Back in February 2024, I decided to take on Ahmed Aldoori’s 100 Head Challenge. Nearly a year later, I’ve made it to portrait number 30. Yes, just 30. Slow and steady wins the race, right? Cough! Let’s just say this challenge is turning into a marathon, but for good reason.
I started this challenge because I was feeling a bit lost artistically. I didn’t know what I wanted to draw, and honestly, I didn’t know what my artistic voice was. For the first time in nearly 40 years, I’d regained the ability to draw reasonably well, but it had been a long road to get here. Over those decades, life had a habit of “getting in the way,” and I’d found myself relearning how to draw at least three or four times. This time, I was determined not to let that happen again.
The phrase “use it or lose it” became my mantra. I knew that if I didn’t keep practising, I’d risk losing the skills I’d worked so hard to rebuild over the past few years. The problem was, I didn’t feel ready to create something original yet. I needed something structured, something I could pick up and put down without overthinking what to draw or spending hours searching for references. That’s when I discovered the 100 Head Challenge, and it felt like the perfect solution.
At first, I approached the portraits as quick sketches—simple exercises to keep my hand moving. But as I got further into the challenge, I found myself spending more and more time on each one. What started as casual practice turned into an opportunity to refine my process and build consistency. The steps that once felt clunky and deliberate are starting to flow naturally again, which has been incredibly rewarding to see.
Now it’s the middle of January 2025, and after spending the 8 or 9 days or so over the past few weeks developing my new website, I’m finally ready to pick up my pencil and tackle portrait number 30. This challenge has been a lifeline, helping me stay sharp and focused while I figure out the bigger question: what do I want to create next?
Speaking of which, I’ve got my next piece of artwork lined up, a project full of symbolism and personal meaning. I can’t wait to share more about it soon, but for now, I’ll keep the details under wraps.
If you’re on a similar journey or taking on a creative challenge, I’d love to hear about your experience. Let’s keep going—one step, one portrait, one brushstroke at a time. Use it or lose it, right?
