Drawing is like a muscle; the more you use it, the stronger it gets. If you want to improve your art, become more creative, and build a solid drawing habit, this challenge is for you.
Whether you’re a total beginner with a pencil or someone who fills sketchbooks for fun, this year-long drawing challenge will help you grow. You can go at your own pace. Draw once a month, once a week, or every single day. It’s all up to you.
Why do a drawing challenge?
Because it keeps you drawing, even when you’re not feeling “inspired.” It gives you a clear goal and new ideas. Plus, it’s fun! You don’t need fancy tools or hours of free time. Just a sketchbook, a pencil, and maybe 10 minutes a day. Or more, if you want more detailed drawings and sketches.
Tip from me: I like to keep a tiny sketchbook in my bag. When I’m waiting (at the bus stop, for my wife, or kid) or sipping some tea or hot chocolate, I draw something quick. Those little moments add up.
How the Drawing Challenge Works
You don’t need to follow everything. Choose the challenge that fits your time and mood. There are three ways to take part:
Monthly Drawing Themes
One big idea for each month. You take your time and build one complete artwork. Great if you’re busy or like working on one idea longer.
52-Week Drawing Prompts
One drawing idea every week. This keeps your creativity flowing, without feeling rushed. You can draw something simple or try a new technique.
Daily Drawing Prompts by Month
Want to draw every day? Each month has its list of 30+ drawing prompts, quick ideas to keep your pencil moving.
3 Skill Levels: Pick What Suits You
This challenge works for all artists. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or already advanced. Every Idea in this challenge has different twists to it, so you can pick the difficulty that suits you:
- Beginner: You’re just starting. You’ll get simple, fun ideas that help you feel confident.
- Intermediate: You’ve been drawing for a while. These prompts help you practice light, shadow, and perspective, and more techniques to make progress.
- Advanced: You want to push yourself. Try harder challenges and explore deeper topics.
My tip: Even if you’ve been drawing for years, it’s okay to do beginner prompts. Sometimes, drawing a single apple with love and care is more powerful than a full scene.
Monthly Drawing Themes: One Big Idea per Month
Sometimes, drawing one big thing feels better than many small ones. That’s why this part of the challenge gives you one theme per month. You have the whole month to explore that idea, in your way, at your own pace.
You can sketch many small drawings around the theme or work on one detailed piece. It’s totally up to you.
Tip: At the start of each month, write down what comes to mind when you hear the theme. This helps spark ideas for your first sketches.
January – New Beginnings
Start fresh. Draw something that shows a new chapter.
- Beginner: A sunrise, a new sketchbook, or a seed.
- Intermediate: A person starting a journey.
- Advanced: A visual story of growth or change.
February – Stillness
Slow down. Look for quiet moments.
- Beginner: A cup of tea, a sleeping pet.
- Intermediate: A winter landscape.
- Advanced: A calm scene with strong mood and light.
March – Nature Wakes Up
The world is waking up. Capture it.
- Beginner: Flowers, birds, leaves. (maybe get some inspiration here: Feel the Bloom: 100 Must-Try Spring Flower Drawing Ideas for Creative Souls!)
- Intermediate: A forest scene or garden.
- Advanced: Study nature from real life or imagination.
April – Rain and Reflection
This month is about water and mood.
- Beginner: Raindrops, puddles, umbrellas.
- Intermediate: Reflections in windows or streets.
- Advanced: A rainy city scene or emotional (self-) portrait.
May – Everyday Beauty
Find beauty in daily life.
- Beginner: Your coffee, shoes, or a notebook.
- Intermediate: Your room or desk.
- Advanced: Make the ordinary feel magical.
June – Light and Shadow
Play with contrast and form.
- Beginner: Simple shapes with light on one side.
- Intermediate: Objects with a real light source.
- Advanced: Dramatic lighting in a full scene.
July – Summer Stories
Capture summer feelings.
- Beginner: Ice cream, flip-flops, sunglasses.
- Intermediate: People at the beach.
- Advanced: A whole summer memory as one scene. (if you’re kind of clueless, take a look at 110 Summer Drawing Ideas: Fun and Creative Sketches for the Season)
August – Travel and Imagination
Go somewhere real or made-up.
- Beginner: A map, suitcase, airplane.
- Intermediate: A place you visited.
- Advanced: Draw a fantasy world with details.
September – Change
Seasons shift. Show movement or emotion.
- Beginner: Falling leaves.
- Intermediate: A before-and-after drawing.
- Advanced: Explore deeper themes like time or age.
October – Shadows and Stories
It’s time for spooky fun or mystery.
- Beginner: Pumpkins, candles, black cats.
- Intermediate: A haunted house. To get inspired for Halloween, take this way to These 30 Halloween Drawing Ideas That Will Give You All the Spooky Vibes!
- Advanced: Tell a visual story without words. Choose a
November – Thankfulness
Draw what you’re grateful for.
- Beginner: Food, friends, family.
- Intermediate: A cozy home scene.
- Advanced: Express a personal story in one drawing.
December – Light in the Dark
The year ends with light and warmth.
- Beginner: Stars, candles, holiday decorations.
- Intermediate: A winter night.
- Advanced: Contrast light and dark in a full scene.
My tip: You can keep all your monthly pieces in one sketchbook. Label each page with the theme and the date. At the end of the year, you’ll have a visual diary of your creative journey.
52-Week Drawing Challenge: Stay Creative All Year Long
If drawing every day feels too much right now, but only one drawing per month is not enough, this is a great place to start.
The 52-Week Drawing Challenge gives you one drawing prompt per week, just enough to keep your creativity going without pressure. You can draw something simple in 10 minutes, or spend a few hours working on it. You decide how deep you go.
Each weekly prompt is open-ended. You can interpret it however you like, realistic, cartoon-style, digital, pencil-only… It’s your sketchbook, your rules. But it’s important to draw every week.
What to Expect:
- One new idea every week, for a total of 52 ideas
- Topics include: nature, people, objects, places, emotions, and more
- For each week, you’ll get ideas for all three skill levels:
- Beginner: Focus on simple shapes and creativity
- Intermediate: Explore shading, texture, and perspective
- Advanced: Dive into storytelling, composition, or complex forms
- Each prompt is designed to spark ideas. not limit you
Examples from the Challenge:
- Week 3: Draw something small but important
- Week 12: Draw a room you know by heart
- Week 28: Show something from two points of view
- Week 47: Use only one color
In the full article, you’ll get:
- A full list of all 52 drawing ideas
- Organized by month or season
- Clear suggestions for each skill level
- Ideas on how to keep going if you miss a week
Tip: I like to stick my weekly prompt on the wall above my desk. It reminds me to draw, even on busy days. Or stick it on your fridge, or on your TV, to remember to spend your time creating something.
This way to the full 52-Week Drawing Challenge.
Daily Drawing Prompts by Month: Build Your Drawing Habit
If you’re ready to draw more often, even every day, this part of the challenge is for you.
Each month has its own themed article with 30 to 31 drawing challenge prompts. The prompts are short and flexible. Some are silly, some are deep, some help you practice real skills.
And the best part? Every month is also organized by skill level, so you can choose what feels right for you, or even mix levels!
What to Expect in Each Monthly Article:
- 30–31 prompts, one for each day of the month
- Each day includes three versions:
- Beginner: Simple, fun ideas to get started
- Intermediate: Prompts that include light, depth, or perspective
- Advanced: Creative challenges with more detail and intention
- Monthly theme to keep things fresh (like “Rainy Days,” “Summer Vibes,” or “Cozy at Home”, “Seasonal Vegetable“, “Last visited Tourist Spot“)
Example Day (from July):
Day 12:
- Beginner: Draw your sunglasses
- Intermediate: Draw a scene reflected in sunglasses
- Advanced: Create a dramatic portrait with glasses as the focal point
In each monthly article, you’ll also find:
- A short introduction with that month’s theme
- A printable list
- Tips to stay motivated, even if you miss a few days
Creative tip: Use colored sticky notes! Write each daily prompt on one and stick them on your wall. Peel off one a day and draw what it says. You can add these sticky notes to your Sketchbook, burn them, or put them in a big picture frame. Or use them to draw on them.
Just Start – Your Sketchbook Will Thank You
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to begin.
Drawing is not about making something “good” every time. It’s about showing up, exploring new ideas, and seeing the world with fresh eyes. Some days, your lines will feel messy. On other days, your pencil will dance across the page. Both days matter.
Even five minutes with your sketchbook can help you grow.
Trust me, the drawings you create this year will tell your story. And that’s something no one else can draw but you.
Ready to Begin? Start Your Challenge Today!
Pick your path:
- Join the 52-Week Drawing Challenge
- Explore the Monthly Themes
- Start your Daily Drawing Challenge Journey with one if these months:
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
No pressure. No rules. Just you, your pencil, and the joy of drawing. Even if you might miss a month, week, or day. Remember – life gets busy sometimes, so don’t be too hard on yourself and just start again.
Let’s make this your most creative year yet. You can also ask some of your friends or family, children, or students to join in. So you can maybe spend some time together and create something beautiful.
You can tag me on X.com, write an email (contact@drawyager.com), or drop a comment. I’m happy to hear from you! For more inspiration, go to Pinterest or explore my Articles with Drawing Ideas.
