Good day to everyone, hello! This is Masha Kaganovich, a marketer at Western Bid, and in today’s article, continuing the theme about future trends, we will discuss the top-5 most popular types of paintings — styles of paintings that will be trending in 2026.
In other words, I won’t tell you exactly what to write or paint, which themes, but specifically styles, materials, and the general trends we see on the market, on the Western market, and what has just begun in 2025 and will likely continue to grow in 2026. I think some of these are even hard to call art. Well, let’s go straight ahead, without further ado, to the first type.
Type 1: Children’s Art (Scribble Art)
This is children’s art. It’s called that, generally, childhood, simplicity, scribble. Honestly, I am a bit afraid to start with this topic because I know you’ll criticize me and say: Masha, this is not art at all, and it’s just some nonsense.
What is Scribble Art
When I searched for scribble art, I saw images like these. I think, of course, such a picture is unlikely to be made by a child, but I decided to start with it to show you that, well, this is just like someone quickly, quickly, quickly, doodling with a pen or marker, scribbling back and forth. These are kind of rough sketches, when, for example, someone is bored or sitting in a lecture and doodling simple drawings, coloring, or scribbles.
These are quite striking images. It’s hard to believe that such a picture in seven cards sells for three dollars. Also, check out Scribble Cat, Minimalist Line Art. By the way, single-line art also falls into this category.
Where it is used
It’s hard to say exactly where these pictures are suitable, but it’s clear they fit well into casual or modern homes, where everything is very neutral and minimalistic. Of course, these images should be displayed with proper mockups.
But mainly, the key here is the frame. Etsy Pick in 13 cards. Vintage Inspired Art Print. By the way, I believe this is a famous painting that was sold for several million dollars.
Type 2: Dreamy, Blurry Art
Let’s move on to the second style of wall art, called in English Dreamy, Blurry, exactly as I wrote. Blur Art. But in Ukrainian, it’s a dreamy, blurry style, with indistinct lines. It’s clearly abstract art, definitely minimalist wall art, very much in the aesthetic. If someone has a black or orange minimalist room, this kind of picture adds aesthetic to the space.
By the way, notice that monochromatic schemes are very important. This trend is also very in fashion. Blue, dark blue, light blue, turquoise, pink, light blue, red, etc. Paintings that remain in a similar tone or even just black-and-white or white-on-white, where you can see shadows like in a monochrome photo.
Botanical Style
By the way, I really liked this. It also fits a certain aesthetic. For example, this would suit my daughter’s room very well. She likes green and pink. This is a botanical style, with blurry clouds and backlit clouds. Different kinds of clouds. Notice that everything revolves around various aesthetics.
Honestly, I think if I hung such a picture on my wall, I would eventually get tired of it because everything is so vague and blurry, but apparently not.
Fantastic motifs
Also, this dreamy style includes this particular style as well. For example, a small dragon, and such a fantastical, somewhat surrealistic painting. Fantasy Dragon, Writer’s Illustration. It’s all about dragons. Blurriness, dreaminess, and so on.
Type 3: Fiber & Textile Art
Now let’s move to the third type of paintings. These are created using some kind of material, like knitted or sewn. This could be macramé. That’s what it’s called. A fiber and textile style.
Monochromatic and natural
This is also monochromatic. Here we see natural French-country decor. Again, everything revolves around a specific aesthetic. All in one style. But made of textiles, knitted items, very cool-looking.
Why it is popular: Tactility
It’s all about 3D textures. Do you know what this trend is related to? It’s because people love to feel different surfaces with their hands — wooden, leather, soft, fluffy knitted textures. That’s why now in homes, many make soft, fluffy, fur-like cushions, which complement cold leather furniture, and natural wood elements.
These different textures, in terms of tactile and sensorial feelings, are combined and attract more and more attention. They create a certain style and coziness. You can just touch these flowers, feel them, and even brush against them, like a cat.
Trending colors
Pure and light lines. Pay attention to the colors that are popular. Terracotta, earthy green, earthy blue, beige. These are the colors trending from 2025 into 2026. Very much in the yoga decor and yoga aesthetic.
Wool Art and DIY kits
Honestly, such art was practically rare in 2024, but now we see more and more. Heavy, fibrous, very 3D. They stand out, very fascinating.
If you think that your Wool Art will become very popular, good! Wool is felted images. Let’s take an example of a shop with many sales. Be warned: if you make small felted images from wool, they’re beautiful and wonderful, but that shop profits from selling kits.
You come up with an image, and now you give the customer, your client, a chance to recreate it. You’re selling instructions and all the elements needed, including wool. Wool-related items are especially popular. And if you come up with a unique image, like this one they have, it’s quite popular too.
They just sell digital downloads with instructions on how to create such a picture — PDF and videos. For wall art, it’s really something people can’t easily recreate themselves, especially large-scale pieces or those requiring specific small parts like tiny trees or figurines.
If I see such a picture, I’d happily make one myself using the instructions. For example, a bestseller, probably from AliExpress or similar. But these aren’t the only popular items — big, beautiful, handmade art pieces exist too. Like this one, DIY by someone’s hands, in 9K. Also called Fiber & Textile Art, in English.
Type 4: Glitch Art
Okay, let’s move to the next style. It’s quite interesting — called Glitch Art. Glitch is an unexpected error or malfunction, like a bug when something hangs or glitches. The art is about this idea — similar to TV or computer errors, using high-tech or digital aesthetics.
Characteristics of Glitch Art
Popular images include Psychedelic Glitch and Glitch Print. As we discussed minimalism and monochrome, a new trend appears — bright, vivid colors, maximalism, abundance of elements. These artworks are very eye-catching.
These sell very well. For example, TV Glitch Art, possibly retro images or surreal glitch visuals. Abstract Fluid Art, carpets, modern distorted Oriental designs. These are all great for digital and physical use, decor, advertising, and contemporary interiors.
Circuit Board Art
We will discuss distorted art more later, but a related branch worth mentioning is Circuit Board Art. Circuit Board probably refers to printed circuit boards, related to electronics. Honestly, it looks familiar, connected with electricity.
Look at this bestseller — $30 in two variants, darker and lighter. Consider how popular these are — like a tree made of circuit boards, a Poster, sci-fi themes. Very cool and in demand.
Type 5: Distorted Portraits
The last type I want to briefly mention is distorted portraits, warped, stretched, I’ve included additional words to describe them. I don’t want to say that realistic portraits suddenly fell out of demand; they still have their niche.
Realistic portraits still popular
Realistic oil portraits, especially commissioned or custom art, still have good demand. But I won’t dwell on this because in this trend, it’s a steady, excellent market, much bigger than others. Still, it’s a new direction — experimental, distorted or deconstructed portraits.
Deconstructed paintings
These are distorted, deconstructed images that can be portraits or not. They may show different emotions of the same person or abstracted, blurry images with glitch effects. Sometimes, specific facial features are exaggerated or oddly presented — eyes, mouth, certain body parts, looking strange.
These images can be very appealing for advertising boards or digital products. Often, elongated limbs or big heads, like in cartoons, look very interesting. For example, surreal proportions like Alice in Wonderland or distorted face portraits.
Conclusion
Which art styles will be trending in 2026 on the Western market?
In 2026, demand shifts toward unconventional and emotional formats: from children’s Scribble Art and dreamy blurry art to textile works, glitch art, and distorted portraits. Buyers are increasingly interested not just in themes, but in style, texture, feeling, and overall aesthetic that complements the space.
Why are minimalism, monochrome, and texture becoming so popular in wall art?
People are tired of cluttered interiors and seek calm, tactile sensations, and coziness. That’s why monochrome works, natural colors, fiber and textile art with expressive 3D textures, sell well. Such paintings don’t scream for attention but create atmosphere and evoke emotion.
What formats of paintings are most promising for online sales?
Besides finished artworks, interest in DIY kits, digital downloads, and art that’s difficult or nearly impossible to recreate by oneself is growing. Large textile panels, glitch art, abstract and distorted images do well both physically and digitally — especially in decor, advertising, and modern interiors.
Thank you very much for your attention, I hope this article was useful and interesting for you. Wishing everyone all the best!
