When you hear about a year-long art challenge, it's natural to wonder about the source of such a commitment. After all, most art challenges span just 30 days, and artists often stick to familiar materials. But here's my story, which takes a different path: I have little to no experience with pastel, oil pastel, tempera, or watercolor. This challenge is not just about creating art; it's about stepping into a new world of materials, learning, and embracing my creative journey.

For this ambitious endeavor, I've chosen to rely on only four references, each representing a subject I'm familiar with. Over the next year, by October 2024, I aim to produce 12 unique artworks for each subject. Moreover, I'll document and share the lessons learned from each medium.

My chosen references are:

• Grape on a table
• Pink flower
• Female lion
• A personal photograph

The journey is laid out in a small plan:

• October 2023: Graphite pencil
• November 2023: Color pencils
• December 2023: White pencil on a black surface
• January 2024: Markers
• February 2024: Pastel
• March 2024: Oil pastel
• April 2024: Watercolor
• May 2024: Acrylic
• June 2024: Gouache
• July 2024: Tempera
• August 2024: Oils
• September 2024: Mixed Media
• October 2024: Recap

This blog will document all the insights and details. You can also view the artwork on my Instagram.

So, stay tuned and join me on this extensive artistic adventure. #ArtisticChallenge12Months #GraphiteMagic #OMAPaintings #Month1 #GraphitePencil #Grape #RDAMArtist