Challenge #1: Using a photo or sketch as reference, turn the image upside down and then do your painting upside down. This is a technique we saw in a John Lovett video at AAC. It helps you focus on shapes rather than your perceptions of what those shapes should look like.
Challenge #2: Paint a self portrait. Any medium is acceptable except photography. This can be from any time in your life. I'm posting the first two entries here. Can you guess who they are?