October art challenges are month-long, theme-based events that encourage artists to draw every day. They help build consistency, spark new ideas, and boost visibility - platforms like Instagram see a big jump in creative activity each October.
As October 2025 approaches, artists across traditional and digital mediums are getting ready for a month packed with prompts. From ink-focused Inktober to storytelling in Drawtober, soft illustrations in Peachtober, and digital events like Digitoctober, there’s something for everyone.
The goal isn’t just to finish pieces, but to explore themes, improve skills, and connect with the community. Progress shows through personal growth as much as through likes, shares, and comments online.
To stay on track, many artists plan ahead, sketch in batches, or set time limits. Limiting tools - like using only one brush or a monochrome palette - can also push creativity further.
With so many events running at once, here are some of the most popular October art challenges you can join:
Inktober kicked off back in 2009 when artist Jake Parker decided to boost his inking skills and consistency. Little did he know, he'd spark a global phenomenon that's still going strong today.
This challenge is all about embracing the bold, unforgiving nature of ink. It's a chance to experiment with line work, shading techniques, and the beautiful imperfections that come with traditional inking. Each year, Inktober releases an official prompt list, but don't let that box you in – many artists create their own themes or go prompt-free.
Drawlloween takes the spirit of Halloween and stretches it across the entire month of October. This challenge, born from the spooky imaginations of artists worldwide, encourages participants to dive deep into the eerie, the creepy, and the downright bizarre.
Unlike some more structured challenges, Drawlloween offers a bit more flexibility. While there's often a suggested prompt list floating around, many artists use this as a springboard for their own Halloween-inspired creations. It's a fantastic opportunity to explore gothic aesthetics, monster designs, and all things that go bump in the night.
If you're stuck for ideas, try using our Halloween drawing prompt generator for fresh daily inspiration, or check out our 93 Halloween drawing prompts.
For anyone who enjoys Halloween, 100 Halloween Drawing Prompts book mixes facts about the holiday with 100 drawing prompts, from easy sketch ideas to creative challenges.
Witchtober casts a spell on the art community every October, inviting artists to explore the magical world of witches. This challenge has grown from a niche theme to a beloved tradition, celebrating everything from classic Halloween witches to modern, diverse interpretations of magical practitioners.
The beauty of Witchtober lies in its versatility. You might find yourself sketching potion-brewing scenes, designing unique witch outfits, or illustrating magical familiars. It's a chance to blend the mystical with the mundane, often resulting in charming and unexpected creations.
Goretober is not for the faint of heart. This challenge dives into the darker, bloodier side of art, perfect for horror enthusiasts and those who love to explore the macabre. It's a playground for artists to push boundaries and experiment with unsettling imagery.
While it might seem niche, Goretober has cultivated a dedicated following. Artists use this challenge to improve their skills in depicting visceral scenes, body horror, and the grittier aspects of fantasy and sci-fi. It's as much about storytelling through shocking visuals as it is about the technical aspects of rendering gore.
The Pumpkinhead Challenge adds a whimsical twist to October art. This fun and quirky challenge asks artists to reimagine characters - from pop culture icons to original creations - with pumpkins for heads. It's a delightful mix of Halloween spirit and creative character design.
What makes this challenge stand out is its accessibility and room for interpretation. You can go cute and cartoony or lean into creepy territory. It's a fantastic exercise in maintaining character personality and recognition while working with a consistent, festive element.
Creeptober invites artists to explore the eerie and unsettling, without necessarily diving into full-blown horror. It's about creating an atmosphere of unease, playing with shadows, and leaving viewers with a lingering sense of discomfort.
This challenge is perfect for those who love psychological horror, surrealism, and the art of subtle scares. Creeptober encourages artists to think beyond jump scares and gore, focusing instead on building tension and atmosphere through their artwork.
To keep your creepy creations varied and interesting, consider using our Creatures drawing prompt generator. It can help you explore a wide range of eerie beings and unsettling concepts you might not have thought of otherwise.
Mab's Drawlloween Club, named after its creator Mab Graves, offers a structured and community-focused approach to October drawing challenges. It provides a daily prompt list that blends classic Halloween themes with unique, often whimsical twists.
What sets this challenge apart is its strong sense of community. Mab often engages directly with participants, fostering a supportive environment for artists of all skill levels. The prompts tend to be more specific than other challenges, pushing artists to think creatively within constraints.
The 31 Days of Halloween challenge is one of the more open-ended October art events. It's perfect for artists who prefer a looser structure or want to focus on a specific Halloween-related theme for the entire month.
This challenge's flexibility allows artists to dive deep into their favorite aspects of the Halloween season. Whether it's classic monsters, autumn scenery, or Halloween traditions from around the world, there's room for endless creativity.
Catober is a delightful celebration of all things feline that just happens to coincide with the spooky season. This challenge invites artists to explore the world of cats, from realistic portrayals to fantastical interpretations.
While not strictly Halloween-themed, Catober often incorporates elements of the season. Artists might draw cats in costumes, feline versions of classic monsters, or mystical cat familiars. It's a versatile challenge that can be as cute or as eerie as the artist desires.
OC-tober is a unique challenge that focuses on original characters (OCs). It's an opportunity for artists to develop their character design skills, flesh out backstories, and bring their imaginative creations to life.
This challenge often involves creating a new character each day or developing different aspects of a single character throughout the month. While not exclusively Halloween-themed, many artists incorporate spooky or autumnal elements into their designs to match the season.
To spice up your character designs, try using our Character prompt generator. It can give you interesting combinations like a profession or character type, action, location, and emotion. Use these elements as a starting point to spark your imagination and create unique OCs each day.
Folktober is a relatively new addition to the October challenge lineup, focusing on folklore, myths, and legends from around the world. It's a fantastic opportunity for artists to explore diverse cultural stories and bring lesser-known mythical creatures and characters to life.
This challenge encourages research and cultural appreciation, as artists often delve into the stories behind their chosen subjects. It's an educational experience for both the artist and their audience, promoting a rich tapestry of global folklore.
If you're not into any particular October drawing challenge, you can draw anything you want, mix prompts from different lists, get inspired by autumn scenery, and most importantly - have fun. Let your imagination wander through pumpkin patches, misty mornings, and moonlit forests.
Here's a general October drawing prompt list 2025 we've created:
That's a whole lot of drawing challenges to choose from. Whether you're into spooky vibes, cute cats, or pushing your creative boundaries, there's something here for every artist.
Remember, the real magic of these challenges isn't just in the art you create – it's in the daily practice, the community you connect with, and the fun you have along the way. So grab your favorite art supplies, pick a challenge (or mix and match!), and dive into the creative whirlwind that is October. Who knows? You might just surprise yourself with what you create.
Happy drawing, and may your October be filled with fantastic art!