From vibrant colors and abstract patterns to surreal landscapes and metaphysical imagery, psychedelic art offers a unique window into the human psyche.
Psychedelic art is often used as a tool for self-expression, allowing us to explore the depths of our subconscious minds and better understand ourselves. It can also be used to reflect our spiritual beliefs, providing a powerful visual representation of the inner journey we all take in life.
Psychedelic art also called trippy, surreal, or visionary art employs vivid colors and surreal elements to convey a dream-like state, inspired by events and music from the 1960s and psychedelic drugs like LSD.
It continues to captivate audiences worldwide and can be found in various mediums like music, paintings, digital illustrations, and sculptures.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the history of psychedelic art and why it has become so popular in recent years. So, let’s get into it.
History of Psychedelic Art
With roots in the counterculture of the 1960s, psychedelic art continues to push the boundaries of creativity and perception. The term “psychedelic” was coined by Osmond Humphrey in 1956 and was used in relation to the powerful effects of hallucinogenic drugs like LSD.
The term “psychedelic” came to embody the idea of self-exploration and discovery, and artists began to explore the depths of their subconscious in a way they never had before. This unique art was inspired by psychedelic drugs and their effects on the mind, allowing artists to explore and express new concepts while challenging viewers to adopt a different perspective.
The art originated in 1943 when Albert Hofmann discovered LSD. After this, a massive influx of art was influenced by psychedelic drugs. Artists and poets experimented with new drugs and incorporated their experiences into their art. This art style was seen in everything from poetry and new music genres to visual art, allowing people to explore their innermost thoughts and feelings.
Inspired by the movement of art Nouveau, psychedelic art also adopted the concept of rebellion and expressing the self. This style of art was seen as a way to break free from the rules and conventions of traditional art, allowing artists to explore new and uncharted territories.
The psychedelic art movement of the 1960s strongly influenced the art world. This art style is often associated with music drugs; however, this unique art style appeared even before psychedelic rock came up on the music scene. Comic book artists, poster artists, and painters adopted the psychedelic style, popularizing the movement across America. Artists began to create unique comics known as underground comix, highly influenced by psychedelic art. It gave rise to concert posters and album covers, heavily steeped in psychedelic art.
In the decades since then, psychedelic art has undergone a resurgence, with modern artists drawing inspiration from the works of their predecessors. From cover art and posters to digital art and galleries, psychedelic art continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Artists for Psychedelic Art
Today, psychedelic art is popular among a wide range of artists. It’s a great way to address concerns about political and social values while still providing an entertaining and visually arresting experience.
Some draw artistic inspiration from traditional psychedelia, while others explore more avant-garde styles. Here are some of the most influential modern psychedelic artists:
Tokio Aoyama
Aoyama takes traditional psychedelia to a new level with her vibrant colors and dreamy landscapes.
He mixes myths, spirits, and religious traditions with hip-hop, pop culture, and surrealist imagery to create ethereal works of art.
His artwork often features vivid depictions of the spirit world and uses symbolism to explore spiritual themes. Moreover, Tokio’s art has been featured in several worldwide exhibitions. The depiction of Japanese and American street art in his works gives them a unique quality.
Mario Martinez
Also known as MARS-1, Martinez is one of the leading figures in psychedelic art. His works are characterized by vibrant colors and intricate patterns that evoke an otherworldly atmosphere.
His paintings often feature abstract shapes, bright colors, and distorted figures that seem to be taken from a dream or an alternate reality. Martinez’s artwork is often inspired by science fiction and surrealism, further adding to the trippy atmosphere of his work. His work’s quasi-extraterrestrial landscapes and characters transport viewers to a different realm.
David Normal
Normal is an American artist who first gained recognition in the mid-2000s. He began his career by creating album covers and posters for local rock bands, but he quickly gained acclaim for his unique psychedelic art style.
His works feature heavily detailed patterns, vivid colors, and often surreal figures. His art is often described as vintage as if it were taken from an old comic book or children’s storybook. His art is a mixture of expressions of urbanism, spirituality, and sexuality. With detailed patterns and bright colors, David’s work captivates audiences.
Alex Grey
Known for his spiritual artwork, Grey is one of the most renowned modern psychedelic artists.
His works often feature detailed depictions of human anatomy layered with vibrant colors and abstract shapes. His artwork is heavily influenced by mysticism, and he often uses spiritual imagery to explore both physical and metaphysical realms.
He released several art books, and his work has been featured in prominent galleries around the world. This psychedelic artist draws inspiration from various spiritual practices and beliefs, making his artwork captivating and unique. He wrote Sacred Mirrors in 1991, considered one of the most comprehensive guides to art and spirituality.
Pablo Amaringo
Amaringo was a Peruvian painter who gained international recognition for his psychedelic art.
He is known for his vivid depictions of the Amazonian rainforest and its flora and fauna. His spiritual practice heavily influences his artwork, and he often uses spiritual and shamanic symbols to depict the natural world.
His work has been featured in several books, and his artwork is now sought-after by collectors and galleries worldwide. Pablo lived in poverty until his art gained recognition in the late 1980s. His hallucinational visions were depicted in vibrant colors and intricate details that mesmerized audiences.
DIY Psychedelic Art
Psychedelic art is accessible to anyone, as it is a form of self-expression. By using bright colors and abstract shapes, one can create unique and mesmerizing works of art. Here are a few ways to make your psychedelic art:
Use Digital Tools
The world of digital art is vast and offers endless possibilities. Your computer or tablet can be used to make anything from simplistic artworks to intricate and mesmerizing psychedelic pieces. Most graphic design programs have various tools and brushes to help you create amazing works of art.
Using digital tools such as Photoshop, Gimp, or Procreate can help you create psychedelic artwork quickly and easily. You can doodle, draw, and manipulate shapes to create art that takes you on a psychedelic journey. You can also add stunning effects to your psychedelic artworks with just a few clicks of the mouse to make your art even more immersive.
Draw Inspiration from Kaleidoscope
You might have played with a kaleidoscope as a child. These optical toys can provide inspiration for creating psychedelic art.
Kaleidoscopes use mirrors and colorful objects to create beautiful and mesmerizing patterns. You can recreate this effect with your artwork by using shapes, colors, and lines to create eye-catching patterns.
Experiment with various shapes and sizes, and you’ll soon have a stunning piece of psychedelic art that will captivate anyone who looks at it. Using a ruler to draw neat lines and grids can also help create interesting patterns. After creating the lines, you can color them with vibrant colors to make the art even more striking.
You can also draw some animals or objects within the patterns to make them more dynamic. The patterns passing through them will give your artwork a psychedelic effect. You can use watercolors, crayons, paints, or markers to bring your art to life.
Geometric Shapes and Spirals
Geometric shapes are popular in psychedelic art. You can combine various shapes and sizes to create intricate designs that seem to move when you look at them.
You can also add colorful spirals and circles to your artwork. These shapes evoke a sense of mystery and wonder, making you feel as though you’re traveling through an unknown world when looking at the artwork.
Psychedelic art is about exploring your imagination and letting it take you on a journey. Combining bright colors, abstract shapes, and spirals can help you create unique and captivating art pieces. With some practice and creativity, you can make psychedelic artwork that will be admired for years to come.
Portraits of Rock Stars and Celebrities
Portraits of rock stars and celebrities are popular in psychedelic art. Iconic figures such as Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, and David Bowie often feature in these artworks, with the artists using vibrant colors to make the portrait even more captivating. The artists can also include symbols and references from their careers to make the artwork even more interesting.
Take a portrait of an iconic figure and fill the frame with shapes, spirals, and lines to create a stunning psychedelic piece of art. You can also add lyrics or quotes from the artist’s songs to make the artwork more meaningful. Psychedelic art is all about pushing boundaries and exploring your creativity, so there are no rules or limits when it comes to creating a portrait of your favorite rock star or celebrity.
Free-form Drawing
Free-form drawing is a great way to let your imagination run wild and create fantastic psychedelic art. You can start by doodling random shapes and lines, then work your way up to create more intricate patterns. You can also use vibrant colors and bold lines to make the art come alive.
Once you’re satisfied with the artwork, you can add some finishing touches to make it even more captivating. You can use watercolors to blend the colors or add glitter or foil to make it shine. You can also manipulate and combine shapes to create new forms to bring art to life.
Using free-form drawing to create psychedelic art is a great way to explore your imagination and let it take you on a journey. With some practice, you’ll soon be creating beautiful art pieces that capture anyone’s attention. Moreover, psychedelic art has no set rules, so you can let your creativity take the lead and create stunning artwork.
Websites to Get Psychedelic Art
The psychedelic aesthetic is quite popular, and there are a lot of websites that specialize in this style. You can find anything from posters, wall art, clothing, shoes, and more. The following websites are great for finding psychedelic art pieces:
Euphoricview
Euphoric View offers modern wall décor that is easy to download, print, frame, and hang. Their psychedelic art prints are designed to trip your space out.
Zoom Quilt
This website is a fascinating world of psychedelic art. With its zooming technology and interactive artwork, this website is perfect for anyone who loves psychedelic art.
Here you’ll find a variety of pieces from different artists around the world. With its easy navigation and captivating art, it’s no wonder why Zoom Quilt is one of the most popular psychedelic art websites.
Audiograph
Audiograph is an online platform that showcases psychedelic art from around the globe.
With its vibrant colors and captivating designs, Audiograph is the perfect website to find psychedelic art pieces. It is one of the best websites if you are into music and movie-inspired artwork.
WikiGalaxy
WikiGalaxy is a great place to find psychedelic art from various artists.
It offers a wide selection of styles and techniques, making it easy to find something that fits your taste. You can browse through the artwork and pick the one you like or customize it to create a unique piece that expresses your style.
Canopy
Canopy is a great website for psychedelic art enthusiasts. It features artwork from all around the world, each with its unique style and perspective.
You can explore different pieces and take in the creativity of the artists. Psychedelic elements such as colorful shapes and lines make the art come alive, taking you on a journey into another world.
Takeaway
I have explored some of the best websites to find psychedelic art pieces and got inspired. Psychedelic art is an ever-evolving genre that has been inspiring people for generations.
I have also explored psychedelic vision through visualizations, showing us how mesmerizing patterns can come alive and take us on a journey. With its captivating visuals, psychedelic art is sure to inspire and mesmerize anyone who takes the time to appreciate it.
Conclusion
Psychedelic art is enjoying a resurgence as modern artists draw inspiration from their predecessors. With vibrant colors and surreal elements, these artworks explore the depths of the human subconscious in an incredible way.
From album covers to art galleries, psychedelic art continues to captivate audiences worldwide. With so many talented artists in the field, it’s no surprise that psychedelic art is so popular. No matter your style, there is something for everyone in the world of psychedelic art.
So why not take a trip down the rabbit hole and explore the mind-bending world of psychedelic art? You won’t regret it.
