How to Mine Your Brain for Illustration Ideas
Finding creative gold in your own imagination
When you work as an illustrator — especially in picture books — the question isn’t if you’ll run out of ideas. It’s when. We all hit those moments where our brains feel like an empty sketchbook. But the truth is, your imagination is never really empty — it’s just waiting to be mined. You’ve already got a lifetime of stories, memories, and daydreams sitting quietly in there, ready to be drawn out (literally!).
Over time, I’ve learned that idea-finding isn’t about waiting for inspiration to strike — it’s about knowing where to dig.
Thanks for the memories
Your childhood is a goldmine. Truly. The things you loved, feared, or wondered about as a kid are still sitting somewhere in your mind, waiting for you to rediscover them.
Think about:
The street you grew up on.
A favourite toy, pet, or hiding spot.
A smell or sound that makes you nostalgic.
The games you invented or the way you imagined your backyard turning into another world.
I love sketching from these kinds of memories because they feel personal and universal at the same time. Children today may not have the same toys or tech, but the feelings — joy, curiosity, comfort — are timeless.
Try jotting down a quick list of childhood moments and see which ones make your heart flicker a little. Those are worth drawing.
Research Like a Detective
When I’m developing a new story or illustration, I’ll often fall down what I call a research rabbit hole. I’ll look up places, architecture, old photographs, nature references, anything that helps me build a world in my head.
I might trace a few building shapes to understand their structure, or collect small visual notes — doorways, trees, rooflines — to piece together something new in Procreate later. Research doesn’t mean copying. It’s about observation and understanding — adding little bits of truth to your imaginary world so it feels believable.
Sometimes, that research sparks completely fresh ideas. A photo of a windswept lighthouse might lead to a story about a girl who collects bottled wishes. That’s how creative mining works: one small glimmer leads you deeper.
Draw Without a Plan
When all else fails, draw without thinking. Automatic drawing — letting your hand move freely without judgment — is one of the best ways to uncover ideas hiding under the surface.
Open a blank canvas in Procreate, grab a textured brush, and start making marks. Scribbles, swirls, shapes. Don’t aim to create anything “good.” Often, something unexpected will appear — a character shape, a creature, or a pattern that triggers a new concept.
It’s creative archaeology — brushing away the dust to see what’s buried underneath.
Prompts and Challenges
Prompts are fantastic when your brain needs a nudge. I regularly join creative challenges like @Kidlitart_Drawing_Challenge or Inktober, not because I need more to do, but because they push me to think differently.
When you have a single word — “adventure,” “whisper,” “button” — your mind automatically starts connecting ideas. It’s like a mental workout for illustrators. You’ll surprise yourself with what comes up, especially when you’re drawing regularly.
Give Yourself Time and Space
Some of your best ideas will arrive when you’re not at your desk — when you’re walking, driving, cooking, or watching your kids play. Creativity loves quiet pockets of time.
If an idea sparks, jot it down quickly before it drifts away. I keep a Notes folder just for random thoughts — snippets of dialogue, colour palettes, or half-baked visual concepts. Later, when I’m ready to sketch, I’ll scroll through that list and always find something to build on.
Trust the process
Mining your brain for ideas isn’t about forcing creativity — it’s about trusting that there’s more in there than you think.Every experience, emotion, and observation adds another layer to your imagination.
When you draw from your own life, your work becomes richer, more sincere, and instantly more recognisable. The stories you tell — through colour, expression, and line — become uniquely yours.
So the next time you feel stuck, remember: you don’t need to look outside yourself for magic. It’s already in your mind, just waiting for you to start digging.
Hey, there! I’m Jasmine Berry, a freelance illustrator based in sunny Perth, Western Australia. Most days you’ll find me sketching away on my iPad or surrounded by pencils and cats, chasing new ideas. I like to think of myself as eternally optimistic—always seeing the fun, the colour, and the possibility in every project I take on. Send me a message if you would like to collaborate on a project.