Inktober Art Challenge | How to Prepare and Finish Strong
Вставка
- Опубліковано 26 вер 2023
- In this video, I share my approach to completing the 31-day Inktober pen and ink challenge. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a seasoned artist, if your aim is to level up without feeling completely drained at the finish - this guideline is for you.
Blog article FOR THIS VIDEO: longstrideillustration.com/yo...
Tools I use in my studio: longstrideillustration.com/to...
Website: longstrideillustration.com/
Instagram: / longstrideillustration
What to WATCH NEXT:
► 10 tips to accelerate pen and ink drawing skills: • 10 tips to accelerate ...
► Five steps to becoming a better self-taught artist: • 5 steps to becoming a ...
🎓 RESOURCES ↓↓↓
My Inktober Pinterest Board: www.pinterest.ca/longstrideil...
Ultimate Checklist Worksheets for Art Challenges: longstrideillustration.com/pr...
Official Inktober website: inktober.com/
Focus Retreat Center website: focusretreatcenter.com/
11 Best October Art Challenges:
www.xquissive.com/best-octobe...
// DISCLOSURE: Some of the links below are affiliate links. I earn a small reward or commission when you use those links on qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
Take my dip pen class for free with a 30-day trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/3PF5Je9
🎨 TOOLS and SUPPLIES from this video ↓↓↓
Staedtler Mars Lumograph Art Drawing Pencil Set, Graphite Pencil 2B - amzn.to/46TZHfv
Staedtler Mars Technico lead holder with 2mm, H lead - amzn.to/47OLzp7
Staedtler Mars plastic eraser - amzn.to/3uRTwvp
Staedtler Mars stick eraser - amzn.to/41oVdMT
Faber-Castell Kneaded Eraser - amzn.to/47M5x3U
Tombow mono drawing water-based ink marker set - amzn.to/3RBOig3
Speedball Art 8x8/60lb Flexi-Sketch pad - amzn.to/4amHAlm
Strathmore 300 Bristol smooth paper 11x14 cut to 5x7 - amzn.to/3Rik5kV
More on my FAQ: longstrideillustration.com/faq/
🎥 How I made this video ↓↓↓
I film everything with my iPhone 14 Pro Max
ULANZI Overhead Phone Mount with 10" Selfie Ring Light: amzn.to/3R9RBJO Rode NT-USB Studio Microphone: amzn.to/3O1Yhcz
Editing & graphic design: Capcut desktop App, Canva pro desktop App, iMac
Audio track: Artlist Music & SFX Social Yearly License. Get an additional two months free when you sign up for an annual plan using my affiliate link: rb.gy/8t9mw
=============================
⏰ Timing
00:08 - My approach for the Inktober challenge
00:55 - Purpose of this guide
01:39 - Inktober official 2023 prompt list
01:48 - Reasons why people don’t finish the challenge
02:27 - Your reasons for wanting to complete Inktober
02:48 - Six most common reasons to participate
04:19 - How to make the best decisions for YOUR success
08:44 - Top time-saving strategies
9:50 - Workflow schedule options
11:11 - Three bonus tips if you prefer to “wing it”
12:08 - Summary of the decisions to make
This video needs more views and upvotes. Such a comprehensive overview of the challenges one meets while attempting to do it (more so if you're winging it).
My first two attempts I did it on sketchbooks for the practicality, but soon found out is sometimes stressful to mess a page up on an otherwise harmonious collection of well drawn pages. By the third one I choose and prepared my paper on a comfortable size independent sheets and it relieved much of the pressure of 'getting it right every time', because, you know, accidents happen. This way it was easier to scan and post on social media and edit for prints to sell.
I mean, everyone learns eventually, but you made a great job talking (and most importantly showing) about all the things to consider and to be prepared to have a positive experience. I know a lot of people who tried to do it once, had a bad experience (because it can be daunting), and then get discouraged by not meeting their own expectations. This guide is perfect to be aware of things you don't know you need to know beforehand and level your expectations, but mostly prepare yourself, your materials and your workflow.
Thank you.
Thank you so much. I'm happy to hear that my video "hit the mark". It was helpful for me to spend time in-person with other artists, together doing the challenge, last year at the Inktober Focus Retreat. I saw first-hand how others tackled the challenge and the different approaches to resolve similar issues. Have a great Inktober!
I''ve attempted Inktober for many years. And for many years, especially the last several, I've avoided it. This year...I've promised myself I would actually finish it, all 31 days, for the very first time.
That's awesome! If you can pinpoint your reasons for not completing it in the past, and come up with compelling reasons for completing it this year, it will be easier to find your way to the finish (my two cents 😊). Thanks for watching the video!
My top tip is to find a list you like. So many people have their own October art challenges and they might suit you more than inktober because the theme might appeal to you instead. Don't be afraid to look for different lists!
For me, it always happens as School holidays wind up and after my kids are out of my hair it's hard to no be distracted trying to turn my house right side up instead of drawing everyday so I set a realistic goal of doing min of 10 pictures and that is at least doable😊
For sure! I included a link in the description to alternate October Art Challenges. Thanks for watching and best of luck with your challenge!
imma do 4 at the same time
Hey! How can I find other lists? It's my first year trying this challenge. I would appreciate some help❤
I thinked about to make Drawlloween this year, but make it with ink. This is a good idea?
@@WilczycaCzarownica If you're inspired and excited about Drawloween, then it sounds good to me. Go for it!
To be honest, I have been doing a daily drawing challenge for the past two months so I already know that I can finish it. Inktober is just special for me because it's not using a different medium every day for once haha. Good luck everyone!
Tow months! Nicely done. Inktober is special indeed, and good luck to you as well 🙂
This will be my first INKTOBER... im so excited
I'm excited for you! It's really special actually, so fun to see what everyone comes up with for the prompts.
Same! I don’t even know how to use inks but I will try!
I'm so excited for you, trying a new medium out@@aminasalman9133 I bet you'll have a great time.
Best of luck!! :))
This is my first try at Inktober. I'm a loose watercolor artist, which is a big difference from precision artwork. My goal is to finish 31 drawings. My objective is to improve my pen and ink skills to add to my watercolor paintings. Thank you for the tips. They are very helpful. Liked and subscribed 😊
Wonderful! Looking forward to see your pieces on the #inktober2023 feed! Thank you for your support for my channel. 😀
First time joining in, in the same month I'm moving, so time is when I can on the day. 100% winging it.
I'm a writer more than a visual artist, so I'm going to use the Inktober prompts as basis for micro/short fiction or poetry, spilling ink instead of drawing with it. Obviously, writing longhand would be better thematically, but, given my lousy penmanship, typing is a better idea.
That's great! I recall seeing a feature by Inktober about a writer who had teamed up with an illustrator. At the end of the challenge, they had a product for a Kickstarter campaign. Thanks for watching the video and all the best with your Inktober
I usually last 10 days, I really like how you use the weekends to research ideas
I'm glad to hear that the idea in my guide are helpful, I wish you the best with your challenge this year!
My reasons for participating in this unique challenge, or simple… I wanted to use a dip pen exclusively for all the drawings… No pencil sketches, no other mediums just dip pen and ink. i’m already inspired by October because of the season, so I made my own prompt list in the very traditional autumn/Halloween theme. I was surprised by how well it turned out, and I didn’t even have to tear out any pages from the mistakes, I found mistakes for very easy to incorporate with ink.… It ended up with a very loose vintage illustrative quality, like old children’s books :-) my main medium is watercolor, so I’m used to the dipping of the brush into the paint. It was my first time using dip pens, I believe it was 2019. I haven’t done it for the last couple years but I’m going to do it this year :-)
I’m fairly new to ink drawing, having only purchased my first fineliner five months ago. The ink bug has bitten me though, and since then I have added a dip pen and two fountain pens to my arsenal.
I’ll have a go at this Inktober thingy because it sounds like a bit of fun. A couple of hours per day sounds do-able, but I will definitely be winging it.
Your drawings have been a source of inspiration for me. I’m looking forward to seeing your Inktober art.
That sounds great! The ink bug is contagious 😊🖋 Enjoy your Inktober!
You should maybe try out brushpens as well. They give a variable width line, and are very enjoyable for drawing. I got a Liquidraw one online recently, that was very cheap, and I really love it. Ink is a lovely medium to draw with, and I bet you have a blast this inktober.
I am super excited for Inktober. Guess I've got to start today!
Good luck!!
Thanks so much for this video! I have been learning pen and ink from purchasing Alfonso Dunn’s book on the subject. Which led me to searching for more artists on UA-cam. I just covered your channel a few months ago and I just absolutely love your work and your style of presenting and teaching. I decided, as a way to get more involved, to do Inktober this year for the first time. Your video on the subject is thorough and I’m definitely going to be using it as a reference for my journey. Thank you so much!
Amazing! Thank you so much for the kind feedback. I also started my journey with a kindle edition of Master Dunn's book. Really excited to hear you'll be giving Inktober a try! All the best!
This is fun! My art is Zentangle which is ink and paper as well, and there is a list of patterns for "Octangling" (not wanting to steal the Inktober brand) so this year I am following the Inktober prompts and using the Octangling patterns each day. Having fun so far, and it is PURELY for fun. I hope to get all the way through the month having fun. It's a great idea to set a theme for the month, as well. Your art looks terrific!
Your Zentagle sounds fun, thank you for sharing and all the best.
You're a wonderful educator, Chloe!
Awe, thank you. I appreciate that. 😊
So talented. Your work is amazing.
Thank you so much 😀
Love Inktober!
My planning is mainly scouting references prior to the day as I pre think what I will be doing with what medium. My focus is on playing with the different medium I have that I rarely use.
These are all such great tips. I've done Inktober since 2019 and you really nailed what I would probably tell most people. Also, your cats are adorable.
Glad to hear! And, thank you - the cats love to help out.😊😺😺
This is my 1st year drawing, thanks for the info!
Glad it was helpful!
I'm so excited for inktober!
That's what I like to hear 😀
Lots of questions I hadn’t thought about yet, thank you!
Glad it was helpful! Have a great Inktober!
thank you for making and sharing this; its great advice and examples. have fun
Glad you enjoyed it!
Throughout the years im able to increase the amount of days i do inktober. Last year i almost made it, but lost motivation during the last week (5 days actually). But this year i will push myself to completion! Thanks for this video :D
All the best with your Inktober challenge this year.
Thanks Chloe for these great tips! I've never written down reasons for completing before (and I, like many, have never completed all 31 days, in fact I've gotten to 10 days!). I think it will help, and I am committed to doing it this year! Your video helped me get excited and inspired for INKTOBER! Yay!
Wonderful! Glad that the tips in my video got you excited for Inktober. Have a great one!
I’ve drawn for years, so the first time, with a cavalier attitude, I winged it (while travelling across the country). 😴
Year 1: 8 done (small sketchbook, 10 prompts)😵💫
Year 2: 27 drawings (just wanted to do all the prompts in my big new sketchbook, compiled a couple of them at the end) 🎉😁
Year 3: 2 1/2 done (tried to wing a narrative and got stuck on the thinking part after the first few pencil sketches) 😢😤
Year 4: 1 done (knew I’d have time constraints SO I did one 11x14 Bristol, coherent image with all prompts added one each day - no sketch plan) 🎉🥳
This year: 1 so far! Starting strong as usual. Going back to single drawings in the big sketchbook. Personal challenge is one prompt per image, holding to a fruit/veg character in autumn theme (not a story), big sketchbook.
Looking back is a great way to capture learnings for future tweaks, at least it seems to work for me. All the best with your challenge this year 🎉🙂
@@longstrideillustration Day by day we are getting better and better. Thanks for the video; it’s good to know we’re not alone in our journeys.
Thank you so much!
You're welcome!
I really want to do INKTOBER this year! These tips are really great.
Glad to hear that you enjoyed the tips. All the best with your Inktober challenge!
I’m going to participate the first time this year! Thanks for the tips!
That's great! I wish you the best with your challenge.
@@longstrideillustration thank you!
Thanks for this video!
My pleasure!
I’m doing my first inktober following the Zentangle prompts
That should be fun! Have a great challenge.
Great video, I never considered not doing the drawing part daily, I thought that meant I "failing" inktober! Interesting, I’ll have to give that some thought.
of course the first time i finally feel motivated to participate in inktober i end up straining my wrist late september from excessive drawing :/
oh no! I'm sorry to hear about your wrist. Take care, and hope that you can join another Art Challenge soon.
Great tips thanks.
Glad it was helpful! And all the best with your Inktober!
Great tips… thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching!
This is a great video, thanks! I haven't done the Inktober official prompts for a while, I've done Birdtober for the last few years, but I'm looking forward to getting back to the official prompts. My purpose this year is to improve my hatching. I'm mostly going to be using a fountain pen with De Atramentis Document ink (waterproof). I've been working on my thumbnails, I think the planning will save a lot of time.
Sounds like a great plan! I wish you the best with your challenge 🙂
cool 👏👍😍
I'm using it to try out a new technique (glass dip pens),but suspect i will revert to pencil and watercolour before the end!
Great advice! I'm on day 3 now, my first year attempting Inktober. The issue I discovered yesterday was about aspect ratio. I drew a tall image of two different spiders. I photographed and cropped the sides of the image. But when trying to post to Instagram it doesn't like that. I didn't notice till after I posted that it had filled the width of the Instagram image which cut the top and bottom off. I had to go back and uncrop my photo and post something that had extra width that I didn't want there. So now I am starting with a box that is a good aspect ratio and planning my day 3 image to fit in that box. Wish I had seen your video earlier.
Ah yes, I'm still fighting with the aspect ration this year when I publish images in a carousel. Although my original is the correct ratio, some of my photos are not. The solution as you noted is to crop everything at the same aspect/dimensions prior to uploading. Always learning :)
I was going to take the opposite approach, and instead of planning, stick to doing the work on the day. This is because I tend to get nervous and/or bored with artworks I have to plan. Having said that, I have an idea how I want the first day's piece to look, and can hardly wait for tomorrow to roll around, so I can do it. After that, I've no ideas planned, but I'm going to try to stick to the prompts, and to post every day here, and on Instagram. I'm hoping I run into a lot of you, and have fun looking at your work, and I'm really pleased to find so many in the comment section here, looking forward to it. We're all going to have a lot of fun.
Right? It's great to find so many fans of pen and ink. Thanks for your comment, and enjoy Inktober.🙂
Hello, great video, thanks for sharing! I love your dest set up at the beginning it looks like a dream! How do you keep it so clean to?
Hello, you're welcome and thanks for watching. I clean my entire studio after each project, and tidy-up in the evenings to prep for the next day. With the cats, things get fluffy quick. If you're curious to know more about my setup, my website has the info: longstrideillustration.com/tools/
Thank you for this video. You are very well organized! This is my weakness. Where do we share the drawings if we participate?
Thanks for watching! I'm happy to her you'll be participating in the challenge, to share your drawings Hashtag it with #inktober and #inktober2023 Post it on any social media account you want though majority happens on IG
You have a copy of Metallic Memories? Some really good images in that book. :) My favourite is the one armed warrior breaking through the invisible enclosure.
I lucked out getting my hands on this book at my last comiccon, and I agree with you that armed warrior image is stellar.
I need to know about that snake pen holder!!!
It's a beauty! I use it all the time. The brass has weight to it, keeps the holder from sliding around my drawing table (and my cats can't bat it off the desk). Here's where you can find one for yourself: longstrideillustration.com/tools/
This is my 5th attempt and I will try this time to finish them all. Decided to imput another challenge, so it still motivate me till the end. As a big League of Legends player, I will mix the Inktober official words list from 2023 with the LOL thematic. Already know what to do, I wrote already a lot of ideas! So impatient and in the same time, a bit scared that my drawings won't make me happy. XD
I will probably do a mix between ink, digital art (concept artist here) and water color. C:
Good luck everyone! 💙
That sounds great, best of luck to you as well!
Very pretty cat.
Those were the cutest cats
Thank you, they're super sweet too.
A couple days ago I wanted to get better at inking with my g pen so I started trying to draw a character and ink it everyday; I forgot about inktober so I guess I just started it early 😅
perfect timing then!
This gonna be my first inktober. This type of events have more reach when you share it in social media? Because i still can't reach people to see my works 😢
For the official #Inktober and #Inktober2023 there are tens of thousands sharing with those hashtags. Though I'm not an expert on social media strategies, there are many who are on UA-cam for free. If you are curious on how you can manage your own learning (for your goals to get more reach for your art), this article might be helpful: longstrideillustration.com/five-steps-to-becoming-a-better-self-taught-artist/
Always 💄 #inktober2020 from 2016 📴 ❤❤
i wish to draw for all 31 days but not necessarily make 31 illustrations.
Sounds like you have a plan! have a great Inktober 🙂
I've only yesterday heard of Inktober. Your video was outstanding and so interesting, so compelling. I sensed great strength and empowerment from your words. But I've barely started as a 'freestyle' artist. I'm basically a crafter using stamping as my jumping off step into creating my personal art. I use water-based mediums that I then shape and add colors and blend and expand upon. Pens of all kinds are often part of my art. I have dip pens and many other drawing pes so not using color would be a challenge. I don't know if I even fit into the Inktober category. And I'm so late in discovering this challenge. As I see this, my hope would be to just see what falls from my mind through my hands and onto blank paper. What is brewing, how well can I show my thoughts. I am a decent amature photographer, and I really want to storytell on pape in cojunction. Is this within the rules or direction of the idea of Inktober? I see a calendar with words on it I don't understand. I've never tried what seems so structured. 😮. Any help or direction you give would be wonderful. I could just go out on my own, but following an entire community sounds exciting! A chance to learn some discipline. I know this is a huge comment. Maybe I should just message you... But again, you are wonderful and inspiring to listen to. I definitely am hoping you have more videos!
Hi! I'm glad that you found the video interesting. Many questions, I think you may find some of the answers in my Blog. longstrideillustration.com/blog/ As well, have a read through on the Inktober website for additional info about the challenge itself. You'll see by browsing on the community hashtag #Inktober2023 what mediums everyone is using. Additional resources, links in the description. All the best with your projects 🙂
Glad to find this just as I'm trying to prep for Inktober! I do have a question. Is it supposed to be a prompt? I thought you could just kind of do your own thing if you want?
Glad that you enjoyed the video. I mentioned alternatives to the Official Inktober Challenge. You can of course participate on your own terms, on any topics. The cool thing about participating and sharing using the #inktober2023 with your posts, is to see what everyone comes up with for the prompts - some very creative interpretations! If you'd like to read more about it, here is the article: longstrideillustration.com/your-inktober-how-to-guide/
@@longstrideillustration Thank you so much! Good to know. I'm so excited to finally do an inktober and prompts never click with me for some reason so I got worried lol.
How do you prepare for nonutnovember and finish strong?
Nonutnovember? I need to tell my friends in Whitehorse about this one, they'll do it for sure.
Of course, I'm challenging inktober 2023... But I'm not going with only ink but pencil, pastel pencil, many a tiny of watercolor.. 😔 So not showing them to anyone but just enjoying 😊
Enjoy your challenge! All the best.
Where do you find people that are trying to make progress just like you and better each other just a thought 🤔 ❤
There are a lot of different platforms with artists discords, forums, patreons, other social media - most of my art friends I met on Instagram.
@@longstrideillustration thank you
Hey, I have that same drawing table... lol
It's a great table, so handy. 😊
How do you made your camera that we can good see how you draw? I want to Film my drawings to but my head is in the way or other things came up.
I use a special a selfie ring with an adjustable phone holder build-in. You can find it on my Tools page: longstrideillustration.com/five-steps-to-becoming-a-better-self-taught-artist/
This video is, indeed, a good one, and the timing of its posting makes more sense than those posted a month ago ('cause you really weren't preparing even when the prompt list came out...)... Other things that work, if you're just getting started on Day 3 (and really, does it matter that you start on Day 3??): Take an online drawing class, and use the exercises for your dailies. I'm taking a cartooning class on monsters, and that's what I'll do this month... Do thumbnails. Draw a SINGLE thumbnail for something if you're in a hurry... Do a double-page grid in your sketchbook, or grid a single sheet of paper with odd-size frames and draw in those (Louis Rossignol idea. Check him out.)... Don't do all the prompts in order, if you're doing the prompts. Don't DO the prompts. Who CARES? ...Pencil first, ink after... Get a drawing book--do the exercises... MAKE a MESS in your sketchbook. Really.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts (you made me chuckle out loud). I like it, especially taking a course and using the exercises for the prompts, very efficient!
What is the name of the book at 2:33 in the video? it has beautiful illustations.
Ah I know not, unfortunately. I was looking for references at my local library in the bird section and didn't take that book out with me. I don't recall the title (it was in French).
This year I don't feel doing inktober. Two years ago I didn't finished inktober. Last year I didn't like promp list, because some of them I should draw landscape and I'm not good at it. So I didn't make it. In every inktober I draw Sonic characters, but I don't feel to draw them. For years draw them, because they were easy, but I want to draw something different, but I don't know what to draw.
I participate Inktober for few years, because I want to get out my comfort zone and have fun. Landscaping it's hard for me, because my characters look like they where glued into landscape, not part of it. Also I don't know how in 2,5 hours you can draw that detailed piece of art. My drawing even that are simple I draw them a few hours if not more.
I'm so used to digital art that this looks really scary coming back to pen & ink.
I can imagine! Though I hear many pro comic artists are coming back to traditional. There's something about it 😊
I have a question. Is Inktober only limited to ink drawings on paper? I am a digital artist and I wanna join this for the first time.
Many participate using whatever medium they are most familiar with, including digital for sure. Glad to hear that you'll be joining this year - have a great time!
@@longstrideillustration Awww, thank you so much! Let's do our best!
Fantastic tips for a successful Inktober!! I’ll be following your journey on Instagram. 🐦⬛
Thank you!
Ink meaning.... Can I use watercolor?!!🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤
Many do. If that's your medium of choice, of course you can use watercolour. I only suggest keeping to dry mediums if speed is your main goal.
Table name. Plz😢
You'll find the large table easel and other supplies on my Tools page here" longstrideillustration.com/tools/
@@longstrideillustration thanks you 😊💗
I just posted my first time for # inktober and # inktober2023 and neither hashtag shows my image when selecting recent posts. I don't know what to do anymore. This was the one time of the year I hoped to get a bit of exposure but it reached 0 people.
Hi there. Sorry to hear, you sound discouraged. If I may make a suggestion: have a look at your goals - is the outcome within your control? In my experience, there is more success when we set goals that we can more directly influence, such as how much time we dedicate to practice and learning. Social platforms have constantly changing algorithms and, as such are difficult for us to predict reliable outcomes. For more information on goal setting for artists, have a look at this How-to article: longstrideillustration.com/five-steps-to-becoming-a-better-self-taught-artist/