In order to form a habit of drawing daily, you can participate in or create your own drawing challenge. The thing is, you will never get better at something unless you do something about getting better. In drawing, you can build skill and confidence just by drawing. No matter how good you become, you can always mature in your craft.
Many artists and illustrators challenge themselves with a series of daily assignments. My colleague, Duane Eells, finished up a year of drawing figures and immediately launched another 365-day project of drawing a face everyday. You can see his Instagram posts here.
And, even if you already draw every day, participating in a challenge (like Inktober or The Big Draw LA) will push you to explore new approaches and subject matter.
What’s different about my Draw-What-You-See challenge
I’m launching my first-ever 30-day drawing challenge. I plan to post a new drawing challenge a couple times each year, both for myself to level up my skills, and to encourage you, my readers and students, as well.
What you’ll find that might be different about my approach is that I’m focusing this challenge on direct observation. Rather than drawing from your imagination, which is a viable and popular option, I have made a list of objects you should already have around the house or in your community.
Tips for completing this challenge
Add it to your daily calendar and then follow through on the “appointment”. You can begin this challenge any time. The key is to stay with it for the full 30 days, doing some drawing every day. So schedule your drawing time at the same time every day — during your lunch hour, first thing in the morning, during an afternoon break, or after your evening meal. If you miss a day, just pick up where you left off and keep going. Spend 15-30 minutes on each drawing. You can always go back and add details later.
Use a sketchbook. If you make a journal or sketchbook, you’ll have all your challenge drawings in sequential order and in 1 place. You can observe your progress.
Don’t be too concerned about being perfect, being expressive, or developing a style. Just draw what you see, and allow yourself to make mistakes. Correct your angles and proportions, but don’t try to make a perfect drawing each time. Relax and enjoy the process of looking, analyzing and mark-making.
I’ve included a variety of subjects — living, non-living, small to large, to give you a variety of forms. I’ve included some opportunities to include hand-lettering as well. Use whatever medium you’re comfortable with or that’s convenient. Use a sketchbook. Draw from direct observation, not out of your head.
When you finish, you can review your work, and hopefully take up a new drawing project!
The 30-day Draw What You See List:
1. Paper bag
2. Round fruit (apple, tomato, peach, pear, olive, for example)
3. Coffee mug
4. Tea cup and saucer
5. Water/hydration bottle
6. Hardcover book(s) – open and closed, including any lettering on the cover.
7. Pair of shoes or boots
8. Dog, cat, canary, horse, pig, sheep, goat, chicken, or another type of animal or bird
9. Bicycle or motorcycle
10. Tissue box
11. Knife, fork and spoon
12. 5 leaves of different types
13. Potted plant
14. Hat or cap
15. Box of cereal, crackers or cookies. Box is open. Include lettering and design elements.
16. Stuffed animal or toy
17. Your hand (the one you don’t draw with, or use a mirror)
18. Ball (spherical): Softball, baseball, football/soccer ball, basketball, water polo ball, volleyball, for example
19. Paper bag with assorted fruits
20. Purse or backpack
21. Bowls, pitchers or vases
22. Staircase or flight of stairs
23. Car or truck
24. Table and chair
25. Scissors
26. Light bulb
27. Power tool or hand tool
28. Flowers and leaves
29. House, apartment (exterior)
30. Household appliance (blender, vacuum, toaster, for example)
Your Turn:
Will you accept my Draw-What-You-See challenge? If so, share your experiences and discoveries in the comments.
Hey, I am only a kid just turned teen and I have loved art for a while now and I look at my sister and all the crafts and art she does and I always wonder will I ever be as good as her or better? And I’m reading this post and I’m very happy to say I’m going to participate because I want to be like my sister one day! Thanks you for writing this post!
Hello, Kasey. Have fun with the challenge.
Hi Alvalyn! I am trying to find some motivation to draw consistently and think what- I came across your post! I am surely joining this drawing challenge and hoping to share my drawings with you. Thank you so much for creating this course!
Hey, Donutz, you can share your challenge drawings in the facebook community. Join it here. I’ll look forward to seeing your work.
Hi.. I started drawing when i was 3/4 years old but i was just drawing stick mans that time… but every year i improve and even if I am just 10 years old I can draw anime (not a perfect anime because I don’t really know how to draw their eyes and hair) but I search “how to be good at drawing anime?” and “how to be good at drawing?” and then 2 sites appeared and 1 of it was this site and I actually had an idea how to be better in drawing.. by the way thanks for creating this site… also my question is what if you don’t have any time to do this challenge? because I have my periodical test this coming weeks and it will take a long time because I have so many subjects… but this may I have a vacation in May but I may be just playing online games with my classmates hehe.. so I have another question… what if I miss many days if I do this challenge? like for example I miss 3 days or more… well my mom allowed me to order a new sketch book and it might not be 30 pages because it doesn’t have any specific pages so… yeah and also, I would like to do this challenge but I might have no time… maybe I will try my best to do this challenge.. please answer my questions… thank you..
Does it seem like you’re too busy with other things to be able to practice drawing regularly? Many people deal with this time issue. I’ve discovered that people make time for the things that are important to them. So if drawing is important to you, you’ll make the time to draw, no matter how old you are.
I began drawing seriously when I was about 10 years old. I started taking classes when I was 12. But I had drawn all my life before that.
All this is to say, if you want to draw, make the time for it. If you take up the challenge and you need to interrupt it, that’s not a problem. Just pick up where you left off.
Most sketchbooks will be 60 pages or more. You’ll have ample room to complete the challenge if you draw a page a day.
Hii i am not perfect in drawing but I want to try to become best in my drawings what I have to do please tell me
Thank you for your question. To improve your drawing ability, do what I recommend here: https://alvalyn.com/8-tips-for-improving-your-drawing-skills/
Hii. So I am very bad at drawing, and I accept the challenge, but do you have any other tips, that can help me with getting better at drawing.
I have other articles on this blog and tutorials on YouTube.
Hey I have taken the challenge from you because I love challenges
Date-14-3-2020
And i m accepting the challenge
Very nice actually i am already making drawings and I can make good drawings my all friends and family also appreciate me to do so and i am only 6th class student
I accept…
M
Hopefully my drawing skills will improve.
I’ll let everyone know.
2/21/20
Accepted this challenge to change and improve my drawing skill. Will meet you here after (30 days) completion of challenge.
Looking forward to it, Ankit.
I accept the challenge together with my 10 yr old son and 4 yr old daughter
I don’t know how to start
Get something you can draw with, and begin with the first item on the challenge list. Look at it. Study it. Then draw it. If you watch the video posted here, you can see how I approach the drawing.
Hey Alvalyn. May be I am too late for it but would like to take up this challenge. Is it still there for me to apply to?
You can begin this challenge any time. Just get out some drawing tools… pencil, pen, and paper, or tablet and stylus, and start with the first item.
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Here’s a good example of copyright infringement. This commenter copied and pasted part of my article here: bit.ly/improve-drawing and posted it to her own blog here: http://bit.ly/2MwV3OK as her very first post. Not a good way to begin blogging…
Although she credited me in her post, she didn’t ask permission to use my content. She most likely copied and pasted out of ignorance, but it affects my reputation and livelihood. So I’ve asked her to remove the post.
I accept this challenge… I’m starting today, which is 10/2/2019.
I accept the challenge
Great. I love drawing. I found your post very informative for my interest.
Thnx Alvalyn lundgren for suggestion and for a beautiful challenge.
Have fun with the challenge.
I’m just starting to draw, I was looking for ways to improve my skills and ended up on this challenge, I really appreciate you took your time to share this with us, count me in! I would like to share my progress as I go on, if there a way I can do that? I just want to show you the results of your help!
i like you challenge. I accept.
Just wanted to let you know Alvalyn, I found this challenge about a month ago and decided to take the plunge. I used to draw loads as a kid, but stopped for several years. This is the first time I’ve consistently drawn for a month in my entire life. Thank you so much.
I’m happy to know that, Sean. Have you joined the Eye Level Facebook Group? I post challenges, people post their work for feedback, etc. Click this link to join.
I accepted the challenge honestly. Thanks.
This is perfect. I went on Google and searched “how to draw better” and found this. I’m gonna accept this challenge
Okay – I accept the challenge! Paulina
Let us know how it goes for you.
Um..I love to draw but i don’t do it a lot because i feel that i can’t draw, will this challenge improve my skills for real
Hi, Jessica: To be able to draw, you need to draw. Don’t wait until you feel you can. Go after it.
Accepted …this concept is really very interesting …I really appreciate it
I accept!
The School of Life had a wonderful article today on the value of drawing. Taking the time to really see. It motivated me to find and engage in your 30 day challenge. I’ll be using The Rocketbook to capture my ink pen drawings and look forward to discovering how a 75 year old grandfather can develop a new skill.
Hi, Chuck: Thanks for stopping by and supporting my blog. I’m glad you’re motivated to develop your drawing and seeing skills. I invite you to join our Facebook group if you’re on Facebook and interested in sharing your drawings.
Your Comment Here…I accept the 30day challenge.. I love drawing bigtym
Hi Alvalyn,
I accept your challenge!
Thank You but I tried it isnt effective
What didn’t work for you, Brad? Why don’t you send photos of your challenge drawings so we can assess what the problem is and recommend a course of action?
I accept the challenge!
Hello ma’am, this is my first time here. I have several queries, but most importantly, I wanna know if this challenge is still up. I want to return to drawing and this seems like q great way.
If this challenge is still up, then where do I post my progress?
Hello, Sunit: Join and post your progress in our Facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1879546762297208/
I just added this to my Google calendar, for next 30 days. I won’t be consistent, but I must draw at Least once on two days
Be sure to request access to the Eye Level Facebook community to share your work, and get feedback and tips.
thank you for inspiring me!!!!
I need a kickstart. Love drawing but do not do enough. I accept your challenge!
Joe
Check back and let me know how it goes.
Challenge? Accepted.
i accept the challenge , but not in 30 days in the row , im a little lazy but thank you !
Honestly I am not good at drawing but I have to start drawing so I will start drawing with this challenge .
Thank you so much
Very good! This is a good challenge to begin with because it uses household items. Draw something every day.
i accepted challence
That’s great! Have fun with it.
I’m sure going to try the challenge, I love drawing very much
Let me know how it goes.
Hi alvalyn, Do i need to draw with certain tools or a pencil would be enough?
Just a pencil is enough.
My daughters of 3 and 5 and I accept the challenge ☺️
That’s awesome, Lydia. Make it a family thing.
I’m sure going to try the challenge, I love drawing
Great! If you’re interested in sharing your progress with the challenge to fellow readers, I just started a Facebook community for my newsletter subscribers. If you’re not on the list, you can click on the COLOR RESPONSE guide ad in the sidebar.The Facebook link is provided after you subscribe.
Hi i just want to ask that i draw everynight from comics and manga how much time it will take me to improve. Thxs
Hi, Akshat: If you are consistent at drawing, you should improve steadily over time. There is no set time frame for improvement.
I also recommend that you draw from master artists who work(ed) in other genres — Michelangelo, Frank Frazetta, Burne Horgarth, Stan Lee, JC Leyendecker, Glenn Vilppu, Boris Vallejo, Kinuko Y Craft, Howard Pyle, Alphonse Mucha, Aubrey Beardsley, Arthure Rackham and Maxfield Parrish.
Learning from artists in a variety of genres will do more to improve your skill with proportion, anatomy, perspective and composition than sticking with one type of illustration or drawing.
i will try this out i hope my drawing skills will improve
i accepted….
Awesome I accepted the challenge
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I accept the challenge!
Wonderful! Let me know how you do with it.
I accept the challenge i will start first thing tommorrow whic is 06/18/19
And i hope i can share my drawings and experince to this article author , this site readers
Hi, Reanna: to share your work with other readers, be sure to join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1879546762297208/