February 1st – 10th, 2026
Winter Painting Challenge

Multi-Media My Way – 10 day challenge

For this challenge, experiment with multi-media paintings by:

• Using an underpainting: Use watercolor, inks, oil paint, washes of acrylic paint, gouache, etc. Leave a high percentage of the underpainting in place, rather than covering it all with pastel. Remember that your support has to accept wet media.
• Create a monotype: Use printmaking ink or paint on freezer paper to create a monotype, and experiment with different tools to create marks, after printing, add pastel over the ink or paint.
• Pastel over collage: Experiment with a variety of materials such as glued fabric and paper to create a collage and put the pastel on top, along with other media.
• Use a variety of materials: Use inexpensive materials like newsprint and drawing paper, don’t be afraid to experiment and PLAY, plan to make mistakes and learn. Research the ways that pastel can be used with cold wax, encaustic and fixative.
• EXPERIMENT: Use whatever you have to create unique marks and texture, combs, twigs, brayers, yarn, spoons, kitchen tools, and anything that can become a stencil.
• Look for inspiration: Check out examples such as those by Dawn Emerson, Debora Stewart, Kelly Milukas, Judith Smith and Kathi Holzer.

April 1st – 10th, 2026
Spring Painting Challenge

What Springs to Mind? – 10 day challenge

For this challenge, a daily visual prompt will be provided (such as a squiggle or shape).

• Redraw the visual on your substrate and build upon it to create your painting, or
• Study the visual and think about what it brings to mind, use that concept as the basis for your painting, or
• Identify your first emotional reaction to the visual and create a painting that represents that emotion, or
• The sky is the limit, as long as you can express the connection between the visual prompt and your painting.

Spark new ideas and let your creativity take flight!

July 1st – 10th, 2026
Summer Painting Challenge

This Challenge is All Wet! – 10 day challenge

For this challenge, utilize any and all principles related to painting water: the ocean, lakes, rivers, creeks, waterfalls, pools, marshes, even water in a flower vase. Consider stillness/reflection, movement/ripples, light/refraction, eye level and shape, depth and clarity:

• Think big or small: oceans, puddles, pools, even a single drop in a vase. Splash, ripple, trickle, or pour—if it’s water, it belongs.
• Consider stillness/reflection, movement/ripples, light/refraction, eye level and shape, depth and clarity.
• Look through art books, and at online videos for tips on painting water
• Practice by recreating paintings by the masters

For inspiration, check out the works of Monet, Homer, Sargent, Hopper and contemporary artists Amy K. Sanders, Abi Whitlock and Jessica Masters.

October 1st-21st, 2026
Fall Painting Challenge

The BIG One! 21 Paintings in 21 Days

Use this opportunity to commit to nearly a full month of daily painting. Here are some ways to keep the momentum:

• Prepare your paper ahead of time
• Focus on small works
• Limit your time to 30 minutes or so
• Plan to work in a “series” every few days or week
• Choose one subject or reference and paint it using several different palettes
• Go to bed each night with the next day’s block-in or underpainting on your easel

Post your efforts to the PSWC Facebook page and encourage your fellow members!