by Troy Page
•
31 March 2025
Feeling stuck in a creative rut? Want to sharpen your skills and develop your artistic voice? Art challenges are a fantastic way to push your creative boundaries, try new techniques, and stay motivated. Whether you’re a beginner looking to practise regularly or an experienced artist seeking fresh inspiration, structured challenges can help take your art to the next level. At The Online College of Art and Design , we encourage our students to embrace challenges as part of their learning journey. In this post, we’ll explore why art challenges are so powerful and how you can use them to develop your artistic style and confidence. Why Take Part in Art Challenges? Art challenges are designed to help artists break free from their comfort zones. Here’s why they’re so effective: Consistency & Discipline – Daily or weekly challenges encourage regular practice, helping you build discipline and improve steadily over time. Creative Exploration – Trying different prompts forces you to experiment with new subjects, styles, and techniques. Overcoming Artist’s Block – If you ever struggle with creative block, structured challenges provide direction and inspiration. Building a Portfolio – Completing challenges gives you a collection of artwork that can be used for your portfolio, social media, or exhibitions. Joining a Community – Many art challenges come with online communities where you can share your work, get feedback, and connect with other artists. Popular Art Challenges to Try If you’re ready to dive in, here are some popular art challenges that can help push your creative boundaries: 1. Inktober (October) A well-known challenge where artists create ink drawings every day in October. Each day has a different prompt to inspire unique pieces. If you want to refine your linework and experiment with inking, this is a great challenge to try. 2. 100 Heads Challenge This challenge, created by artist Ahmed Aldoori, pushes you to draw 100 different heads in 10 days. It’s an excellent way to improve portrait drawing and facial expressions. 3. Draw This in Your Style (DTIYS) In this challenge, artists create a piece based on another artist’s work but in their own unique style. It’s an amazing way to explore different techniques and push your creativity. 4. One Week, One Brush Challenge Limit yourself to using only one brush in digital art for an entire week. This helps you master digital tools and explore creative ways to use them effectively. 5. 36 Days of Type Ideal for typography lovers! In this challenge, artists create a letter or number each day, experimenting with fonts, illustrations, and design. 6. 3 Colours Challenge Pick three random colours and create a full artwork using only those shades. This challenge forces you to think outside the box and get creative with colour theory. 7. The 365 Art Challenge The ultimate commitment—creating one piece of art every day for a year! This is an intense but rewarding challenge that helps build consistency and rapid improvement. How to Make the Most of Art Challenges Simply participating in an art challenge is great, but to get the most out of it, follow these tips: 1. Set Realistic Goals Not every challenge needs to be completed daily—choose a schedule that fits your lifestyle. If a 30-day challenge feels overwhelming, try weekly challenges instead. 2. Experiment with Different Mediums Use challenges as an opportunity to try different styles and tools. If you usually work in watercolour, try digital painting. If you prefer sketching, give acrylics a go. 3. Don’t Fear Imperfection The goal is progress, not perfection. Some pieces will turn out better than others, and that’s okay! Challenges are about learning, not creating masterpieces every time. 4. Engage with the Art Community Post your work on social media using challenge hashtags, interact with other artists, and seek feedback. Being part of a creative community makes the experience more enjoyable and inspiring. 5. Reflect on Your Growth At the end of the challenge, look back at your work and see how much you’ve improved. You might discover a new technique you love or a unique style developing. Ready to Elevate Your Art Skills? Art challenges are a fantastic way to grow as an artist, but if you’re serious about refining your skills and developing your artistic voice, structured learning can make all the difference. At The Online College of Art and Design , we offer a range of online art courses designed to help you build confidence, experiment with new techniques, and master both traditional and digital art forms. Whether you’re looking to boost your portfolio, improve your skills, or turn your passion into a career, our expert tutors are here to guide you every step of the way. Enrol today and take your creativity to new heights! Visit here to explore our courses.