Hello Krita Artists!
This month’s challenge was created by the April winner : @npc.
Animals and Patterns
Draw any animal of your choice (or multiple) and incorporate some kind of pattern into the piece. Whether it’s a natural animal pattern like stripes or spots, or abstract patterns doesn’t matter. The patterns could also be part of the background, or even make up the entire animal!
Optional Challenge
Have the picture consist only of solid flat colours. No shading or blending.
Highly optional of course, but I think it could work well with patterns, seeing how a lot of them are just solid colours, and simplicity could help the animal to stand out.
Please post only artworks and discussion related to submitted artwork in this thread. There is a WIP thread for each monthly art challenge in which you can ask questions and post your works in progress (WIPs).
May 2026 Art Challenge-- WIP and Discussion Thread
Rules
- The composition must be created from scratch and should be your own and not an exact copy from someone or somewhere else. If you are using a reference photo taken by anyone other than yourself, please ensure the license allows for its use and include a credit to the photographer with your submission. No paint-over or tracing allowed.
- Photobashing is allowed only when explicitly specified in the topic.
- Artwork should be at least 90% Krita. Example: 3D bases made in Blender (or other non-AI app) are allowed as long as you made the 3D scene yourself.
- The theme changes every month. Your submission should be somehow related to the theme. If possible, please add a few lines explaining your idea and image.
- No AI-generated images are allowed, not even partial use of AI for composition ideas or paint over. It is unfair for those who are drawing from scratch.
- You can post a maximum of 3 entries and also edit the entries until the deadline.
- In order to have the image featured, the entries need to be safe for work so please avoid any NSFW or controversial content. The moderators can use their discretion to disqualify the image from the contest with prior notice. Of course, the artist will be given the chance to submit an alternate image or change it up until the deadline.
- Please do not post your submissions in any other category on Krita-Artists until voting has closed and the winner has been declared.
How to Enter
Post each submission as a reply in this thread – one image per post.
Submissions will be accepted until 2026-05-26T18:00:00Z, at which time the topic will automatically close. You can check how much time is left at the bottom of the thread.
Voting
We will hold a poll at the end of the challenge period. Each submission will be voted on individually. The artwork with the highest percentage of votes will be the winner
Prize
The winner will be featured on this website in the featured artwork row.
The winner will have the privilege to set the next topic of their liking. If the winner is not available or reachable, then the 1st runner up will be asked to provide the topic and challenge. The winner will also be awarded the Monthly Art Contest Winner badge.
Please spread the word about this art challenge by posting your artwork on various social media websites with the hashtag #KritaChallenge. If possible, include a link to the forum post.
I hope we will enjoy this exercise so let us begin!
P.S. Note we can change the rules based on the feedback on this contest and modify the format. Any suggestions are welcome. To submit feedback, please create a new topic in the Site Feedback category
