Tips for Completing an Art Challenge
I’m a self-taught artist who loves sharing tips and tutorials for painting with watercolor and gouache, and using the Procreate app on the iPad.
Get easy tips for completing an art challenge. Art challenges are so much fun, and they’re great for developing a consistent art habit. These are my tips to make the challenge easier.
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I’m on day 85 of a 100-day art challenge, and I wanted to share some tips for completing your own challenge.
This is the 3rd art challenge that I’ve completed, and I love them for so many reasons.
Art challenges are a great way to make more art, more consistently. They’re great if you sit down and don’t know what to make. And they’re great for developing your art style or learning a new skill.
My first art challenge was a 100-day challenge, and I wanted to learn to draw characters better. However, I ended up just drawing animal characters, and that was fine.
My second art challenge was a 30-day challenge with prompts. I did Peachtober.
I’m currently doing another 100-day challenge, and I’m painting random things from a list.
Tips for Completing an Art Challenge
Start small. Like physically. Instead of trying to complete entire paintings in one day, I cut my paper down into smaller pieces. This makes the challenge feel a lot more doable.
Cut plenty of paper ahead of time. For this challenge, I’m using 4.5 x 6″ pieces, so I cut a stack of paper when I run low.
Make it easy for you. I leave my paint out where I can just sit down and work. It may be easier for you to work digitally since iPads are portable.
Make a list (if you’re not using prompts). Pre-planning allows you to sit down without wondering what to paint.
For my 1st challenge, I only listed 100 animals, and by about the 80th day, I was down to the ones I didn’t want to paint. So make your list longer than you need it to be.
My current list has about 120 items. There are some accidental duplicates.
Plan for low-energy days. I have a lot of items on my list that are really easy. This is so helpful for low-energy days when I can barely function, let alone make art.
Set parameters. I like to use the same materials for every painting. You can set a theme if you want. I also like drawing frames around my art.
Don’t be too rigid. The first time I tried to complete a challenge, I chose flowers as my theme. By about day 60, I was sick of drawing flowers. And I love drawing flowers. So I gave up. If I come up with an idea that isn’t on my list, I draw it. It keeps it more interesting.
It’s okay to miss a day or two. Things happen. I just doubled up to make up for the lost time. If I know I need to travel, I’ll paint ahead. And if I can’t do that, I’ll just start where I left off.
It doesn’t need to be 100 consecutive days. Just 100 days. Or whatever your challenge is.
It’s okay to start on a random day. Looking to start an art challenge, but you can’t find one that’s about to start? That’s okay. Start anyway.
Rules are just suggestions. Who says you have to follow every rule? Do it your way.
It’s okay to make bad art. Bad art happens. I paint without trying to make anything great. If it turns out good and I can use it for something else, fantastic. If not, that’s okay too.
It’s okay to repaint the bad art. You’ve learned from your mistakes. At the end of the challenge, when I’m getting bored, I like to repaint the ones I dislike the most.
Label the days on the back. It’s really hard to keep track of where you are without numbering them.
Share or don’t share. It’s up to you. Don’t let sharing hold you back from making art.
Have a goal. In my first challenge, I wanted to learn to draw characters. I ended up drawing animals instead, and I learned so much about how I like to draw them and features that I really dislike.
Don’t try too many new things. Make it easier on yourself by not trying to learn everything new. Instead, just pick one new thing to try. Or stick to what you know. That’s okay too.
Keep going. It’s okay if you don’t finish on time.
When it’s over, you’ll miss it. I love having a set list of things to draw every day.
Enjoy your art challenge!
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