Have you ever thought about how an artist as legendary as Pablo Picasso saw the world?
You must have heard about his bold and imaginative art, Picasso also had a talent for saying things that make you think.
His quotes are a mix of fun, wisdom, and creativity.
Today, we are going to explore 50 of his most famous art quotes, with a little explanation for each.
Alright, let’s get into the quotes:
1. Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.
Picasso used to advocate about the creative potential of kids. But as we grow, we tend to lose that spark. This quote reminds us to keep our creative side alive, no matter our age.
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2. Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
This is Picasso’s way of saying art refreshes us. It’s like a reset button for our minds and hearts, making us see life in new ways.
3. Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions.
For Picasso, colors weren’t just colors—they had feelings too. This quote shows how art connects deeply with emotions.
4. I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.
This line reveals Picasso’s secret. He wasn’t afraid to try new things. He appreciates challenges, knowing they’d make him better.
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5. It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.
This one’s deep. Picasso admired the simple, free spirit of kids’ art, something he spent his life trying to recapture.
6. Action is the foundational key to all success.
Picasso believed that success isn’t about dreaming or planning alone—it’s about doing. Whether it’s starting a new painting or tackling a life goal, action is what turns ideas into reality.
7. Everything you can imagine is real.
For Picasso, imagination wasn’t just daydreaming—it was a tool to make the impossible possible. If you can think it, you can create it, whether through art or any other medium.
8. It takes a long time to become young.
This quote captures the idea that youth isn’t about age—it’s a state of mind. Picasso spent his life reconnecting with the playful, carefree spirit of a child, which often shows in his art.
9. Every act of creation is first an act of destruction.
Creating something new often means breaking down old ideas, habits, or ways of thinking. Picasso saw destruction as an essential part of innovation, whether in life or art.
10. Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.
For Picasso, every stroke of the brush was a reflection of his thoughts, feelings, and experiences. His art wasn’t just about creating—it was about expressing his life story and preserving it.
11. The chief enemy of creativity is ‘good’ sense.
Sometimes, being too logical or practical limits the imagination. Creativity often thrives on breaking rules and thinking unconventionally.
12. Some painters transform the sun into a yellow spot, others transform a yellow spot into the sun.
This highlights the difference between ordinary artists and those who bring magic and deep meaning to their work.
13. Art is the elimination of the unnecessary.
Great art focuses on what truly matters, stripping away distractions to reveal its core essence.
14. Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.
Picasso valued human creativity over machines, as they lack the imagination to ask meaningful questions.
15. Give me a museum, and I’ll fill it.
This shows Picasso’s confidence in his creativity and his belief that art has no limits. And, literally Picasso can fill a museum with all his artworks even if it is empty.
16. I do not seek. I find.
Instead of chasing inspiration, Picasso let creativity naturally emerge through openness and exploration.
17. The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.
Art refreshes our minds and emotions, offering a break from routine and a new perspective on life.
18. Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.
This quote emphasizes the importance of action and prioritizing what truly matters today.
19. I paint objects as I think them, not as I see them.
Picasso painted from his imagination and interpretation, not just by replicating what he saw. His abstract cubism art style very well justifies this quote.
20. Love is the greatest refreshment in life.
From this line Picasso wanted to convey that love was an ultimate source of energy and inspiration, essential for a fulfilling life.
21. Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not.
Picasso challenged the norm, always exploring new possibilities and questioning limitations. This allows his creative brain to channel his energy for innovation.
22. We all know that Art is not truth. Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth.
Art may not reflect reality, but it helps us understand deeper truths about ourselves and the world. You can think of it as a finger pointing towards the truth.
23. The world today doesn’t make sense, so why should I paint pictures that do?
Picasso promoted abstract art as a way to reflect the chaos and unpredictability of life.
24. Youth has no age.
Youth is a state of mind, defined by curiosity, energy, and creativity—not by how old you are. So we can say, one will remain young until and unless we lose the Characteristics of youth.
25. Art is not the application of a canon of beauty but what the instinct and the brain conceive.
Picasso believed true art comes from personal vision and creativity, not from following traditional rules.
26. Success is dangerous. One begins to copy oneself.
Repetition can kill creativity. Picasso warned against relying too much on past achievements. One must remain eager to learn new things and avoid mimicking themselves.
27. Disciples be damned. It’s not interesting. It’s only the masters that matter. Those who create.
Picasso valued originality and creativity over imitation. He believed true innovation comes from the masters who create, not the followers who replicate.
28. To draw, you must close your eyes and sing.
Creativity flows better when you embrace intuition and let go of self-consciousness.
29. There is no abstract art. You must always start with something.
Even abstract art begins with a foundation in reality, evolving into something unique.
30. Inspiration exists, but it has to find us working.
Picasso believed that creativity strikes when we’re actively engaged in our craft and not when we just keep on running towards it.
31. Good artists copy, great artists steal.
True creativity builds on inspiration from others, transforming it into something original, not just blatantly copying others style, composition or concept.
32. Painting is a blind man’s profession. He paints not what he sees but what he feels.
For Picasso, art was about emotions and imagination, not just visual representation.
33. The artist is a receptacle for emotions from the sky, earth, and a scrap of paper.
Artists draw inspiration from everything around them, no matter how small or simple.
34. Work is a necessity for man. Man invented the alarm clock.
This quote humorously suggests that creativity still requires discipline and effort. Meaning just thinking about something and not putting efforts on the ground won’t take you anywhere.
35. An idea is a point of departure and no more.
An idea starts the creative process, but it evolves as the work develops. Becoming perfectionist can put you behind, so keep moving in the flow.
36. Are we to paint what’s on the face, inside the face, or behind it?
Art is about exploring layers—what’s seen, what’s felt, and what’s hidden. Picasso is simply asking people to rethink the order of importance.
37. Sculpture is the art of intelligence.
Sculpture requires precision, skill, and a deep understanding of form and space. It isn’t drawn on a plane or canvas. Meaningful sculpture demands artistic talent and technical proficiency.
38. Why do two colors, placed next to the other, sing?
This celebrates the mysterious harmony and emotional impact of colors in art. They complements each other creating contrast and guiding our eye.
39. Everything is a miracle. It is a miracle that one does not dissolve in one’s bath like sugar.
Picasso was surprised by life’s simple, often overlooked wonders. By carefully looking at the universe, anyone can witness the truth of the seen and unseen, the living and the dead, the smallest and the largest—a truth that is often misunderstood.
40. If only we could pull out our brain and use only our eyes.
Here, Picasso highlights the power of perception. He wished for people to see the world purely, without overthinking or letting biases cloud their vision.
41. If you become a soldier, you’ll be a general; if you become a monk, you’ll be the Pope.
Picasso’s mother infused confidence in him, and he channeled it into his art. He is putting this statement to show that dedication to work can lead to exceptional achievements.
42. My mother said to me, ‘You’ll be great at whatever you do.’
This reflects the strong support and encouragement Picasso received as a child. This confidence led him to become one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
43. The older you get, the stronger the wind gets—and it’s always in your face.
Life’s challenges don’t get easier, but facing them builds resilience.
44. You have to have an idea of what you are going to do, but it should be vague.
Creativity thrives when there’s room for exploration and spontaneity. To come up with creative ideas one can’t plan or follow rigid steps, your thoughts and action has to be free flowing.
45. You mustn’t always believe what I say. Questions tempt you to tell lies, particularly when there is no answer.
Picasso suggests that people often create answers even when none exist. This reflects his playful nature and the idea that truth, especially in art, is subjective and fluid.
46. Who sees the human face correctly: the mirror, the photographer, or the painter?
This questioning statement forces people to think about the true nature of art. It shows how perspectives shape reality, especially in art.
47. If there were only one truth, you couldn’t paint a hundred canvases on the same theme.
Art thrives on endless interpretations, not a single perspective. It is our varied perspectives that allows us to bring the multifaceted nature of truth.
48. When I was a child, I could draw like Raphael. It took years to learn to paint like a child.
Returning to simplicity and spontaneity is harder than mastering technical skills.
49. Give me a museum, and I’ll fill it.
Picasso’s prolific creativity knew no bounds, reflecting his unending passion for art.
50. The more technique you have, the less you have to worry about it. The more technique there is, the less there is.
Picasso believed that mastering technique frees an artist to focus on creativity. When technique becomes second nature, it fades into the background, allowing the art to take center stage.
Over-reliance on technique, however, can make the work feel mechanical and uninspired but having bunch of techniques is good to have.
51. To copy others is necessary, but to copy oneself is pathetic.
Picasso encouraged learning from others but warned against stagnation. Repeating one’s own work shows a lack of growth and creativity, which he considered a failure for an artist.
52. Sculpture is the best comment that a painter can make on painting.
Picasso saw sculpture as a way for painters to expand their creative boundaries. Sculpting adds depth and dimension, offering insights into painting that can’t be achieved on a flat canvas.
53. When I die, it will be a shipwreck, and as when a huge ship sinks, many people all around will be sucked down with it.
This dramatic quote reflects Picasso’s awareness of his immense influence. He believed his life and work had such an impact that his passing would create ripples far beyond himself.
54. He can who thinks he can, and he can’t who thinks he can’t. This is an inexorable, indisputable law.
This quote emphasizes the power of mindset. Picasso believed confidence and belief in oneself were essential for success. Doubt, on the other hand, could become a self-fulfilling barrier.
55. The people who make art their business are mostly imposters.
Here, Picasso critiques those who prioritize commercial success over genuine creativity. He valued art for its emotional and intellectual depth, not for monetary gain or fame.
Summary
Pablo Picasso’s quotes inspire us to see art and life with fresh eyes. From embracing creativity to breaking the rules, his words show us the power of imagination.
Which one of these quotes speaks to you the most? Please, let us know in the comment section.