For those who don’t have access to galleries, museums, or other cultural spaces, there is still plenty of opportunities for artistic expression. Whether you’re looking for a way to destress and get creative, or to just pass the time, there are a number of art projects you can do from home.
This article will explore 13 different crafts that you can create from the comfort of your own home, providing details on the necessary supplies, provding tips, and more.
1. Drawing/Sketching/Painting
The most well-known of the at-home art projects, drawing, sketching, and painting are all available to do at home. All you need is a bit of paper, some pencils and/or paints, and a few other necessary supplies (brushes, markers, etc. ).
Many of these supplies can be purchased online, like from Amazon, Michaels, and more. For those who may not consider themselves particularly artistic, it’s important to remember that no one creates a masterpiece on their first try-practice makes perfect.
And, to make sure you don’t get discouraged, look for books and websites where you can find guided drawing or painting tutorials.
When you’re getting started, identify the kind of drawings or paintings you’d like to make.
Whether you prefer to draw with pencils, markers, Sharpies, or paints, or if you’d like to paint traditional canvases or other materials, the possibilities are nearly endless. The great thing about doing any kind of visual art project is that you can do pretty much whatever you want-you can start your piece with a plan or just go with the flow.
In addition to basic drawing and painting, there are a lot of simple projects that you may not think to consider.
For example, making an art journal or collage is a great way to express yourself, tell stories, and express your emotions. And, creating your own wall art-like a plushy sign or a canvas-is also a great idea for those who are looking for a more lasting art project.
2. Calligraphy
If drawing and painting isn’t your style, consider taking up calligraphy! While you’ll need a few supplies, like paper, pens, and nibs, it’s a relatively inexpensive and rewarding hobby to get involved in. As with any form of art, it can be difficult to learn the right technique.
Thankfully, there are plenty of calligraphy tutorials available online, so that you can get a great sense of exactly how to start the project right.
Thankfully, the supplies are inexpensive, and you really don’t need much to get started.
Beyond paper and pens, consider investing in calligraphy nibs, ink, and blocks. And, if you think that you’ll be doing a lot of writing, it’s also a good idea to invest in a practice pad and a light pad to help make all of your lettering even and consistent.
From there, you’ll want to become familiar with the tools and techniques you need to create the perfect strokes. Sweeping strokes are the basis of any type of calligraphy, but beyond that there are a lot of different styles that you can explore. For those who are more experienced, you can also branch out and consider trying brush lettering or other more advanced methods.
3. Knitting/Crocheting
Knitting and crocheting are also some of the most popular at-home art projects. You can start off with some basic projects-like making knitted hats, scarves, and sweaters, or crocheting blankets, stuffed animals, and bags-to start the process. However, if you want to really challenge yourself, consider investing in some silk and cotton yarns, to make more decorative and intricate projects.
Those who are just starting out will need to pick up a few supplies. Some of the items you’ll need include needles, hooks, yarn, stitch markers, and more.
Once you have these items, it’s time to begin. To get started, find an online tutorial for knit or crochet basics. From there, you can work your way up to more difficult projects.
For those who are already a bit more experienced with yarn crafts, consider expanding their portfolio by delving into artist techniques. With intarsia, stranded, textured, and modular techniques at your disposal, you can create art that is both impressive and unique.
Plus, with the right amount of practice, you can eventually start to work with lighter yarns, to create more intricate designs.
4. Pottery Making
For those with an interest in pottery, making pottery at home is an option. It’s a bit more involved than some of the other projects we’ve mentioned thus far, as you’ll need to get your hands on an electric pottery wheel and other materials, like clay and glazes. However, with the right tools, you can start making a variety of pieces, from bowls to plates to vases.
When getting started, read up on the best approaches for each project. Choose the right kind of clay for you-there are several types available, from terracotta to stoneware clay-and be sure to pick up some glazes with the right finishes.
After that, you’ll need to figure out the basics of pottery wheel-throwing, creating pottery by hand, or using a wheel. Consider testing out a variety of approaches to figure out which one is right for you-it’s all about practice!
Don’t be discouraged if the process doesn’t work out the first time. It can take a few attempts to get used to the wheel and the technique-so don’t give up if the piece isn’t perfect. Keep practicing, and you’ll be making pottery masterpieces in no time.
5. Jewelry Making
Jewelry making is another art project that can be done from the comfort of your own home. Luckily, there are plenty of resources available to get you started-from books, to websites, to instructional classes. Plus, making jewelry at home gives you the opportunity to customize the pieces with charms, stones, and other meaningful decorations.
When you’re getting started, decide the type of jewelry you’d like to make. There are a few main techniques-metal work, which includes making necklaces, bracelets, and earrings using metal; beadwork, which involves making necklaces and bracelets using beads, and wirework, which uses wire and various tools.
Once you’ve chosen the technique, it’s time to purchase the necessary supplies. Look into buying beads, gemstones, wire, tools, and more from a craft store or online.
Once you have all the items in place, it’s time to get started. Most jewelry projects are fairly simple, so you don’t have to be an expert to figure out the process-all you need is some patience and practice. Before you know it, you’ll be a master of jewelry making in no time!
6. Photography
Whether you have a functioning DSLR camera or just your smartphone, taking photographs is the perfect hobby to combine with art. Sure, you can go out and take pictures of nature and people, but why not get creative? With a bit of creativity, you can come up with some truly unique photographs, combining elements of drawing, painting, and other artistic styles.
To start off, consider what type of photography you’d like to practice. Whether you’d like to focus on black and white or color photography, or focus on macro or landscape photography, the choice is all yours.
And, for those who don’t have access to a camera, don’t worry-you can still take great photos with your smartphone. Just look online for tutorials and tips on how to get the most out of your device.
Once you’ve worked out the basics, play around with some of the more creative techniques, like long exposure photography. Take your photos in the evening or when the sun is setting for a beautiful result. You can also combine elements-like drawing and photography-or use props and other supplies, to create interesting and unique visuals.
7. Glass Blowing
For those looking to create unique pieces of art, consider taking up glass blowing. Though it isn’t the easiest at-home art project to take up, it’s definitely worth the effort.
With the right supplies, you can make everything from small vessels and paperweights, to sculptures and jewelry.
When you’re getting started, be sure to get all the necessary supplies. This includes gas tanks, a kiln, specialized tools, and of course, glass.
More advanced projects may require specific supplies, like metals and coloring agents, and these should all be included in the purchasing process. Once you have all the supplies, you’ll need to learn the techniques for glass blowing-from the basics to the more advanced techniques.
When it comes to glass blowing, practice makes perfect. Don’t feel discouraged if you don’t get it right the first time. Instead, take your time to get familiar with the tools, the materials, and the studio.
Once you’re comfortable, you’ll be able to create beautiful vessels and sculptures, in no time.
8. Woodworking
For those looking for a project with a bit more hands-on approach, woodworking is a great art project to start at home. From creating furniture to works of art, woodworking has nearly endless possibilities.
Plus, for those who are eco-friendly, it’s the perfect way to reuse old wood from projects and give them a new life.
When getting started, you’ll need to decide what kind of woodworking project you’d like to make. Once you’ve chosen, you’ll need to purchase the necessary supplies.
These include saws, nails, screws, hammers, and more. Keep in mind that some of the more advanced projects may require power tools, so if you’re planning to make something more intricate, you’ll want to invest in a power tool or two.
Once you’ve gathered your supplies, it’s time to start working. Many of the projects are relatively easy, but it can take some practice to get used to the tools and techniques. As with any DIY project, it’s important to take your time and use caution when working with wood-it can be a bit unforgiving!
9. Sculpture Making
For those looking to create a more tactile art project, sculpture-making is the perfect choice. It’s equal parts art and craft, and it can range from creating a small figure to making a full-sized bust.
Plus, you can use materials ranging from wire and paper, to clay and wood.
Like with most art projects, you’ll need to decide on the project you’d like to make before you begin. Beginner projects can be as simple as making a figure out of clay, while more advanced projects can take months to complete.
Once you’ve chosen your project, you’ll need to find the necessary supplies. Depending on the project, you may need clay, wire, wood, plaster, or even metal.
When you’re ready to start, find tutorials on the process you’d like to learn. This will give you the basics on the tools and techniques you should use for the project. And, once you’ve worked out the basics, you can start to experiment and create more intricate works of art.
10. Candle Making
Candle making is a great way to create art from a natural material. From scented soy wax candles to multi-colored beeswax candles, the possibilities for creating something truly unique are nearly endless.
Plus, the fragrances and colors can make your home feel more inviting, among other benefits.
When getting started, you’ll need to gather some supplies. These include wax, wicks, and dye, as well as any fragrances you’d like to use.
Additionally, you’ll also need to purchase some pots and pans, molds, and other necessary supplies. Depending on how complicated you want to get, you can also purchase extra items, like wick tabs and wick sticks.
Once you’ve gathered the materials, it’s time to get started!
Look for tutorials on how to melt the wax, add color and scents, and pour. It may take a few attempts to work out the process and get perfect candles, but don’t be discouraged-it’s all part of the learning curve.
And, once you’re comfortable with the technique, you can move on to more complicated projects, like multi-wick and molded wax designs.
11. Leather Working
Leather working is the perfect project for a more hands-on approach to art. From creating wallets to bags, and even art pieces, you can use this material in nearly endless ways. Plus, since leather is durable, your project will last awhile.
As with any art project, you’ll need to start by gathering the necessary supplies. This includes leather, taps, needles, threads, shapes, and more.
Luckily, all of these supplies can be found online, or you can try your hand at turning an old piece of leather into something unique.
Once your supplies are gathered, it’s all about practice.
Start simple, like with a wallet or a pouch, before moving onto more complicated projects. With enough patience and practice, you can eventually create some truly impressive leather projects from the comfort of your home!
12. Pottery Painting
For those who prefer to personalize something that already exists, pottery painting is a great at-home project. You can purchase plain, white pottery and give it your own unique touch with paints, stencils, and stamps.
Before you start, you’ll need to gather the necessary supplies. This includes unglazed pottery, acrylic paints, sponges and brushes, and more. Once you have all your supplies, it’s time to get started.
If you’re feeling creative, you can freehand some designs, use paint pens for accurate forming of shapes, or add stamps for some interesting textures. On the other hand, you can use stencils for something a bit more uniform and defined.
As with any art project, feel free to experiment with different paints, colors, and techniques. Once you’ve finished, let the project air dry, before you seal it and display it in your home. With a bit of practice, you can make some truly stunning works of pottery art!
13. Mosaic Art
Mosaic art is an interesting and unique art project that can be done at home. By using small pieces of tiles, stones, and glass, you can create beautiful and intricate designs.
And, since mosaic art can range from wall art to coasters, you can make nearly anything you can imagine.
When you’re getting started, you’ll need to choose a project and gather the necessary supplies. This includes tiles, grout, and tools, as well as the project itself.
Once you have everything you need, you’re ready to start the process. Start by laying out the tiles, according to the design you’d like to create. Once that’s done, it’s time to seal the project with grout.
From there, let it air dry and you have a beautiful piece of artwork!
As you become more familiar with mosaic art, you can also consider branching into other techniques, like earring making and sculpting.
With a bit of practice and creativity, you can make some truly unique and beautiful pieces of art with this ancient craft!
Conclusion
These 13 art projects are just some of the creative and wonderful crafts you can do from the comfort of your own home. From drawing and painting, to woodworking and mosaic art, the possibilities are nearly endless.
And, with a bit of patience and practice, you can master any of these techniques-all from the comfort of your own home.