As a writer, I take pride in my chosen art. It is where I feel comfortable and I enjoy what I do. Yet, I can't help but feel a pang of jealousy when I see someone doodle a pretty design on the corner of their notebook or sketch a scene in chalk on the sidewalk. I would say I can draw, but it is nothing worth looking at nor does it appear as effortless as it seems when other people draw. As a result, I have always been fascinated by watching others draw and watching their progress. Inktober, the annual month long drawing challenge to create ink drawing based on a prompt allows me to do just that.
Initiated in 2009 by Jake Parker as a way to develop positive drawing habits and improve ink drawing skill, Inktober has taken off with thousands of artists participating every year. A single word is given as a prompt for each day of October. Once an artist has drawn a piece inspired by the word, they post it on social media - or their fridge. It doesn't matter where, only that the artist shares their work.
As a spectator, it is a amazing to see the creativity and the interpretation of different artists from all around the world. Their drawings can range from completely original to inspired by fanart. My favorite was the prompt "chicken" for Inktober 2018. There was silly drawings and otherworldly creations I would never expect from a seemingly mundane prompt.
Inktober is a fantastic way to create a community for those who ink draw, but it has expanded to include even writers. I have seen poems or short stories inspired by the daily prompts. I have always felt that Inktober was an event I always wanted to join but would not be able to given that I lacked the skills. However, scrolling through the #inktober tag on Instagram and Tumblr has served as inspiration for my own involvment with Inktober. I find myself crafting a story from an image of an apple dripping with poison (inspired by the prompt "poisonous").
Whatever form you choose to express yourself - drawing, writing, painting - I believe using Parker's basis for creating Inktober is an excellent mindset when approaching artistic expression or pursuing a creative endeavor you love. Practice, especially daily practice, is essential in improving as an artist or writer or dancer. Inktober is a reminder of the advice we always offered, to practice and encouraging yourself to continue in addition to sharing your work. The internet has given us the means to share our artwork with someone across the globe. A person you have never met can be inspired by your two hour drawing or thirty minute sketch.
Therefore, I challenge myself (and you) to participate in Inktober. If not the whole month, a few days, or even one day, see what inspires you and what you can create.