Inktober 2023!

 Building a drawing habit with Inktober 2023

I'm updating this page throughout October 2023.

Since I've started painting&sketching more regularly (basically, since 2022), I have tried to build a daily habit out of it. I've heard it said that it's the best way to improve. But, like many of us, some days I just didn't make time to do it. 

There are various art challenges throughout the year, Mermay and Inktober being probably the most famous. In May 2023, I've tried to follow Mermay, and ended up doing... 5 merepeople... So for October, I am trying again, but giving myself more chances to succeed!

Planning Inktober

Mid-September 2023, I stumbled accross Inktober prompt lists on Instagram. And one of the caption was very interesting.. Basically, it said "we post the prompt list now, so that you can start thinking about the promps and be ready when October starts". And it's true: in May, every day I was trying to come out with an idea, making some sketches and finding a final design... and it took way too long! 

Finding and going through the prompt list

So mid-September, I've written the prompt list (from @melosprout on Instagram) on one of my sketchbook, and I've just started to work on it: find references, draw some very first and quick sketches, finding out which supplies and want to use, etc. I definitely did not go through all of the prompts, but it helped get the creative juice flowing, and prepare a little bit myself.

The prompt list and some first ideas.

Continuing to prepare.

Thinking about the art supplies

I've never actually participated to Inktober (in 2022, I was in the midst of finishing my PhD dissertation...). I know that it revolved around ink, but I was not sure what supplies to use. In my toned paper sketchbook, I've used a variety of pens that I had, and then some markers & pencils to add a little bit of colors. However, I was not feeling so confident in my line work...

End of September, I decided to try out something new, and draw with fineliners on my marker sketchbook (check here for a list of my supplies!). I used my Sakura Pigma Micron fineliners, and added a little bit of shading with Ohuhu grey markers. And it felt so good! I really got in the flow of the line work, and the fineliners were just gliding so easily on the paper... 

I also tried the fineliners on watercolor paper, for a quick key sketch, and it was also very enjoyable! So I'll definitely be using them as the base of my Inktober, and propably add some highlights / shadows with other supplies on top.

Architecture with Sakura Pigma Micron fineliners, and grey Ohuhu alcohol-based markers.

Drawing a key with fineliners...

Inktober 2023!

Starting Inktober - the first ten days

During the first day, I decided to create a layout on my page, so that I had 10 prompts on one page of my sketchbook. I first went strictly with my fineliners, but during the first week, I started to introduce some colors here and there. I did not do only one prompt a day, but sometimes I did a few in a row, when I found some inspiration.

I really worked more on building a habit, rather than doing perfect sketches every day. I only did very short sketches (usally 5 to 10min each), seeing them more as a warm-up for future drawings than as an end per se.

Here is a high-quality scan of how my first page turned out! Stay tuned for the next ones :)

Days 1 to 10 of Inktober 2023

Maintaining the effort - 11th to 24th

The second third of Inktober started to feel a bit difficult... Between the 11th and the 16th, I still felt comfortable, as I had prepared the prompts beforehand. I felt in a good habit, and could do satisfying sketches quickly.

However, as I was leaving for family holidays mid-October, I wanted to do as many as I could before leaving. Thus, I started rushing the process and not enjoying it so much :/ Also, it was the part where I did not have so much of the prompts prepared... The quality of the sketches dropped and I was very disappointed... 

Final line - 25th to 31st

As I was not very happy on how the page was turning, I decided to take a break and not force myself to finish on time. I went back to France to spend time with my family and did not bring my sketchbook with me. 

When I came back by the beginning of November, I was itching to draw again. Thus, I grabbed my sketchbook and went back to the remaining prompts without any stress. I took them as warming-ups and just enjoyed the process! 

It was super nice to finish up on a high note :)

Days 11 to 20 of Inktober 2023

Days 21 to 31 of Inktober 2023

Don't know if you've noticed, but there are only 30 drawings for 31 days, yet I used all the prompts... Did you found the double-one? ;)

Final thoughts

All in all, I found it both hard and rewarding to push through this Inktober... 

I think the daily prompts were a little too much for me, as it sometimes stressed me instead of sparking creativity. Maybe next year I'll go for more "weekly" inktober, and take my time to go through it.

I'm very glad I did not try to actually do one prompt a day... Even if I ended up taking them as "warm-ups", I still feel it was too much pressure.

On the brighter side, it was super nice to get into a very different style from what I usually do, and use my supplies in a way I don't often do. The prompts aso gave me a frame to start making art, even when I did not feel like doing a super detailed watercolor, or if I was not inspired with my "usual" things (landscapes). I feel like it was a great opportunity to just try out different things and explore new subjects/techniques! 

I also love how the three pages turned out, even if I don't like each and every small drawing. 

I will probably come back to some of the things I've tried and drawn during this month, because I want to explore them more and maybe turned them into more "finished" pieces :)

I'll definitely try to do something for Inktober next year (and blog more regularly about it), and I also have a goal to "participate" more in the art community world! Maybe do some other art challenges? Tell me in the comments what challenges you would like me to tackle!