EDM Challenges

The EveryDay Matters Challenges were created by a great artist, Karen Winters. Thanks, Karen! I’ve tackled many of them. See some here.

Here’s the list so far:

1 – Draw a shoe

2 – Draw a desk lamp or other lamp

3 – Purses, Wallets or Bags

4 – Draw your mug or cup

5 – Draw your bed

6 – Draw your favorite well-loved object … or a childhood toy

7 – Draw a bottle, jar or tin from the kitchen

8 – Draw your watch or other piece of jewelry

9 – Draw a bit of “organized chaos” – your messy desk, your table stacked with books, etc.

10 – Draw your hand or hands (or someone elses if you like)

11 – Draw your glasses or sunglasses

12 – Draw what you ate for dinner

13 – Draw your telephone (land line, cell, old-fashioned?)

14 – Draw what you see in the morning when you get up

15 – Draw a tree or trees, leaves or branches

16 – Draw a favorite tool

17 – Draw a musical instrument

18 – Draw the view from a window of your house, apartment, office, etc.

19 – Draw something you’ve made

20 – Draw something “Dad” – in honor of Fathers Day

21 – Draw something old, antique or vintage

22 – Draw a piece of clothing

23 – Draw your foot

24 – Draw a piece of fruit

25 – Draw a glass (the kind you drink from)

26 – Draw anything you like. If you want to draw a vegetable, that’s fine, too.

27 – Draw a book or anything else you want.

28 – Draw an appliance or anything else you like.

29 – Draw something architectural or anything else.

30 – Draw a chair or anything else you feel like.

31 – Draw something you collect

32 – Draw something metallic

33- Draw an eye

34 – Draw a fall leaf

35 – Draw a bicycle or a part of one

36 – Draw out in public

37 – Draw some keys

38 – month long challenge until end of November 2005 – draw at a museum

38 – Draw something related to Halloween, All Souls Day, Dia de los Muertos, All Saints, etc.

39 – Draw your toothbrush

40 – Draw something with folds

41 – Draw a landmark of your city

42 – Draw something you are thankful for

43 – Draw something china or ceramic

44 – Draw an animal – a pet, a zoo animal, a stuffed one …

45 – Draw your medicine cabinet (the inside of it)

46 – Draw something holiday themed (Hanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, winter solstice)

47 – Draw a challenge from the past year 1-46 that you didn’t try before

48 – Draw something that represents your new year’s goal or resolution

49 – Draw your refrigerator interior (and contents) or exterior (and what’s on the door)

50 – Draw your home’s entryway and journal your thoughts and feelings about “homecoming.”

51 – Draw your TV and favorite show playing. Journal about why you like that show etc.

52 – Draw a dog (yours or a friends or anyone’s) and journal about your dog relationships.

53 – Draw a mouth and journal about speaking out or holding one’s tongue …

54 – Draw someone or something you love – and journal about it.

55 – Draw a doorknob, plain or fancy

56 – Draw a self portrait

57 – Draw a picture frame and the picture in it. Write about why it’s special to you.

58 – Draw a hat, cap or other headgear. is it sentimental? Write about it.

59 – Draw a sign or spring (or fall if you live in the southern hemisphere.)

60 – Draw an automobile or a part of one

62 – Draw a previous challenge in a different medium than you usually use.

63 – Go on a nature walk, pick up items, draw what you find

61 – Draw a grouping of 2 or more of similar objects

64 – Draw your sink – at home, work or wherever

65 – Draw your nose, a friend’s or a strangers. Or a pet’s.

66 – Draw a fire hydrant and make a journal entry about fire fighters

67 – Draw something Mom – your mother, something that reminds you of motherhood. Journal, too.

68 – Draw your computer

69 – Draw a beverage and write a little about it.

70 – Draw what you’re afraid of. Write about it, if you dare.

71 – Draw something representing your favorite sport.

72 – Draw somewhere new. Go somewhere new to you and draw what you find. Write about it, too.

73 – Draw a mailbox and write about the most important piece of real world mail you’ve ever received(not email – snail mail.)

74 – Draw some clouds and write about them

75 – Draw the ingredients and/or process of a favorite recipe – and journal about it.

76 – Draw some flowers (or colorful showy foliage if you’re in the S. hemisphere and don’t find flowers in bloom.)

77 – Draw something cold or cool. Chill, people.

78 – Draw a souvenir of a place you’ve been. journal a bit about your memories of the place.

79 – Draw an ear, or two or three or more

80 – Draw something that makes you happy, and write about it, too.

81 – Draw a streetlight

82 – Draw your artspace – drawing board, desk, studio, table – draw where you create.

83 – Draw a nearby body of water – ocean, lake, pond, river

84 – Draw some bread and write about it if you like.

85 – Draw a store in your neighborhood.

86 – Draw a traffic sign (stop, yield, crossing, directional, arrows, etc.)

87 – Draw your lunch and journal about it.

88 – Draw something breezy – something that blows in the wind – a flag, leaves, your choice…

89 – Draw a button or buttons

90 – Draw something with wings

91 – Draw an apple

92 – Draw a brown paper bag

93 – Draw an egg carton, with or without eggs in it.

94 – Draw a spoon and journal a little about it

95 – Draw a holiday card

96 – Draw something sweet

97 – Draw a present you have received. Why is it special?

98 – Free choice. Draw anything you like. We’re all busy before the holidays.

99 – Draw something that represents a new years resolution of yours

100 – Draw or paint a landscape

101 – Draw a bar of soap

102 – Draw a power plug

103 – Draw some exercise equipment – what you use to stay fit.

104 – Draw some salt and pepper shakers

105 – Draw some scissors

106 – Draw something tart or sour

107 – Draw how you get your news – at a newsstand, vending box or on your porch

108 – Draw a light bulb

109 – Draw a clock you have around your house

110 – Draw something with a flame or flames

111 – Draw a bowl

112 – Draw something fresh

113 – Draw or paint a fence

114 – Draw something ugly you love and keep for sentimental reasons. Journal about it, too.

115 – Draw a shopping cart or basket

116 – Draw something green

117 – Draw something round

118 – Draw some hair

119 – Draw some rocks

120 – Draw a flashlight

121 – Draw a coin or some coins and journal about memories about coins from your childhood.

122 – Draw something where shade is a prominent part of the subject

123 – Draw a bell

124 – Draw something yellow

125 – Draw a bird

126 – Draw a sponge

127 – Draw a skyscape

128 – Draw a view through a doorway from one interior room to another.

129 – Draw people doing something.

130 – Draw some school supplies.

131 – Draw a spray bottle

132 – Draw a chain

133 – Draw a peach

134 – Draw a familiar person place or thing, but from an unusual angle

135 – Draw a salad

136 – Draw or paint something that’s alive – a living thing – animal or plant

137 – Draw something you can turn on or off

138 – Draw something soft

139 – Draw something with a handle

140 – Draw an envelope

141 – Draw something with bristles

142 – Draw something hot

143 – Draw an herb or spice

144 – Draw something square

145 – Draw (or paint) a tree in autumn

146 – Draw a favorite food

147 – Draw or paint something made of wood

148 – Draw or paint something soothing

149 – Draw a broom

150 – Draw a candle

151 – Free choice

152 – Draw a nut

153 – Draw something in a plastic wrapper

154 – Draw or paint a lemon

155 – Draw something with a step or steps

156 – Draw a sandwich

157 – Draw a towel

158 – Draw a kernel of popped popcorn

159 – Draw a favorite cooking tool

160 – Draw a trophy or award

161 – Draw something you think smells wonderful

162 – Draw your breakfast

163 – Draw a deck of cards

164 – Draw a camera

165 – Draw the front of your house, apartment bldg, condo, dorm etc.

166 – Draw a fish

167 – Draw something that needs fixing

168 – Draw your daily newspaper

169 – Draw a piece of cake

170 – Draw a zipper

171 – Draw some ice cream

172 – Draw something that sparkles

173 – Draw something from memory

174 – Draw a bridge

175 – Draw a basket and what it holds

176- Draw something summer

177 – Draw a flag

178 – Draw something red

179 – Draw an onion

180 – Draw something in your favorite color

181 – Draw a trash or garbage can

182 – Draw a truck.

183 – Draw something dangerous

184 – Draw a park bench or other outside bench

185 – Draw a cat

186 – Draw something you’ve always wanted

187 – Draw a fan

188 – Draw a peanut in the shell or out

189 – Draw a shaver or razor

190 – Draw your palette or selection of colors

191 – Draw some paper money

192 – Draw something that floats

193 – Draw a closeup part of something

194 – Draw a baked potato

195 – Draw a fork

196 – Draw a rope

197 – Draw a remote control

198 – Draw some noodles

199 Draw a toe

200 – Draw something lucky

201 – Draw a stapler

202 – Draw a cookie

203 – Draw a glass of juice

204 – Draw something frosty

205 – Draw a soda can

206 – Draw something familiar to you that you know is called something else in another region. (Example: soda is also called pop)

207 – Draw something that has a shell, or draw a seashell

208 – Something out of place

209 – Draw a shadow

210 – Draw some underwear

211 – Draw or paint an everyday object “in the style of” an old master or notable painter you admire.

212 – Draw something with a mirror image

213 – Draw a microwave oven

214 – Draw something representing a favorite hobby

215 – Draw your thumb

216 – Draw your inner critic

217 – Draw an umbrella

218 – Draw a knife

219 – Draw a window

220 – Draw the moon

221 – Draw a hand held game

222 – Draw your favorite drawing tool

223 – Draw your favorite sound

224 – Draw a jug or pitcher

225 – Draw something sticky

226 – Draw a screw

227 – Draw a tote bag

228 – Draw something that makes you laugh

229 – Draw a summer joy

230 – Draw a map

231 – Draw your junk drawer

232 – Draw the last thing you bought

233 – Draw your favorite drink

234 – Draw something that belongs to someone else

235 – Draw a butterfly

236 – Draw the palm of your left hand

237 – Draw what’s under your bed or the view from under your bed

238 – Draw something from a first aid kit

239 – Draw something that has scared you

240 – Draw a pencil, your favorite if you like

241 – Draw what you see from your kitchen window

242 – Draw a figurine or tzatchke you have

243 – Draw a pillow

244 – Draw the oldest thing in your refrigerator

245 – Draw something October

246 – Draw some gloves

247 – Draw something creepy

248 – Draw a lock

249 – Draw a coffeepot

250 – Draw something you got for free

251 – Draw perfume or a scented product

252 – Draw a pine or fir tree

253 – Draw your socks

254 – Draw something that represents joy

255 – Draw a person near you on a train, bus or plane

256 – Draw something bubbly

257 – Draw a house plant

258 – Draw the inside of your closet

259 – Draw something from a pet’s point of view

260 – Draw a filled suitcase

261 – Draw a Winter Olympic event

262 – Draw your shower or tub

263 – Draw your favorite cleaning supply

264 – Draw your floor

265 – Draw your neighbor

266 – Draw something or someone you cherish

267 – Draw something flexible

268 – Draw something you need

269 – Draw something annoying

270 – Draw something you’d like to preserve

271- Free choice

272- Illustrate a line from a song.

273 – Draw a collection of tools

274 Draw the cover of your favorite book

275 Draw a tube of toothpaste

276 – Draw your grocery store

277 – Something that should have been invented by now

278 – Something that starts with the first letter of your name

279 – Something that starts with the last letter of your name.

280 – Something you don’t see every day

281 – Draw what keeps you warm or cool

282 – Something you’ve been putting off doing, or don’t want to do

283 – Draw something shiny

284 – Draw your downtown

285 – Draw something that loves the sun

286 – Draw a shirt

287 – Draw something colorful

288 – Draw something with spots

289 – Draw an appliance you bought or received but don’t use

290 – Draw a teapot

291 – Draw or paint an illustration for the cover of your favorite book

292 – Draw a night scene

293 – Draw something made of glass

294 – Draw something that makes you smile

295 – Draw some toast

296 – Draw something orange

297 – Draw a bottle of water

298 – Draw something strange

299 – Draw a table

300 – Draw something bright

301 – Draw something cute

302 – Draw something in motion

303 – Draw something frozen

304 – Something you can tie

305 – Draw something huge

306 – Draw a snack

307 – Draw something raw

308 – Draw something slippery

309 – Draw something with more than 2 legs

310 Draw your junk drawer

311 Draw something that you need two of to make a set

312 Draw something very light

313 – Draw something you look up at from below

314 Draw something that has a knob

315 – Draw something under water

316 -Draw a travel memory

317 – Draw your hair in the morning

318 – Draw something with numbers

319 – Draw the condiments on a diner or casual restaurant table

320 – Draw something you’ll give away

321 – Draw something forbidden

322 – Draw something related to what you do

323 – Draw something sad

324 – Draw a garden tool

325 – Draw something blue –

326 – Draw something you can keep in your pocket

327 – Draw something super

328 – Draw something that has buttons

98 thoughts on “EDM Challenges”

  4. […] “do it” fully and daily, but what I think I might start is working through some of the Everyday Matters prompts. I was inspired recently by seeing Danny Gregory start on the list (again). And then Tammy at Daisy […]

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  5. […] Tammy of Daisy Yellow wrote a blogpost about ‘EDM’ (which stands for ‘Every day Matters’.) I’ll try to make this short: EDM challenges is all about drawing something every day. You can find the info on Danny Gregory’s blog and he published a list of subjects to draw here. […]

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      1. Haha! Err…. not yet.
        My little art group use the challenges as something to do when we meet. Maybe we should start from the beginning.

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  19. This looks like a worthy project. Just wondering why the list stopped at 328. If it had gone to 365 there would have been one each day. Maybe it was explained and I missed it. At one a week, it would take more than 6 years and I’m already 77.

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    1. It’s an ongoing list. Karen Winters who authors it may be taking a break or waiting for the rest of us to catch up. Let me know when you are done in six years and ill make sure you have additional suggestions. Now get to work! Time is short!

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  23. I stumble upon your blog looking for inspirations and wow your journals are superb! and the EDM challenge is something I could start my day with. I used to sketch back in the days when life was not all too busy but really missed it much now and would want to go back to it. This is really helpful. Thanks!

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  26. This list is exactly what I need! Something to keep me motivated and using my artistic skills. Reading your comments above, it will probably take me 6 years to get through the list… 🙂

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  31. […] Today is the first day of the new year. Happy New Year! On his blog, Danny has posted the Every Day Matters challenge, which is to do a drawing each day for the whole year, based on a list prepared by artist Karen Winters.  So far there are 328 drawing ideas posted on the blog. Here is the link to the blog and the list: https://dannygregory.wordpress.com/edm-challenges/ […]

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  37. This drawing challenge is great. It’s so easy to get caught up in drawing something with a destination: a gallery, a gift, a website. To draw for the sheer pleasure is like running around in the rain as a kid, or singing loudly to your favourite chart song…joyful and expressing freedom.

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  38. Great idea! I’m joining in and, like Sharon B from Aus has done, I’m putting the list on my art blog (which is very much neglected in favour of the textiles one) so I can cross each item off as I draw and blog it!=) Thanks for the inspiration help and let’s hope I manage to do some of them….

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  40. […] The other book we are using is Everyday Matters by Danny Gregory.  It is Danny’s journal and drawings that tell about his life and his path to becoming more artistic and creative. He draws the everyday things around him and realizes that everyday matters because of the little things and powerful people in our lives. There are forums of people who have taken these philosophies and ran with them. There are lists of everyday things to draw. This is what we do in the afternoons- we draw from the list. Sometimes I choose, other days it’s the students’ choice. They draw using the power of observation.  (https://dannygregory.wordpress.com/community/edm-challenges/) […]

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  44. I am retired and am just learning how to draw. This website was brought to my attention by two ladies I know who are awesome artists. Thought I would print out on cardstock and cut into pieces, then drop into a jar. Everyday I’ll pick one (surprise!) and make that my “Art Challenge” for the day.

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  45. […] May 23, 2014Vallabhi Shegaonkar I am posting to Illustration Friday Weekly Challenge after a very long time. This week’s topic is “Universe”. When I was scratching my head for an idea, I was actually staring at the fish bowl at my home and a thought ran in my head that this bowl is the entire universe for these fishes (There are 4 fishes in my fish bowl). Rather than sketching too many fishes, I went ahead with just one. I have used color pencils and some glitter pens. So here is my submission for the topic “Universe”. This is also for the EDM challenge 166 (Draw a fish). Complete EDM Challenge list is here. […]

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  57. […] Every Day Matters. Along with it’s corollary, Every Day in May, is it the only art challenge I’ve ever stuck with. I admit to being a softie for this challenge, back in 2012, sketching items on this list helped me cement a daily art practice. Although I no longer need a prompt to inspire daily drawing, I still enjoy capturing my every day life by working through the list in my journal. […]

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  61. I shared this post on my site, I am doing a 30 day challenge to keep myself drawing daily in between painting. If you want to see the process I welcome you to view my post at shannon-clayton.com. I love your approach to this challenge. Very inspiring. Your typography is outstanding! Thank you for sharing.

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  66. […] If you are getting involved, I’d love to pop over to your blog and see what you are up to so let me know in the comments. Likewise if you have any ideas for possible drawings let me know and I’ll give them a go, unless they are absolutely obscene. Just a tip, if you get stuck on what to draw, try this list of challenges from Everyday Matters: https://dannygregorysblog.com/community/edm-challenges/ […]

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  71. […] When I feel uninspired and have stopped creating for a few days I rely on a few trusted methods for breaking out of my slump. I often try out new tools or pre-paint some journal pages, but the most reliable slump-buster is to draw a prompt from Danny Gregory’s EDM list.  […]

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  77. […] I did indeed miss the post. but I’ll be joining this challenge. One of my goals for the new year has been to sketch more. And to enter into a daily sketch challenge. I guess it’s being handed to me. I’ve since joined the facebook group and will be taking part in this daily sketch challenge that I found on Liz’s blog. Challenge link. […]

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  89. […] the intention to draw on a more regular base and so we decided to collaborate… we took the Every Day Matters (EDM) list from Danny Gregory’s website as a start and I choose seven topics from that list to work […]

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