I have known Marsha, our Animation Supervisor, for the past 12 years now. She is great at what she does and has truly mastered the art of 2D animation. I have also seen her put in the work that has strengthened her drawing skills. Watching Marsha stay so committed to her daily Inktober posts throughout the entire month of October 2023 was truly inspiring.
Every day, without fail, she shared her incredible ink drawings, and her dedication to the craft really struck me. It wasn’t just about completing the challenge for her; it was about putting her passion into practice every single day, and that consistency blew me away.
I found myself looking forward to her posts, eager to see what she would create next. Her little character, a bird named Perri, is so cute in the sketch phase that I couldn’t help but ask her if I could take her creations to the next level by inking and colouring them digitally. I felt drawn to collaborate and bring a new dimension to her art. That’s how our little creative project came to life, and it here is what it teaches us:
Skill Development
Inktober provides a fantastic opportunity to really hone your inking and drawing skills. By taking on the challenge of creating one ink drawing every day, you’ll find yourself focusing more on your linework, gaining better control, and getting a deeper understanding of how to work with ink. It’s not just about completing a piece—it’s about building a daily habit that pushes you to improve over time.
You’ll notice how quickly those small daily efforts add up, making you more confident and precise in your work. Inktober is more than a challenge—it’s a chance to grow as an artist and see real progress with each drawing.
Creativity and Problem-Solving
It’s a great way to spark your creativity and challenge yourself to think outside the box. The daily prompts are designed to push you to approach visual problems in new and exciting ways, helping you come up with ideas you might not have thought of on your own. It’s all about finding creative solutions to bring each prompt to life. In addition, it's the perfect time to experiment! Inktober encourages you to try out new techniques, styles, or even concepts you wouldn't normally explore. Stepping out of your comfort zone like this can lead to some incredible breakthroughs in your art.
"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together." – Vincent van Gogh
Portfolio Building
It is an amazing opportunity to build a solid portfolio in just one month. By the end of October, you’ll have a substantial body of work that shows not only your consistency but also the progress you’ve made in your skills. It’s a perfect way to showcase your ability to stick with a project and deliver quality art every day.
Plus, it’s great to mix traditional and digital skills, to start your drawing on paper, and then digitally ink and color them. This process gives you a chance to highlight your strengths in both traditional and digital art, which can be a huge asset to your portfolio.
Community Engagement
One of the best things about Inktober is the sense of community it brings. It’s not just about drawing—it’s about connecting with artists from all over the world who are taking on the same challenge. By sharing your work online, you open yourself up to feedback, encouragement, and the chance to see how others interpret the same prompts. It’s a great way to learn from others and improve together.
Inktober also creates opportunities for collaborations, where you can work with fellow artists and exchange ideas. The support and engagement from the global art community make the whole experience so much more rewarding.
But wait didn't I hear something about not participating in Inktober...!!!???
Yes! It would be remiss of me not to mention the controversy surrounding Jake Parker, the creator of Inktober, and the plagiarism allegations which in 2020 sparked significant debate in the art community. The issue arose when artist Alphonso Dunn accused Parker of copying large portions of his book, Pen & Ink Drawing: A Simple Guide, in Parker’s own book, Inktober All Year Long. Dunn pointed out similarities in structure, wording, and even illustrations, claiming that Parker's book closely resembled his own.
This situation caused many artists to reevaluate their participation in Inktober, as the accusations led to questions about integrity and ethics in the art world. Some artists decided to distance themselves from the official Inktober branding, creating or joining alternative art challenges in October, such as Drawtober or Artober.
On the other hand, Parker denied the plagiarism claims, stating that any similarities were unintentional. While the art community remains divided, many artists continue to support the essence of Inktober—daily artistic practice, creativity, and community building—regardless of the controversy surrounding its founder.
The Final Outcome
Ultimately, the controversy highlights larger discussions about originality, intellectual property, and the responsibilities creators have when producing educational content. For some, Inktober remains a positive and valuable experience, but for others, the controversy has shifted their participation to other creative challenges.
In the end, no matter where you stand on the Inktober controversy, taking on a 30-day drawing challenge is still a fantastic way to grow as an artist. Whether you choose Inktober or another challenge, committing to daily practice will push your skills, unlock your creativity, and give you a sense of accomplishment. Plus, the chance to connect with the art community—whether locally or globally—is such a rewarding experience.
Sharing your work, getting feedback, and seeing how other artists interpret prompts can inspire you in ways you never expected. So, whatever path you take, dive into a challenge, have fun with it, and embrace the connections and growth that come with it! ~ Aisha
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