Planning for a drawing challenge

October is coming, and we all know what that means: the daily drawing challenges are here!

A drawing a day can be very daunting and feel impossible to keep up with! So, I thought I would share my tips on how to prepare for a monthly drawing challenge, so you don’t feel like you’re drowning in prompts.

Step one: Sketch, sketch, sketch!

You get the prompts a month in advance, so don’t waste this time and get those sketches flowing. Draw whatever comes to mind when you read each prompt - the good, the bad and the truly ugly. Get it all out and onto the page.

That’s how you’ll uncover the best ideas. Sometimes it’ll be the first thing you think of, and other times it will be something completely random that comes to you without thinking.

Step two: Think outside the box (or prompt)

Think of every different way you can interpret the prompt word. For example, one of the prompts last year was ‘ring’. The first thing that comes to mind is a ring you wear, but it could also be a phone ringing, the Ring a Ring o’ Rosesnursery rhyme, a swimming ring, a boxing ring and so on.

Step one will help spark all sorts of different ideas if you just go with the flow and don’t expect perfection from the first sketch.

I tried to do some fan art last year, so for this prompt I created the drawing below.

Step three: Pick a theme

Now, this is an optional step, but for me, it’s an important one. Picking an overall theme that is consistent across each drawing helps bring them all together when posting on social media and makes your October challenge look like a professional collection.

The theme doesn’t need to be anything crazy. It could be something you’ve wanted to work on or simply something you love.

For example, last year’s theme was creating spreads using boxes, like those used in comic books and graphic novels, as I wanted to work on my layouts and focus points. I have also done the theme of costume designs, where every prompt created a costume for a character. One year, I did fine-liner drawings with a limited colour palette, as I only drew digitally and wanted to challenge myself. That year was actually when I discovered my drawing style!

This year, my theme is hand-drawn mixed media, as that’s how my style has started to progress, and I want to see where it goes. I also want to update my portfolio with my updated style, so this challenge should help me create some pieces for it.

If you’re stuck, here are some theme ideas you could try:

• Limited colour palette – only use three colours for all your drawings.

• One character – only have one character in all your pieces and tell a little bit of their story as the days go on.

• Backgrounds – if you aren’t good at backgrounds and only draw characters (something I’m guilty of!), then focus on always adding backgrounds to your pieces.

• Blank space – or, on the other hand, if you typically add lots of elements and details to your work and fill the whole page, why not try simplifying your pieces and focus on how you can use open space to emphasise certain aspects?

• Sticker design – if you’re wanting to expand your shop with some stickers, then create each prompt as a new sticker design.

Step four: Choose your materials

Another thing to think about before you get started is what materials you want to use. Do you want to stick with the materials you’re comfortable with, or use the challenge as an opportunity to try something new?

If you’re already feeling a little daunted by the idea of creating a drawing every day, sticking with materials you know and enjoy might make the process feel easier and more manageable. There’s nothing wrong with using the same materials you always do if you know they work for you!

On the other hand, you could use the challenge as an excuse to give yourself an extra challenge. Maybe there’s a new medium you’ve been wanting to try, such as watercolour, coloured pencils, pastels or even traditional pen and ink. Using something new can be a great way to push yourself out of your comfort zone and see how it influences your style.

This year, I’m challenging myself to use hand-drawn mixed media, combining different materials rather than sticking to digital. I’m excited to see how this changes the way I approach each prompt and what I might discover along the way.

Step five: Refine your designs

You’ve got your messy sketches done, your theme picked and your materials decided. Now is the time to pick a couple of your favourites and draw them as final drafts.

If there is one idea you have your heart set on, then just go with that. Trust yourself and choose something you feel excited about creating.

These don’t need to be perfect, finished pieces. They’re still just sketches, but they should be refined enough that you can create a final piece from them.

Step six: Pick your final design and start drawing

Now for the final step! Pick your favourite design and start creating your final piece.

Don’t forget to film your process! People love to see how you create your artwork on social media, whether you film the whole thing from start to finish or just capture little clips throughout the process. Make sure you capture the hard work you’ve put into it.

But most importantly, enjoy yourself! A drawing a day can be stressful, but it shouldn’t take away the fun of creating. If you start feeling a bit overwhelmed, then just bring it down to three drawings a week, or even less if needed.

It’s not a failure if you can’t complete them all. Just getting involved and being part of the arty community that these challenges create is good enough!

I actually think last year was the only year I managed to complete all the prompts. The other years were just a learning process and helped me figure out how to tackle such a big project.

Final tips!

1. Try to stay a week ahead. Don’t get to the point you are drawing on the same day the prompt is.

2. You can create multiple social posts per prompt if you want more exposure. 1 long video of the creation, 1 shorted 10sec clip and 1 post.

3. Interact with other artists!

This is a great way to grow your little arty bubble and connect with others. Like, comment on and share your favourites. This not only helps with your own engagement but, more importantly, supports other artists and helps share their work as well.

And those are my tips for planning a project! I can’t wait to see all your entries to whatever October challenge you’re joining.

My next post will be at the end of October. I’m going to do it on the final day rather than the last Saturday, as I want to post about the challenge and all my entries.

Fingers crossed we all make it through. Stay strong!

Lora x