Oct 1, 2021 4 min read inktober

Inktober 2021

October is here, and the annual drawing with ink challenge is back. Will I succeed this year in completing all 31 drawings in 31 days? Follow my progress below! Or jump to the materials I'm using.

What is Inktober?

In 2009 Jake Parker created what is now a global drawing challenge to improve drawing (inking) skills as well as develop a regular art habit.

Follow the link for the official prompt list, although there are many unofficial ones you might prefer (like Marley Peifer's or Elizabeth Mills with more of a nature focus) - or even create your own!

Although there are guidelines, there are no hard and fast rules - except to remember this is a personal challenge and only you know your limits.

I love challenges as I rise to meet them and grow because of it, but it can cause anxiety if some days don't go well and I start to feel like I'm falling behind.

2021 challenge

This year my aim for Inktober is to improve my nature journaling skills and get back into a more regular drawing habit. I hope to draw something from life every day, linked with a small walk for exercise where possible. It shouldn't take me more than 30 minutes, unless I get in the flow state and want to keep going of course! To keep it simple I'll be sticking to just drawing with some pens and my handmade sketchbook:

Tools

handmade sketchbook with Kraft (toned brown) paper
Indigraph fountain pen with EF (extra fine) nib and black Rotring ink (waterproof)
Tombow Fudenosuke pens: 2 black (fine & broad tip), 1 grey (fine tip)
White Uni-ball Signo broad gel pen and fine tip one
Faber-Castell PITT artist pen B (brush tip)

I'll be updating this post and my Instagram daily and there will also be a YouTube video at the end of every week with a compilation of the week's drawings. Am I taking on too much? We'll see!