From Inktober to Drawtober: your ultimate guide to October art challenges

It’s October, and for artists, that means one thing: challenge season is officially here. Sure, Halloween gets the spotlight with pumpkins, ghosts, and creepy costumes, but the real magic is happening in your sketchbooks and tablets. Every year, October becomes the ultimate playground for daily art prompts, themed challenges, and creative experiments that push your skills and imagination.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, there’s a challenge for every taste. From Inktober’s classic ink prompts to Drawtober’s playful twists, Goretober’s horror flair, and Witchtober’s magical themes, artists of all levels can find inspiration. And while you’re at it, why not make the most of your setup? Explore the best digital art software, the best drawing tablets, or even the best iPad for drawing to see your ideas come to life in style.

The beauty of these challenges isn’t just in completing them, it’s in the community, the experimentation, and the growth. Share your work, swap ideas, or simply enjoy creating without pressure. And if you want a helping hand along the way, find inspiration and advice in our list of Procreate tutorials, perfect for tackling daily prompts and experimenting with new techniques.

The best October art challenges

01. Inktober 2025

Inktober returns for 2025 with its classic black-and-white drawing challenge. Once again, you're encouraged to create daily ink illustrations, adhering to the official prompt list or crafting your own. The focus remains on consistency and improvement, with flexibility in posting frequency. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a newcomer, Inktober offers a structured yet creative outlet to hone your skills and engage with a global community of artists.

02. Drawlloween 2025

Drawlloween is a month-long drawing challenge celebrating the spooky season. With 31 prompts inspired by Halloween themes, you can delve into eerie and whimsical creations. This is one of the bigger and more established October art challenges, and whether you're illustrating ghosts, pumpkins, or haunted houses, Drawlloween offers a fun and festive way to embrace the spirit of October.

03. OCtober

OCtober is a creative challenge dedicated to original characters. You're invited to design and showcase your OCs throughout October, with daily prompts to inspire new creations. The aim is to develop characters and storytelling, enabling you to explore different facets of your new characters' personalities and backgrounds. OCtober is an excellent opportunity to bring your original characters to life and share them.

04. Goretober 2025

Goretober is a month-long art challenge that delves into horror and gore themes. With daily prompts ranging from "Ambush" to "Ruthless," you're going to be exploring dark and macabre concepts. If you love horror art or just want to experiment with unsettling imagery and narratives, Goretober is a space to push your imagination and have fun with ghosts and goblins.

05. Witchtober 2025

Witchtober is a magical art challenge celebrating witches and magic. With prompts like "Crow," "Cat," and "Broomstick," you're tasked with creating illustrations that capture the mystical essence of witches. My advice? Rewatch Hocus Pocus immediately. Witchtober is perfect for anyone who enjoys fantasy art and wishes to immerse themselves in a month of magical creativity that goes beyond Harry Potter fan art.

06. Undying Tales

Undying Tales is an art challenge that combines mythology with nature conservation. Each day, you're prompted to illustrate endangered species alongside the myths and legends associated with them. This challenge raises awareness about conservation efforts while celebrating the quirks of global folklore. Undying Tales offers a unique opportunity to blend storytelling with environmental advocacy through art.

07. Lindentober

Lindentober is a nature-inspired art challenge focusing on themes like forests, night, and magic. With weekly prompts, you can delve into serene and enchanting landscapes, capturing the beauty of the natural world. The challenge encourages a relaxed approach, allowing for thoughtful and detailed creations. Lindentober is ideal for anyone looking to relax, unwind, and be inspired to create art.

08. Pictober 2025

Pictober is a visual storytelling challenge that asks you to create illustrations based on daily prompts. The 2025 prompt list encourages creativity and narrative exploration, providing a platform for you to showcase your storytelling abilities. Prompts are a mix of emotions and descriptions, giving you free rein to get creative.

09. Drawtober

Drawtober is a month-long art challenge designed to get you drawing every single day in October. With 31 prompts spanning spooky, whimsical, and fantastical themes, it encourages experimentation and consistent creativity. You can interpret prompts in any style or medium, making it accessible for beginners and pros alike. Beyond honing skills, Drawtober fosters a sense of community, with creators sharing work online, swapping ideas, and inspiring one another to explore the seasonal spirit through art.

10. Stilltober

Stilltober is an art challenge that focuses on still-life drawings. It's refreshing to find an October art challenge that doesn't dive into 'spooky season' but instead celebrates core skills such as observation and depicting everyday objects with attention to detail and composition. The challenge promotes mindfulness and observation skills, allowing you to find beauty in the mundane. Stilltober is ideal for those looking to refine their technical skills and appreciate the art of still life. Read our life drawing tutorial for a little inspiration.