In 2023, I participated in a new art challenge called "Disember", which had an art prompt for each day of December, all Disney-themed. It was a lot of fun, and I ended up making a total of 24 pieces, many of which I actually liked. A few were some of my favorite digital pieces I've done so far. My daughter Katie did a few prompts with me, but it wasn't really something we did "together".
For 2024, they were doing Disember again, but I thought Katie and I should come up with something on our own. I wanted it to be something with prompts we'd both be interested in, but not a ton of pressure to make something every single day. So here's what we made up.
We each wrote down 24 secret prompts, one for each day up to Christmas. Then my wife put them all onto strips of paper and put two prompts into each box of an advent calendar. Each day, we'd draw a prompt, look at it and decide if it's something we wanted to tackle. We'd then have the option to swap prompts. And then at some point during the day, we'd each draw something based on that prompt. I tried to make mine all Christmas-themed, but that wasn't a requirement.
I'm really happy with how it all turned out. We each ended up doing 20 pieces. We each skipped 4, but on different days, depending on random factors. As with Disember, I'm really happy with what I produced, with many of them being new favorites. And I'm so proud of Katie for doing so many, and nailing the spirit of the prompts.
Will this be a new tradition we continue? I hope so, even though it does take a lot of time and energy. Especially for me, as I tend to put too much work into a single piece. Many of them I had to just stop working on before I felt it was "done". But during our trip back home to Ohio after Christmas, I was able to revisit some and add more embellishment, which was pretty satisfying.
So here they are, day-by-day and side-by-side. Looking forward to seeing what we create together next.
My Collection
Katie's Collection
December 1st
Starting the month off right with a little Snoopy and Woodstock.
Love this Thrasher from "Prep & Landing".
December 2nd
December 3rd
I had a few ideas for this one, but one of my true heroes is Bill Watterson, creator of Calvin & Hobbes.
Katie didn't have time to finish this one, but look at these mice!
December 4th
Opus from "A Wish for Wings that Work". Tried to get an animated feel for this one.
Brilliant lion by Katie using the light brushes in Procreate.
December 5th
The transformation of Uncle Scrooge from "Mickey's Christmas Carol".
Mufasa and Skar.
December 6th
December 7th
This is the first gift of Christmas from "Polar Express". It's only half done so it's missing the boy character.
This one's for Grandma.
December 8th
Really love how this one from "Christmas Vacation" came out.
Willy Wonka's chocolate bar.
December 9th
I missed this day. Not sure what my prompt was.
Katie nailed this one with the aurora.
December 10th
December 11th
Yukon Cornelius from "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"
Skar as he's singing "Be Prepared".
December 12th
Venom is one of our favorite anti-heros.
December 13th
George C. Scott as Scrooge. Didn't finish the rendering on this one.
From "Princess Mononoke"
December 14th
December 15th
Also skipped this day.
Everything comes back around to lions.
December 16th
My version of Thrasher.
A spirit animal from the Disney cartoon "Elena of Avalor".
December 17th
The "Cumber-Grinch" from the most recent adaptation.
Wolf Link from "Legend of Zelda"
December 18th
Noel the coal elf from "Prep & Landing".
December 19th
Gonzo (Charles Dickens) and Rizzo from "Muppet Christmas Carol"
December 20th
We both skipped this day for some reason.
December 21st
We love Deadpool, so here's Santy-Pool.
December 22nd
Wasn't sure how to tie this to Christmas, but here's Gru as the Grinch and a Minion as Max.
December 23rd
Nothing to see here...
December 24th
Not sure how I got "Elf" twice, but here's a guy that just wants to be a dentist.
So there you have it. We both completed 20 pieces, sometimes missing different days. Really happy with what we came up with, and looking forward to the next challenge!