[CHALLENGE] 2026. JANUARY : LET'S DRAW SUN

Hello, PENPLEs!

Wishing you a very Happy New Year in 2026!

The entire PENUP operations team hopes this year brings health and happiness to each and every one of you.

As the new year begins, people around the world head to different places to witness the first sunrise of the year.

From the peaks of high mountains, to the sun rising over the sea or a river, and even from cities filled with towering buildings, many pause to take in the moment.

Each place creates its own colors, as soft pink light announces the morning between the clouds, golden hues spread across the water’s surface, and warm shades of scarlet gently color the forest.

In 2026, the first challenge theme of the year is ‘Sun’, a presence that makes life possible through light and heat.

The Sun is said to have formed about 4.6 billion years ago.

After that, surrounding matter came together to form planets and moons, including Earth, creating the solar system as it exists today.

Later, the Sun’s light and heat led to the formation of oceans, which became the starting point for life on Earth.

Humanity is also said to be a result of evolution that unfolded over a long period of time under the influence of the Sun.

The Sun is said to be the foundation of painting.

It is the most fundamental element that creates various natural phenomena, with sunrise symbolizing beginnings and birth, and sunset expressing change and death.

As the source of color, it shifts the atmosphere through shades of red, yellow, and white, and creates a sense of time and space through shadows, reflected light, and the colors of the sky.

It may be enjoyable to capture the meanings and diverse transformations of the Sun in your artwork.

The Sun is also used as a foundation of modern technology.

Electricity is generated through solar energy, and satellites and spacecraft receive power from solar cells.

By observing the Sun, scientists analyze and predict climate change, and by measuring sunlight, it is used as a key resource across many industries, including architecture and urban design.

What image of the Sun comes to your mind right now?

From the beautiful colors the Sun creates in landscapes to legends and imagination, capture your own vision of the Sun in your artwork and take on the challenge.

This will be proceeded for 15 days.

From January. 1, Thu. (GMT) to January. 15, Thu. (GMT).

The challenge is running based on GMT.

Therefore, the start and end times differ depending on time zone of each country, so please refer to GMT time when uploading your work.

We look forward to your participation and amazing works!

Thank you.