Unpacking the Inktober Experience

Inktober was created by Jake Parker in 2009.  Mr. Parker is a both a comics short story illustrator, concept artist and animation professional. Initially he began the challenge for himself to improve his inking skills.  This daily challenge manifested itself into the worldwide phenomena known as inktober.  The rules are simple, a list of drawing prompts (words) are posted and your task is to create a drawing based on that word in ink.  You can initially create the drawing in pencil if you desire.  Once it is completed you would post it on social media platforms using the following hashtag #inktober and the corresponding day and word prompt.  Sound easy enough right?

For myself I made a conscious effort not to labour the actual time I took to create an image, on average I would spend no more then 45 minutes.  I would consider an idea that would reflect the word prompt during my day and on occasion create quick thumbnail compositions.  Part of this exercise was to move away from the obvious connotations a word would invoke visually.  The real challenge was in pushing past the obvious and channel one’s creativity.  Much of my creative process is framed around two words that I always come back to (what if).  When the creative process is somewhat restricted by a word imposed, the challenge can be more difficult.  However, the challenge also was intended to have people become more active and consistent in their creative output.

The act of creating everyday is something that needs to be done if you intend to chase this as a profession vs a hobby.  The stamina and determination to work and overcome obstacles and juggling daily life are always going to be at odds with the time you can afford yourself for your creative pursuits.  In no way am I suggesting that a new piece of art needs to be completed each day.  To create a complex and skillful sculpture, drawing or painting you will not be able to resolve it in one day, but the commitment to find the time each day to work on it is a demand that needs to be met if we expect to create a body of work over time.

Creating a drawing each day is easier said then done many submissions posted looked like copies of something I could find in a google image search, which is fine for a beginner I guess because they are limited in their experience and are at least trying to live up to the challenge, which is a good thing.  Many people I know fell off the daily challenge, and admitted it was harder to do then they imagined and resolved to make it happen next year.

Not all the images I developed were equally successful, but I found myself surprised by some of the outcomes.  I chuckled as I completed them and found a lot of fun in both creating and sharing my efforts.  In some cases, some of the ideas I will return to and redo in another medium perhaps and afford myself the time to refine the concept.  In the end this was an exercise in unpacking breaking down a word and coming out the other side with hopefully a new and refreshing visual image.  Inktober was both fun and challenging and something I would recommend to all.  Heck why wait till next year, try to draw daily now based on a set of words that would go the entire month, I dare you!

Check out my Instagram feed to view my creations for Inktober 2018.