October brings cooler air, deeper colors, and a sense of calm. The world feels softer, slower, and more thoughtful. This is a great time to focus on the small things around you and let your drawings feel warm, quiet, and full of mood. And maybe you’re inside more often and have time for the October Drawing Challenge.
Here are 31 Ideas for every day in October. Each idea works for beginner, intermediate, and advanced artists. Whether you’re practicing basics or building full scenes, this challenge will guide you through fall with inspiration and focus.
Daily Prompts – October
Day 1 – A candle in the dark
Beginner: Simple candle shape
Focus: Clean outline and glow
Intermediate: Add flame, wax, or shadow
Focus: Contrast
Advanced: Scene with candlelight
Focus: Let light create mood
Day 2 – A warm blanket
Beginner: Soft folded shape
Focus: Smooth lines
Intermediate: Add folds or patterns
Focus: Suggest texture
Advanced: Use it in a cozy setting
Focus: Build warmth through space
Day 3 – A pumpkin or squash
Beginner: Basic round shape
Focus: Even lines
Intermediate: Add stem, lines, or shadow
Focus: Form and weight
Advanced: Place it in a fall scene
Focus: Show season through light
Day 4 – A rainy day window
Beginner: Simple frame and drops
Focus: Placement
Intermediate: Add blur or reflection
Focus: Suggest water
Advanced: Scene with rainy view
Focus: Use light and mood
Day 5 – A favorite mug
Beginner: Side view with handle
Focus: Shape and balance
Intermediate: Add steam, color, or chip
Focus: Personal touch
Advanced: Use it in a daily setting
Focus: Create warmth and routine
Day 6 – A lantern or outdoor light
Beginner: Simple structure
Focus: Straight lines
Intermediate: Add a glow or glass effect
Focus: Light and shadow
Advanced: Use in a night scene
Focus: Set tone with contrast
Day 7 – A jacket on a hook
Beginner: Basic coat shape
Focus: Curves and folds
Intermediate: Add buttons, texture, or shadows
Focus: Weight and use
Advanced: Scene with a wall or door
Focus: Quiet detail
Day 8 – A tree losing its leaves
Beginner: Simple trunk and few leaves
Focus: Flow and motion
Intermediate: Add branches and fall shapes
Focus: Movement
Advanced: Scene with space and wind
Focus: Use shape to show change
Day 9 – A pile of books and a drink
Beginner: A Stack of rectangles and a cup
Focus: Structure
Intermediate: Add shadows, cover marks
Focus: Layers
Advanced: Place in cozy corner
Focus: Build mood
Day 10 – A soft pillow or cushion
Beginner: Rounded shape
Focus: Smooth outline
Intermediate: Add creases or design
Focus: Texture
Advanced: Use in a full scene
Focus: Suggest comfort and stillness
Day 11 – An open book in soft light
Beginner: A simple open shape with pages
Focus: Line spacing
Intermediate: Add light and text marks
Focus: Create depth
Advanced: Scene with quiet atmosphere
Focus: Let light tell the story
Day 12 – A walk in the woods (real or imagined)
Beginner: Simple path and trees
Focus: Keep perspective clear
Intermediate: Add leaves, branches, and light
Focus: Build layers
Advanced: Scene with a person or an animal
Focus: Use space and shape to guide mood
Take a look at my 110+ Stunning Tree Drawing References to Improve Your Art Instantly
Day 13 – A scarf in motion
Beginner: Long curved shape
Focus: Flowing lines
Intermediate: Add folds, ends, or patterns
Focus: Movement
Advanced: Use it in a windy scene
Focus: Let the fabric show energy
Day 14 – A harvest basket
Beginner: Basic basket with fruit or vegetables
Focus: Shape and placement
Intermediate: Add texture and variety
Focus: Contrast and detail
Advanced: Scene in kitchen or garden
Focus: Suggest warmth and plenty
Day 15 – An empty bench
Beginner: Simple front or side view
Focus: Use straight lines
Intermediate: Add shadow or texture
Focus: Show material
Advanced: Use it in a quiet scene
Focus: Create emotion through stillness
Day 16 – Your favorite socks or slippers
Beginner: Side or top view
Focus: Proportions
Intermediate: Add pattern, fluff, or wear
Focus: Suggest texture
Advanced: Use in a cozy room
Focus: Tell a personal story
Day 17 – A tree stump or fallen branch
Beginner: Simple round or broken shape
Focus: Line and edge
Intermediate: Add texture, rings, or bark
Focus: Age and form
Advanced: Scene with ground and forest feel
Focus: Use the setting to suggest time
Day 18 – A favorite snack for cold days
Beginner: Simple object on a plate
Focus: Shape and size
Intermediate: Add steam, texture, or packaging
Focus: Suggest warmth
Advanced: Use in a moment from your day
Focus: Let food create mood
Day 19 – A jacket in use
Beginner: Basic form on a figure
Focus: Keep shape simple
Intermediate: Add folds, buttons, or motion
Focus: Suggest body beneath
Advanced: Scene in the wind or the street
Focus: Build feeling with movement
Day 20 – A memory from this month
Beginner: Draw one object from it
Focus: Clear shape
Intermediate: Add setting or light
Focus: Suggest feeling
Advanced: Full memory scene
Focus: Tell a moment without words
Day 21 – A backpack or satchel
Beginner: Closed shape with a handle
Focus: Balance
Intermediate: Add texture or open view
Focus: Depth
Advanced: Use it in a scene from a walk or trip
Focus: Use light and posture
Day 22 – A pet in a cozy spot
Beginner: Simple rounded pose
Focus: Shape and softness
Intermediate: Add fur or folds
Focus: Detail and warmth
Advanced: Use in a home scene
Focus: Build calm with light
Perhaps you’d like to draw a cat? Then right this way to my Cat Drawing Ideas: Unleash Your Creativity with These Purr-Fect Fur Sketches
Day 23 – A branch with berries or nuts
Beginner: Single line with dots or ovals
Focus: Clean lines
Intermediate: Add shading and texture
Focus: Structure
Advanced: Scene from a nature walk
Focus: Let the detail shine
Day 24 – Your hands are holding something
Beginner: Basic shape of fingers
Focus: Keep it soft
Intermediate: Add object, shadow, and form
Focus: Suggest care
Advanced: Full pose with expression
Focus: Tell emotion through gesture
Day 25 – A doorway into fall
Beginner: Simple frame with leaves
Focus: Use space
Intermediate: Add steps, light, or objects
Focus: Perspective
Advanced: Scene with someone entering or leaving
Focus: Suggest a story
Day 26 – A bowl of soup or a warm meal
Beginner: Round shape and spoon
Focus: Outline
Intermediate: Add steam and texture
Focus: Show heat
Advanced: Scene on a table
Focus: Let light build the setting
Day 27 – A layered outfit
Beginner: One figure with a scarf or a jacket
Focus: Form and fit
Intermediate: Add folds, fabric, or buttons
Focus: Depth
Advanced: Show the outfit in motion
Focus: Use clothing to suggest mood
Day 28 – Your favorite thing about fall
Beginner: One object
Focus: Clean shape
Intermediate: Add shadow and context
Focus: Show why it matters
Advanced: Scene that tells why you love it
Focus: Connect the object and the feeling
Day 29 – Something with texture (real or imagined)
Beginner: One shape with soft or rough marks
Focus: Use varied lines
Intermediate: Add light or surface depth
Focus: Show touch
Advanced: Place in a setting
Focus: Let texture guide the eye
Day 30 – A seasonal decoration
Beginner: Basic objects like a wreath or a candle
Focus: Outline
Intermediate: Add layers and color ideas
Focus: Detail
Advanced: Use it in a warm scene
Focus: Suggest home and season
Day 31 – A spooky or magical object
Beginner: Pick something like a book, a crystal, or a candle
Focus: Simple shape
Intermediate: Add glow, shadow, or marks
Focus: Show the energy
Advanced: Scene with atmosphere
Focus: Tell a story through mystery
You Finished The October Drawing Challenge – Draw What Feels Like Home
This month was full of warm colors, soft textures, and quiet moments. With every sketch, you caught something real and turned it into art. You practiced stillness, light, and emotion.
That’s powerful. Keep going.
Keep the Challenge Going
→ Start the November Drawing Challenge
→ Browse all Monthly Drawing Prompts
→ Join the 52-Week Drawing Challenge
Share Your Art from the October Drawing Challenge
If you made something you love this month, share it.
Post on X, Pinterest, Instagram, or email it to a friend.
Use #DrawyagerChallenge to connect with other artists and share cozy fall vibes.
