Illustration Inspiration – Where Do We Procreate Artists Find Ideas?
One of the most common questions I get as a freelance illustrator here in Perth is: “Where do you find your ideas?”Inspiration can feel like this magical, fleeting thing — but in truth, it’s often about showing up, paying attention, and building habits that keep creativity flowing.
When you work in Procreate (or any digital medium), it’s easy to fall into the trap of staring at a blank canvas, waiting for the perfect idea to strike. But ideas are rarely lightning bolts — they’re more like little sparks we gather from the world around us. Here are some of the places where I, and many other Procreate artists, find inspiration.
Prompts and Challenges
Sometimes, you just need a nudge. Online challenges like Inktober, the @Kidlitart_Drawing_Challenge, or even daily drawing prompts on Pinterest and Instagram are brilliant for giving your brain a starting point. The best part? Prompts often take you in directions you’d never explore on your own. A single word like “lantern” or “adventure”can inspire a whole story-filled illustration.
Drawing from Life
Even though Procreate is digital, real-world observation is essential. I love sketching people in cafés, kids at the park, or interesting buildings around Perth. Later, I’ll scan or snap a photo and bring those sketches into Procreate to refine them. Real life gives your work an authenticity and quirkiness that’s hard to fake.
Research and Deep Dives
For bigger projects, like children’s books or illustrated maps, I dive into research. I’ll read articles, pore over old photos, and even trace buildings or objects to understand their shapes before stylising them in Procreate. Research not only fuels ideas but gives your illustrations depth and believability.
Experimentation in Procreate
One of my favourite ways to spark ideas is by playing. I’ll grab a brush I don’t usually use, play with Procreate’s symmetry tool, or start layering random shapes just to see what emerges. Some of my most expressive characters have come from these unplanned experiments. Think of it as digital doodling — you never know what might stick.
Storytelling and Kidlit Magic
Because so much of my work is in children’s books, stories are always at the heart of my inspiration.
I often ask myself: “What story does this character want to tell?” or “What if this ordinary object had a secret life?” My blank canvas becomes the stage where those questions unfold visually.
Quality Time and Quiet Moments
I also find inspiration in slowing down. Taking walks near the ocean, enjoying a coffee in the morning sun, or reading with my family often gives me sparks of imagery I later develop in Procreate.
Drawing doesn’t have to be frantic. I treat it as a kind of meditation, a way of tuning into the world and letting ideas drift in naturally.
Community and Collaboration
Sharing work on Instagram, chatting with other illustrators, or even working on client briefs can be inspiring. Sometimes another artist’s perspective or a reader’s comment on a post can unlock an idea I hadn’t thought of before. Creativity thrives in connection.
And now for…
Inspiration is everywhere — in prompts, in real life, in stories, and in the quiet spaces between projects. As Procreate artists, we have the tools to capture those sparks instantly, turning them into layers, brushes, and finished pieces.
The trick isn’t waiting for inspiration to show up. It’s building little rituals — sketching daily, experimenting fearlessly, staying curious — that invite inspiration in. Because the more you create, the more ideas seem to find you.
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.