It’s that time of year again! I’m not quite ready yet to admit defeat on trying to do the Holidoodle thing with others of the illustration persuasion. It seems like a daily challenge is a bit difficult during the holidays, as is a multiple series with a character challenge (like last year). So this year I’ve been thinking about trying something different yet again.
There are amazing holiday illustration campaigns out there already. Most infamously is the #illo_advent push on Twitter. If you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to check it out. It’s fun to see holiday cheer from illustrators around the world on such a free subject (pick a theme or don’t–whatever you draw it’s up to you):
There is also HoHoDooDa with illustrator Linda Silvestri. She also has a lot of fun with her daily drawing challenge.
If you’re looking for multiple ideas to have by the end of December, those are GREAT ways to participate without a specific assignment. But me? I’m a teacher. I give assignments. =D
I was thinking about one of my favorite Christmas card finds of years past and how it was a wonderful spoof on the Christmas song “The 12 Days of Christmas.” And the more I thought about it (and Googled), the more themes I found spoofing that song. SO I thought to myself, “Self, what about having people come up with their own theme to spoof that same song?” I thought it would be quite fun. Hubby thought it might be confusing so I better give examples.
The assignment is simple:
The themes on this have varied over the years. I can’t remember if my favorite was the Jane Austen version or the Pride and Prejudice version (either one is genius in my opinion and I gave it to many the year I bought it):
There were many versions of this out there for this. Here’s another example:
You can create one simple image including your entire theme like these, OR you can create 12 different images for every piece of the song (as some like to do). It’s up to you. BUT all images are shared on December 23rd. That gives us all most of the month to create (or brainstorm and then create at the last minute).
BUT WAIT! There’s more! As a reward for participating, I will send a bag of Christmas tea to everyone who plays along. It could be something like “Sip and Be Merry” from the Republic of Tea (one of my favorites because it’s delicious!) or it might be something else. If you want it. If you don’t, that’s fine too. But I hope you will join in!
And if you do want to participate (illustrating your own theme), could you please leave me a comment below so I know in advance how much tea to gather up to prepare to send off? 😉
I am excited to participate in this holiday challenge and have an idea all ready to go! I also clicked on the tea link and it looks fabulous. I love the holiday flavors they offer, especially the peppermint bark. I might have to try that. 🙂
This is one delicious tea! But if you like Peppermint, maybe I will gift you with another favorite tea! 😊
https://www.davidstea.com/us_en/new/collections/the-holiday-collection/santa-s-secret/10205US01VAR0013064.html?cgid=the-holiday-collection#sz=24&start=1
This sounds like fun. Count me in! I would like to participate.
Wonderful! The more the merrier!
Carol, would you contact me privately with your mailing address for some Christmas tea?
Hi Jena, I do not use social media only email and am wondering what email address I can send my “12 days of Christmas” to. Thank you, Carol Jensen
I love this idea!… Now that I’m just reading about it on the day it’s due… ☹️ Perhaps next year?? Or perhaps I get up the gumption to just do one on my own.
Feel free to participate this season if you want to. It doesn’t have to be posted on the exact date. It’s just fun to do. And I try to do this every year, or something like it.