Instagram Art challenges: Are they worth it?
If you’ve ever spent time scrolling through Instagram, you’ve probably seen them: month-long art challenges, themed prompts, and hashtags buzzing with creative energy. I’ve dipped my toes into quite a few over the years — from Inktober to the @Kidlitart_Drawing_Challenge (I created to share with others) — and I often get asked: Are they worth it?
The answer is… yes, but it depends on what you want to get out of them.
The Pros of Art Challenges
1. Built-in Inspiration
Prompts are great for sparking ideas you might not come up with on your own. Instead of staring at a blank page, you’ve got a direction — and sometimes the best art comes from those unexpected themes.
2. Accountability and Routine
Daily or weekly challenges create a natural habit. Even if you don’t finish the whole challenge, showing up consistently builds discipline and often helps daily drawing become part of your life.
3. Community Connection
Hashtags make it easy to find and connect with other artists doing the challenge. I’ve discovered some of my favourite illustrators through these events, and the encouragement you get from a community can be a real boost.
4. Portfolio Growth
At the end of a challenge, you might have a whole batch of new artwork that shows off your range. I’ve had sketches from challenges grow into finished pieces or even inspire book ideas.
The Cons (and How to Handle Them)
1. Burnout is Real
Daily challenges are tough. Life gets busy, and missing a day can feel discouraging. My advice? Don’t aim for perfection. Treat the prompts as suggestions and dip in when you can.
2. Comparison Trap
It’s easy to scroll through the hashtag and feel like everyone else is producing more polished, exciting work. I remind myself that challenges are about practice and play, not perfection.
3. Algorithm Pressure
Sometimes it feels like posting daily for a challenge should equal growth. The truth is, likes and follows don’t always match your effort. I try to focus on the art I’m making, not the numbers.
What I’ve Learned
For me, art challenges are most valuable when I treat them as creative playgrounds. They push me to experiment, connect with others, and stretch my style.
But I don’t let them take over my practice. Some months I complete every prompt, others I join for just a week — and that’s perfectly okay.
So, are Instagram art challenges worth it? Absolutely — if you approach them with the right mindset. They’re fantastic for sparking ideas, building habits, and joining a community, but they don’t have to define your creative worth.
At the end of the day, the real “win” is making art you enjoy — whether that’s once a month or every single day.
Hey, there! I’m Jasmine Berry, a freelance illustrator based in sunny Perth, Western Australia. Most days you’ll find me sketching away on my iPad or surrounded by pencils and cats, chasing new ideas. I like to think of myself as eternally optimistic—always seeing the fun, the colour, and the possibility in every project I take on. Send me a message if you would like to collaborate on a project.