It’s officially my favorite time of the year – Fall, Halloween, Pumpkin-everything, and Inktober! “But what’s that last thing you mentioned?” you ask? Well, grab a pumpkin spice latte, sit back, and enjoy learning about this fun art challenge!

Inktober is a month long art challenge created by artist Jake Parker that is focused on improving skill and developing positive drawing habits.

Jake Parker

Every day for the month of October anyone participating in the Inktober challenge creates an ink drawing and posts it online. The trick is to use the hashtags #inktober and #inktober2021 if you want your art to be seen by everyone.

So, is it a challenge or a contest?

Inktober is just a framework to get yourself to draw better, flex a little, and/or have some fun with your art. Inktober is a challenge NOT a contest to see who the best artist is. It’s a challenge to see how much you can improve your art in a month, and to be inspired or to help inspire other artists to do the same.⁣ Post your first Inktober drawing on October 1st and your last on October 31st.

For artists looking to get even more out of Inktober, the Inktober Awards is an official contest hosted by DeviantArt in partnership with Inktober, featuring high-value prizes for artists of all skill levels.

If you don’t have a social media account you can still participate and share your drawings with friends and family in person. You can post them on your fridge, or get permission to post them on your school’s or local library’s bulletin board.

Creator, Jake Parker suggests using the Pentel Brush Pen.

For a list of other good pens see the Inktober Tools page.

My boss, Linda Wehrli, recommends the Copic Pens in her Pen & Ink Course.

So, are you only allowed to use pen? Nope!

Whatever your creative process is, use it. If you want to sketch in a pencil and then ink on top that’s fine! If you want to sketch in crayon and then scan it into the computer and do your finished inking digitally, go for it! As long as you are creating a new ink drawing every day, it counts.

Digital Ink, Calligraphy, and Markers are also accepted forms of medium. Initially, the challenge of Inktober was focused on traditional inking. Although learning how to ink digitally is a skill separate from traditional inking it is no less valid. If you want to improve your digital inking skills then participating in Inktober digitally is a great way to challenge yourself. Just be cool to those who want to use traditional inks. And traditional inkers, be cool to those who are trying to improve with their digital inking.

You can draw whatever you’d like for your Inktober challenge. Just remember to follow copyright laws, and respect the original creator’s wishes. Thank you.

September 1st of each year Inktober prompts are posted under the Rules and Prompts page and on the official Inktober Instagram. Want the prompts a week early? Subscribe to the Inktober mailing list here.

Want to learn how to draw with Pen & Ink? Set up a free consultation today with instructor Linda Wehrli and start inking!

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If you enjoyed this blog, please feel free to share on your favorite social media to get the word out about this great challenge! Thank you for your support.

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Pastimes For a Lifetime Art and Piano School is located in Valley Glen, California. 818-766-0614. School is open Tuesday – Saturday year round, except major holidays.

You can learn more about Pastimes for a Lifetime’s Art Curriculum and founder/instructor Linda Wehrli by clicking the links or feel free to explore the website.

Ready to learn to draw or paint? Set up a free consultation with founder/instructor Linda Wehrli or book a Trial Art Class.

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Jessica Lee Sanders on Instagram and Facebook.