WHY You Should Try a 30 Day ART CHALLENGE || 8 Tips for SUCCESS

It's nearly April and PleinAirpril is upon us! I try to do at least one 30 day art challenge every year. Here, I will explain WHAT art challenges are, WHY you try one, WHERE you can do them, and 8 TIPS for making sure you have the best experience. JOIN ME in drawing or painting every day in April! :)
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro to Art Challenges
00:24 Different Art Challenges
00:56 Housetober
01:07 WHY do. Art Challenges?
02:26 WHERE to do Art Challenges
03:05 Plein Airpril
04:08 8 Tips for Success
04:10 Tip 1
05:27 Tip 2
06:19 Tip 3
07:06 Tip 4
08:01 Tip 5
08:48 Tip 6
10:30 Tip 7
11:35 Tip 8
12:44 I'll Be Your Art Buddy
13:04 Let's Do This!

[@hollyblossomWH]

Leslie, we are in the French countryside now and I'm driving my friend nuts saying, ' I need to do my first plein-air paiting to show Leslie!'. We found some beautiful scenery around a castle with stunning greenery and shrubs, and then the heavens opened up!!! I said, ' Aww, I have let myself and Leslie down!' 😂 Doing a tiny painting was my objective of Easter weekend. I was walking around with my viewfinder looking like a dork. Hopefully tomorrow the weather will change and I will get lucky. ❤ Thanks as always for the inspiration. ❤

[@LeslieStroz]

You haven’t let me down at all. LOOKING at scenery with your artist’s eyes is part of the process. Painting the outside view from a window counts, so you might try that the next time the heavens interrupt your art plans! 😊

[@hollyblossomWH]

@LeslieStroz I find now that everything I look at, whether it be peeling bark on a tree, wild flowers in a field or crumbling stone from an ancient building that I am thinking, 'which colours would I mix and which brush strokes and how much water would I use whilst painting these things'? I'm tired. 😂🥰

[@LeslieStroz]

@@hollyblossomWHSounds like typical artist thinking to me! 😅❤

[@ReinventedDelaware]

I'm in!! I can only commit to 7 days but I'm doing it! Stopping the video and gathering my supplies right now. 🤗 Thanks for the inspiration!

[@LeslieStroz]

Terrific!! 7 days is great! I’ll look forward to seeing what you create (if you decide to share). 🤗

[@Coco-ne5ix]

I have been wanting to try drawing and painting outside but have been super intimidated. I’ve heard it will make your skills better. Your video is so encouraging that I am now planning to take part in your April challenge. My plan is pen and ink, just keeping it simple. I really like drawing from photos in the comfort of my home so I am really apprehensive about taking this on. Like you said, there’s nothing to lose.

[@LeslieStroz]

Drawing is perfect! I’ll be doing some drawing-only ones when my friend is visiting. It will be enriching to take your drawing skills to the great outdoors. 😊

[@straydogstrut115]

Thanks for sharing Leslie, this was so inspiring. I’ve been wanting to develop an illustration habit, but after the initial motivation, I’ve been procrastinating and doubting myself for the last few weeks. I was stuck in the rut of not knowing what to draw, not having the supplies I want, and not having dedicated time for it. Your video has been such an affirming call to action, and the tips you’ve suggested will go a long way to helping me just get started. So glad I found your channel today, thank you😊

[@mianoname9825]

Ooh, this is so encouraging! I was already thinking about doing something like this to finally learn perspective a bit better... And that last part where you say that you offer us to be our art buddy... really touches my heart! 😘

[@user-rc2cl6ry1r]

Hurray!🎉new video😊 where is my latte 😀 now conveniently I'll sit down

[@LeslieStroz]

I have my tea! 😊

[@reedebrown6006]

Hi Leslie. Love this idea of a themed challenge and plein airpril may even get me sketching and painting outside at last😱 Thanks so much for all your encouragement.

[@LeslieStroz]

My pleasure! I hope you enjoy it! 😊

[@lindahipple4817]

Hi Leslie, my art kit and paper is ready, spring is always good motivation for me, fresh air, lots of flowering plants and trees, and farms . I like to pack either hot tea or ice tea.. sometimes I'll sit in my own garden, love plein air!

[@LeslieStroz]

Let do it!! Hooray! 🎉

[@jillghramm6098]

In January this year my daughter & a granddaughter found a 30 day prompt to work on. It went well. My granddaughter who has been doing art for a while was so innovative that when she got behind (new baby) she drew a shelf (her art was created with an app on her computer) put how ever many prompts subjects she had missed on the shelf, it was sooo cute. Whitney my daughter stayed on task through March with pencil drawings & interspersed with oil pastels. I stuck with watercolor, but missed a lot of March, & I can say I really had no excuse for missing daily prompts Hopefully April 1 we will start with a new 30 days & I won’t give excuses! 😊 Your 8 suggestions are great!

[@LeslieStroz]

Lots of people love the prompts. I do best when it’s a “draw or paint what you see” challenge. Find what most inspires you and go for it! 😊

[@marielouisedavidson4834]

This is a wonderful and helpful video. Your tips are fabulous and I really appreciate your expertise and knowledge. Thank you!

[@preetphoenix1]

Btw your housetober sketches really inspired me to sketch more. I've been trying mix media sketches and its so much fun

[@LeslieStroz]

Thank you! I’m so glad they inspired you. 😊

[@pootlingalong8928]

I’m up for this! I’m just a beginner inspired by your tiny paintings. I will be doing a “tiny” every day in April 🤗

[@LeslieStroz]

Hooray!!! 🎨👩🏻‍🎨

[@StarStableGirl163]

I love this video. I’ve used your tips and have planned way ahead for inktober this year. I’ve already chosen a theme (dinosaurs!) and have already started on the drawings. I’ve also been working on pre coloring them using alcohol markers and saving the inking process for when the challenge comes😊

[@hajimesenpai7996]

Ooh I was just getting ready to begin my own 29 day art challenge. This video came in time !! ^~^

[@LeslieStroz]

Synchronicity! 🤗

[@christianebehr138]

Hello Leslie , Happy Easter , What a very nice idea for the april .thank you for the hints you gave. I have never finished a aquarell painting in one day. Or at the moment I am sketching with pencil that also takes time drawing the shades. Habe a intressting week many greetings Christiane 😊😊😊❤

[@LeslieStroz]

You can do the challenge in pencil or ink only. Drawing outside is just as lovely!! 🎨☺️

[@bahardavutoglu6225]

Ok, now you managed to motivate me for my First Art Challenge 😅

[@LeslieStroz]

Hooray!! Let’s do this! 🤗

[@mariesconeyisland]

Those are such amazing tips! Thank you for creating and sharing high quality content with us. It is helping me tremendously ❤️

[@LeslieStroz]

I’m so glad! ❤

[@ChantelleArts]

There are SO MANY different art challenges now it's crazy!! one for everything 😮

[@LeslieStroz]

So true! Choose the one that most appeals to you and your interests. 😊

[@HomairaEkra]

I am really excited to try different challenges🤗 But find time for painting behind studies is difficult❤️‍🩹

[@LeslieStroz]

I understand that! April is a difficult month for students because so much schoolwork is due. Maybe try a June challenge instead. 😊

[@HomairaEkra]

@@LeslieStroz yes i will!!☺️

[@jennifernewmanart]

Your drawings and paintings are so lovely ! And your little palette is gorgeous ! I love Inktober , I have done it for a few years now and it definitly improved my drawings , I’m going to look at the other ones you suggested as well ! I made great friends through inktober as well right here on KZbin , we even started a little drawing group for a while which was fun and we still stay in touch . Thankyou for the inspiration

[@LeslieStroz]

Thank you! How great that you’ve made friends through Inktober. I love when art brings people together like that. 😊

[@jennifernewmanart]

@@LeslieStroz 🩷

[@elena-buya]

So helpful and inspiring 🥰❤️

[@sunnys2434]

I found this super inspiring, thank you!

[@LeslieStroz]

My pleasure! 😊

[@luvlyrach7947]

Second!

[@Dante343]

I've gotten into a mood of either or sketching+watercolouring every day since a week so I'll continue with that thinking I'm joining everyone here! I got my first Winsor and Newton Cotman field kit this weekend and swatched the colours out and I'm pumped to paint more after work! I now understand your point about Sap Green not being the right green for getting different shades in landscapes and I've started mixing greys as per your advice and find the difference between them and Payne's Grey which feels like a singular colour while the mixed greys can be made to complement other colours.

[@LeslieStroz]

That’s so great! Yes, those premixed colours have a way of dominating the other colours in a painting! How great that you’re going to do PleinAirpril! 😊

[@meliB32]

This is going to be fun! I only recently got back into my art after watching you so much and moving into our new home. You make art for you and I think thats where I got lost before. Im very excited to try this challenge. Whether I will post for others to see and to share is debatable but I really loved this video. Thank you 😊

[@LeslieStroz]

That’s wonderful! You’ll hopefully have lots of new things to inspire you around the new home. 😊

[@debsmith7050]

TY 💙

[@suzisandpiper]

I’m in! I need to do this! I got off to a good start last year after being inspired by your tiny sketchbook paintings. Then I got covid and was sick for a few months. It’s time to dust off my paints and brushes! Thanks once again for giving me the get up and do vibe! ❤ 🎨 🖌️

[@LeslieStroz]

Ugh, I’m sorry you had covid. Illness can be such a drain on creativity. I hope you’re feeling strong enough for some Springtime art! 😊

[@mmwalton9142]

You are fabulous, Leslie. Just the encouragement I needed. 🌻🎨🥂

[@LeslieStroz]

Terrific! Good luck!! 😊

[@mmwalton9142]

Just starting now with a cute robin that landed on our garden deck.

[@-MEL16-A.O.C]

First and ready Just grabbed my coffee 😁😉😘❤

[@LeslieStroz]

Yay!! 😊

[@sharonsunshine2532]

This was so helpful. I wasn't even going to try but your encouragement meant so much. Thank you Leslie ❤ You definitely are a thoughtful person. Oh mine will be outside or from window, small format and probably flowers, plants and maybe one of my ducks or chickens around a plant? We shall see 😂❤

[@LeslieStroz]

You have ducks? How awesome! You could just do 30 days of ducks! 🦆 😊

[@jendagel5170]

Thank you for sharing this video. You’ve inspired me to try this April plein air exercise. I love Inktober and I think this should be fun also.

[@LeslieStroz]

Terrific! You’ll have a few months to recover before Inktober! 😅❤

[@jendagel5170]

😆

[@joytobake]

Leslie! You tell us to prepare, then you tell us we start TOMORROW?!?! AAAAAHHHHHH! I need to go source more paper! Pronto! 😅🫣😬😊🫡

[@LeslieStroz]

Haha, I know. I should have given you a few days to prepare! Maybe start by preparing for the first week and ordering supplies for the rest! 😅

[@terriwest8801]

💐Plein-Airpril, so joyous! & presented by yourself simplified,practical&entirely possible & lovingly💙we can accomplish...Happy Easter

[@LeslieStroz]

Thanks you! Happy Easter to you too! 😊

[@lifeisgood9889]

Hello, I got my first Go Draw palette because of your channel and I’m really enjoying it. It’s made me a lot better at color mixing. I was wondering if you could do a video on color palettes for different subjects, like portraits, landscapes, mountains, etc. I’ve heard that some artists will have different colors in their palettes depending on what they’re painting, but I have no idea how to choose colors like that beyond the basic eight you recommended for the Go Draw. Again, I love your channel!

[@LeslieStroz]

I’m so glad you’re getting better at colour mixing! I don’t really have different palettes for different subject matters, though I do occasionally like to add extra colours depending on what I’m doing. I’m planning a more general colour mixing video very soon! 😊

[@cindyennes4815]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@Jay-ql4gp]

After many years I finally made all 31 days in Inktober last year. And many days my heart wasn't in it. But I tried to make one picture each and every day. I didn't always complete them, but I still made the attempt. Thahnk you.

[@LeslieStroz]

Congratulations!! That’s a huge accomplishment! 😊

[@SwetaO2Iwavy]

This is fun. I will also try the challenge may be for a week 😅. Also, recently I have started my own channel, you have been my inspiration ever since I restarted painting from last year after a very long time. I just wanted to say thank u ❤.

[@LeslieStroz]

That’s lovely. Good luck with PleinAirpril! 😊

[@SwetaO2Iwavy]

Thank you 😊​

[@MrSanmay]

Very interesting. I used to do sketch like this but not so miniature form. This is excellent ❤❤❤❤

[@LeslieStroz]

You can do any size! 😊

[@MrSanmay]

@@LeslieStroz yes. But I will try miniature like this. This so challenging ❤️

[@theroadhome_Liz_Summers]

Just last week I put together a "go" art kit ... I wasn't thinking about PleinAirpril! I have 1 Plein Air sketch to my name ... very new artist here .... but I planned on trying it this summer. BUT, I am inspired by this video so will decide on theme, size and just do it! I am in Northwest Montana U.S. but I have a covered front porch and a Jeep so even if weather turns wintry I should be able to get outside(ish) ... trick will be to decide a theme that I can do whatever the weather. This will be my first art challenge, but I have done other misc challenges (virtual) and I have always enjoyed the community spirit that happens as everyone shares. Thanks for all of the great hints and motivation!

[@LeslieStroz]

Oh that’s so exciting! Montana must be beautiful right now. You should be able to get a variety of “seasons” this month. A front porch and a jeep will be great for finding different views. I hope you do it! 😊

[@theroadhome_Liz_Summers]

@@LeslieStroz I have my paper cut: 4 x 4, watercolor for medium and theme of landscape-ish ... my landscape might be a stump or a few trees if weather dictates. I just received a view catcher after seeing you use it. I must be the only person who has a non-busy April! I am giving myself 1-2 hours per day ... sounds like a lot, but I might have driving time for some of the locations on my list.

[@theroadhome_Liz_Summers]

GAH!!! Day 11 and I am struggling. It was sunny but hazy and here in Montana very drab. I am long time amateur photographer in this area and have loads of spots that are amazing vistas where I can get my Jeep off of the highway. But the last 2 sunny days after a bunch of gray, windy, cold, wintry mix days ... and still .. YIKES, not inspired. I stopped at a local nursery and bought some plants/flowers that I can keep inside/outside ... hopefully also for some "still life" outside color.

[@lourdesgallegos7508]

Leslie, I am going to take you up on being an art buddy! I don’t have friends who paint or do any type of art, but I would love to do this challenge because I need to get outdoors more often. Thank you for your kind offer, you’ll be hearing from me!

[@LeslieStroz]

Great! I’ll look out for your messages. 😊

[@retro-bx4wu]

Can you please post new housetober drawings on your website site please I like your 🎨

[@LeslieStroz]

Last year’s Inktober is up on my Patreon. 😊

[@preetphoenix1]

I really like your oil painting 💖 i wish i could also do but at my location most things will get mold or something and the entire thing is ruined. Idk how can i still do it.

[@LeslieStroz]

Oh no, I’m sorry to hear that. I’ve never heard of oul paints getting moldy. I wonder if adding clove oil might help?