A month-long drawing challenge is one of the best ways to build a daily habit. Below is our 31-day drawing challenge – one prompt for every day of the month. The prompts are single words or short phrases, so you can interpret them however you like.
Want your own unique list? Open the drawing prompt generator and press Start 30-day challenge – it creates a fresh, printable 30-day list and lets you tick off each day.
The 31-day prompt list
| Day | Prompt | Day | Prompt |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lantern | 17 | Shell |
| 2 | Sleepy | 18 | Market |
| 3 | Key | 19 | Crown |
| 4 | Fox | 20 | Tiny |
| 5 | Storm | 21 | Mask |
| 6 | Teacup | 22 | Garden |
| 7 | Lost | 23 | Map |
| 8 | Robot | 24 | Spooky |
| 9 | Moon | 25 | Feast |
| 10 | Cozy | 26 | Mirror |
| 11 | Dragon | 27 | Tower |
| 12 | Bridge | 28 | Wild |
| 13 | Potion | 29 | Glow |
| 14 | Treasure | 30 | Journey |
| 15 | Bird | 31 | Home |
| 16 | Rain |
How to interpret a one-word prompt
Single-word prompts are deliberately open. “Lost” could be a lost mitten, a lost robot in a forest, or a person looking at a map. Try this:
- Write three ideas for the word in under a minute.
- Skip the first idea – it’s usually what everyone else will draw.
- Pick the second or third and add one personal detail.
A simple schedule that works
- Weekdays: 15–20 minutes, simple pencil or ink sketches.
- Weekends: longer, more finished pieces if you have time.
- Prep: read tomorrow’s prompt the night before so your brain can work on ideas while you sleep.
Tips for finishing the challenge
- Choose one medium and size so the series looks consistent.
- Keep the bar low. A small drawing still counts.
- Catch up without guilt. If you miss a day, continue tomorrow.
- Share with a hashtag or with a friend doing the same list – accountability helps.
- Celebrate day 31. Lay out all your drawings together and see how far you came.
Related challenges and tools
If a month feels long, start with a week from our drawing themes list. Prefer a surprise every day? Bookmark the random drawing prompt of the day. For more ways to push yourself, read 25 fun drawing challenges.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start the 31-day challenge any month?
Yes. The prompts aren’t tied to a date, so start whenever you like. Many people use it in October for ink challenges, but it works any month.
Do I have to use ink?
No. Use any medium – pencil, ink, markers, watercolor or digital. Choose one medium for the whole month if you want a consistent series.
What if I miss a day?
Just continue from where you are or double up the next day. Finishing late is much better than giving up.
Can I get a different list?
Yes. Open our drawing prompt generator and press “Start 30-day challenge” to generate a unique list of 30 prompts in the categories you choose.