Missed a prompt or freebie? Find them all here.

If you'd like to share your work, tag me on Instagram @atiliay
or email me at hi.atiliay@gmail.com--I'd love to see what you're creating!

If you’d like a Creative Spark Deck of your own, you can find them in my shop.

If you enjoy this challenge, please share it with a friend--the more the merrier!
Here's the sign up link if you need it.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This month's prompts will be on the shorter side because starting October 12th I'll be hosting a 4 week Sketchbook Un-Slump series! It's a free email series to help inspire and encourage creativity and exploration in the pages of our sketchbooks! If you'd like to learn more, you can sign up here and receive the prep email to help you get ready:

2025 SKETCHBOOK UNSLUMP

Welcome to a new month of the Creative Spark Challenge! Below you'll find the prompt card, ideas and inspiration, mood board, this month's workshop, download, and playlist!

If this is your first month joining in on the challenge (welcome & hello!)--here are answers to some FAQs that are helpful!

OCTOBER PROMPT CARD

ENVISION & EXPRESS

Here are some ideas and inspiration to help you get started! If you're having some decision fatigue, the number in the spark symbol on the prompt card can help: use the text prompt that coordinates with that number which would be 5. bright. 

All of the below is open to your interpretation! Feel free to adapt, change, combine a few, and adjust as needed based on how you feel and what you feel inspired to do.

Click here or on the image below for this month's mood board:

WOOD

• • Create a stamp Carve wooden rings or patterns on tree trunks into a rubber linoleum block or a rubber eraser to create your own stamp. Use it as a background/starting layer for your print. I love the effect and how these stamps come out!
  • Make rubbings from different wood surfaces: trees, branches, furniture. Cut or tear those rubbings into strips or pieces and use them to create a collage. Use real wood pieces as inspiration for how you can place the pieces.
    
  • Sketch & draw trees, the source of wood, by following this tutorial

BLEND

• • Blend two different colors, styles, materials, techniques, subjects. Challenge yourself by using 2 opposite things: dark blue / pastel baby blue, pencil / thick acrylic paint, collage / embroidery, nature / machinery. For an extra twist, ask a friend to name 2 random things for you to blend together.
  • Learn how to blend colored pencils with this tutorial for beginners.

POP

• • Pop-Up Elements Get inspired by pop-up books! Incorporate one or a few of these elements into your piece. It doesn't have to be elaborate to make an impact--try some simple elements then add to it.
  • Pop Art Elements Take a look at some these female artists who left a mark on pop art. What ideas and elements can you borrow?

LEFT

• • Leftovers Use what's left from another project (paper scraps, paint left on the palette, trimmed off bits and pieces)
  • What's left? Fold up a piece of paper randomly and make cuttings into it (think abstract version of paper snowflakes). Then unfold it and use the paper that's left in your piece. You can also use the cut out bits.

BRIGHT

• • Black & Bright Use black paper / black paint as your background. Then pick the brightest colors to add to it--the contrast help make the colors pop!
  • Create light with watercolors. This tutorial is helpful in showing how to create beams of light by removing paint.

REALISM

• Learn more about this art movement.
• Observe and sketch. Realism was inspired by everyday life. Sit somewhere and observe your surroundings and scenes of everyday life. Create some quick sketches or go into detail on a moment that catches your eye.

COLORS ON THE PROMPT CARD:

Click on each for some visual inspiration 

• • Brown
  • Olive Green

PATTERN ON THE PROMPT CARD:

• • Use the pattern as a starting point and continue to extend the lines and see what you come up with.
  • Use this pattern as a template for stitch lines or gluing thread / string onto your piece to add some dimension and texture.

And don't forget to consider the opposites of all the prompts above as well as synonyms and see where that takes you!

CSC PLAYLIST #10

Happy creating all month long!