As a Worcester artist, I often find that the greatest leaps in my practice come not from waiting for inspiration, but from the rigour of daily discipline. Each year, the International Strada Easel Challenge presents a unique opportunity to test that discipline. For 31 days, artists around the globe commit to painting from life every single day. Having completed it in January 2026, I wanted to share my top tips with you below.
Whether you are a contemporary artist looking to sharpen your observational skills or an impressionist artist aiming to capture the fleeting shifts of light, this challenge is a marathon for the mind and the brush. To help you navigate the challenge month, I’ve distilled my professional workflow into a blueprint for success.
The Logistics of Artistic Excellence
Success in a 31-day challenge is won or lost in the preparation. As a classically trained artist, I rely on a structured studio environment to allow my creativity to flow without technical interruption.
1. Batch-Prime Your Substrates Do not allow yourself to be slowed down by wet gesso or bare boards. Spend the week before the challenge priming and toning 31 canvases or panels. Applying a neutral mid-tone ground—such as a warm ochre or a cool grey, allows you to establish values more accurately from the very first stroke.
2. The Nocturnal Set-up Decision fatigue is the enemy of the daily painter. Arrange your still life and set your lighting the evening before. When you walk into the studio the next morning, your only task is to paint. This ready-state studio is what separates a hobbyist from a professional contemporary artist.
3. Pre-mix Your Mediums Standardise your paint by mixing your mediums in advance. If you prefer a lean mixture of linseed oil and mineral spirits, prepare a large jar before Day 1. This ensures consistency across your entire 31-day series.
Capturing the Light: An Impressionist Approach
For those of us influenced by impressionism, the challenge is often capturing the "essence" of a subject within a limited timeframe.
4. Embrace the Small Scale A daily challenge is not the time for 4-foot canvases. Focus on small-scale studies, perhaps 6"x6" or 8"x10". These dimensions allow you to explore colour temperature and value relationships efficiently. For the impressionist artist, these small studies are invaluable for learning how to suggest complex detail with a single, confident mark.
5. Prioritise Process over Perfection In 31 days, you will inevitably produce a ‘failed’ painting. A specialist knows that these are actually your most important works. They reveal technical gaps that a successful painting might hide. Honour the process, learn the lesson, and move to the next canvas.
The Human Element: Sustaining the Marathon
While technical skill is vital, the artist behind the easel requires just as much maintenance. The Strada Challenge is physically and mentally demanding.
6. Radical Self-Compassion Mid-month fatigue is real. On the days when the light won't behave or the drawing feels off, be kind to yourself. In my Worcester studio, the kettle is as important as the palette. A proper cup of tea and a few squares of high-quality chocolate are essential for maintaining morale. Taking ten minutes to step back, sip a hot drink, and breathe can often save a painting that felt destined for the wipe-off pile.
Join the Journey
The Strada Easel Challenge is a transformative experience that builds the muscle memory required for high-level painting. It forces us to see more clearly and react more instinctively.
I have shared my daily progress and insights on my instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/worcesterartist/
so why not give me a follow? Whether you are a fellow professional or a dedicated collector, I invite you to follow along to see how I have navigated these 31 days of light, colour, and pigment.
These special artworks will be available, for special prices, to my subscribers first - do join my subscriber list!
Are you taking up the next challenge this year, in September? I’d love to hear about your studio preparations…