Art Challenge: 30 Paintings in 30 Days

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Looking for a way to break out of an artistic rut or explore your creativity to the fullest? Try a self-imposed, short-term art challenge.

By Kris Parins

I’d been procrastinating doing a formal portrait of my old dog, but a quick sketch from life captured his expression in Jack (watercolor on paper, 7×5)

In 2016, I gave myself permission to take a break from my painting career and not feel guilty about it. My father had recently passed away, and my already tenuous painting routine was broken by a busy travel schedule. I’d also met some career goals and was at a turning point.

While I appreciated the time off, as the year grew to a close, I started to worry that I had lost momentum and might not be able to get back into a regular painting habit. I felt that I needed to make painting a priority again, not something I fit into the spare spaces of my life.

The Challenge

With 2017 on the horizon, I started to notice artists on Facebook mentioning “30 paintings in 30 days” challenges beginning in January, a kind of New Year’s resolution for artists. This struck me as the perfect discipline to get back to working steadily. As a former graphic designer, I knew that I did well with deadlines.

Although I didn’t participate in any of the organized challenges, I outlined my own parameters. I set up my art challenge to publish to an album on my Facebook artist’s page and to my website; this created some built-in peer pressure to keep me motivated.

While some of the online challenges had specific requirements, I created rules that worked for me. These self-imposed guides would get me started and give the painting series some consistency.

If you decide to try an art challenge, I’d encourage you to come up with your own structure and rules based on what you’d like to get out of the month-long experience. A good way to overcome the intimidation of facing 30 works is by minimizing your daily choices.

The Prepwork

To get ready for my challenge, I set up a small palette with my chosen colors (see Rule 4, below). I tore my paper into 6×8-inch pieces and penciled in 5×7-inch borders. I wanted to be ready to go when it was time to paint instead of spending valuable time getting ready.

Then I ordered precut mats, foam core backing and clear sleeves. This way, I’d be able to see my day-to-day progress in the form of finished pieces.

I quickly set up Shine on Three Apples (watercolor on paper, 7×5) as a still life on my art table and completed it in about an hour.

The Rules

Here’s where I started — and why I decided to branch out midway through the month.

1. Theme

from life only; no reference photos allowed

I exercised my observation and drawing skills by starting with subjects from life. Later, however, I found that the small paintings were good studies for larger paintings I had in mind. I allowed myself to use photo references when it came to these pieces.

On days when I was short on ideas, I pulled paintings from my stash of unfinished pieces and completed them. They counted as part of the art challenge — and I reduced my “to-finish” pile in the process.

If you’re considering a theme, you might choose a genre (still life, portrait, animal, landscape), a specific subject (self-portrait, your breakfast, a garden) or a way of working (plein air, time limits, new materials), and experiment with different styles and color combinations.

2. Size

5×7 inches

Starting small was fast and easy — initially. After the first dozen or so paintings, however, I found that I was spending nearly as much time on a 5×7-inch piece as I would have on an 11×15-inch quarter sheet. So, I allowed myself to indulge in a few of the larger sizes, too.

Whatever size(s) you choose, consider using standard formats so that you can place your works in ready-made mats and frames.

3. Paper

Arches 300-lb. rough

As the challenge progressed, I ultimately switched to 140-lb. cold-pressed. I found that the 300-lb. rough surface became too restrictive; it didn’t allow for some of the line work and detail I wanted.

Use the surface with which you’re most comfortable — or take the opportunity to experiment with a new-to-you substrate.

4. Paint

Mission Gold (Mijello): cobalt No. 1, French ultramarine blue deep, aureolin yellow and permanent rose

I selected this limited color palette because it’s quite versatile, can make dark darks and creates lovely granulation. This was one rule I wasn’t tempted to break during the month, although I did need a bit of burnt sienna at times.

A limited palette may help to take the guesswork out of your painting choices — or may be too limiting depending on what you hope to achieve. For example, if you’re using your art challenge as a time to experiment, you may want to work with more colors, not fewer, to refine your color-mixing skills.

5. Brushes

No. 8 synthetic round with a good point

I believed that any detail I couldn’t capture with it was better left unsaid. But then, sure enough, I wanted to work in greater detail, so I added a smaller brush to my equipment list.

Choose what feels most comfortable to you depending on your challenge specifications and goals.

6. Timeframe

flexible

I began with the commitment to paint in a quick, intuitive way, but in the end, the actual time I invested in painting varied between 45 minutes and three hours. Before long, I also realized that 30 paintings in 30 days didn’t mean that I had to do one painting per day. Some days, I completed two or even three, other days none.

Determine how much time you’re able to commit to your challenge, and be sure to build in extra time for last-minute surprises on your calendar. It’s about progress, not perfection.

7. Rules

made to be broken

If something wasn’t working, I didn’t hesitate to change things up — and you shouldn’t either as you explore your creativity.

Lake Dreams (watercolor on paper, 10 1⁄2 x 14 1⁄2) was a plein air piece that I pulled from my unfinished painting pile and completed to count as one of my 30 paintings.

The Follow-Up

Once each painting was completed, I photographed it and posted the image to the designated Facebook album as well as to my website. Friends and fellow artists followed my daily posts, commenting and offering encouragement. Several of my art buddies were doing their own 30-in-30 challenges, so we compared notes and enjoyed the camaraderie.

I’m glad that I did the challenge; I found it worthwhile in many unexpected ways. I even sold a few of the paintings during the month! Best of all, it had the desired effect of re- establishing my good painting habits.

To be honest, by the end of the month, the obligation to produce quick work had become a chore. Now that it’s over, I’m happy to be able to go with the creative flow, letting one project lead into the next — without a schedule and a constant audience.

It was easy to bring the hanging flowerpot into the studio to serve as a subject for My Annual Begonias (watercolor on paper, 7×5).

Lessons Learned

  • Painting becomes easier when it’s done more often. Beginning is the most difficult part, but I found that if I didn’t sweat the subject matter and got started first thing in the morning, I felt good about my creative self for the rest of the day.
  • It’s not necessary to have a four-hour block of uninterrupted time to be productive. Some days I’d steal 20 minutes here and 15 minutes there, all in the interest of meeting my daily deadline, and I was OK with working that way.
  • Small paintings can take as much time and mental energy as medium-sized ones. I concluded that I’d prefer to work no smaller than a quarter sheet.
  • I’m a studio painter at heart. Plein air can be exhilarating, but I work better in the comfort and quiet of my own space.
  • Drawing is its own reward. After years of treating it as a means to an end, I rediscovered the expressive joy of putting pencil to paper.

Did you embark on a self-imposed challenge? If so, share your experience in the comments below!


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Join the Conversation!

  1. Just want to thank you for this wonderful idea. I’ve been painting a lot if years but not involved in classes or teaching some any longer. I was feeling stale and had no fresh direction until this suggestion of a 31 day challenge which offered structure and renewed excitement. Can’t wait to start and surely do appreciate the prep ideas.

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