Susan Yeates, Artist/The 30 Day Sketchbook Challenge 2023

  • £17.99

The 30 Day Sketchbook Challenge 2023

  • Course
  • 66 Lessons

Welcome to the 6th Annual 30 Day Sketchbook Challenge. This 'course' is the full version of the challenge running from 01-30 Jan 2023. The challenge includes 30 sketching prompts (one per day) with video explanations, introduction and top tip videos, sketchbook warm-ups and access to the private Facebook group. The aim is to make sketching a habit and give yourself a creative boost at the start of the year.

The 6th Annual 30-Day Sketchbook Challenge ran from 01 - 30 Jan 2023

Join the full version of the challenge today to have instant access to everything created that month to support you with completing all 30 days of sketching.

I challenge you to sketch!

The 30 Day Sketchbook Challenge is a commitment to draw in your sketchbook for 30 days in a row. 

This FULL version of the challenge gives you access to everything created to support you with the 6th annual  challenge that starts on 01 Jan 2023. This includes all 30 prompts, video explanations, sketching warm-up exercises, live sketch-a-longs, panel discussion sessions as well as the private Facebook Support Community. 

The aim is to make drawing a habit and part of your daily routine. I want to help you to fill your sketchbook & boost your creativity at the start of the year.

This challenge ran live from 01-30 Jan 2023. You can purchase the challenge at any point to start sketching. 

Watch the video

About the 30-Day Sketchbook Challenge

30 unique sketching prompts in 30 days

Bring some creativity, colour and motivation into your January

January can be a little dull and dark, so let's bring some creativity and colour into the month through our active sketching community.

There are LIVE sketch-alongs, guest artist panel sessions talking about creative mindset, simple sketching warm-up tutorials and a super-supportive Facebook community of fellow sketchers from across the globe.

This challenge gives everyone the feel-good factor in the New year!

"Words cannot express how much I have enjoyed this and how it has made me find time each day for myself and develop the discipline to sketch each day. I liked the randomness of some of the prompts - some really pushed me out of my comfort zone."

Feedback from the Sketchbook Challenge 2022

Here's What You Get

By joining the FULL version of the 30-Day Sketchbook Challenge 2023, you gain access to all of the support available to assist you with your sketching. This includes:

30 Unique Challenge Prompts

Each day you receive a brand new sketching prompt. These can be simple words, phrases or themes, but all are approachable for absolute beginners to experienced sketchers. 

Daily Video Explanations

In addition to the prompts, full challenge members receive a helpful daily explanation video with ways to approach the prompt. 

Facebook Support Community

The Facebook Group is a chance to connect with other challengers from across the globe, to share your sketches, ask questions, join live sessions and stay accountable!

Sketchbook Warm-Up Exercises

Before the challenge even begins you will receive a number of simple sketching warm-up tutorials to help to get you in the zone and ready for tackling the prompts. 

LIVE Artist Panel Discussions

A *NEW* feature for 2023, there will be four weekly Zoom panel discussions with guest experts on creative mindset topics such as banishing perfectionism, drawing for relaxation and more...

Sketching Tutorials for Beginners

Each week there will be a NEW sketching tutorial aimed at assisting absolute beginners. These tutorials will cover key areas of sketching to help boost confidence and improve technique. 

Discounts and Giveaways

A *NEW* feature for 2023, full challenge members will gain access to a number of weekly giveaways of art supplies, books and more. 

Plant a Tree with Ecologi

For every person that joins the challenge in 2023, we plant a tree with climate change charity Ecologi. Together as part of the challenge we can made a difference to our planet.

LIVE Sketch-A-Long Sessions

Starting with our launch party on Sunday 1st Jan at 7pm (GMT) there will be a number of live sketching and Q&A support sessions. 

What is the Sketchbook Challenge?

Put simply, it is a commitment to draw in your sketchbook for 30 days in a row.

When you sign up you will receive 30 different prompts to get you sketching – a different one each day. And that is the challenge! All live elements will be shared as recordings for you to enjoy as well. 

Hello, I'm Susan

I am an artist, author and online educator based in Woking in the UK. But most importantly I am your sketchbook challenge host and guide!

I’ve worked as a successful professional artist for over 15 years, authored 6 art books including Sketchbook Challenge: 100 Prompts for Daily Drawing, spoken at TedX Woking, been featured on HobbyMaker TV, created over 35 online courses, and taught 1000’s of aspiring artists like you.

I love encouraging others to get creative and welcome you into the sketchbook challenge this year!

Included with the FULL challenge

Panel Discussions with Guest Artists

Rewatch these Zoom sessions for creative mindset discussions with our panel of invited guest artists. These are recorded sessions that were held live in January 2023 on the dates listed below.

Mon 2nd Jan @ 7.30pm GMT

Tips to Get Started

With Tricia Johnson & Kandice Pierce

In the first of these weekly discussions we will be talking to artists Tricia Johnson and Kandice Pierce about their tips for getting started. This can be one of the biggest barriers to a regular sketching or art practice… getting those first marks on the page. We will find out a little bit more about their own regular habits and have a good discussion on this topic. 

Mon 9th Jan @ 7.30pm GMT

Overcoming Perfectionism

With Kolbie Blume

This second discussion is all about overcoming perfectionism. Susan will be taking to watercolour artist, author and ‘recovering perfectionist’ Kolbie Blume about her ways to deal with this particular creative block that can happen to us all. A mixture of practical advice and mindset work.

Mon 16th Jan @ 7.30pm GMT

How to Make Sketching Fun

With Missy Tripp Ronquillo & Liz Floyd

Join Susan as she talks to artists Liz Floyd and Missy Tripp Ronquillo about ways to make sketching fun. Both artists work in very different styles but both understand the importance of making sketching and creative work playful, fun and enjoyable too. 

Mon 23rd Jan @ 7.30pm GMT

Ways to Stay Inspired

With Anna Baer and Natalie Eslick

As we move into the fourth week of the 30-Day Sketchbook Challenge Susan speaks to fine-artists Anna Baer and Natalie Eslick about their thoughts on how to stay inspired. Anna is an abstract expressionist artist and Natalie an artist who has a deep connection with nature. These differing perspectives will help us all to think about ways that we can continue to sketch after the challenge has concluded. 

Make time for yourself every day this January!

With just 5 minutes per day you can take part in the challenge and carve out some time for yourself and your creativity.

Even just a quick daily burst of sketching like this can improve your well-being and mood.

Each day thoughtout January you grab a pencil or pen, find a new sketchbook page, prepare a warm comforting cuppa (optional!), check out what the daily prompt is and get creative with a simple sketch.

Join me to enjoy a huge boost to your creativity this year and take part in the challenge. 

"The challenge is such a great creative boost at the start of the year. The challenge was so well thought out with a balanced mixture of varied prompts that stretched not only my sketching skills but also creative thinking"

Feedback from the Sketchbook Challenge 2022

Watch the video

Benefits of the Challenge

There are so many wonderful things that you gain from being part of this Sketchbook Challenge community in January. Find out more as I explain just a few of them here in this video.

The 6th annual challenge ran from 01-30 January 2023

Make sketching a habit and part of your daily routine

The 30-Day Sketchbook Challenge will help to fill your sketchbooks, boost your creativity and get your drawing mojo back on top form this year!

Build Confidence in Your Sketchbook

Most people (78% of people that submitted feedback in 2022) considered themselves amateurs and beginners to sketching and wanted a place to be creative without the pressure of it being perfect.

This is very much a ‘sketchbook’ challenge not a ‘finished work of art’ challenge. Making a mess, experimenting, doodling, trying new things or even scribbling with a biro is all welcomed! 

LOTS of people also spoke about the challenge giving them confidence in their sketching after taking part in the challenge.  

"I really enjoyed the challenge. It made me try new techniques and materials and I surprised myself with what I was able to achieve. I found the videos stimulating and thought provoking and they enabled me to expand my thinking about what I was going to sketch that day."

Feedback from the Sketchbook Challenge 2022

Who is the Sketchbook Challenge For?

The challenge is suitable for anyone who wants to give it a go… For example:
- Beginners to drawing looking for some ideas of where to start
- Art students
- Professional artists needing some starting points for work
- Printmakers on any of my online courses looking for ideas for prints
- Anyone creative looking for a good New Year’s Resolution
- Creative people just wanting a fun challenge
- People with five minutes to spare and a blank sketchbook
- Anyone who just wants to draw a bit more.
- You... come on in and join me this year!

Frequently asked questions

You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers.

What if I have never done any drawing before?

It doesn't matter at all! The aim of the game is to simply do some drawing every day for 30 days - to build up the habit of sketching and tap into the creative side of your brain. The quality of the drawing is not important. Sketching, like any skill is improved with practice - the more you do, the better you get! We also include a weekly sketching tutorials for absolute beginners to help you out. 

How long do I need to spend on each sketch?

This is entirely up to you. Some days you may only have a minute or two and you do some very rough or loose sketches. Other days you may find that a subject really captures your imagination and you spend much longer or complete several pages of drawings. Anything goes. The only thing I ask is that you do SOMETHING every day.

What materials do I need to take part?

You simply need something to draw with and something to draw on. You can keep it as simple as a pencil and a sketchbook for the whole challenge or explore some of the art materials you have in your stash. There is no specific requirement regarding materials for the challenge. USe what inspires you and what you have to hand already - even a simple biro is fine. 

How do I access the sketching prompts?

With the full version of the Sketchbook Challenge, we email you a reminder each day from 01 Jan to let you know what the prompt is. You can then login to the course portal to access the daily video. You can login here:
https://courses.susanyeates.co.uk/login  

I’ve just joined but can’t see any prompts?

The challenge starts on 01 Jan 2023. If you join the challenge before this date you will have access to all the welcome videos and introduction sections (including tips videos) but the challenge prompts don’t start until 01 Jan. On this date you will receive prompt no. 1, and one per day from. Then onwards. 

Is there a full list of the challenge prompts?

This challenge is different from many others in that the sketching prompts are a SURPRISE every day. This also supports the aim of the challenge being a habit-building process i.e. the aim is to sketch a little bit each day without any preparation. The surprise prompts add to the excitement within the challenge community and ensure that everyone is all working together in this one prompt per day manner. 

What are the Zoom Panel Discussion sessions?

These hour-long discussions are conducted LIVE via Zoom and are the opportunity to watch a live discussion between Susan and two guest artists (and ask questions too!). The discussions will be on creative mindset topics such as tips for getting started and how to beat perfectionism. The aim is that these live sessions will assist everyone in building a regular sketching habit throughout the challenge. Dates and times for these are still to be confirmed. There will be one per week during the challenge…. 

Do I need to join the Facebook Group

There is no requirement to join the Facebook support group if you do not want to. The Facebook group is included within this full version of the challenge and is a chance to connect with challengers from across the w world. We have found over the years that it helps people to keep going for all 30-days and 

What is the difference between the FULL version and the LIGHT version of the challenge?

When I started the very first sketchbook challenge I did so with the intention of always making it free as I am passionate about getting everyone sketching. The LIGHT version includes access to the sketching prompts alone. 

The FULL version includes a number of additional features such as daily explanation videos, weekly sketching tutorials, sketchbook warm-ups, a private Facebook community (including a team of helpful champions), LIVE Zoom panel discussion sessions with guest artists, a welcome party and more.