For a few years, October has become a relevant month for illustrators from all corners of the planet, both amateurs and professionals load the inks during this month, the reason: The Inktober challenge, an idea developed by the illustrator Jake Parker in 2009 and to which anyone can join.
Jake Parker set himself, as a personal challenge, make an ink drawing during each day of the month of October with the intention of creating a habit and fighting procrastination.
He created the hashtag #inktober to tag the illustrations and the thing went viral, illustrators from all over the world joined in a challenge that every year gains followers.
Why should you sign up for the Inktober challenge?
Because the hashtag # inktober2016 will have a lot of repercussion during this month and will ensure you a greater visibility and flow of visits on your social networksFurthermore, by forcing yourself to prepare and upload drawings on a daily basis, you will create a work habit and improve your technique with ink. We are in a digital era in which many cartoonists pull graphic tablets on a daily basis and this can be a good occasion to get their hands stained again with traditional methods.
This year Jake Parker himself has uploaded a list on his website where he assigns a theme for each day of the month. If someone gets stuck in front of the blank paper, they can pull it, but it goes without saying that, in no way, you have to stick to any of these proposals.
To rob the stationeries!
Let's face it, stationery stores are cozy places and we all love them, even those who don't draw, perhaps because they remind us of childhood. The Inktober is a perfect excuse to get into them to spend money on trinkets that in most cases we are not going to use.
I personally recommend that you get hold of a simple drawing set that you can take everywhereIt's 31 days and although it is a good time to practice with pens, brushes and whatever tools you can think of, you could see yourself against the ropes finishing a drawing against the clock in a bar, at work or while trying to save the galaxy.
This is the battle gear that I use and it consists of:
- A Moleskine type dinA5 block made of heavyweight paper to support ink washes.
- A mechanical pencil and rubber for the sketches (although from time to time it is good to play it and do it directly in ink).
- A marker Sakura Pigma FB with a brush tip that allows me to modulate the stroke.
- Un PigmaMicron 03, also from the Sakura brand, for fine lines.
- Un Sakura Koi with a brush tip and dark gray color to draw the lines of the bottom and give more depth.
- Un Aquastroke, which is a kind of brush with a tank to fill with the ink of the color that I want to add to the illustration or to create the shadows.
- As for the inks, the best by far is the JHerbinIt is the oldest (they have been making them since 1670) but it is not easy to find. The one I normally use is Windsor & NewtonIt is pretty good and they have a wide range of colors. (In addition, the inkwells and their boxes have such a cool presentation that you will want to collect them).
With this you are prepared for battle.
It has started a few days ago but it is not a matter of being overwhelmed if you do not reach the purpose of 31 days, next year you will not be caught off guard (I know of many who start working on them a month before).
Perhaps the social network where there is the most excitement with the Inktober theme is Instagram. If you have not yet created a profile there, it may be time to make one. Even if you do not intend to upload drawings, it is worth following the hashtag to inspire you or discover new talents, there are real beasts out there.
It's time for you to sign up for the inktober, visit the stationery store and start uploading drawings as if unstitched. (One who has not started yet for scheduling reasons tells you).