My Art Style Challenge: A 60-Day Challenge with VirtuallyCreativ Brushes
Art is an ever-evolving journey, and every artist seeks to refine their style through practice, experimentation, and exploration. Over the next 60 days, I am challenging myself to develop my art style using the VirtuallyCreativ brushes available at www.theblackcorset.co.za & www.virtualworkmanager.co.za. My goal is to explore different aspects of digital painting, including sketching, shading, highlighting, and lettering, using a range of Procreate brushes. Today marks Day 2, and I have already completed two sketchbook pages! In this blog post, I will document my journey, techniques, tools, and experiences as I embark on this artistic growth challenge.
Why I Started This Art Style Challenge
For a long time, I have wanted to solidify my personal art style. While I enjoy sketching, painting, and calligraphy, I often find myself experimenting rather than settling into a signature look. The best way to find my artistic voice is through daily, consistent practice. By committing to 60 days of structured sketching and painting, I hope to develop a unique style that combines fluidity, texture, and expressive details.
Additionally, I want to fully explore the potential of the VirtuallyCreativ brush sets, including watercolor brushes, drawing brushes, and lettering/calligraphy brushes. These tools offer a variety of textures and effects that can help me refine my approach to digital art.
My Plan for This Art Style Challenge
Throughout these 60 days, I will focus on several key artistic elements:
- Sketching Faces & Expressions – Capturing different features, angles, and expressions to improve my understanding of proportions and character design.
- Drawing Objects & Bodies – Exploring inanimate objects and dynamic poses to practice anatomy, movement, and structure.
- Lettering & Calligraphy – Creating expressive typography, experimenting with composition and style.
- Coloring, Shading & Highlighting – Adding depth and realism. Exploring different lighting scenarios and blending techniques.
My First Two Days of Sketching
For the first two days, I focused on sketching faces and experimenting with different brush textures. The attached image showcases one of my sketchbook pages, featuring two elf-like portraits with strong color and texture contrasts. I used watercolor brushes to create soft gradients and depth, while drawing brushes helped define hair and facial features.
A key lesson so far: Brush control is crucial! Watercolor brushes behave differently from solid drawing brushes, creating a softer, more fluid effect. This required me to adjust pressure sensitivity and layer my strokes carefully.
Tools I’m Using: Art Style Challenge
- VirtuallyCreativ Watercolor Brushes – For smooth blends and soft shading.
- VirtuallyCreativ Drawing Brushes – For sketching and defining sharp details.
- VirtuallyCreativ Lettering & Calligraphy Brushes – For typographic skills.
- Procreate App – My primary digital drawing tool.
Techniques I’m Exploring
Watercolor Blending
Achieving smooth watercolor effects digitally requires patience and layering to get a polished look.
Shading & Highlighting
Adding dimension and realism with both soft and hard shadows. Highlights make illustrations pop.
Line Art vs. Painterly Style
Testing if I prefer clean lines or a more painterly approach, where color builds shapes instead of outlines.
Brush Layering & Texture
Using multiple brushes in a single piece to create rich textures and depth.
Upcoming Goals for This Challenge
Over the next few weeks, I plan to:
- Simply draw everyday, practice and just enjoy myself!
Reflections So Far
Even though I’m only two days in, I already notice improvement in workflow and brush handling. I’m excited to see how my art evolves over the next 58 days!
I invite fellow artists to join me or follow along. If you want to try the VirtuallyCreativ brushes, check them out at:
www.theblackcorset.co.za
www.virtualworkmanager.co.za
Stay tuned for weekly updates as I share my sketches, insights, and discoveries along this artistic journey. Note: I will no longer be posting on this website but on my personal gallery simply to share my art and progress, tools and everything else. Will share details soon but the new site for sharing my art will be here.
