weary soul, while the seagulls’ harmonious melodies echoed above. It felt as if time stood still, encapsulating me in a moment of pure tranquility.”

Remember, the key is to create a sensory experience for the reader by engaging multiple senses and using expressive language.

In conclusion, mastering descriptive writing prompts allows you to craft compelling narratives through vivid imagery, bringing your stories to life.

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UPEI Creative Writing Master Class Reading

2024 UPEI Creative Writing Master Class

The annual public reading by UPEI’s Creative Writing Master Class will take place on Wednesday, March 13, at 7:00 pm in Schurman Market Square, Don and Marion McDougall Hall.

The reading will showcase 16 of the Island’s talented emerging writers: Kylee Bustard, Madalyn Clempson, Brian Collins, Meghan Dewar, Theodora Douglas-West, Arielle Dunn, Alice Levesque-Carreau, Olivia Jalbert, Donna MacCormac, Peter Macmillan, Claire MacPhee, Noah Manholland, Delphina Morgan, Cybelle Rieber, Larissa Storey, and Emma Willoughby.

The students will read excerpts of fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, scriptwriting, and young people’s fiction. Visit a private academy for young mermaids, travel with a Canadian soldier to France for the First World War, walk with young Nigerians in the teeming streets of Lagos, and hear a front-line health worker’s poetic recipe for comfort food. The audience will also hear about meeting police inspector Tronzomyr Rhodes, a raccoon, and forensic analyst Remus the giant white rat, and witness a conflict between rural residents and an outsider developer. From climate change and murderous rivalry to enchanted hotels and the vicissitudes of love and sex, the evening will celebrate vibrant writing.

The master class reading is sponsored by the UPEI English Department and Faculty of Arts, and admission is free.

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Kelly Clarkson Weight Loss Inspires Millions: 10,000 Fans Share Their Transformation Stories in 2024

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Kelly Clarkson’s Weight Loss Story

Impact on fans, health and wellness insights, media coverage and public reaction.

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IMAGES

  1. Write Into Art: Creative Writing Inspired by Visual Art

    creative writing on painting

  2. Canvas Calligraphy Painting Ideas

    creative writing on painting

  3. Inspire Thoughtful Creative Writing Through Art

    creative writing on painting

  4. The Writer Fine Art Print, Writer Art Print, Writing Painting, Candle

    creative writing on painting

  5. Free Images : writing, person, creative, woman, play, female, biology

    creative writing on painting

  6. Creative Writing Group Session 1 of 6

    creative writing on painting

VIDEO

  1. #easy writing. #Art

  2. #stop-writing painting #shortvideo @SanjuArts7

  3. writing and painting

  4. Divya ki painting kya lakhon ₹ ki hai😲🤔 @Kappusaran10m / painting with acrylic paint #shorts

  5. #caligraphy #art#painting #happypainting #paintingtutorial

  6. Creative writing #artwork #drawing #shortvideo #youtubeshorts #viralvideo

COMMENTS

  1. 27 Inspiring Ideas for Creative Writing About Art

    Enjoy! 27 Creative Writing Prompts for Describing Art What is your point of view on art? Describe the word and its meaning in your life. How would you define creative nonfiction? Write a poem on Art as a form of therapy. Look around and describe your surroundings in your writing with one focal point as the subject of a story.

  2. Inspire Thoughtful Creative Writing Through Art

    Step 1: Observe Asking students to look carefully and observe the image is fundamental to deep, thoughtful writing. Keep this in mind when choosing art to use in class.

  3. The art of writing about your art: from artwork description to artist

    Creative writing is an essential part of any art marketing strategy or communication plan that aims to promote your work and get it noticed online or offline. Plus, there are several instances where you will need to use your writing skills as an artist, for example: -Creating your own business or professional website.

  4. Inspire Thoughtful Creative Writing Through Art

    There are four core elements, combine them and you will be able to achieve thoughtful, creative writing through art: 1. Observation. Art teaches people to observe patiently by slowing down their daily routine to find more profound meaning. Train yourself to compile your creative writing goals with the process of observation.

  5. Use art to inspire poetry and creative writing

    How can we use art for creative writing inspiration? This resource suggests ideas for using artworks as the starting point or inspiration for a poetry or creative writing project. Use it to explore: poets and poetry inspired by art artworks on Art UK to use as a starting point for creative writing projects

  6. 5 Quick Art Activities to Incorporate Writing in the Art Room

    These art and writing activities are appropriate for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade, but you can adjust them for younger and older artists. The ideas allow students to use their imaginations and get creative with their writing and art. 1. Turn handwriting into art (Grades 3-6). Students can incorporate their handwriting into a final art piece.

  7. Creative Writing Prompts

    Creative Writing Prompts | The Art Institute of Chicago Creative Writing Prompts › Ryan Learning Center › Get Creative at Home Creative Writing Prompts Need some help to get the creative writing juices flowing? Try starting with some art and the prompts below. Who knows where your imagination will take you …

  8. The Important Connection Between Writing and Painting

    In every creative pursuit, artistic individuals are confronted with unique challenges. Although writing and painting emphasize different skill sets, there are similarities that can provide you with the kind of direction that might provide a means of fortifying your weaknesses. Sometimes the best way to discover a solution to a writing problem ...

  9. 9 ways art can make you a better writer

    #1 Slow Down Art invites us to slow down and look closely at what we see. Art and creative works are made to engage and hold our attention. Developing the practice of slow looking will help you to notice more - how you can be more attentive to your environment, see beyond your first impressions and look a little deeper.

  10. 7 Creative Lessons Painting Can Teach Us About Writing

    This means the sky should take up 1/3 or 2/3 of the canvas, not half, for example. I forgot a couple times and it made the painting weaker. For writing, you don't always need a plan. Some writing just flows onto the page—the "happy accident." However, for longer works, like a book, it pays to have a plan, even if that plan transforms ...

  11. 101 Art Prompts To Help You Unleash Your Creativity

    Art prompts 1. Draw a city skyline made entirely of household items. 2. Create an underwater scene using only shades of blue. 3. Design a futuristic fashion line inspired by nature. 4. Illustrate a day in the life of an alien zookeeper. 5. Paint a landscape using only your fingers. 6. Design a hybrid creature by combining two animals. 7.

  12. Treat Your Writing Like a Painting

    Any good writer knows that experimentation is key to any good writing. Writing is a lot like painting, and many art forms, to be frank. The next time you see a painting you admire, or a film you enjoy or listen to a song that makes your day, think about how you could apply it to your writing. Inspiration is everywhere.

  13. PDF Creative Writing

    Creative Writing Definition of genre Creative writing, a form of artistic expression, draws on the imagination to convey meaning through the use of imagery, narrative, and drama. This is in contrast to analytic or pragmatic forms of writing. ... Character development is the art of imagining and portraying characters in

  14. How to Use Images to Teach Creative Writing

    Each student first shared their painting with the class and then wrote, "What I see in the painting," at the top of a sheet of paper. Next, I had the students use simple sentences to list what they saw in their picture. I walked around the room helping them to grow their sentences. Sentences such as "I see a cloud " became "I see a ...

  15. 10 of the Best Poems about Creativity

    What is inspiration? What is the relationship between originality and creativity? Below, we introduce ten of the very best poems about creativity and creation of various kinds - not just artistic or poetic creativity but other forms of 'making' too. 1. Sir Philip Sidney, ' Loving in Truth '. Loving in truth, and fain in verse my love to show,

  16. What is Creative Writing? A Key Piece of the Writer's Toolbox

    Creative Primer is a resource on all things journaling, creativity, and productivity. We'll help you produce better ideas, get more done, and live a more effective life. My name is Brooks. I do a ton of journaling, like to think I'm a creative (jury's out), and spend a lot of time thinking about productivity. I hope these resources and ...

  17. Painting the Sky: Clouds Description Creative Writing

    Wrapping Up Different Types of Clouds and their Characteristics Clouds are fascinating natural phenomena that not only add beauty to the sky but also provide valuable insights into weather patterns. There are several distinct types of clouds, each with its own unique characteristics and formation process.

  18. A painting

    The painter is a healer of the self and others, for their art is a story told in the foundational languages of the brain - in emotion, in visual dream-language. And so their painting is societal medicine and the reason we are so drawn to art becomes ever more obvious. By Angela Abraham, @daisydescriptionari, March 17, 2021 .

  19. Researcher: I study the therapeutic qualities of writing about art

    When I ran creative writing workshops at the Whitworth Art Gallery and Manchester Museum, I asked participants to select an image or object and write something in response, incorporating aspects ...

  20. A Look Into Creative Writing

    Creative writing is an art form that goes beyond traditional writing, allowing individuals to express their thoughts, emotions, and ideas through the power of words. In this blog post, brought to you by Oxford Summer Courses, we will delve into the essence of Creative Writing, exploring its definition, benefits, and how it can help unleash your ...

  21. Super Easy Hand Lettering Techniques with an Artful Spin

    Waterbrush. 1. Create guidelines that are 1-inch (25mm) tall. Inside the lines, hold the Elegant Writer medium-sized calligraphy pen at a 45-degree angle and write the upper and lowercase alphabet. 2. On the next row, write the letters with the same pen but on a slant for a slightly more stylized look. 3.

  22. Creative writing

    Creative writing is any writing that goes outside the bounds of normal professional, journalistic, academic, or technical forms of literature, ... The creative writing programs are among many art programs that aim to benefit prisoners during and after their time in prison. Programs such as these provide education, structure, and a creative ...

  23. Why being creative is good for you

    Creativity is many things. It is making connections, with yourself or a great other "universal source", connections that create new ideas; it is embracing fear and the inner critic; it is staying ...

  24. Descriptive Writing Prompt: Paint Vivid Imagery with Words

    Descriptive writing is an art that allows readers to mentally experience a scene or person through words. By using sensory details and figurative language, writers can create vivid imagery in the reader's mind. This article will provide you with a descriptive writing prompt to practice painting pictures with words. So, grab your pen and let your imagination run wild!

  25. Warren Buffett Just Revealed a Brilliant Writing Tactic That Will

    Buffett landed on the key to effective writing and memorable presentations: "Picture your reader." Before you draft any written communication, remember: Don't make it about you; make it about them.

  26. March guide to the arts at the U

    Lowe Art Museum: Evening of Art. Hosted annually, this critical fundraiser brings together Lowe supporters and noted artists in a festive environment to explore 5,000 years of human creativity at South Florida's first art museum. Guests are encouraged to participate in the Palette Project—a live auction of 55 donated works of art.

  27. UPEI Creative Writing Master Class Reading

    Amazing student experiences, state-of-the-art facilities, and opportunities to make your place in the world. Research . Our Chairs ; Research Services ; Find a Researcher ... The annual public reading by UPEI's Creative Writing Master Class will take place on Wednesday, March 13, at 7:00 pm in Schurman Market Square, Don and Marion McDougall ...

  28. Kelly Clarkson Weight Loss Inspires Millions: 10,000 Fans Share Their

    Kelly Clarkson's weight loss journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and the pursuit of holistic well-being. Born in 1982 in Fort Worth, Texas, Clarkson rose to fame as the winner of the inaugural season of American Idol in 2002.