What I’ve Learned from Participating in Procreate Daily Art Challenges

Since I created the Daily Art Challenges for Procreate Fans group on Facebook, my journey as an ‘artist’ has taken some surprising turns. You’d think these prompts would just be about brushing up on technique, but they’ve turned into something more—teaching me as much about who I am as they have about drawing and painting with Procreate. Almost every prompt I’ve attempted has pushed me in more ways than expected.

Challenges That Stuck with Me

One of the most personal prompts asked us to explore the theme of ageing. I ended up creating something that reflected my own fears and hopes for the future. What will life look like for me in years to come? What kind of person will I be? The piece became a kind of visual diary, hinting at calm, reflection and a bit of that inevitable loneliness that comes with elder years. It’s funny how art can sometimes feel like therapy.

Another fun but tricky challenge was painting clouds. At first glance, they seem so simple. But clouds are like shape-shifters, always moving, never the same twice. Capturing their fluidity and impermanence felt like trying to hold onto a dream. That’s what I love about them, though. Clouds remind me that beauty can be brief but still worth admiring.

Portraits, Attitudes & Emotions

One of the recent prompts was Oasis Live ’25. I chose to paint a portrait of Liam Gallagher, and it came at the perfect time—just after I’d secured tickets to one of the gigs at Heaton Park in Manchester. The whole experience transported me back to 1996 and the iconic moment when Liam swaggered onto the charity football pitch in that unforgettable Kangol bucket hat. Painting him felt like capturing a piece of that time all over again, full of raw attitude while dressed in casual cool. You can watch my TimeLapse on YouTube shorts.

For me, portraits are always a challenge. I systematically aim for a hyper-realistic style which just isn’t my forté. I do far better when I push myself towards a looser style. Luckily for me, the portrait of LG reference image conveniently hid his eyes—probably the trickiest part of any portrait. But it was still a test of getting the essence of his style. It made me wonder, will we see a return of that Britpop Aesthetic with the comeback of Oasis? Some might say Oasis is perhaps set to inspire a return to a 60s-meets-90s casual cool look? Could Liam Gallagher’s 90s swagger be on the verge of a full revival? Only time will tell, but I’m more than ready to see it all unfold.

From Benches to Black Cats

The daily prompts have taken me to places I didn’t expect. I’ve drawn a bench in Autumn, set in a forest that gave me a quiet rush of nostalgia. I’ve captured the warmth (and maybe a bit of danger) of hearth flames and even found myself painting a tiny sprout—proof that even the smallest things can carry big meaning if you look closely enough.

One of my favourite pieces though has to be Shalim, a sleek black cat from Milatos Village Cretan Agrotourism Hotel in Crete, where anecdotally there’s an apartment named after me. There’s something about animals, isn’t there? Capturing their spirit is more than just getting the fur right—it’s about showing who they really are. With Shalim, I wanted people to feel his mystery, his grace. If you’re a cat person, you get it.

Unexpected Turns

And let’s not forget the time I painted the A380. Not exactly a usual artsy subject, but that’s what made it interesting. It wasn’t about being accurate down to the last rivet. It was about capturing the sheer scale of the big bird. I learned from that piece that inspiration can come from anywhere—and to help me avoid the perfection trap, I chose a very loose style.

Shaping My Art

Looking back at all these different subjects—birds, flowers, moss, clouds, even planes—I realise how much my curiosity shapes my art. Each challenge has been like opening a new door. Some led to quiet moments of reflection, others made me look at the world with fresh eyes. I’ve come to appreciate both the quiet beauty of nature and the boldness of human invention.

More Than Technique

But here’s the thing, these challenges aren’t just about improving my Procreate skills or finding yet another brush set to add to my collection. Yes, my lines are cleaner, and my compositions are more thoughtful. But more than that, I’ve learned more about myself. Art has a funny way of peeling back layers. Through each brushstroke, I discovered bits of me I didn’t know existed. So, if you’re like me—someone who wants to create, reflect, and grow—then maybe it’s time to pick up that paintbrush (or stylus) and start your own journey. Who knows what you’ll find …