Ultimate Hashtag Challenge List
Hashtag challenges are a great way to get inspiration each and every week. There are new hashtag challenges starting all the time. Here’s a list to get you started.
If there’s one that’s not on the list, let me know about it in the comments and I’ll add it!
(Please note, these are subject to change.)
ONGOING IN 2023
(This means you can join at any point and there is no current end date for the challenge.)
#mugshotmondayart
Our favorite husband wife team Brian and Debbie Miller have teamed up with their favorite potter to create a weekly challenge surround mugs. See an example here.
#plantpaintchallenge
Sponsored by @vickimcgrathart and @bekahpaints. Each week (on Mondays) they provide a reference image of a plant/flower/landscape and invite you to paint and post. Instructions for how to participate are spelled out when they launch a new reference photo.
#paintgardenchallenge
Run by @cecileyadro you can get a garden related reference every week. See complete a partial list at her website here. See an example here.
#stillherestilllife
@tesssmithroberts and @zenaokay sponsor a weekly drawing challenge. They solicit reference photos of still life compositions from some beautifully curated sources, post a photo, and invite you to draw (or paint??) as much or as little of the composition as you want in whatever medium you choose. Follow them here.
You post with #stillherestilllife hashtag and #stillherestilllifeweek____[fill in the blank with the week number from the prompt]_____.
@concussion_recovery_art and @posy_florals share a weekly floral bouquet to paint. You can find an example here.
#roomportraitclub
Sponsored by @sjaxelby. Follow @roomportraitclub for a new photo every week. Any medium welcome!
#facetasticfriday
@kickinthecreatives run several monthly challenges and the weekly portrait challenge.
#foodpaintchallenge
Work on your still life skills with this weekly challenge sponsored by @alaiganuza and @dennispfeil.art
#faceportraitclub
Every Monday @faceportraitclub posts a new face to paint or draw.
Artist Heidi McKay shares a weekly flower to paint. See an example here. (Second slide.)
Run by @paintedbynatalia, each Friday you’ll get a new landscape reference.
Here’s day 76 from a 100 day project I tried. TRIED being the operative word. Trying is half the fun!
ANNUALLY
#the100dayproject
You pick any type of repeatable creative project you would like to do for 100 days. Tag your posts with the #the100dayproject hashtag as well as a hashtag you create for your project. For example, if I was going to do 100 days of paintings my cats, I might use tag #100daysoflifewithcats or something like that.
Debbie’s Note: In 2021 the 100 Day Project launched at the end of January. I believe it will begin in early February in 2022. Follow @lindsayjeanthomson or sign up for the newsletter at www.the100dayproject.org to learn more and get ideas about what makes a good 100-day project.
#stradaeasel
@strada.easel runs a challenge twice a year in January and September challenge. Artists create a daily painting from life. (No reference photos allowed.) They have a complex set of rules and you’ll want to read them very carefully at their website here. But if you finish all all 30 and tag accordingly, you can potentially win some fun prizes.
MONTHLY
January/February
#the100dayproject
(see above)
February
#28Februaryflowers
Sponsored by @amanda_evanston, participants are welcome to paint in any medium or style. Evanston provides a list of daily prompts if you’d like to use them. 2023 list here.
March
#MarchMeetTheMaker
Sponsored by @joannehawker. There is a website where you can learn more — www.marchmeetthemaker.com. It is an opportunity to respond to specific daily prompts designed to help you share more about yourself and your artwork in hopes of building connection and followers.
September
#coloricombo
Artist @estemacleod and @lorisiebert.studio did a month-long color combo challenge. Macleod (Ep. 17 guest) has done several challenges over the years. Follow her on Instagram and keep an eye out for future ones. If you’d like to work through the prompts, you can find them here.
#stradaeasel
@strada.easel runs a challenge twice a year in January and September challenge. Artists create a daily painting from life. (No reference photos allowed.) They have a complex set of rules and you’ll want to read them very carefully at their website here. But if you finish all all 30 and tag accordingly, you can potentially win some fun prizes.
October
#inktober
This is a 31-day drawing challenge with daily prompts available. Go to @inktober20 and see their September 2nd post for the 2021 prompts (image below). Originally hosted by @jakeparker.
#birdtober
Hosted by @aholmesartstudio who shares a 31 bird prompt list.
#artober
Several different #artober’s have popped up this year.
#peachtober
Hosted by @littlefurrypeach (through @peachtober), you have 31 peachy prompts and is open to all media. You can see the 2021 of prompts here.
November
#folktaleweek
#folktaleweek is a weeklong challenge run by @kellyannedalton through the official account of @folktaleweek. See their 2021 list here.
Remember, sometimes you’ll find a challenge after it starts. Don’t worry. Either join a few days late or add it to your calendar for next year.
In summary, challenges are a great way to find community and to help encourage yourself to show up every day to your art practice. And in the wise words of Debbie Miller, “If you practice… you get better.”
Did we miss a painting or drawing challenge? Email me at KellyAnnePowers@LearntoPaintPodcast.com and let me know!