New October 2025 Anitoku Free Online Art Contests – Halloween Themes & Details

Halloween Double Art Contest

October is finally here, and that means the season of shadows, spirits, and supernatural creativity has arrived.

Around the world, cultures view this time of year as special—the veil between the physical and spiritual realms grows thin, and imagination takes on a life of its own.

At Anitoku, we will be celebrating Halloween not just with candy and costumes, but with art contests that inspire and challenge artists of all skill levels. This October is extra special because after a long break since March, we’re coming back strong—with not one, but two free online art contests running simultaneously.

That’s right: two different themes, two sets of cash prizes, and double the opportunity for you to showcase your talent to the world. Whether you’re into creepy folklore, mythical beasts, or spiritual concepts that spark wonder, you’ll find a place in this month’s contests.

And yes, you can enter both at the same time!

Why Two Contests This Month?

If you’ve been following Anitoku for a while, you know we haven’t hosted an art contest since March 2025. Life, work, and making sure we had the proper funds to reward winners fairly meant we had to take a pause.

We never want to host contests without being able to provide meaningful cash prizes and recognition for the artists who participate.

That’s why October is a comeback month for us. To make up for lost time, we’re running two art contests side by side throughout the month. This way, more artists get a chance to participate, and more artwork can be shared with the Anitoku community.

We’ve seen how much passion artists bring to these contests, and that’s exactly why we want to keep pushing them forward.

Every piece you submit becomes part of a bigger movement: showcasing indie art, building visibility for artists worldwide, and creating opportunities for recognition beyond just “likes” on social media.

Contest #1: Mythical / Supernatural Creatures

The first contest embraces the heart of Halloween: the mysterious, the monstrous, and the magical.

The theme is “Mythical / Supernatural Creatures.”

This contest invites you to design and illustrate any creature that falls into the realm of mythology, folklore, or supernatural storytelling. The possibilities are endless:

• Classic figures like vampires, werewolves, ghosts, or demons.

• Legendary beasts from folklore like kitsune, kraken, or thunderbirds.

• Urban legends such as Slenderman, Mothman, or creepypasta monsters.

• Inspirations from movies, anime, video games, or books that explore supernatural beings.

The only rule is your entry must center on a creature that is mythological or supernatural in nature. Beyond that, the direction you take is completely up to you—horror, comedy, dramatic, or surreal.

If you have any questions on what qualifies as such, please don’t hesitate to send us a message on the [Updates] tab of the Art Contest page.

📅 Dates: October 1st – October 15th (closes at 11:59 PM).

This contest is a chance to flex your creativity in a theme that’s naturally tied to Halloween, and the shorter timeframe means the energy will be high and the submissions will come in fast.

Contest #2: Spiritual Realm

The second contest dives deeper into the symbolic side of October: the “Spiritual Realm.”

This theme is intentionally broad because across cultures, the concept of the spiritual world takes many different forms. Some see it as the afterlife, others as a parallel dimension, and others as a place filled with ancestral spirits, guides, or divine beings.

You have the freedom to interpret “Spiritual Realm” however it resonates with you:

• Depict an ancestral or cultural interpretation of the spirit world.

• Imagine your own version of what exists beyond the veil.

• Explore surreal or abstract visions of souls, energies, or dimensions.

• Illustrate spiritual beings, deities, or forces from myths or personal inspiration.

The theme is designed to give you as much creative flexibility as possible. We’re excited to see the wide range of interpretations artists bring to this contest. Once again, please don’t hesitate to ask any questions about what qualifies for this theme.

Send us a message on the [Updates] tab of the Art Contest page if needed.

📅 Dates: October 1st – October 31st (closes at 11:59 PM).

Because this contest runs the entire month, it offers more time to develop detailed, polished entries—perfect if you’re looking to create something larger in scope.

Contest Rules & Reminders

We want to keep the Anitoku Free Online Art Contest fair, fun, and inspiring for everyone. Please keep these rules in mind when submitting:

• Artwork must be original (no AI, no copied, traced, or stolen art).

• Both digital art and traditional art are welcome.

• Any size is allowed, though upright portrait orientation is preferred.

• Submissions must be in high-resolution JPG or PNG format.

• By entering, you allow Anitoku to share your work on our website and social media (with full credit to you, of course).

• The contest is open to all artists worldwide.

  
  

If you need more details, check the [Rules] tab on our Art Contest page for in-depth information.

Cash Prizes Breakdown

Let’s get to the part everyone wants to know: the prizes.

This October, both contests come with cash rewards plus recognition across the Anitoku community. We’re proud to support artists with more than just exposure—our goal is to put money back into the pockets of creators who put in the effort.

Here’s how it breaks down:

🧛 Contest #1: Mythical / Supernatural Creatures (Oct 1st – Oct 15th 11:59 PM)

• 🥇 1st Place: $50 + Featured on the Homepage + Pinned on the [Winners] tab

• 🥈 2nd Place: $25 + Pinned on the [Winners] tab

• 🎖️ Honorable Mention: Pinned on the [Winners] tab

👻 Contest #2: Spiritual Realm (Oct 1st – Oct 31st 11:59 PM)

• 🥇 1st Place: $100 + Featured on the Homepage + Pinned on the [Winners] tab

• 🥈 2nd Place: $50 + Pinned on the [Winners] tab

• 🥉 3rd Place: $25 + Pinned on the [Winners] tab

• 🎖️ Honorable Mention: Pinned on the [Winners] tab

• 🎖️ Honorable Mention: Pinned on the [Winners] tab

That’s a total of $250 in cash prizes this month alone!

If you’re new and wondering if these contests really pay, check out our previous winner Ss4r0, who took first place with the incredible piece Kaleidoscope of Hope. Winners always receive their prizes promptly—we take artist support seriously.

"Kaleidoscope of Hope" by Ss4r0

For more details on how the prize system works, check out our recent post: Win $100 Cash Every Month in the Anitoku Free Online Art Contest.

End of U.S. TikTok & Social Media Alternatives

The future of TikTok for U.S. users appears shaky at the moment, so to get around any possible hurdles we will make sure to keep everyone up to date directly via email.

We understand contestants in some countries already don’t have access to TikTok, so this is the best option going forward.

Despite this, we will still post any video updates on all main social media platforms including:

• Instagram

• Meta (Facebook)

• Threads

• YouTube

• Fanbase

• Clapper

• Rueblur

You can find us under Anitoku or Anitoku.com on all platforms.

Additionally, we would like to remind everyone that if you do participate in this contest, to please post your art on any social media platform that you already use and tag us at Anitoku and also use any or all of these hashtags: #Anitokucontest #Anitokucontest2025 #Anitokuartcontest and #Anitokucashprizes

This helps you gain more visibility and connects you with other participants around the world.

Why Join the Anitoku Free Online Art Contest?

If you’re still on the fence about entering, here are a few reasons why artists—beginners and pros alike—love participating:

• Free to Enter – No fees, no catch.

• Cash Prizes – Real financial rewards for your creativity.

• Global Exposure – Your art gets featured on our site and socials.

• Community Connection – Network with other artists across the globe.

• Portfolio Growth – Perfect for adding professional contest entries to your body of work.

Unlike many online contests that only offer “exposure,” we make sure that your effort is rewarded with both visibility and the potential to earn.

Tips for Success

We know that entering an online art contest can feel exciting but also a little intimidating. The good news is that every contest is also an opportunity to grow your skills.

Here are a few drawing tips to help you get the most out of your entry:

• Focus on storytelling. A strong contest piece isn’t just about technique—it’s about emotion. Ask yourself: what story does my creature or spiritual concept tell?

• Use references wisely. Don’t be afraid to look at photos, mythology books, or anime and manga designs for inspiration. Just remember to add your own twist so the artwork feels original.

• Experiment with composition. Try sketching a few different layouts before committing to your final draft. Sometimes shifting the angle or cropping tighter makes the artwork more powerful.

• Pay attention to details. Since many mythical and spiritual subjects are mysterious, small touches—like glowing eyes, mist, or symbolic patterns—can bring your piece to life.

• Practice before you finalize. If you’re struggling with anatomy, poses, or lighting, do a few quick practice sketches first. It can save a lot of stress later on.

• Master your craft and submit your best work. Sharpen your skills by practicing daily, remember your training trust in your abilities.

Even a few minutes of practice each day can make a huge difference by the time you submit your contest entry. Good Luck!

Check out our blog post How to Improve Your Art Style FAST: 18 Creative Drawing Exercises Every Artist Should Try packed with practical exercises you can start today.

Conclusion

October 2025 is set to be one of the most exciting months yet for the Anitoku Free Online Art Contest. With two Halloween-inspired contests—Mythical / Supernatural Creatures and Spiritual Realm—there’s room for every type of artist to shine.

Whether you want to dive into folklore, create chilling monsters, or explore spiritual themes with cultural or personal depth, this is your chance to express yourself, connect with fellow creators, and compete for meaningful prizes.

So grab your sketchbook, tablet, or canvas—it’s time to bring your imagination to life. Submit your entries, share them with the world, and maybe even walk away with cash prizes and recognition.

We can’t wait to see what you create.

⭐ Final Art Contest of 2025 — Theme: “Aura Farmer”

These past few contests have been great seeing you all submit your amazing work. However, we will be skipping an art contest for the month of November, but we'll start back up in December to end the year off with a bang!

The theme for December is "Aura Farmer". Artists will be tasked with creating a scene, character or anything of their choice that displays "Aura" or "Aura Farming". Read "Don't Miss Your Chance to Aura Farm & Win $100" for exact details.

Creativity comes first.

We encourage every artist to put their own spin on the theme. Whether you’re a beginner, pro, or somewhere in between, you’re free to express “Aura Farming” in any style or medium you choose.

Join us this December and show the community what you can create. This is the final contest of the year — make your aura shine.