I can’t believe its the first of October already! It totally snuck up on me this year. This is probably late for many people to start thinking about the annual Inktober challenge but, at the same time, I don’t think that this should be something that is so intimidating to do that you can’t start right now.
First, let’s talk about what is it for anyone who might not be familiar with it.
Inktober is an annual drawing challenge that was started several years ago by an artist named Jake Parker. The point of the challenge, for him, was to force himself to ink his drawings, which he felt made them feel more finished. Pencil sketches felt like more preliminary, rough drawings where inked drawings felt like committing an idea to paper and seeing it all the way through.
The rules, as Jake created it are:
- Make a drawing in ink (you can do a pencil under-drawing if you want).
- Post it*
- Hashtag it with #inktober and #inktober2019
- Repeat
Since the original inception, Inktober has taken many forms and mutations. Each year, Jake publishes his list of work prompts. Many other groups and people create their own list of prompts. YOU can create your own list of prompts.
(*For the full details, check out the rules and prompts)
I have done Inktober for the last three years. The first two years, I posted some of the images on Instagram, last year, I showed them to my husband. I set specific challenges for myself by limiting the types of tools I used, the colors I used (I did not limit myself to black only) and I created my own prompts. I like to use alphabetical lists.
You can do whatever you want. The goal is to create a habit, build your confidence and improve your skills.
This year, I think I will do another alphabet challenge. I just received a new sketchbook in the mail that might be the perfect vehicle to use as my Inktober book this year and I am debating between challenging myself to use acyla-gouache (which is weird gouache/not gouache) or liquid ink. I want to limit my palette again like I did in 2017 but not go all black and white.
Are you going to try it this year?
Here are some great Inktober resources:
- 2018 Inktober Post (via Well-Appointed Desk)
- 2017 Inktober Post (via Well-Appointed Desk)
- Inktober Daily Challenge: 31 Days of Drawing and Painting with Ink with Lisa Congdon (via CreativeBug)
- Inktober 2019: A Complete Beginner’s Guide To Ink Art (via Effective Nerd)
- Inktober Supply List (via Mr Jake Parker)
- Inktober Supplies (via JetPens)
- Inktober Collection (via ArtSnacks)
Your drawings are impressive. I’m participating this year again, but combining my efforts with Goldspot Pens’ suggestions for writing because I’m much better with words than pictures.
I’m looking forward to seeing your alphabet.
Ruth
I love your knitting drawings, especially, “Y is for yarn.” Not sure if I’m going to draw anything, but I am feeling a little inspired. You never know.
I hope you’ll post yours this year! I loved your knitting alphabet. Yes, I’m doing it again… in fountain pen only! I’ve been sketching with graphite and colored pencil so much the past couple years that I’ve really missed my pens. Simple line drawings only, no color… in a (gasp!) Moleskine (a “sketchbook” notebook I started in 2011 and then rejected a few pages in because I didn’t like the paper)! It will be an interesting month.