Sunday 8 October 2017

Inktober 2017 - Week One

I'm taking part in the Inktober challenge this year, for the first time. It's been around for a few years, and I've wanted to do it before, but something's always come in between. Usually holidays. Which, of course, is a nice thing, like last year, when I spent the first week of October in art retreat in Scotland (I can't believe that that was already a year ago!), and the second relaxing in lovely Dorset. But this year, there's nothing on in October, my holiday is already over, and it's high time to get back into a regular drawing habit.

I decided to start a new sketchbook for the challenge. I went through my (far too big) stack of new sketchbooks and found a Strathmore one, about A5 size, with thick mixed media paper that should take bottled ink and ink washes, and with enough pages for 31 double spread, should I decided to do that. To prepare for the challenge, I did a warm up page on the last day of September.

Front/Warm up page: Pens



Day 1: Pens


Day 2: Dip pens, brush, inks


Day 3: Pen

Day 4: Brushpens


Day 5: Dip pen and ink


Day 6: Dip pen and ink


Day 7: Dip pen, ink, pen


Some thoughts on the first week:

  • It's good to try out something completely different
  • Sometimes it takes a LOT longer than you thought it might, and it's perfectly okay if you don't finish it in time
  • Some inks just don't work very well on (certain) paper. It's worth taking a bit of time to try out what works and what doesn't
  • Bottled fountain pen inks make lovely washes
  • Even if it looks like rubbish at one stage, don't give up but keep working until it starts coming together. It usually does
  • Some days, it just doesn't work, and that's fine. Just splash some ink on a page play around instead
  • Dip pens are great to draw with, it's fun trying out the different nibs and inks
  •  Finishing a drawing, then scanning and posting it every day is had work, and sometimes it might just be too much
  • My scanner is driving me mad, it tries to scan individual images instead of just the entire page, and I don't know how to change that
  • The most important thing is to draw, and to have fun

12 comments:

  1. So impressive these are gorgeous inktobers!

    Peace Giggles

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  2. Love those mushrooms with the splatter, and the fish are delightful.

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  3. wow-these are all brilliant- but the mushrooms is my fave! Happy PPF!

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  4. Your ink drawings are stunning! I am inspired by your various styles that you use!
    ~~ Irene

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  5. Some nice ones. Happy PPF

    Much💖love

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  6. wow, great work! I really like all the different drawings. The feather is amazing. About the scanner: there's an option you can click where the scanner searches for individual images on 1 page, but you can unclick that. At least with mine. I guess yours has an option like that too ...

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  7. All of these are wonderful. That feather is AMAZING!!!

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  8. WOW! I am flashed! Have a wonderful creative Sunday and happy PPF - Irma

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  9. They are looking great! Happy PPF!

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  10. Day 1, 2, 3 and 6 are my favourites so is your warm up page! :)

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