The Secret to Stronger Paintings: Finding Your Big Idea

Have you ever looked at a beautiful landscape, snapped a photo, and thought, "This would make a great painting"—only to struggle when translating it onto canvas?

Mitchell Albala (Ep.104) says that’s because a good painting isn’t just about capturing a scene. It’s about capturing an idea.

When Albala is out in the world, he’s not just collecting reference photos—he’s on the hunt for something much more important: his Big Idea.

The Big Idea is what excites him about a scene. It’s the story, the essence, the thing that makes him stop and pay attention. Maybe it’s the glow of sunlight on a snowy peak. Or the way light and shadow dance across a skyline. His Big Idea becomes the focus of his painting.

Once he identifies it, then he gathers references—not just random photos, but images that will help him bring that idea to life on canvas. A single photo might not mean much, but a photo taken with purpose? That’s the foundation of a successful painting.

Put It to Practice:

The Big Idea is what some artists call "the Story"—the reason you felt drawn to a scene in the first place.

Next time you’re inspired to take a reference photo, pause for a moment and ask yourself:

• What specifically caught my eye?

• What about this scene makes me want to paint it?

• Can I describe its beauty beyond just ‘it looks nice’?

Push past general observations and get specific. Maybe it’s the rhythm of shapes in a cluster of flowers or the way the water’s energy moves across the shore. That could be your next Big Idea.

Once you know it, gather references with that concept in mind. When you paint with a clear vision, your work becomes more intentional, more powerful—and more uniquely yours.