New year, fresh start. The January Drawing Challenge is the perfect way to build a drawing habit and explore new ideas. This month’s challenge gives you 31 simple, fun, and creative ideas, each with three skill levels. You can draw every day, or just pick the ones that speak to you.
Daily Prompts – January
Day 1 – Your favorite drawing tool
Beginner: Draw a pencil or pen
Focus: Clean outlines and basic shape
Intermediate: A group of tools
Focus: Placement and light shading
Advanced: Your tools in use
Focus: Show movement and function
Day 2 – A winter hat
Beginner: Simple hat with pattern
Focus: Shape and line control
Intermediate: Hat with folds and shadows
Focus: Shading and form
Advanced: A person wearing the hat
Focus: Combine object and expression
Day 3 – A hot drink
Beginner: Cup or mug
Focus: Simple round shapes
Intermediate: Add steam and texture
Focus: Suggest warmth
Advanced: Scene with a cup on a table
Focus: Composition and mood
Day 4 – A window view
Beginner: Frame and basic outside shape
Focus: Perspective and structure
Intermediate: Window with objects inside
Focus: Layers and light
Advanced: Full view inside and out
Focus: Combine depth and reflection
For a nice landscape behind the window, take a look at Landscape Drawing Ideas: Tips and Inspiration for Beginners 2024
Day 5 – A snowflake
Beginner: One simple shape
Focus: Symmetry and line control
Intermediate: Different snowflakes
Focus: Variety and fine detail
Advanced: Snow in motion
Focus: Use rhythm and space
Day 6 – A pair of gloves
Beginner: Outline of gloves
Focus: Shape and size
Intermediate: Gloves with folds
Focus: Depth and contour
Advanced: Gloves in use
Focus: Suggest action and material
Day 7 – Something on your desk
Beginner: Pick one item
Focus: Draw what you see, not what you think
Intermediate: Group of 2–3 items
Focus: Overlap and shadow
Advanced: Whole desk scene
Focus: Layout and mood
Day 8 – A bird in winter
Beginner: Simple bird shape
Focus: Use clear lines and light texture
Intermediate: Bird on a branch
Focus: Position and balance
Advanced: Bird in flight or winter scene
Focus: Movement and contrast
You can get more winter inspiration with my Winter Drawing Ideas: Creative and Cozy Art Projects for the Cold Season 2024/2025.
Day 9 – A book you love
Beginner: Closed book cover
Focus: Proportions and lettering
Intermediate: Open book with pages
Focus: Depth and soft shadows
Advanced: Scene from inside the story
Focus: Bring the story to life
Day 10 – A cozy chair
Beginner: Basic shape
Focus: Proportion and form
Intermediate: Chair with cushion or blanket
Focus: Soft textures
Advanced: Full cozy corner
Focus: Use space and warmth
Day 11 – A scarf
Beginner: Loop or folded shape
Focus: Simple folds
Intermediate: Patterned scarf in 3D
Focus: Layering and motion
Advanced: A Person wearing the scarf
Focus: Connect fabric and character
Maybe you can get some inspiration from my Clothes Drawing References: How You Get Better At Fabric Drawing 2025
Day 12 – Something hanging
Beginner: A Simple object on a hook
Focus: Vertical balance
Intermediate: Hanging fabric or plant
Focus: Weight and fall
Advanced: Scene with multiple hanging elements
Focus: Use depth and rhythm
Day 13 – Your favorite snack
Beginner: Basic food shape
Focus: Round vs. square, soft vs. hard
Intermediate: Snack on a plate
Focus: Shadows and texture
Advanced: Snack with hands or scene
Focus: Show action or mood
Day 14 – A backpack or bag
Beginner: Front view of bag
Focus: Shape and structure
Intermediate: Bag with open pockets
Focus: Layering and depth
Advanced: Person wearing the bag
Focus: Weight and fit on the body
Day 15 – Ice or frost
Beginner: Frozen shape or icicle
Focus: Hard edges and light areas
Intermediate: Frost on a surface
Focus: Detail and repetition
Advanced: Ice in a scene
Focus: Use light and texture to show cold
Day 16 – A houseplant
Beginner: Single leaf or pot
Focus: Smooth outlines
Intermediate: Whole plant
Focus: Shapes and leaf rhythm
Advanced: Plant in a room
Focus: Use space and balance
Day 17 – An old object
Beginner: Toy, clock, or cup
Focus: Keep it simple but worn
Intermediate: Add scratches, dents, or fading
Focus: Age through texture
Advanced: Use object to suggest history
Focus: Tell a story visually
Day 18 – A pair of shoes
Beginner: Outline one shoe
Focus: Basic structure
Intermediate: A used pair with details
Focus: Shape and material
Advanced: Shoes in motion
Focus: Add gesture and ground contact
Day 19 – A candle
Beginner: Simple shape
Focus: Keep proportions steady
Intermediate: Flame and wax texture
Focus: Glow and shadow
Advanced: Scene with candlelight
Focus: Use contrast and mood
Day 20 – Something from your childhood
Beginner: Favorite toy
Focus: Shape and memory
Intermediate: Recreate a childhood room
Focus: Simple layout and light
Advanced: Draw a full memory
Focus: Emotion and personal meaning
Day 21 – A lamp
Beginner: Lamp shape and base
Focus: Symmetry and structure
Intermediate: Lit lamp with glow
Focus: Soft lighting
Advanced: Room lit by the lamp
Focus: Use light to build space
Day 22 – Something layered
Beginner: Sandwich or folded paper
Focus: Separate each layer clearly
Intermediate: Clothes or blanket
Focus: Overlap and shape
Advanced: Scene with many layers
Focus: Create visual depth
Day 23 – A mug with a design
Beginner: Round shape
Focus: Steady lines
Intermediate: Add a pattern or words
Focus: Control small details
Advanced: Scene around the mug
Focus: Storytelling through objects
Day 24 – A sweater
Beginner: Outline with simple sleeves
Focus: Shape and comfort
Intermediate: Add a knit pattern
Focus: Repetition and texture
Advanced: A sweater on a person
Focus: Fit and fabric movement
Day 25 – A snowy scene
Beginner: Trees and snow
Focus: Simple layers
Intermediate: A path in the snow
Focus: Perspective and light
Advanced: Detailed winter landscape
Focus: Contrast and mood
Day 26 – Something small and shiny
Beginner: Coin or button
Focus: Hard edges and shine
Intermediate: Jewelry or glass
Focus: Reflections
Advanced: Shine in a scene
Focus: Contrast and surface texture
Day 27 – A warm meal
Beginner: One simple dish
Focus: Round vs. soft forms
Intermediate: Plate with utensils
Focus: Composition and balance
Advanced: Meal in action
Focus: Gesture and atmosphere
Day 28 – Your room corner
Beginner: One piece of furniture
Focus: Form and size
Intermediate: Corner with light
Focus: Shadow and layout
Advanced: Whole corner scene
Focus: Perspective and mood
Day 29 – A hand holding something
Beginner: Simple grip
Focus: Shape and position
Intermediate: Fingers in motion
Focus: Light and gesture
Advanced: Hand with story
Focus: Emotion through action
Day 30 – Something in your bag or pocket
Beginner: One object
Focus: Simple shape
Intermediate: Group of items
Focus: Texture and overlap
Advanced: Items with meaning
Focus: Suggest personality
Day 31 – A reflection of yourself
Beginner: Basic self-portrait or symbol
Focus: Confidence, not accuracy
Intermediate: Your face with background
Focus: Emotion and structure
Advanced: Scene showing who you are
Focus: Visual storytelling
You Did It! 31 Days, 31 Drawings
No matter how many prompts of the January Drawing Challenge you completed, you showed up, and that matters.
You practiced, explored, and created something new. That’s a big win.
Share Your Sketches and Celebrate Your Progress
Did you finish a drawing you’re proud of? Share it with the world!
Post it on X (Twitter), Pinterest, or even send it to a friend by email or via mail.
Or send it to me via email, you can also message me on X.
Use the hashtag #DrawyagerChallenge so others can find and cheer you on — or tag your favorite piece from the month!
Your art could inspire someone else to pick up their pencil, too.
Ready for the Next Month?
→ Continue to the February Drawing Challenge
→ Try the 52-Week Drawing Challenge
→ See the Monthly Challenge here
Let your pencil rest for today, then come back stronger. February’s waiting!
