Starts 01 Jan 2026
the annual event to kickstart your creativity
Remember when drawing was fun? The 30-Day Sketchbook Challenge brings that feeling back — with playful daily prompts that make creativity easy, joyful, and completely pressure-free.
Join me and 30 guest artists, for the 30-Day Sketchbook Challenge 2026 – the perfect way to kick off the new year with a new creative habit, boost your drawing skills, or rediscover the joy of sketching. For 30 consecutive days, you'll receive a unique daily sketching prompt to spark your creativity and motivate you to sketch as much or as little as you like.
Here’s what you’ll enjoy:
- Exclusive guest artist tutorials and Zoom interviews
- Weekly pep talks to keep you motivated
- Access to a supportive Facebook community
- And so much more!
Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned sketcher, this challenge is suitable for all ages and abilities.
Early Bird Registration for 2026 OPEN NOW! (Until 8th Dec 2025)
30-Day Sketchbook challenge
About the Challenge
The 30-Day Sketchbook Challenge began in January 2018, inspired by my personal journey to rekindle my sketching habit after a break. What started as a simple idea quickly grew into an annual event, attracting thousands of people wanting to rediscover their creative joy, one sketch at a time.
The enthusiasm and atmosphere of these challenges are incredible, with a vibrant flood of sketches and doodles shared by participants. It’s amazing to see so many, from absolute beginners to seasoned artists, pick up a pen.
Reconnect with your inner artist and be part of this supportive, joy-filled community.
FIND OUT MORE
Watch the 2026 Trailer
HOW IT WORKS
The 30-Day Sketchbook Challenge is your invitation to create with joy. Each day, you’ll receive an inspiring prompt — a spark to help you draw, doodle, or paint without pressure or expectation. This is creativity just for you.
The challenge brings together thousands of participants from around the world to fill their sketchbooks. Follow the prompts and sketch whatever you feel inspired to, and share your work with a supportive global community.
Throughout the challenge, you'll enjoy live events including Zoom sketch-alongs, artist interviews, and tutorials led by me and the 30 guest artists. These activities are designed to support your creative journey and keep you inspired all the way through 2026. Plus this year we have an amazing VIP upgrade package to level-up your experience!
Keep reading to discover more details and see our lineup of guest artists for 2026 above. Join us and kick off the new year with a new creative habit.
even more inspiration in 2026
This YEAR'S guest artists
For the 2026 sketchbook challenge, you’ll be be inspired by 30 artists in 30 days. Our artists are contributing a tutorial each day PLUS some have provided even more resources in our VIP upgrade package.
Take a look at our 2026 line up below!
the sketchbook challenge 2026
features you'll love
Daily Guest artist tutorials
I have a 30 guests artists lined up for the 2026 challenge who will show you exactly how they would respond to a sketching prompt and show you their process – a unique opportunity to be inspired by 30 artists in 30 days.
weekly artist interviews
Join me LIVE on Zoom every Monday evening for creative mindset discussions with our panel of invited guest artists. Can’t make Mondays? Don’t worry – the recording will be available afterwards as part of the VIP upgrade package!
live sketch-a-longs
Every week I will run relaxed sketching sessions via Zoom - where anyone can bring along their sketchbook and ask questions, and feel part of the community. Recordings available as part of the VIP upgrade package.
Weekly pep talks
At the start of each week, I will share a helpful creative mindset session, tailored for the week ahead to encourage you on this 30 day journey together and help you keep your new creative habit on track.
More creativity. More joy.
Take the Sketchbook Challenge further with the VIP upgrade
You’re already making time to sketch, why not make that time even more meaningful?
Upgrade to VIP for additional teaching, inspiration, and resources to support
your creativity throughout the sketchbook challenge – and beyond.
VIP upgrade includes:
- Recordings of all LIVE sessions
- Bonus courses worth over £250 from our guest artists
- Additional warm-up exercises with Susan
- A BONUS make your own sketchbook session
register for the challenge today
options explained
This year you can join the challenge for just £25 (Early bird price available until 8th December 2025) OR upgrade to VIP for extra support, inspiration and guidance to make your new creative habit even more joyful.
join the sketchbook challenge
Unlock the 2026 challenge including the daily prompts and tutorials, the private Facebook community, live Zoom sessions, guest artist tutorials from the moment you register to 31 January 2026.
UPGRADE TO VIP for more creativity
The Sketchbook Challenge is just the beginning - upgrade to VIP for even more creativity and joy. VIP challengers unlock recordings of all LIVE sessions plus over £250 worth of bonus courses, workshops and discounts.
Don't just take my word for it
Meet some of the sketchers
Virginia
"Thanks to Susan Yeates for another excellent sketchbook challenge. Thanks for all the lovely comments it's been great to see everyone's super work."
Lisa
"Another great sketchbook challenge in the books (my 3rd)! I’m always in awe of the talent I see here in this group. So much inspiration! Here I am showing the 1st page of my sketchbook. I’m proud to say that I drew every day during the challenge. I didn’t get a chance to finish them all so I’ll be around... Thank you, Susan!"
Lynn
"I had to get a friend to take this at university today as I couldn’t hold the book open and take a photo. It’s been great seeing all your work (I’m gradually working my way through it all) very inspiring. Hope to see you next year."
Weibke
"Many thanks for the inspiring sketchbook challenge! I painted many things for the first time and now I have a lot of courage and desire to try new things!"
"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.”
About your host
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 six 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 thousands of aspiring artists like you.
I love encouraging others to get creative and welcome you into the annual Sketchbook Challenge event this year!
what do we get up to?
example sketchbook prompts
Here are some examples of prompts that were shared between 2022-2025. Each prompt within a challenge will have some helpful notes and explanations to give you a starting point for sketching - as well as an individual tutorial from one of our guest artists!
Day 7, 2025
On day 7 in 2025 we sketched things that are purple.
Day 2, 2024
In 2024, we looked at ink as our inspiration on day 2.
Day 1, 2023
In January 2023, we started the challenge by sketching petals.
Day 18, 2022
In January 2022 on day 18 we looked at the things that we wear as our prompt.
So what exactly is the Sketchbook Challenge?
Put simply, the 30-Day Sketchbook Challenge is a commitment to draw in your sketchbook for 30 days in a row.
Whether you sketch for 30 seconds, 30 minutes, or several hours, the time spent is entirely up to you. This challenge is perfect for everyone, from complete beginners to professional artists.
Starting with 30 unique daily prompts, you’ll receive fresh inspiration each day to guide your sketches. Plus, to keep you motivated and engaged, there are artist interview Zoom sessions every Monday, daily tutorials from myself and guest artists, access to a private Facebook support group, and a few exciting extra bonuses to enhance your experience.
Join us to make daily sketching a joyful and enriching part of your routine!
What we get up to
Meet some more sketchers...
arlene
"Thank you Susan and everyone that made my 30 day challenge so wonderful. I am so happy that I managed to complete it and have been encouraged to continue with a sketchbook habit."
elizabeth
"Thank you for challenge it’s got me hooked."
emily
Emily took photos of her sketchbook every day during the 2023 challenge. Here is a compilation of those photos!
kim
Kim worked in a small sketchbook throughout 2023. Here is Kim and her photo of her day 3: Rainbows sketch.
don't take my word for it
what people are saying
Thousands of people from across the world have taken part in the challenge over the past few years and here are some of their reasons for joining in:
"I just love art and being creative."
"I have wanted to start sketching more regularly and I hope this will help!"
"To make and commit more time to do art and to improve."
"To remind me to draw more."
"To help me start sketching again."
"I love to sketch and find it very therapeutic but life can be so hectic I forget to spend time on the things I love to do."
"Because I’m a full time painter but want to get back into the very good habit of using a sketchbook daily."
"To encourage myself to try drawing."
"Love an arty challenge…"
The 9th annual 30 Day Sketchbook Challenge starts on 01 Jan 2026
The goal of the 30-Day Sketchbook Challenge is to encourage everyone, regardless of background or ability, to open their sketchbooks and start making marks.
It’s a wonderful global community that encourages creativity on a massive scale. Just search for the hashtag #30daysketchbookchallenge on Instagram to see a flavour of what people get up to!
I will help you fill your sketchbook, boost your creativity and find your drawing mojo.
Plant trees with me!
In 2026, one tree is planted for every person that joins the 30-Day Sketchbook Challenge as a one-off event. I am donating to the climate change charity Ecologi to plant trees in a responsible way. Hopefully together as part of the challenge we can make a difference to our planet.
Note: The donation / tree planting happens automatically on sign up.
buy the challenge as a gift
gift vouchers
Know a creative friend or family member who would LOVE this challenge as a gift? We’ve got you covered!
Head over to my online shop and grab a gift voucher for the challenge today.
Once you purchase, I’ll create a special voucher code for your lucky recipient so they can dive into 30 days of sketching fun and inspiration.
It’s the perfect surprise to spark their creativity!
VOUCHERS AVAILABLE ONCE CHALLENGE HAS LAUNCHED
FAQ
pricing and access
If you wish to join the challenge the pricing is as follows:
STANDARD CHALLENGE:
Early Bird Price - £25 (24th Nov - 8th Dec 2025).
Full Price - £30 (from 9th Dec onwards).
(or included in Inspire Membership)
VIP PACKAGE:
Early Bird Price - £50 (24th Nov - 8th Dec)
Full Price - £60 from 9th Dec onwards
Note: These prices are one-off payments and NOT a subscription.
The early bird pricing for the one-off purchase ends at 8pm on 8th December 2025. After that the price for the challenge increases to £30 (standard) and £60 (VIP).
You can also join Inspire for £30 per month and the standard challenge is included in your subscription. (This of course also gives you access to all the Inspire membership content too!)
Yes! You can access the learning portal that hosts the videos on a PC or Mac - in fact we recommend viewing the videos on a bigger screen. This is the same portal (Podia) that hosts all of my online courses as well as my sketching membership Inspire - so everything is in one place.
Yes - you can purchase the Sketchbook Challenge as a gift. Just visit my online shop to purchase a gift voucher and we will send you a link for that lucky person to access the challenge using a unique discount code.
The Inspire Membership is an online sketching community that I run throughout the year. This wonderful group has been running for over 5 years now and for many it has been the natural progression from the 30-Day Sketchbook Challenge. We work with monthly themes to pace the year out to be sustainable and enjoyable, accompanied by new tutorials each month and a live sketching session. The 30-Day Sketchbook Challenge (Standard Package) is included for all Inspire members and makes up the January content of the membership. Find out more here.
Troubleshooting
The sketchbook challenge 2026 opens for registration on Monday 24th November 2025. As soon as the challenge is live, please register for the challenge on this page to access everything. Once you have purchased the Sketchbook Challenge (either the one-off price or the Inspire subscription) you will start receiving emails from me. Then login using the credentials you used to sign up in the course platform here: https://courses.susanyeates.co.uk/login and everything will be there and waiting for you...
Once you have joined the challenge, you will be able to access the daily prompts both within the course portal itself and an email will be sent to you each day (morning UK time) of the challenge. Please note that the challenge starts on 01 Jan 2026 - so the first prompt will be sent to you then! If you do not receive the emails in the mornings please email learn@susanyeates.co.uk and we can check your subscription.
Other
You can use any materials at all to sketch with each day. Some people will use a single pencil every day throughout the challenge to keep things simple and others mix and match materials depending on what they fancy.
There are no 'rules' as to what materials you use - even an iPad and Apple pencil work!
It can be helpful to use whatever materials you already have for convenience. (Although it is always fun to have an excuse for art materials shopping!)
Absolutely, the sketchbook challenge is open to everyone and a really welcoming place for beginners. It might seem a little intimidating at first, but we are all here to guide you through your first 30 days of sketching (and beyond!) with advice, positive comments, helpful tips and some handy warm-ups and tutorials from our guest artists.
You can contact me via email learn@susanyeates.co.uk with any questions! I will be happy to assist you. Please expect a response within 24-48 hours during weekdays. I do not work weekends. I am unable to respond to DMs on Instagram and Facebook for any queries. Please do email.