You might see ads on social media or blogs calling for artists to sign up to an art challenge. If you are wondering what an art challenge is, why they are popular and how they can help to develop your art style, then read on. Your empty sketchbooks and your art will thank you!
What are art challenges?
Art challenges call for you to commit to creating some art at set times in order to build up a collection of art. Usually they follow a set theme and you can join a community of artists who are also following the challenge. You get ones that are live online every day and others that you can complete in your own time or watch the recording. Most are completely free which is a big bonus.
Benefits of doing an art challenge:
You create more art in a shorter space of time. Art challenges are often set for specific times which can include daily or weekly participation. If you are part of an online community you feel like more people will actually notice if you create art and you feel more accountable. This will give you the extra push to get working in your studio even when you don't feel motivated.
You become part of an art community: one that is full of people that feel passionately about the same things as you do.
You can learn from and be inspired by other artists in the group. Often artists are asked to post photos of their work on Instagram or Facebook so you can see how others are tackling the project.
You can make connections that could lead to a business deal down the line: if two artists like each other's work and feel they connect, then you could create an online course together or create guest posts on each other's blogs.
You won't struggle for ideas as a schedule and ideas are already laid out for you.
Creating art daily will become a habit. An art challenge can turn in to a productive daily habit, where you paint or draw every day without a pause for thought.
Your mental health can benefit. If you struggle with mental health problems, art challenges can be very therapeutic as they create a daily ritual and you get ones specifically for good mental health. Starting a daily gratitude journal can really help people (and not just artists) to feel at peace and content.
You are pushed outwith your art comfort zone. You may study a theme or use art materials you wouldn't normally turn to, which therefor means more exploring and learning.
What types of art challenges are there?
There are too many types of art challenges to mention but here are some to give you a picture of what is possible.
You can find (or make one yourself) online art challenges that:
Focus on a specific theme, such as nature or science.
Use specific art materials.
Are organised for set times of year ( eg Christmas art challenges or Summer ones).
Are created for improving mental health (eg to calm your mind or to motivate you).
Use a particular art technique.
Experiment, explore, commit and learn
Art challenges are primarily being about these four things: experimenting, exploring, committing and learning. Sketchbooks are perfect to use for art challenges. They keep all your work in one place and are a pleasure to flick through it at the end to see all your hard work how your art has developed. Your art style will develop naturally as you fill your sketchbook pages.
Tips:
Take a small sketchbook with you everywhere you go in your bag so if you see something inspiring and relevant you can jot it down there and then.
Don't give yourself a hard time if you skip a few days: ideally you want to do it every day but sometimes other things need to take priority.
Have the necessary art materials laid out ready to go. Often art challenges come with a list.
Online art challenges to take part in:
January
February
March
April
May
September
October
December
Art Challenges for any time of year:
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