Every year I try to do two or three sketchbook challenges. In the past I have taken part in 'Inktober', 'Urban Sketch a day' in May and the '30 day challenge' in January.

One of the things I love about the January sketchbook challenge is the prompts. They arrive at 6.30 every morning in my inbox so I can see them over breakfast. Last year I ended up matching some of the prompts to tongue twisters and sayings so to make it more difficult; I am aiming to do the same for every sketch I do this year for the challenge. It takes a bit of head scratching and internet browsing which I do in any spare moment during the day. I then make the sketch around 6pm before we eat (takes about 20 mins to do the sketch if I am organised in my thoughts) and then after eating the paint had dried and I add it to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. My sketches are not particularly finished, after all they are quick sketches designed to just show an idea.

A few of my students are also doing it this year as well as some friends. The group taking part gets bigger every year and over 3,000 took part last year including complete beginners and professionals so there is a wonderful mix and a great sense of community.

If you would like to take part or find out more https://www.facebook.com/groups/149677712423067/

I will post my sketches every day on my Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/maureenmaceart/