Hello, fellow creatives! You’ve pinned a thousand ideas, but now it’s time to actually pick up that brush.
Oil painting can feel a little intimidating, but it’s one of the most beautiful ways to create art that truly pops.
I’ve put together a list of 17 gorgeous painting ideas, from tranquil landscapes to vibrant still life, that are perfect for your next project.
Get ready to find the one that makes your heart beat fastest and turn it into your own masterpiece!
01. Wavy Night Sky
This dark blue night sky is full of wavy, moving brushstrokes. The strokes make the stars and the moon look like they are swirling through the air. Below, dark mountains and pine trees are visible against the glowing moon. It has a mysterious and powerful feeling.
02. Textured Fruit Still Life
A beautiful pile of fruits sits on a table. The painting uses very thick, textured paint. Bright orange oranges and yellow fruit fill a bowl. Red apples, grapes, and berries spill out. The colors are vibrant against a soft, abstract background.
03. Textured Beach Sunset
This colorful sunset painting uses very thick paint. You can see the bumps on the canvas. The sky has bright pink, yellow, and purple colors. A sailboat floats on the blue wavy water. On the sandy beach, there are chairs and an umbrella waiting for you to relax.
04. Sunlit Forest Path
See the bright yellow sunlight shining through the green trees. The forest feels magical and warm inside. Two tall tree trunks frame the middle light. On the ground, there are green ferns and tiny colorful flowers. The paint looks soft, making the forest feel dreamy and quiet.
05. Soft Portrait Study
This is a soft and beautiful portrait of a young woman. She has kind eyes and wavy brown hair tied back. Her cheeks are pink. She is wearing a white dress with lace. The painting style is very smooth and delicate, using gentle colors like cream and soft pink.
06. Serene Lake View
This painting looks very soft and watery. It shows quiet blue water in a lake. Smooth green hills roll in the background under a gentle sky. Three trees with twisting branches stand in the grassy front area. The colors are light and blend together smoothly on the paper.
07. Rainbow Umbrella City
This painting shows a rainy city street at night. A person holds a bright rainbow umbrella. Streetlights and neon signs reflect off the wet, shiny road. Tall buildings stand in the background. The thick brushstrokes give the scene a vivid, dramatic feel.
08. Moonlit Wolf Howl
This painting shows a wolf howling at a crescent moon. It is night in the snowy mountains. The artist used thick, swirling blue and white paint for the sky and big mountain. Tall, dark trees frame the scene. The style looks magical and full of movement because of the brushstrokes.
09. Majestic Mountain Lake
This picture shows a beautiful blue lake surrounded by tall mountains. The water is very clear and reflects the sky. Big green trees on the side frame the view. You can see mist near the base of the far mountains. It looks like a perfect place for an adventure.
10. Lone Field Tree
A single twisted tree stands tall in a field of yellow and green grass. The sky is bright blue with fluffy white clouds. The grass and clouds are painted with many short, thick strokes of colorful paint. It shows a hot, sunny, and windy country day.
11. Lively Night Cafe
It is night time on a busy city street. A bright full moon shines in the dark blue sky. Warm yellow lights glow from the shops and restaurants. People are walking on the stone street and sitting at cafe tables. The painting feels warm, cozy, and full of life.
12. Floral Window Still Life
A clear glass vase holds many beautiful flowers. You can see big pink roses and yellow sunflowers mixed together. The vase sits on a table next to an old window. Sunlight comes through the window, making the flowers glow. It is a cheerful and colorful still life painting.
13. Dramatic Storm Clouds
Look at the giant storm clouds in the sky. They are dark and heavy, dropping rain far away. Below, green and yellow grassy hills roll across the land. The front of the picture has tall grass and little white daisies. The paint texture makes the clouds look powerful.
14. Crashing Ocean Waves
This painting captures a powerful ocean storm. Huge white waves crash violently against a rocky cliff. Seagulls fly high near the cloudy sky. The ocean water is deep blue and turquoise. The painting style is rough and expressive, showing the strength of the sea.
15. Cozy Stone Cottage
This is a cute little house built from stone. It has a mossy roof and a brown wooden door. The garden is full of happy pink, yellow, and blue flowers. A wooden bench with pillows sits on a stone path next to a wheelbarrow. It looks very peaceful here.
16. Cozy Fireplace Read
A woman sits in a comfy red chair by a fireplace reading a book. The room is warm, lit by the fire and wall lamps. It has wood floors and a stone fireplace. Potted plants and big windows add to the cozy, indoor atmosphere.
17. Autumn River Bridge
This scene is full of bright fall colors. Red and orange leaves cover the trees surrounding a flowing blue river. A small wooden bridge crosses the water, which rushes over rocks. The thick paint makes the leaves and water look very vibrant and alive.
