29 Days. That’s how many days February has this year! That’s a special and only-one-every-four-years deal! So to honour this leap year occurrence, and because it’s the beginning of a New Year when many of us are making a New Year’s commitment to our art, I’m going to encourage you to do a Daily Painting Challenge for 29 days!
Every October (and we’ve been doing it for EIGHT years now!), we do a 31-Pastels-in-31-Days Challenge. Coming off our last experience, I asked HowToPastel members who participated, what they thought were the benefits of doing the Challenge. And if their words don’t inspire you to take action, well, I’m not sure what will! But I know you ARE going to be inspired!!
I’ve illustrated this blog with a few of my pastels from the 2017 Challenge 😁
Here’s why you should join the ranks of those who have experienced the incredible benefits of a Daily Painting Challenge:
1. Continuous Improvement
“Continued practice is essential if you want to improve, and painting every day, as in the 31in31 challenge, is the perfect way to achieve that.”
~ Rosie C
2. Comfort and Confidence
“Constant use of pastels made me more comfortable with what they can do and what I can do with them.”
~ Christine S.
“Confidence in the ability to paint, remedy mistakes, fail, and succeed is priceless.”
~ Rod F.
3. Overcoming Procrastination
“It gave me the impetus to paint. It’s too easy to just veg in front of the TV.”
~ Ann K.
4. Developing Discipline
“I learned to just DO something every day, even if it’s just preparing to paint. Every bit counts.”
~ Marsha S.
5. Material Exploration
“I tried new pastels, water-soluble pastel sticks, water-soluble wax sticks, oil pastels, and different pastel papers. It was about the experience rather than the final product.”
~ Constance D.
6. Fast-Track Learning
“Further developing how to work with pastels in a sort of fast-forward mode because of using the dusty sticks every day.”
~Nicolette van D.
7. Building Consistency
“The challenge gave me the push I needed to paint with consistency. It provided me with the freedom to just paint with intention and not with expectation.”
~ Carol Ann M.
8. Time Management and Organization
“I have learned most about organizing my painting and drawing time. I have found out that it helps most to have some clear idea of what I want to do, when to do it, and how, before I start.”
~ Clea M.
9. Small Is Good
“I found that keeping the size small gave me time to complete something every day, and a few of them turned out to be little jewels.”
~ Betty S.
10. Letting Go Of Perfectionism
The freedom to explore new materials and palettes. It’s easier to let go of perfection when you have 30 more pieces to do. Get it next time.
~ Lisa S.
Soooooo have you been inspired to take on this Daily Painting Challenge in February? Grab a friend or two as it’s always great to have a painting buddy or two to keep each other accountable! And then make your commitment on social media – tell the world what you are doing and then post daily. Remember not to worry about the results, keep focused on the doing!!
Share in the comments if you’re going to be painting daily in February. This is such a splendid way to get back into doing your art if you’ve been having trouble getting back into the swing of things. Use the hashtag #29days29paintings when you post on social media so we can all see what you’re up to!
That’s it for this time!!
~ Gail
PS. Don’t know what to paint? How about working on a series?
PPS. Looking for some prompt ideas? Check out this post I wrote as we prepared for our first 31-pastels-in-31-days Daily Painting Challenge
PPPS. This post on preparing for a Challenge may also be helpful!
PPPPS. Need to hear more benefits of doing a Daily Painting Challenge?? Then read more here!
PPPPPS. This is not a formal HTP Challenge, that is, we won’t be running daily threads in the HTP Facebook group. Instead, I want you to take this on and commit to it on your own social media channels. Remember to use the hashtag #29days29paintings so we can all see what you’re up to! We WILL be posting daily threads in our IGNITE! Community however so come join us!
14 thoughts on “29 Days, 29 Paintings -The Daily Painting Challenge”
l really want to do the February challenge and hope I can Setting up all of the materials and images ahead of time will help. I got so much out of it when I did it previously, but that was years ago because October is peak show season for me.
Yay Gill! I hope you can entice some art friends to do it with you as I think that or/and stating your commitment publicly helps with keeping going. And as you say, preparing your materials and ideas ahead of time helps too.
I’m looking forward to becoming a better pastelist! Can’t wait for the February challenge!
Super to hear Jean! Remember when you post on social media to use the hashtag #29days29paintings so we can all see what you’re up to!
I really want to do this challenge, Miss Sibley. I got a sketchbook for Christmas I’d like to fill up. Could you please also post this in the How to Pastel Facebook group so that all members are informed? Again, thank you so much for this challenge.
Hi Chris – I LOVE your idea of using the Challenge to fill your sketchbook!! 🎉
This is a self-directed Challenge (unlike the 31in31 October Challenge where we have Daily posts in the HowToPastel Facebook. Having said that, you are welcome to post there and use the hashtag #29days29paintings so we can all see what you’re up to!
Count me IN! I haven’t done much but sketch since the Oct 31 in 31. Life and health issues got in the way. I learned so much from October’s challenge and am looking forward to this challenge. I just received the Nomad set of Blue Earth pastels and am excited to give them a spin around the dance floor so this is the perfect time!
Yay Carol Ann!! I look forward to seeing your posts in the IGNITE! Community!!
I am going to try this (29 days seems a lot easier than 31! Where do we post?
That’s GREAT to hear!!
You can post on your social media and use the hashtag: #29days29paintings !
Thanks, Gail! I’ve been wanting to try this for a while, but I was just too busy in October. February seemed like a perfect month to try, so I’m so happy you’re doing it with Ignite. Guess I better get prepped…
Faaaaantastic!! Look forward to seeing you there. This Challeneg will be different from the 31in31 as it will be prompt-driven. Of course you can choose to completely ignore the prompts but I hope they will be fun!
I’ll try and succeed ~ setting up
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