The collection of 30 prompts for Text-Based Conceptual Painting offers a diverse range of subject matter, genres, styles, and techniques, challenging artists to explore the relationship between text and image. From abstract landscapes to surrealist portraits, these prompts provide endless opportunities for experimentation and creativity. The incorporation of text as a central element in the artwork challenges traditional notions of visual art and emphasizes the importance of language and communication in artistic expression. By selecting modifiers such as lighting settings and color settings, artists can create a unique atmosphere and mood in their paintings. The selection of three suitable artists for each prompt serves as a guide for artists to explore various painting styles and techniques. Overall, this collection of prompts provides a valuable resource for artists seeking to push the boundaries of Text-Based Conceptual Painting.

30 provocative text-to-image prompts for creating text-based conceptual paintings

1. A painting featuring a single word written in bold letters, “Silence”; Minimalism; in the style of Text-Based Conceptual Painting; Oil on canvas, Ink on paper; Strong shadows and contrast; Black and white with a hint of grey; by Lawrence Weiner, Jenny Holzer, and On Kawara; Unreal engine 5
2. A mixed media painting featuring various words and phrases in different languages, “Life”; Abstract Expressionism, Pop art; in the style of Text-Based Conceptual Painting; Mixed media on canvas; Bright and vivid lighting; Bold and contrasting colors; by Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, and Barbara Kruger; Unreal engine 5
3. A painting featuring a list of words and phrases that describe the feeling of freedom, “Fly, soar, liberated, weightless, untethered”; Abstract, Expressionism; in the style of Text-Based Conceptual Painting; Acrylic on canvas; Soft, diffused lighting; Monochromatic with shades of blue and green; by Sol LeWitt, Lawrence Weiner, and Ed Ruscha; Unreal engine 5
4. A painting featuring a quote from a famous book or movie, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us”; Minimalism, Postmodernism; in the style of Text-Based Conceptual Painting; Oil on canvas; Strong shadows and contrast; Black and white with a hint of red; by Jenny Holzer, Barbara Kruger, and John Baldessari; Unreal engine 5
5. A painting featuring a series of questions that challenge traditional ideas, “What is art? Who decides what is beautiful? Can anything be art?”; Conceptual Art, Postmodernism; in the style of Text-Based Conceptual Painting; Mixed media on paper; Soft, diffused lighting; Neutral colors with a hint of orange; by Joseph Kosuth, Lawrence Weiner, and Jenny Holzer; Unreal engine 5
6. A series of abstract paintings that explore the concept of time and its relationship to memory; Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism; Oil on canvas, mixed media; Bright, stark lighting; Monochromatic with shades of black, white, and grey; by Jasper Johns, Ed Ruscha, and Jenny Holzer; Unreal engine 5
7. A painting of a city skyline at sunset, featuring overlaid text with commentary on urbanization and gentrification; Urban, Street art; Spray paint, stencils; Warm, golden lighting; Bold, contrasting colors; by Barbara Kruger, Keith Haring, and Banksy; Unreal engine 5
8. A portrait of a person’s face, with words and phrases related to their identity and personal narrative overlaid on top of the image; Portraiture, Realism; Oil on canvas, mixed media; Natural lighting; A mix of bright and muted colors; by Jenny Saville, Kerry James Marshall, and Chuck Close; Unreal engine 5
9. A landscape painting that incorporates text to comment on the impact of climate change and environmental degradation; Landscape, Realism; Watercolor, pencil; Soft, natural lighting; Earthy, muted colors; by Maya Lin, Ansel Adams, and Robert Smithson; Unreal engine 5
10. A still life painting of a table setting, featuring overlaid text that explores the social and cultural significance of food and dining; Still life, Hyperrealism; Acrylic, oil pastels; Soft, diffused lighting; Vibrant, bold colors; by Wayne Thiebaud, Audrey Flack, and Claes Oldenburg; Unreal engine 5
11. A mixed media collage of vintage photographs and handwritten letters depicting a love story between two people separated by war; Surrealism, Expressionism; Collage, Acrylic; Dramatic, moody lighting; Black and white with pops of red; by Hannah Höch, Max Ernst, and Robert Rauschenberg; Unreal engine 5
12. A large-scale abstract painting featuring a bold, black, and white typographic message overlaid with abstract shapes and patterns; Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism; Oil on canvas; Bright, overhead lighting; Black and white with hints of metallic gold; by Barbara Kruger, Frank Stella, and Agnes Martin; Unreal engine 5
13. A conceptual sculpture consisting of a stack of vintage books with the pages hollowed out and replaced with fluorescent lights, spelling out a message about the importance of education; Conceptual art, Installation art; Mixed media sculpture; Dim, atmospheric lighting; Monochromatic with bright pops of color; by Jenny Holzer, Claes Oldenburg, and Joseph Kosuth; Unreal engine 5
14. A series of screenprints depicting famous quotes from influential figures throughout history overlaid onto vintage maps of the world; Pop Art, Neo-Expressionism; Screenprinting, Mixed media; Bright, flat lighting; Colorful with a retro vibe; by Barbara Kruger, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Shepard Fairey; Unreal engine 5
15. A conceptual painting featuring a single, bold word in bright red lettering against a stark white background, encouraging the viewer to contemplate the power of language; Conceptual art, Minimalism; Acrylic on canvas; Soft, diffused lighting; Monochromatic with a single bold color; by Lawrence Weiner, Ed Ruscha, and Jenny Holzer; Unreal engine 5
16. A portrait of a person made up entirely of text that describes their personality and character traits; Portraiture, Contemporary; Minimalist, Black and white; Typography, Stenciling; Harsh, directional lighting; Monochromatic with shades of grey; by Jenny Holzer, Barbara Kruger, and Lawrence Weiner; Unreal engine 5.
17. A landscape painting featuring a scene from a novel or poem, with excerpts from the text incorporated into the image; Landscape, Literary; Surrealism, Collage; Mixed media, Digital painting; Soft, diffuse lighting; Earth tones with pops of vivid colors; by Ed Ruscha, Robert Rauschenberg, and Jenny Saville; Unreal engine 5.
18. A still life composition of everyday objects with the text of a recipe that features the objects; Still life, Culinary; Pop art, Realism; Oil painting, Charcoal drawing; Bright, flat lighting; Bold primary colors with black and white accents; by Claes Oldenburg, Wayne Thiebaud, and Kara Walker; Unreal engine 5.
19. An abstract artwork composed of random letters and symbols, with a hidden message or phrase contained within the composition; Abstract, Typographic; Geometric abstraction, Op art; Digital painting, Spray paint; Harsh, high-contrast lighting; Bright neon colors against a black background; by Jenny Holzer, Christopher Wool, and Lawrence Weiner; Unreal engine 5.
20. A painting featuring a landscape with text in the foreground that describes a scientific or mathematical concept related to the natural world; Landscape, Scientific; Realism, Contemporary; Watercolor, Pen and ink; Soft, diffused lighting; Earth tones with pops of bright color; by Agnes Denes, Robert Smithson, and Joseph Kosuth; Unreal engine 5.
21. A mixed media piece that explores the theme of identity and self-discovery; Collage, Portraiture; in the style of Text-Based Conceptual Painting; Acrylic, Found Objects; Dramatic, high-contrast lighting; Vibrant and bold with a monochromatic palette; by Barbara Kruger, Jenny Holzer, and Robert Rauschenberg; Unreal Engine 5
22. A series of minimalist black and white posters featuring quotes from famous literature and philosophical works; Minimalism, Typography; in the style of Text-Based Conceptual Painting; Ink, Digital; Soft, natural lighting; Black and white with high contrast; by Lawrence Weiner, Jenny Holzer, and Ed Ruscha; Unreal Engine 5
23. A large-scale mural featuring a powerful quote or phrase that addresses social justice issues; Murals, Lettering; in the style of Text-Based Conceptual Painting; Spray Paint, Stencils; Bright and bold lighting; Vibrant and colorful with contrasting shades; by Barbara Kruger, Keith Haring, and Jenny Holzer; Unreal Engine 5
24. An abstract painting that explores the concept of time and its relationship to space and movement; Abstract Expressionism, Kinetic Art; in the style of Text-Based Conceptual Painting; Oil, Mixed Media; Soft, diffused lighting; A monochromatic palette with varying shades of blue; by Jasper Johns, Sol LeWitt, and Richard Serra; Unreal Engine 5
25. A series of photographs that document the process of creating a piece of art, from conception to completion; Photography, Documentary; in the style of Text-Based Conceptual Painting; Digital; Soft, natural lighting; Black and white with high contrast; by Cindy Sherman, Richard Avedon, and Annie Leibovitz; Unreal Engine 5
26. An abstract representation of a political speech; Abstract, Expressionism; Mixed media, Collage; Dim, dramatic lighting; Bold primary colors; by Jenny Holzer, Barbara Kruger, and Robert Rauschenberg; Unreal engine 5
27. A portrait of a person, with text messages as the background; Portrait, Realism; Oil, Acrylic; Bright, natural lighting; Earth tones with pops of color; by Jasper Johns, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Ed Ruscha; Unreal engine 5
28. An image of a street sign with graffiti in the background; Graffiti, Urban; Spray paint, Marker; Harsh, contrasting lighting; Black and white with neon accents; by Keith Haring, Banksy, and Futura 2000; Unreal engine 5
29. An artwork featuring a famous quote about love; Typography, Minimalism; Digital art, Graphic design; Soft, warm lighting; Shades of pink and red; by Jenny Holzer, Lawrence Weiner, and Barbara Kruger; Unreal engine 5
30. A landscape of a city skyline, with words describing the city overlaid on the image; Landscape, Surrealism; Watercolor, Ink; Bright, natural lighting; Monochromatic with splashes of color; by Edward Hopper, David Hockney, and Wayne Thiebaud; Unreal engine 5