We always try our best to challenge your artistic abilities and produce some interesting, beautiful and creative artwork. And as designers we usually turn to different sources of inspiration. As a matter of fact, we’ve discovered the best one—desktop wallpapers that are a little more distinctive than the usual crowd. This creativity mission has been going on for over five years now, and we are very thankful to all the designers who have contributed and are still diligently contributing each month.

This post features free desktop wallpapers created by artists across the globe for April 2013. Both versions with a calendar and without a calendar can be downloaded for free. It’s time to freshen up your wallpaper!

Please note that:

• All images can be clicked on and lead to the preview of the wallpaper,
• You can feature your work in our magazine by taking part in our Desktop Wallpaper Calendar series. We are regularly looking for creative designers and artists to be featured on Smashing Magazine. Are you one of them?
• You can also download the wallpapers for Windows 7/8.

Sky Lanterns

Designed by Vlad Gerasimov from Russia.

• preview
• with calendar: 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×600, 1152×864, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1440×960, 1600×1200, 1600×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Stupid But Happy

Designed by Elise Vanoorbeek from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1440, 2880×1800
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1440, 2880×1800

It’s Not Done Until It Ships

“Steve Jobs pushed the boundaries of creative tension. He demanded the best, but on incredibly tight deadlines. And the process is never over. There’s always room for improvement, by constantly working, up until the very last minute, you push the limits of your product and reach a new level of innovation.” Designed by Gustavs Cirulis from Latvia.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1400×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1400×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Lady Night

“A good-night wallpaper by Yuzach will bring you warm, magical and colorful dreams every day!” Designed by Yulia Sokolova (yuzach) from Russia.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 2560×1440

Trianglify

Designed by Maarten Van Loock from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 1280×720, 1280×800, 1366×768, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 1280×720, 1280×800, 1366×768, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 2560×1440

Spring April

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Brazil.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440, 2880×1800

Stained Glass

Designed by Rachel L from USA.

• preview
• with calendar: 640×960, 640×1136, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1600×900, 1920×1080, 1920×1440, 2048×2048, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 640×960, 640×1136, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1600×900, 1920×1080, 1920×1440, 2048×2048, 2560×1440

April Garden

"It’s April, time to get outside and grow something." Designed by Dangerbrain from USA.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 320×480, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Sunset Lake

“Perhaps one of the most beautiful sunsets I had seen in ages ! I walked away telling myself this – “I’m willing to take that risk” : ).” Designed by Nagmani Kamath from India.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×800, 1920×1080
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×800, 1920×1080

Little April Showers

Designed by Karolien Vanherp from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1440×900, 1440×1050
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1440×900, 1440×1050

8vo Showers

Designed by Octavo Designs from USA.

• preview
• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440

Laying In The Sun

"This is me laying in the sun." Designed by Romy Van Kessel from The Netherlands.

• preview
• with calendar: 1280×720, 1366×768, 1680×945, 1920×1080, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 1280×720, 1366×768, 1680×945, 1920×1080, 2560×1440

Falling Egg

Designed by Ben Wouters from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440

Cherry Blossom Magic

Designed by Sasha Endoh from Canada.

• preview
• with calendar: 360×480, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440

Happy In April

Designed by Bart Goris from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 1280×799, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2880×1800
• without calendar: 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2880×1800

April Showers

Designed by Brennan Pringle from Canada.

• preview
• with calendar: 1281×801, 1367×769, 1441×901, 1680×1052, 1921×1081, 1921×1201
• without calendar: 1281×801, 1367×769, 1441×901, 1680×1052, 1921×1081, 1921×1201

Paint Your April

"”With the hope of love, joy, cheers and rain, here comes April again..!!”." Designed by Binita Tamang from India.

• preview
• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×720, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×720, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 2560×1440

Adorable Brat

Designed by Dieter Van Den Brande from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440, 2880×1800
• without calendar: 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440, 2880×1800

Loading Sunny Weather

“In April we have final rainy days and sun slowly but surely comes more and more in the forecast, that’s the idea i want to spread around through this wallpaper.” Designed by Igor “commie” Ristovski from Macedonia.

• preview
• with calendar: 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200

Good Girls

Designed by Pietje Precies from The Netherlands.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

Time For Cooking

“A springy and sweet illustration. To all the friends and families who are preparing delicious Easter recipes together.” Designed by Bag Of Secrets from Italy.

• preview
• with calendar: 640×1136, 640×960, 1024×1024, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1600×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2880×1800
• without calendar: 640×1136, 640×960, 1024×1024, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1600×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2880×1800

April Showers

“Designed by Greentree Graphics designer, Amy Coons, from the USA.” Designed by Amy Coons from USA.

• preview
• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080

Penguin Beach

“Penguin on the beach, enjoying his longdrink!” Designed by Mike Henderyckx from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 2880×1800
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 2880×1800

Umbrella In The Rain

Designed by Jong S. Kim from USA.

• preview
• with calendar: 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440
• without calendar: 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440

Silent Morning

Designed by Tetyana Kovyrina from Canada.

• preview
• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440

Rock N Roll Day

Designed by kim_girl_87mail [dot] ru">Cheloveche.ru from Russia.

• preview
• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 395×512, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

Days Passed

“Cross out day after day, waiting for something special…” Designed by Yuliia Bahniuk from Ukraine.

• preview
• with calendar: 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440

Spring Grass

“Spring grass not only smells nice, it’s gorgeous!” Designed by Janssens Joeri from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2880×1800

April Showers

“May Flowers love April Showers.” Designed by Barýþ Mancar from Turkey.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Fools And Bunnies

"Wallpaper of april representing april fools or pranks (Jack in the box) and Easter bunnies and eggs." Designed by Niels Vanhorenbeeck from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 800×480, 1280×720, 1920×1080
• without calendar: 320×480, 800×480, 1280×720, 1920×1080, 2560×1440

Abstract Earth

“April 22 is Earth day. It’s important to think about our little planet, we should do it every day of the year but one day is a start. :).” Designed by Rias Van Der Veken from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Window On Spring

Designed by Alessio Meola from Italy.

• preview
• with calendar: 1280×960, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 1280×960, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 2560×1440

Color Of Spring

“Pink means happiness. Sometime The happiness come from your garden. Wellcome to april with happiness in your heart.” Designed by Anh Nguyet Tran from Viet Nam.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1600×1200, 1680×1200, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1600×1200, 1680×1200, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Light Trails

Designed by Laurent Constant from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440

Illustration

"A summer owl." Designed by Pat Buenaobra from Philippines.

• preview
• with calendar: 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1440

I Shine In Tears

“I shine in tears, like the sun in April.” Designed by Zohaib Usman from Pakistan.

• preview
• with calendar: 1024×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 1024×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440

Spring Bee

Designed by Tommy Digiovanni from USA.

• preview
• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×720, 1280×1024, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×720, 1280×1024, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440

Abstract Scratch

Designed by Desktop Backgrounds from Estonia.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 2880×1800
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 2880×1800

Sneakers Time

“Spring is coming, time for sneakers.” Designed by Radoslaw Rzepecki from Poland.

• preview
• with calendar: 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440

Web Design

Designed by Hilda Rytteke from Sweden.

• preview
• with calendar: 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440

2 Face Clown

"I started from the fact that easter and april fools’ day is on the same day. The second element I added the is the cold side versus the warm side of april. And here is the result!" Designed by Stijn Schets from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900

Spring

Designed by Kelly Krijnen from Netherlands.

• preview
• with calendar: 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

When You Play

“Part of the series of wallpapers about the “Joy of Music”.” Designed by Yiannis Kranidiotis from Greece.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Scrabble Day

“April-13-’13: Happy Scrabble day!” Designed by Siemon Donvil from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440, 2880×1800
• without calendar: 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440, 2880×1800

The Pegasus Book

Designed by Księgarnia Katolicka Xlm from Poland.

• preview
• with calendar: 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200

Easter Landscape

“Landscape with easter eggs.” Designed by Hans Van Nieuwenhuyse from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

Cute Dog

“Cute cartoon husky dog.” Designed by Brykova Yuliia from Ukraine.

• preview
• with calendar: 1024×768, 1440×900, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1440×900, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

World Health Day

Designed by Tom Dirix from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×960, 1400×1050, 1600×1200, 1920×1440
• without calendar: 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×960, 1440×1080, 1600×1200, 1920×1440

Arena

Designed by Katerina Bobkova from Ukraine.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080

Mousse And Stache

“I introduce you: Mousse and Stache!” Designed by Cédric Bloem from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

April Fools

Designed by Janssens Joeri from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 1280×800, 1440×900, 1536×960, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

Don’t Worry Be Happy

Designed by Lex Speijer from The Netherlands.

• preview
• with calendar: 1280×720, 1728×1080, 1920×1080, 2304×1440, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 1280×720, 1728×1080, 1920×1080, 2561×1440

Join In Next Month!

Please note that we respect and carefully consider the ideas and motivation behind each and every artist’s work. This is why we give all artists the full freedom to explore their creativity and express emotions and experience throughout their works. This is also why the themes of the wallpapers weren’t anyhow influenced by us, but rather designed from scratch by the artists themselves.

A big thank you to all the designers for their participation. Join in next month!

What’s Your Favorite?

What’s your favorite theme or wallpaper for this month? Please let us know in the comment section below.

© Smashing Editorial for Smashing Magazine, 2013.