Inktober 2018 is just around the corner! This is going to be my first year participating, but I have been a fan of this event for a few years now. There are a lot of talented and creative artists that put out a ton of excellent work each year. 

What is Inktober?

I am sure there are many other people, like myself, who want to participate in Inktober but need a little help getting started. I have prepared this guide as a reference for myself, but I also wanted to share it with you all. 

Inktober was created in 2009 by artist Jake Parker as a way to hone in drawing and inking skills. As you could probably infer by the name, Inktober is an ink drawing challenge that runs during the month of October.

People are encouraged to create and post an ink drawing every day, or at whatever pace works best for them. The rules are loose and flexible, which allows for all types of artists and creators to join in on the fun. 

The rules for Inktober are short and sweet. Though this is so, the Inktober FAQ page does give additional clarifications. 

The Rules

Participants are to make ink drawings every day (or at whatever pace works best for them). This can be digital or traditional ink. Ink is not the only tool that can be used. Creators can utilize their preferred creative process to make these drawings. This includes underlying pencil sketches and calligraphy/typography. 

Next, the participants post their art. This is typically done through social media, but Parker says this is not necessary as long as we are showing someone our work. The goal here is to have better skills and habits. Showing our art to other people helps with consistency. 

The Prompts

Alongside the official rules, there are prompts to assist participants in their creative process. There is a different word listed for each day to help guide our creativity. 

Though these prompts are here to help, they are not required as part of the challenge. Creators can make whatever content they would like. I know a few people who randomly generate their own lists of prompts. 

I am going to try to use the prompts this year. Since October is my favorite month due to Halloween, I am going to try to twist the prompts in a creepy/spooky way. Many other creators do this as well. 

The Official 2018 Inktober Prompt List can be found here. 

What Materials Do I Need?

I personally use Sakura Micron pens and Sharpies for inking. I can’t explain to you why I like these products. Honestly, the Microns were the first inking pens I have used. Sharpies are extremely easy to come by. I have not ventured into the world of inking products. I wanted to increase my drawing skills before branching out my product selection.

I also use a Wacom Intuos for digital art. However, I am still not completely comfortable using this tablet. I will typically draw a piece by hand and scan it. I mostly use the tablet for digital inking and vector drawing. 

However, there are an endless amount of opinions and information out there. Each product has its own set of pros and cons. Some products work better for specific projects and situations. We should be using the products that best fit into our creative styles without breaking our budget. 

Inking Pens and Markers

Sakura Micron Pens come in all shapes and sizes. They are fine point pens that operate similar to regular writing instruments. I think of them as falling somewhere in the middle of ballpoint pens and markers. A full set of these pens can be purchased through Sakura on Amazon for $20.99 (link). 

Pentel Arts’ Pocket Brush is Parker’s recommended inking instrument.
Though it is a pen, the tip is similar to a paint brush.  This product is great because it eliminates the need to carry around traditional brushes and ink. This tool can be purchased through Pentel on Amazon for $11.95 (link).  

Prismacolor’s Manga Illustration Markers are another popular set of tools for inking. These markers are specifically made for making comics and manga. Much like Micron pens, they come in a variety of colors, sizes, and tips. A full set of these markers can be bought from Prismacolor through Amazon for $11.57 (link). 

Copic Marker’s Multiliner Pens are another great choice for inking our art. They also come in a variety of sizes and styles. A full set of these pens can be purchased through Copic on Amazon for $22.65 (link). 

Paper and Sketch Pads

Strathmore Drawing Pads are my personal favorite for drawing. Since I am left handed, I like that the spine is at the top of the pad. Though I still put something underneath the pages, I have not noticed a lot of ink seeping through the page. Also, these sketch pads are very affordable. They can be purchased on Amazon for just $5.43 (link). 

Sax Drawing Paper offers an affordable alternative to loose leaf or printer paper. This product boasts to be great for many mediums. I have not used this paper myself, but I do have friends that say it is good. A pack of 500 sheets is available on Amazon for $12.42 (link). 

Other Supplies

White out – Everyone makes mistakes! White out and similar items can be used to fix any errors in inking. There are a variety of white out brushes, pens and tape available for purchase. We can also use the white ink to add a layer of white to our drawings. 

Tape – Every artist knows the pain of having the paper move, bend and crinkle. Tape is our best friend when drawing on loose sheets of paper. 

“Ink Catchers” – Ink will often seep through the paper, ruining whatever is underneath. I once painted my kitchen table by mistake, prompting my wife to compare me to a toddler. I have ruined notebooks by having the ink seep through multiple pages. I get around these issues by putting something under the paper. I usually use junk mail/flyers. There is nothing better than defacing an AARP bulletin. 

Resources

The official Inktober page offers a few online classes for Inking. Their listings can be found here. 

There are many other resources available around the internet. Inking is its own art form. It has its own styles for shading and texture. It takes a lot of time and practice to learn all of these techniques. It can be overwhelming to get started. Here are a few of my favorites:

Alphonso Dunn – How To Shade With Pen And Ink 9 Different Ways 

Jim Lee – Live Streams (Twitch / Youtube)

Julia Hutchinson – Inking Traditionally: 9 Tips for Inktober

Mark Crilley – 5 Ways To Ink The Same Drawing: Narrated Inking Tutorial

Tom Richmond – Inking Tutorial Part 1

Have Fun!

Most importantly, have fun. Learning to draw and practicing art can be very frustrating at times. It is important that we remember why we are drawing in the first place. Art is a great outlet for self-expression. It is how a lot of us make our ideas come to life. While we are always striving to reach the next level, it is important that we enjoy ourselves in the moment. 

Give me a shout if you are planning to participate in Inktober this year. I love seeing people’s art and creativity!

Do you have any additional tips or strategies for ink-based art? Let me know in the comments or on social media!

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