NICOLA YOUNG

Art Challenge

I thought I’d start 2024 with an art challenge. And my favourite challenge is the Insight Creative 30 day Sketchbook Challenge.

What is an Art Challenge?

Art Challenges are generally shared projects that have a set timeframe and a series of prompts for artists to work from.  They are incredibly popular on social media, as the channels allows people to share their work for other participants to see.  This sharing generates great word of mouth so you often see these challenges taking place each year. 

There are many of these to choose from and if you follow any artists on Instagram you will see everything from short 21 day challenges to 100 day challenges.  Inktober is probably the most well known of the challenges with thousands of artists taking part each year.

Why Do Artists Take Part in these Challenges?

There are lots of reasons for taking part, here are just a few….

Establish a Regular Creative Practice

Many emerging or amateur artists create in their spare time.  With commitments of a day job, family and life in general, finding time for your art can be difficult.  Art Challenges are a great way to get into the habit of ‘little and often’ as they encourage you to create and share your work each day. 

The reason this works is that at the heart of all of these initiatives is a sharing mentality.  You create, share and tag your work so others in the group can see what you have created.  Firstly, builds accountability.  You are publicly committing to take part and therefore more likely to stick to it.  But also being part of a broader community means that you often receive feedback and encouragement from other participants that can strengthen your resolve to complete the task.

As most of the challenges last a few weeks, the shorter ones generally 21 days, this can help you build a habit.  So, with a bit more commitment that habit, is more likely to continue after the challenge is completed.

Improve Your Art

Now I’m not claiming that these challenges will transform you into a professional artist but as they say ‘Practice Makes Perfect!’  By committing to the act of drawing or painting, or collaging for a set period of time you will naturally see improvements in both your art but also your confidence levels.  This is particularly true if you take part in a project that has a narrow focus such as drawing, using the same medium each day or having the same subject of theme.

Challenges like this can help you improve your technique and develop your own visual vocabulary and art style.  At the end of the project, looking back and reviewing your work can throw up insights that you have previously missed.

Increase Engagement and Followers

Don’t get me wrong, taking part in these challenges will not transform your social media overnight. However, regular posting, commenting on the posts of others and having others comment on your posts will help build momemtum. The algorithms like engagement and challenges encourage this. But you only get out of this, what you put in so be prepared to be generous. If your challenge has a hashtag make sure you follow it and like and comment on the works of others. If people comment on your posts make sure you reply.

Art challenges are a great way to build your network with other creatives.  Engaging with other participants and commenting on their work,  is a great way to start building connections. 

30 Day Sketchbook Challenge

I selected the Insight Creative Sketchbook Challenge which is one I have done twice before and at 30 days I felt was manageable. 

Cheryl who created this challenge, is an art mentor so unlike many others this is more of an art course, rather than just basic prompts.  It contains not only the usual daily prompts but also some really insightful questions for reflective writing.  With my studio in some turmoil at the end of last year my art practice took a bit of setback so this challenge was the perfect way to get back into creating daily.

The 30 days not only helped establish that regular routine but also allowed me to explore colours I tend to avoid, styles different from my usual art making and more reflection on what I like and what I dislike. 

It also got me back into posting more regularly on social media, specifically Instagram.  As a child I was always pretty diligent at completing homework on time, which continued into work where deadlines were sacrosanct so having a framework like this is perfect for me.

If you are interested in improving your own sketchbook practice this is a challenge and course I would thoroughly recommend. Unlike others it is not free.  But it is great value for money and you get lifetime access.  This is actually the third time I have completely the challenge and each time I have learnt new things and take away new insights.

Another benefit of taking part is that I now have around 40 new sketchbook page spreads to review, many of which will help inform new paintings or new ideas.

FREE Workshop

This isn’t an artist challenge, but you will get many of the benefits of challenges. Connection to a creative community. Hints and tips and importantly a framework for creation.

One of the reasons I think sketchbook work resonates with others is that it is often a really authentic voice. It is a pressure free space and as a result you are more likely to experiment and just go for it! If a challenge isn’t for you and you would prefer more of a tutorial type initiative why not give the FREE Art of Your Life workshop a go.

It is an Art2Life course designed to help you make more personal art. The free workshops start on March 4th. 

I join this group each year. Sometimes continuing on to the paid course but often just dipping in to the free sessions. They always help me gain new insights about how to make my art stronger.

If you are interested you can sign up HERE