#DiversifyMyArt

Welcome! I am a picture book author and aspiring illustrator. A personal goal of mine recently has been to expand the range of diversity that I portray in my art. But because of my ADHD, it is difficult to make habits like creating art regularly. Thus, I am creating this challenge to push myself and other illustrators to regularly create diversity in illustration!

As I look at picture books, I am always pleasantly surprised when I find a more unique diversity. The thing is, I shouldn’t be surprised! There should be regular representation of all types of diversity. Those of us who are illustrators should be intentional about portraying diversity in art. Those who are authors only, should be advocating for diversity in the illustrations used for their texts.

This art challenge is going to be a monthly challenge with four prompts per month. You can choose to do one prompt per week or combine multiple prompts into fewer illustrations. You can just pick one if you don’t have the bandwidth to do all of them. You can create new art for the prompts or use them to incorporate more diversity into the art you’re already making! This challenge is totally flexible. The goal is to increase the diversity of your art, whether it’s a little or a lot. And hopefully, you will begin to show more diversity in all the art you create!

Be Respectful!

A few caveats: Please be respectful! You will be illustrating diversity that you don’t own. Please be sure you aren’t portraying harmful stereotypes. Please do your research to make sure you are portraying the diversity accurately. Use reference photos! Research how discrimination has affected that diversity in the past so that you can be respectful in your own portrayal.

Most important of all, show joy! Having a diverse world is a wonderful thing. Please make your art joyful! Don’t let the diversity be a source of sadness or struggle in your scene.

The prompts are listed below. I have done my best to word things in a respectful way, but please let me know if you own a diversity that you would like to see represented differently. Are there any diversities you don’t see listed? Give me more ideas in the comments so I can add to my list for the future!

Don’t forget to share!

If you are comfortable sharing your art, use the hashtag #diversifymyart so we can cheer each other on. Tag me on Instagram if you’d like @larissa.d.elliott when you post. And please spread the word about the challenge so that more people know about it. Thanks!

#DiversifyMyArt Prompt List 2024

January

1. Variety of skin tones (this one should be present all year long!)
2. Public nursing or baby wearing
3. Crutches, cane, walker, walking stick
4. Hijab

February

1. Variety of body sizes/shapes (another one which should be present all year long!)
2. Cornrows or braids
3. Eye Patch
4. Evidence of neurodiversity

March

1. Multiracial couple/family
2. Hair loss
3. Prosthetic/missing limb
4. Service dog/animal

April

1. Defying gender norms
2. Freckles, moles
3. White cane for person of impaired vision
4. Sari

May

1. Trans-racial adoptive families, foster families
2. Sign language
3. Electric wheel chair
4. Missing tooth/gap

June

1. Same sex couple
2. Natural black hair texture
3. Insulin pump
4. Bandaids and boo-boos

July

1. Evidence of invisible disability/illness
2. Hair locs or twists
3. Pregnancy
4. Cerebral Palsy

August

1. Elders
2. Tattoos
3. Vitiligo
4. Leg braces

September

1. Piercings
2. Yarmulke/kippah
3. Oxygen tank
4. Stimming

October

1. Infant
2. Hearing aid or cochlear implant
3. Blue/pink/purple hair
4. Birthmark

November

1. Broken arm/leg
2. Bindi
3. Glasses
4. Beard, mustache, facial hair

December

1. Evidence of character’s faith
2. Child with wheel chair, walker, other mobility assistance
3. Scars
4. Red hair