Inktober Art Challenge | How to Prepare and Finish Strong

In this video, I share my approach to completing the 31-day Inktober pen and ink challenge. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a seasoned artist, if your aim is to level up without feeling completely drained at the finish - this guideline is for you.

What to WATCH NEXT:

🎓 RESOURCES ↓↓↓

11 Best October Art Challenges:

// DISCLOSURE: Some of the links below are affiliate links. I earn a small reward or commission when you use those links on qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

🎨 TOOLS and SUPPLIES from this video ↓↓↓

🎥 How I made this video ↓↓↓
I film everything with my iPhone 14 Pro Max
Editing & graphic design: Capcut desktop App, Canva pro desktop App, iMac

=============================

⏰ Timing
00:08 – My approach for the Inktober challenge
00:55 – Purpose of this guide
01:39 – Inktober official 2023 prompt list
01:48 – Reasons why people don’t finish the challenge
02:27 – Your reasons for wanting to complete Inktober
02:48 – Six most common reasons to participate
04:19 – How to make the best decisions for YOUR success
08:44 – Top time-saving strategies
9:50 – Workflow schedule options
11:11 – Three bonus tips if you prefer to “wing it”
12:08 – Summary of the decisions to make

[inktrooper.]

This video needs more views and upvotes. Such a comprehensive overview of the challenges one meets while attempting to do it (more so if you're winging it).
My first two attempts I did it on sketchbooks for the practicality, but soon found out is sometimes stressful to mess a page up on an otherwise harmonious collection of well drawn pages. By the third one I choose and prepared my paper on a comfortable size independent sheets and it relieved much of the pressure of 'getting it right every time', because, you know, accidents happen. This way it was easier to scan and post on social media and edit for prints to sell.
I mean, everyone learns eventually, but you made a great job talking (and most importantly showing) about all the things to consider and to be prepared to have a positive experience. I know a lot of people who tried to do it once, had a bad experience (because it can be daunting), and then get discouraged by not meeting their own expectations. This guide is perfect to be aware of things you don't know you need to know beforehand and level your expectations, but mostly prepare yourself, your materials and your workflow.

Thank you.

[Jay-qlgp]

I''ve attempted Inktober for many years. And for many years, especially the last several, I've avoided it. This year...I've promised myself I would actually finish it, all 31 days, for the very first time.

[meikahidenori]

My top tip is to find a list you like. So many people have their own October art challenges and they might suit you more than inktober because the theme might appeal to you instead. Don't be afraid to look for different lists!


For me, it always happens as School holidays wind up and after my kids are out of my hair it's hard to no be distracted trying to turn my house right side up instead of drawing everyday so I set a realistic goal of doing min of 10 pictures and that is at least doable😊

[ryouskye]

To be honest, I have been doing a daily drawing challenge for the past two months so I already know that I can finish it. Inktober is just special for me because it's not using a different medium every day for once haha. Good luck everyone!

[SuperWeirdwizard]

First time joining in, in the same month I'm moving, so time is when I can on the day. 100% winging it.

[JohnnyInkArt]

This will be my first INKTOBER... im so excited

[judygainer]

This is my first try at Inktober. I'm a loose watercolor artist, which is a big difference from precision artwork. My goal is to finish 31 drawings. My objective is to improve my pen and ink skills to add to my watercolor paintings. Thank you for the tips. They are very helpful. Liked and subscribed 😊

[jamesadams]

I'm a writer more than a visual artist, so I'm going to use the Inktober prompts as basis for micro/short fiction or poetry, spilling ink instead of drawing with it. Obviously, writing longhand would be better thematically, but, given my lousy penmanship, typing is a better idea.

[klmita]

I usually last 10 days, I really like how you use the weekends to research ideas

[GrahamW]

I’m fairly new to ink drawing, having only purchased my first fineliner five months ago. The ink bug has bitten me though, and since then I have added a dip pen and two fountain pens to my arsenal.

I’ll have a go at this Inktober thingy because it sounds like a bit of fun. A couple of hours per day sounds do-able, but I will definitely be winging it.

Your drawings have been a source of inspiration for me. I’m looking forward to seeing your Inktober art.

[marjoriebader]

There's nobody better on the art process. Thanks.

[creativesolutionsart-ho]

My reasons for participating in this unique challenge, or simple… I wanted to use a dip pen exclusively for all the drawings… No pencil sketches, no other mediums just dip pen and ink. i’m already inspired by October because of the season, so I made my own prompt list in the very traditional autumn/Halloween theme. I was surprised by how well it turned out, and I didn’t even have to tear out any pages from the mistakes, I found mistakes for very easy to incorporate with ink.… It ended up with a very loose vintage illustrative quality, like old children’s books :-) my main medium is watercolor, so I’m used to the dipping of the brush into the paint. It was my first time using dip pens, I believe it was 2019. I haven’t done it for the last couple years but I’m going to do it this year :-)

[creiveflare]

My planning is mainly scouting references prior to the day as I pre think what I will be doing with what medium. My focus is on playing with the different medium I have that I rarely use.

[beverlybauer]

Thanks so much for this video! I have been learning pen and ink from purchasing Alfonso Dunn’s book on the subject. Which led me to searching for more artists on YouTube. I just covered your channel a few months ago and I just absolutely love your work and your style of presenting and teaching. I decided, as a way to get more involved, to do Inktober this year for the first time. Your video on the subject is thorough and I’m definitely going to be using it as a reference for my journey. Thank you so much!

[delwynklassen]

I’ve drawn for years, so the first time, with a cavalier attitude, I winged it (while travelling across the country). 😴
Year 1: 8 done (small sketchbook, 10 prompts)😵‍💫
Year 2: 27 drawings (just wanted to do all the prompts in my big new sketchbook, compiled a couple of them at the end) 🎉😁
Year 3: 2 1/2 done (tried to wing a narrative and got stuck on the thinking part after the first few pencil sketches) 😢😤
Year 4: 1 done (knew I’d have time constraints SO I did one 11x14 Bristol, coherent image with all prompts added one each day - no sketch plan) 🎉🥳
This year: 1 so far! Starting strong as usual. Going back to single drawings in the big sketchbook. Personal challenge is one prompt per image, holding to a fruit/veg character in autumn theme (not a story), big sketchbook.

[HeidiSue]

This is fun! My art is Zentangle which is ink and paper as well, and there is a list of patterns for "Octangling" (not wanting to steal the Inktober brand) so this year I am following the Inktober prompts and using the Octangling patterns each day. Having fun so far, and it is PURELY for fun. I hope to get all the way through the month having fun. It's a great idea to set a theme for the month, as well. Your art looks terrific!

[brucedyson]

You have a great style!! Love your work, thankyou for sharing...

[kissa]

You're a wonderful educator, Chloe!

[whoops.__m]

Throughout the years im able to increase the amount of days i do inktober. Last year i almost made it, but lost motivation during the last week (5 days actually). But this year i will push myself to completion! Thanks for this video :D

[MirandaWatsonArt]

These are all such great tips. I've done Inktober since 2019 and you really nailed what I would probably tell most people. Also, your cats are adorable.