Monochrome art ideas are a great way to slow down and get stuck into something creative. Whether you’ve got a couple of hours spare or want to tackle a weekend project, these ideas pack a visual punch while keeping things simple and focused. Let’s dive in!

💧 Watercolour studies

Image: @elise.aabakken

These mini polaroid-style artworks show how versatile monochrome can be. Whether you're layering soft washes or working in silhouettes, this kind of study is great for building skills and experimenting with different tones – what feeling does pink evoke compared to purple? How does the colour you pick affect the painted time of day? Try a gradient or a pop of contrast for extra impact!

🖤 Charcoal studies

Sketching with charcoal is all about contrast and bold, expressive lines. This hand study combines soft shading with strong shadows, letting the black space do all the talking. It’s a great technique to practice light and dark values while getting to know charcoal as a medium! Find out more about drawing hands here.

🌕 Painting the moon with acrylics

Channel lunar inspo with a striking moon painting! This one’s a lesson in subtle blending and negative space, using white on black to build depth and texture. It’s a relaxing piece to work on while sharpening your brush control – check out the tutorial here.

🌲 Monochrome forest

Image: @palette_of_shades

Working in cool blue tones, this watercolour forest scene feels both calming and dramatic. Playing with opacity, water levels, and soft edges creates that dreamy foggy effect, with a frosty, Winter vibe. This one’s great for a quiet afternoon in – what colour would you pick for your forest scene?

✏️ One line portrait

Keep it simple with a continuous line portrait. This style focuses on flow, confidence, and creative expression, ideal if you’re looking for a mindful drawing session that doesn’t need to be “perfect.” Just grab a pen and let it happen! Plus, this style lends itself to flash drawing for tattoos – maybe you could draw your own design? We’ll show you the technique in our video tutorial.

🌳 Black silhouette tree painting

Image: @artangel111

A classic study in shapes and form, this silhouette painting focuses on the structure of a tree. It’s great for practicing brush control and balancing composition – especially fun if you’re short on time but want to make something bold and graphic.

✨ Using gold leaf in art

Okay, we’re cheating a little here… but metallics count as a monochrome, right? This leaf trio uses gold against pale textured backgrounds to create an eye-catching triptych series. It’s a satisfying way to explore contrast, shape, and composition without using traditional black and white. Find out how we made this by clicking here.

🐚 Watercolour sea shells

This shell study uses warm, tan neutrals to build soft, dimensional shapes. It’s a great way to explore layering and blending with watercolour and feels meditative to paint. You could even turn them into a page of sketchbook studies or mini prints – it’s up to you! Find the full inspo and instructions here.

Monochrome doesn’t have to mean minimal – it’s all about using limited colour to explore contrast, shape, and form. So, if you’re looking for a creative project that slots into your busy schedule, these ideas are fab for a focused study or to create something striking.

Share anything you make by using #montmarteart or tag us @montmarteart on Instagram or Facebook. We’d love to see what you come up with 🎨

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