Today, I will provide you with an insight overview of my plan for Inktober 2024. I will discuss the significance of Inktober and why I believe it remains relevant today, outline my strategy for successfully completing the challenge, and share the art materials I intend to use.
What is Inktober?
Jake Parker created Inktober in 2009 as a drawing challenge to improve his own inking skills and develop positive drawing habits. It has since grown into a worldwide endeavor with thousands of artists taking on the challenge every year.
You can find all about Inktober 2024 in their website linked here.
The rules are simple: for the month of October, Jake Parker provides one prompt for each day, for 31 days:
Draw (possibly using ink)
Post on social media using the hashtag #Inktober2024
Repeat.
Differently from previous iterations, this year's prompts are all theme based, covering everything travel. They will go from 'Backpack' to 'Binoculars' to 'Passport'.
Why Inktober is still relevant?
Having the freedom to create is the main point, I found. Usually when I create a piece of art, being a painting or a sketch, I always keep on the back of my mind the idea of making it a valuable piece, something I can eventually monetise, make a living from etc. While this is all good and sound, I am kind of missing the freedom of experimenting with my art, waste a bit of paper, and improve in those skills that are so rusty in the back burner.
Inktober gave me the possibility of bringing back those skills and flex some art muscles that otherwise I would not.
What is the strategy for success?
Over the years, I have attempted to participate in Inktober multiple times, achieving varying levels of success. Last year (2023) was the first time I actually managed to complete the 31 drawings, and all came down to strategy. I have some small simple rules:
Keep it small
Use a limited amount of art supplies
Plan ahead!
What art supplies will I be using this year?
In terms of art materials I will be using for Inktober 2024, I am keeping it quite simple and sweet. I will be travelling over the month of October so the amount of materials MUST be limited, portable and effective, giving me the most versatility and result possible.
The Palomino Blackwing Pearl is my preferred pencil. It could be the finest pencil I've ever tried. It writes smoothly, glides effortlessly, and is highly durable against drops.
The Sailor Fude nib Fountain Pen is my inking tool of choice (I have spoken about it in a previous article), the bent nib allows for a huge amount of line variations and it is 'inkable' with you preferred ink of choice.
In my case ink of choice will be the Platinum Carbon document ink. It is waterproof and super saturated, allowing you to use any water based medium on top of it without any smearing or feathering.
Hope this was helpful. Have a great Inktober 2024.