July Artist Prompts

This month I decided to gather up the art challenges I usually share in Discord here on my blog. July artist prompts hopefully includes something that sparks you!

July Artist Prompts in large black letters on a patterned background

I use a lot of ongoing challenges in my art practice – sometimes for inspiration, but more often as a way to connect with other creators. Every day I make an artist trading card (ATC). Most months I make a zine – usually with a Monthly Zine Project (MoZiPro) prompt. My Book of the Week project has been on and off since 2010.

Especially when working with my ATCs I really love daily prompts, so a lot of these have a prompt for each day. Others are weekly or just for the month. I thought I would gather some of the ones I've found for July in one list! I think these lists can be used for any creative medium. I've made sure to have all prompts in text form for easy copying and pasting as a lot of the original creators only provide images. I plan on making this post monthly. Feel free to tag me on socials if you're playing along, or come hang out in my Discord server and share there. If you create prompt lists or see a great list feel free to send them my way!

July Artist Prompts

Scroll down for ten daily challenge lists, a mini zine challenge, plus the monthly are you book enough and MoZiPro challenges.

MoZiPro – Monthly Zine Challenge

Monthly ZIne Project themes in black text over a photo of a calendar

🔎 July's prompt is: Found it!

How that Monthly Zine Project Works

Interpret the prompt however you want
Make a zine connected to your interpretation in that month
The zine can take any form you want! Written, photos, collage, drawings, whatever & however: anything goes. Just have fun!
No deadline, feel free to post your zine on the Facebook group and/or on Instagram – with the #mozipro tag when you're done (whenever in the month that may be!)
If a certain month's theme isn't resonating with you, just skip it.

Seriously! If you tend to be over-ambitious about your zines, art, writing & creative work in general ... please be kind to yourself!

Are You Book Enough

July's challenge is Numbers.

Here's how it works

Repost the monthly theme on your Instagram account to let us know you are joining in.
Plan out your artists' book using the theme for the month as your guide.
Join our conversations about the books in the community forums.
Share your process of the book if possible on Instagram using the hashtag #AreYouBookEnough
Take great photos of your finished book and post it with the tag for that month's theme as well as the hashtag #AreYouBookEnough
Pick out your favorite 9 from the finished books for the month and make a grid of them on your Instagram to share with the community. Use the hashtag #AreYouBookEnough

July is International Zine Month

Started in 2009 by Alex Wrekk, author of Stolen Sharpie Revolution, International Zine Month is back! This year Antiquated Future has created the poster and updated prompts for 2024.

International Zine month poster has black text on a grungy background by Antiquated Future

Make a 1-page zine! Keep it simple and easy. Have fun with it.
Zine rewind day! Dig out your favorite oldies and share with others.
Look up local or virtual zine events to attend. Connect and collaborate!
AmeriZine Day! Explore marginalized voices in the Americas. Support zines written by BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color.)
Get inspired for a new look! Check out zines that use risograph, letterpress, or screenprinting. Look at unique binding, hand-coloring, and other handmade touches.
Zine Pride Day! Support zines created by LGBTQIA creators. Check out the Queer Zine Archive Project.
Review and share your 7 favorite zines.
Cook a recipe you found in a zine. Post or share photos of your meal!
Watch tutorial videos from comic artist. Try a new drawing technique!
Write a fan letter to one of your favorite zinesters
International Zine Day! Read zines from a different country and share what you learned with friends or online.
ZineWiki Day! Add to or update listings and creators. Support community powered information at zinewiki.com
Create a zine-making kit to gift to a friend or kiddo.
ValenZines Day! Celebrate your love of zines by givting to friends - or treat yoself! Take your zines on a picnic date with your favorite dessert.
Free Zine Day! Post your zine pdf, or leave copies around town for strangers to find. Celebrate knowledge and arts for all!
Try a new method of folding or a new paper zine. Get Creative!
Write a haiku about zines. Or revisit your favorite poetry zines.
Zine Trade Day! Ask someone to swap zines with your.
Zine Distro Appreciation Day! Order zines from a beloved distro, or find a new favorite shop. Share and tell people about your favorite zine distros!
Spend the day shooting photographs or making collages. Use these in your upcoming zines.
Zine Library Day! Find zine libraries in your area, or check out a digital zine library archive. Celebrate libraries!
Watch a movie or listen to an album. Review it for your next zine!
Organize your zine collection. Post or share a shelfie.
Collaborate on a zine with a friend. Make a plan!
Make a catchy flyer about your zine or series. Leave them in coffee shops and post on telephone poles – old school!
Find a music zine to read. Or make a mini zine about your favorite band. Or create themed playlists for your upcoming zines!
What are you extra good at? Make a how-to mini zine with instrucitons. Share your knowledge!
Fold an accordion zine. Fill it with your favorite animals: pets, creatures, or internet-famous furballs.
Read zines about herbal medicine. Heal yourself and your friends!
Collect your scrap paper. Fold into paper boats. Zine boats that float!
What issues do you care about? How do you want the world to change? Get ready to make a zine about it.