# June 2026 Art Challenge – WIP and Discussion Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Monthly Art Contest\ **Created:** [June 1, 2026, 12:10am UTC](https://krita-artists.org/t/june-2026-art-challenge-wip-and-discussion-thread/184627 "2026-06-01T00:10:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![steve.improvthis](https://krita-artists.org/user_avatar/krita-artists.org/steve.improvthis/32/146134_2.png) [@steve.improvthis](https://krita-artists.org/u/steve.improvthis)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 2:24pm UTC](https://krita-artists.org/t/june-2026-art-challenge-wip-and-discussion-thread/184627/22 "2026-06-09T14:24:10Z")
Moving along… ![Krita Challenge 0626 Something Unexpected - Cloud Chamber WIPc](https://krita-artists.org/uploads/default/original/3X/3/a/3af0d079e14c3e3a0e5c1a85a80431f2382d0db6.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![\_Nyx\_0.0](https://krita-artists.org/user_avatar/krita-artists.org/_nyx_0.0/32/227740_2.png) [@\_Nyx\_0.0](https://krita-artists.org/u/_Nyx_0.0)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2026, 5:16pm UTC](https://krita-artists.org/t/june-2026-art-challenge-wip-and-discussion-thread/184627/23 "2026-06-10T17:16:57Z")
OMG YUJI- srry it js reminds me of itadori from jjk ---
**Author:** ![steve.improvthis](https://krita-artists.org/user_avatar/krita-artists.org/steve.improvthis/32/146134_2.png) [@steve.improvthis](https://krita-artists.org/u/steve.improvthis)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2026, 2:25pm UTC](https://krita-artists.org/t/june-2026-art-challenge-wip-and-discussion-thread/184627/24 "2026-06-12T14:25:43Z")
It’s coming along… ![Krita Challenge 0626 Something Unexpected - Cloud Chamber WIPd](https://krita-artists.org/uploads/default/original/3X/c/d/cd876cc431bb4fb02a5fae4bdef857411e506b1e.jpeg) # **I’m a little stuck and could use some pointers / suggestions.** I’d like to make the rocks look like a metal surface (like blobs of mercury) and have the duckie be a “shiny” plastic surface. I’ve tried a bunch of brushes, and while it looks OK in a soft, painterly sort of way, I’d like to make it feel less… natural? Maybe more abrasive? If there is a way to do it using the Optional Challenge: > [@June 2026 Art Challenge – Something Unexpected](https://krita-artists.org/t/june-2026-art-challenge-something-unexpected/184626/1): > > Use Krita’s adjustment and filter tools in the top menu to alter or enhance your picture. I’d love to learn that! Otherwise, does anyone have any pointers, tips, or even tutorial links on how to bring in a more shiny feel to these elements? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Michelist](https://krita-artists.org/user_avatar/krita-artists.org/michelist/32/65826_2.png) [@Michelist](https://krita-artists.org/u/Michelist)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2026, 2:29pm UTC](https://krita-artists.org/t/june-2026-art-challenge-wip-and-discussion-thread/184627/25 "2026-06-12T14:29:35Z")
Did you try @Draneria’s [Metallics brushes](https://krita-artists.org/t/metallics-by-draneria/106425)? Michelist ---
**Author:** ![steve.improvthis](https://krita-artists.org/user_avatar/krita-artists.org/steve.improvthis/32/146134_2.png) [@steve.improvthis](https://krita-artists.org/u/steve.improvthis)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2026, 2:31pm UTC](https://krita-artists.org/t/june-2026-art-challenge-wip-and-discussion-thread/184627/26 "2026-06-12T14:31:29Z")
Great suggestion! I did… I’ve used them before and love them. But here they seem to be splotchy and noisy rather than the smooth surface I’m looking for. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatBird](https://krita-artists.org/user_avatar/krita-artists.org/crazycatbird/32/26371_2.png) [@CrazyCatBird](https://krita-artists.org/u/CrazyCatBird)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2026, 5:50pm UTC](https://krita-artists.org/t/june-2026-art-challenge-wip-and-discussion-thread/184627/27 "2026-06-12T17:50:56Z")
> [@steve.improvthis](#): > > how to bring in a more shiny feel to these elements? How about lighter highlights? More white-ish. There are highlights within highlights and darks within dark areas. 😁 👍 ---
**Author:** ![Elixiah](https://krita-artists.org/user_avatar/krita-artists.org/elixiah/32/108236_2.png) [@Elixiah](https://krita-artists.org/u/Elixiah)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2026, 6:26pm UTC](https://krita-artists.org/t/june-2026-art-challenge-wip-and-discussion-thread/184627/28 "2026-06-12T18:26:59Z")
@steve.improvthis I took a little liberty to download your piece to show an example of how I do shiny. For the duck, just adding a few highlight strokes with a basic hard round brush with opacity usually does the trick. For blobs of mercury… a little more challenging, since mercury reflects like chrome. I just added more contrast and gradient between black and white with the airbrush, then added a hint of reflections of the windows with the basic round brush. Hope this helps! 🙂 ![Krita Challenge 0626 Something Unexpected - Cloud Chamber WIPd](https://krita-artists.org/uploads/default/original/3X/9/6/96eaa3e885a93c9abccbea204a00a872ded2af9e.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Elixiah](https://krita-artists.org/user_avatar/krita-artists.org/elixiah/32/108236_2.png) [@Elixiah](https://krita-artists.org/u/Elixiah)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2026, 6:28pm UTC](https://krita-artists.org/t/june-2026-art-challenge-wip-and-discussion-thread/184627/29 "2026-06-12T18:28:53Z")
I’m starting another one that will have a creepy, unexpected surprise 😆 ![My rachnaphobia](https://krita-artists.org/uploads/default/original/3X/2/6/2648131ac84d20b5842225cee5ac5ccc5c772722.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![steve.improvthis](https://krita-artists.org/user_avatar/krita-artists.org/steve.improvthis/32/146134_2.png) [@steve.improvthis](https://krita-artists.org/u/steve.improvthis)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2026, 7:44pm UTC](https://krita-artists.org/t/june-2026-art-challenge-wip-and-discussion-thread/184627/30 "2026-06-12T19:44:34Z")
Thanks! That’s spot on for the look I’m going for. I’ll see if I can figure it out how the heck you did that and go from there! ---
**Author:** ![Elixiah](https://krita-artists.org/user_avatar/krita-artists.org/elixiah/32/108236_2.png) [@Elixiah](https://krita-artists.org/u/Elixiah)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 12:19am UTC](https://krita-artists.org/t/june-2026-art-challenge-wip-and-discussion-thread/184627/31 "2026-06-13T00:19:49Z")
@steve.improvthis Google “mercury blobs” to reference chrome-like reflections. 😁 ---
**Author:** ![edgarej](https://krita-artists.org/user_avatar/krita-artists.org/edgarej/32/30548_2.png) [@edgarej](https://krita-artists.org/u/edgarej)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 12:31am UTC](https://krita-artists.org/t/june-2026-art-challenge-wip-and-discussion-thread/184627/32 "2026-06-13T00:31:36Z")
**TRex and the City** _Where else can a dinosaur fall in love?_ ![2026-06-03-KArtstsDSP-TRexCity-WIP01](https://krita-artists.org/uploads/default/original/3X/2/2/2244aaa734b4802bc423f832f7182608f11b416e.jpeg) Time is super tight for me again, so here’s to hoping I finish this in time. ---
**Author:** ![Pixalisk](https://krita-artists.org/user_avatar/krita-artists.org/pixalisk/32/223638_2.png) [@Pixalisk](https://krita-artists.org/u/Pixalisk)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 10:00pm UTC](https://krita-artists.org/t/june-2026-art-challenge-wip-and-discussion-thread/184627/33 "2026-06-13T22:00:38Z")
The wedding is making progress. The wall and floor are still placeholders. ![2026-06-03-marriage-cat-and-mouse](https://krita-artists.org/uploads/default/original/3X/6/5/650c0fa3dafc0706cf8a09d4b1931bf529d7ebef.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![kuroneko25](https://krita-artists.org/user_avatar/krita-artists.org/kuroneko25/32/235703_2.png) [@kuroneko25](https://krita-artists.org/u/kuroneko25)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2026, 8:03pm UTC](https://krita-artists.org/t/june-2026-art-challenge-wip-and-discussion-thread/184627/34 "2026-06-14T20:03:33Z")
Finished base coloring for main characters of my painting - a family of ducks ![duckswip1](https://krita-artists.org/uploads/default/original/3X/c/2/c23e1eedcb17171a63b796312e3e13a5a2112f5d.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![CatMonk](https://krita-artists.org/user_avatar/krita-artists.org/catmonk/32/222588_2.png) [@CatMonk](https://krita-artists.org/u/CatMonk)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 12:29pm UTC](https://krita-artists.org/t/june-2026-art-challenge-wip-and-discussion-thread/184627/35 "2026-06-16T12:29:09Z")
Just started something, very rough… Elf aiming at a server in the lake 🙂 I am not sure if I would have the time to finish it by the end of the month but at least it is some kind of start ![image](https://krita-artists.org/uploads/default/original/3X/8/7/87b04876f009a3252624758719624634c1bdab54.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![KeriVKennedy](https://krita-artists.org/user_avatar/krita-artists.org/kerivkennedy/32/35061_2.png) [@KeriVKennedy](https://krita-artists.org/u/KeriVKennedy)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 5:23pm UTC](https://krita-artists.org/t/june-2026-art-challenge-wip-and-discussion-thread/184627/36 "2026-06-16T17:23:44Z")
![scubacat](https://krita-artists.org/uploads/default/original/3X/7/1/7104f5acdce13df905ff81f4051878d524ccbb68.jpeg) I’ve worked on Scuba Kitty quite a bit more. What else do you think it needs? I’m nowhere near as talented as many of you guys here, but I have had a lot of fun creating this. ---
**Author:** ![KeriVKennedy](https://krita-artists.org/user_avatar/krita-artists.org/kerivkennedy/32/35061_2.png) [@KeriVKennedy](https://krita-artists.org/u/KeriVKennedy)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 5:28pm UTC](https://krita-artists.org/t/june-2026-art-challenge-wip-and-discussion-thread/184627/37 "2026-06-16T17:28:25Z")
Elixiah, I’ve decided that you are simply too good (okay that is a compliment), and need a condition each month that you use some tool or technique in Krita that is new to you. the same could be said for the others like you who present such astounding pieces each month and win repeatedly. If you have won before you must use a new technique in Krita the next month. Makes it a bit more challenging for you, and evens the playing field a tiny bit. Hope that is taken with the compliment its meant to be. That all artists are encouraged to continually learn new things. I’ve been playing with and learning a little about the amazing powers of G’mic this month. So I’ve even challanged myself. ---
**Author:** ![steve.improvthis](https://krita-artists.org/user_avatar/krita-artists.org/steve.improvthis/32/146134_2.png) [@steve.improvthis](https://krita-artists.org/u/steve.improvthis)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 3:37pm UTC](https://krita-artists.org/t/june-2026-art-challenge-wip-and-discussion-thread/184627/38 "2026-06-17T15:37:13Z")
Well, I agree. I’m continually stunned at how excellent @Elixiah 's works are! And when I look at what’s been going on, I’ve seen how Elixiah continues to try new and different things all the time in this contest (Heck, just last month she played around with the multi-brush!) I try to do the same and push past the genres and techniques I’m comfortable with in these challenges. Heck, I’m still trying to get those silver blobs to look right! ---
**Author:** ![KeriVKennedy](https://krita-artists.org/user_avatar/krita-artists.org/kerivkennedy/32/35061_2.png) [@KeriVKennedy](https://krita-artists.org/u/KeriVKennedy)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 3:54pm UTC](https://krita-artists.org/t/june-2026-art-challenge-wip-and-discussion-thread/184627/39 "2026-06-17T15:54:15Z")
I’m glad my comment was understood how I intended. That we can all challenge ourselves to push beyond our comfort zones. That is becomes an inherent part of the optional technical challenge. I know next month I think I’d like to learn about the layer masks. I never finished anything last month - had a concept I loved, but just couldn’t make it come together. ---
**Author:** ![steve.improvthis](https://krita-artists.org/user_avatar/krita-artists.org/steve.improvthis/32/146134_2.png) [@steve.improvthis](https://krita-artists.org/u/steve.improvthis)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 6:51pm UTC](https://krita-artists.org/t/june-2026-art-challenge-wip-and-discussion-thread/184627/40 "2026-06-17T18:51:13Z")
I’m still trying to get the silver/mercury rocks to look right. 🤷‍♂️ I pivoted to the water today. ![Krita Challenge 0626 Something Unexpected - Cloud Chamber WIPe](https://krita-artists.org/uploads/default/original/3X/f/6/f6133b712ef1982b36b49c2ba3b897d03f695d01.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Elixiah](https://krita-artists.org/user_avatar/krita-artists.org/elixiah/32/108236_2.png) [@Elixiah](https://krita-artists.org/u/Elixiah)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 8:05pm UTC](https://krita-artists.org/t/june-2026-art-challenge-wip-and-discussion-thread/184627/41 "2026-06-17T20:05:35Z")
@KeriVKennedy Well… to be honest, I’m feeling complimented and a little shunned at the same time. I really prefer not to win the monthly challenges, but I do enjoy participating and interacting with my fellow artists here. If you look back, when I do win, I either hand it off to the 2nd place winner or try to come up with a topic that challenges all of us to try something new and/or different. I am still learning Krita too. If other monthly challenge participants feel the same as you, maybe it would be best if I posted my entries in the WIP only, and not submit them in the finals thread? [Previous page](https://krita-artists.org/t/june-2026-art-challenge-wip-and-discussion-thread/184627.md?page=1) [Next page](https://krita-artists.org/t/june-2026-art-challenge-wip-and-discussion-thread/184627.md?page=3)