You know that restless, antsy feeling that hits once summer kicks in? The kind where your brain says, “Let’s make something!” but your hands are like, “Yeah… but what exactly?” That’s where art challenges come in.
They’re fun. They’re structured (but not suffocating). And if you’re stuck in a creative rut or just want to experiment with new styles, mediums, or ideas,these can light the fire under your sketchpad.
I’ve pulled together 20 original summer art challenges designed to do just that. Some are bite-sized daily tasks. Others are deeper, weekly themes. But they’re all built to shake things up.
Let’s jump in.
Also see: 20 Creative Outdoor Art Ideas for Your Summer Garden
1. Sunset in 10 Styles
Draw or paint the same summer sunset in 10 different styles: impressionism, line art, cubism, collage, pointillism, you name it. It’s like speed-dating with techniques.
Insider tip: This one really helps identify which styles feel right in your hand,not just which ones you admire.
2. Tiny Art, Big Ideas
Challenge: Create postcard-sized artworks every day for a week. You only get 4×6 inches.
Why? Small-scale forces you to focus, simplify, and get creative with limited space. Also great for mail-art swaps.
3. No-Brush Week
Use anything but a brush. Think: twigs, forks, leaves, even your elbow (yes, I tried it once,it’s weirdly freeing).
By the way, this challenge helped me get over my perfectionism. When the tools are chaotic, the pressure to “make it good” kinda melts away.
4. The “Ugly” Color Combo Challenge
Pick two or three colors you normally hate using together and make them work. Lemon yellow and maroon? Neon pink and forest green?
This one’s brutal but strangely addictive. Your brain will scream, but you’ll end up finding odd harmony in chaos.
5. Paint Your Dreams (Literally)
Every morning for a week, paint or sketch something from your dreams. Even if it’s nonsense. Especially if it’s nonsense.
Half-surreal, half-therapy. A few years ago I painted a dream about flying goldfish. It turned into a print series that sold out. So yeah,dreams matter.
6. One Tool Only
Pick one art supply: a charcoal stick, a red pen, a paint marker,anything. Use only that for three pieces.
It’s hard. But it sharpens your instincts like crazy. You’ll start asking: how much can I say with how little?
7. Nature-Scavenger Collage
Go outside, collect weird textures,bark, leaves, wrappers, ticket stubs,and make a mixed-media piece out of your finds.
Think of it as a visual diary of your summer walk.
8. Opposite Hand Week
Draw with your non-dominant hand for an entire week.
No, it won’t look good. That’s the point. It humbles you, loosens you up, and oddly enough, boosts your dominant-hand skills when you go back.
9. Unusual Canvas Challenge
Paint on cardboard, fabric scraps, glass jars, seashells, old T-shirts,anything but paper.
Last summer, I painted an entire series on coconut shells. People loved them. It started as a joke, but sold better than most of my “serious” work.
10. Summer Soundtrack Series
Pick 5 songs that scream “summer” to you. Paint what they feel like. Not what they’re about,what they feel like.
Use Spotify’s “Summer Mix” if you’re stuck. Music + art = endless fuel.
11. Nighttime Only
For 7 days, only create after sunset. Use moody lighting, cool tones, or even draw by candlelight. See how it shifts your vibe.
It’s surprisingly calming. And your art will get that “late-night thought spiral” energy.
12. Pattern Lockdown
Create one repeating pattern per day for 14 days. Could be florals, fruits, geometric shapes, random kitchen objects.
Upload them digitally if you want to go all-in and make mockups (think tote bags, prints, etc.).
13. Memory Snapshot Series
Paint or draw key memories from childhood summers: mangoes on rooftops, kites, cousins, train rides. Even half-formed images count.
This challenge is basically nostalgia therapy disguised as art.
14. 30-Minute Challenge
Set a timer for 30 minutes. Create one finished artwork (no pausing allowed). Do this daily for 10 days.
What’s wild is how much pressure it removes. Because you’re forced to let go of the “perfect piece” mindset.
15. Overheard Words
Sit in a park or café. Listen for a phrase or word someone says. Use that as your prompt.
Once, I heard a kid shout, “The pigeon is the president now!” That became an absurd political cartoon. Still makes me laugh.
16. Summer Mythology Remix
Take classic mythological creatures and give them a summer twist. A sunbathing mermaid. A beach-themed Minotaur. Medusa with beachy braids?
It’s goofy. And surprisingly rich for storytelling.
17. Color Hunt
Pick a color of the day. Go outside and find 5 objects in that color. Draw or paint them into a single artwork.
It trains your eye to notice subtleties,like how many different kinds of red exist on one street.
18. From the Fridge
Make art inspired by your summer meals. Watermelons, melting ice creams, kulfi, lemonade, grilled corn,whatever’s in season.
Bonus: paint first, then eat. Best reward system ever.
19. Art Chain With Friends
Start an artwork and send it to a friend to finish,or pass it around in a group. Think “visual telephone.”
We did this in an art retreat once. The result? A hilarious chaos of styles. But also deeply collaborative and special.
20. Self-Portrait Series
But here’s the twist: do 5 of them, each in a different emotional state,excited, sad, bored, hopeful, frustrated.
You’ll end up learning a lot about how your mood changes your style.
Quick Suggestions :
- Don’t aim for perfection. These challenges are for fun, exploration, and practice.
- Take photos of your work. You’ll be amazed at the progress even over 10 days.
- Share if you want,but don’t force it. Art doesn’t have to be public to be real.
- Mix and match. Some of these work better over a weekend. Others are daily. Don’t lock yourself in.
So, ready to shake up your sketchbook this summer?
Pick two or three of these and just start. Don’t overplan it. Your creativity doesn’t need a five-year strategy,it just needs a spark.
Which one are you trying first? Or better yet… got a wild summer challenge idea of your own?
Let’s hear it. Your future self (and your art) will thank you.