Nouns + Adjectives - a Silly Illustration Game to Spark Inspiration

Written By Stephanie Broder

When I teach classes, I often have a HUGE range of skill levels among my students. Even in an Introductory Illustration class, I might have people who’ve never done illustration before with people who’ve done illustration their whole life but never taken a formal class before.

That means I need warm-up activities and creativity-boosting games that people of all skill levels can participate in! And this game, appropriately named Nouns + Adjectives, is one of my favourites.

 

Here’s how it works:

You get two lists, one with 20 nouns and one with 20 adjectives (describing words). Put them on paper slips and put them into a hat to draw (a separate hat for nouns and adjectives!) OR use the numbered lists below with a D20 or random number generator to select one noun and one adjective.

Now, draw the noun you selected in a style that matches the adjective! Play five or more rounds as a warm-up, or just keep going until you’re tired. And even more fun is to play with friends and share your final creations.

Ready to give it a try? Here are your lists!

Nouns

  1. Monster

  2. Cat

  3. Robot

  4. Lizard

  5. Alien

  6. Bird

  7. Octopus

  8. Beetle

  9. Dog

  10. Houseplant

  11. Tree

  12. Baby

  13. Banana

  14. Toaster

  15. Teddy bear

  16. Yo-yo

  17. Pencil

  18. Parrot

  19. Mushroom

  20. Umbrella

Adjectives

  1. Evil

  2. Tired

  3. Long

  4. Spiky

  5. Frightened

  6. Scary

  7. Peculiar

  8. Rebellious

  9. Cute

  10. Playful

  11. Intricate

  12. Gritty

  13. Serene

  14. Energetic

  15. Whimsical

  16. Gross

  17. Melancholic

  18. Mysterious

  19. Charming

  20. Majestic

Stephanie Broder
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