As a person who use to suffer from "Chronic Artist block" ( whatever that is) I can firmly say that CREATING EVERYDAY is he best thing one can do. I went through two Daily sketch challenges (for 83days and 164day) which helped me grow by leaps and bounds.There is something interesting within the "constrain" that we lay upon our creativity. We may think that doing something daily is hard or impossible or It may lower the quality of our work but actually, It goes the other way around and acts as a nurturing environment for the creativity to thrive. Now I can say that I haven't face the dreaded artist block in over a year. This reminds me of a quote by Chuck Close which is "Inspiration is for amateurs - the rest of us just show up and get to work. "
I have done a daily sketch kinda thing for the last...300+ days now. One of the subtle things that those challenges make is a mental shift from "I should draw today" to "What WILL I draw today". It takes the starting part out of the equation making it much easier mentally. :)
thats actually a good mind set change, i feel that that is my major slump. i just tell myself that i need to draw something today when i need to ask myself what i will draw today.
v94j It also gets you a lot of mileage really quickly (compared to only drawing every now and then). I've also been drawing everyday except for not as long.
I haven't took any art challenges yet except DTIYS and i am thinking of participating in DINOVEMBER this year and I got a plenty of time to prepare for it and I would love any sort of advices from you guys so help me with that please.
I came up with a full year of themed challenges! 👌✨ Lemme know what you think! 1) Gemuary (rocks/minerals/earthy things) 2) Femuary (females/feminine things) 3) March of All (walk/run cycles or motion) 4) Don't Saypril (express as much as you can without using any words) 5) MerMay (merpeople) 6) YOUne (self-portraits, your fave experiences, things you've imagined yourself doing, etc.) 7) JULienne (food/cooking) 8) Blogust (mock instagram-type blog by your OC or fave character) 9) Striptember (improve anatomy/gesture by drawing nude models and/or scantily clad characters) 10) Inktober (use ink only) 11) Growvember (plants/flowers) 12) Deadcember (zombies/vampires/rotting things/general decay) Personally, I'm just doing a "Do Something Simple Every Day" challenge... for the rest of my life. If I'm able to draw a single stroke/pixel, write a single word, sew a single stitch, pull a single vertex, etc. then I'm technically done with my challenge for the day! But since the hard part (the act of starting) gets done, I always end up finishing like an entire sketch/etc. if not more. I'm about 38 days in, wish me luck! ( ՞ਊ ՞)
Today is my 321st day drawing daily. I've noticed a spike in ideas and creativity as well as improvement. If anyone ever asks me what they can do to improve, I'd definitely recommend a daily challenge of some sort. It works. It definitely helped me. Now I feel like I can actually make it as an artist. That's the dream I'm working toward at least. :) PS: I love that drawing. It looks really neat.
I participated in inktober 2016 and it was my first time doing a drawing challenge, note I haven't exactly drawn 9 years prior because I got frustrated with where I was with my drawing and I had no patience to really work on something, but I used to draw all of the time when I was little. Doing the inktober challenge got me out of a really long slump for a while, but it also gave me confidence in my line work since I had to commit to my lines just using ink. My drawing improved and in a way I feel like I mentally improved.
I gained a lot of confidence with my inking tools after last Inktober. I also developed a theme and really saw my creativity expand when I pushed it for all 31 days. I got stuck at about day 16 and ended up making my favorite pieces on days 28-31. pushing like that was the only way to find those ideas.
i agree with the early morning art hour. im a stay at home mom of 3 boys, ages 7, 4, and 8 months. if im not up before the kids, im lucky to get my coffee. ha! ive started doing more projects and it tends to happen in the early hours of the day. otherwise.... screw it. if i try to draw after they go to bed i cant keep my eyes open.
Jake, thank you for creating Inktober! I started half way through the month in 2014, did all of 2015 and they're still getting noticed. Not only did I see improvement in my drawing, speed and time management, but by being a part of such a large movement I was getting more followers than before, and my followers were starting to become excited with each new piece I submitted. Someone just recently began Smaugust - a dragon a day during the month of August. One of the most rewarding things that happened so far is that two people have admitted that seeing me submit these dragons has encouraged them to join the challenge - and they've never even drawn dragons before! The idea that joining in a 30/31 day movement will encourage others to break out really makes me want to continue as well.
Inktober helps me get better at drawing. I see improvement from beginning. My biggest problem is slowing down and taking too much time with each drawing instead of getting right into it and keeping it simple.
Absolutely agree with all of this, Jake. This year alone I've done a 30 day challenge of Animal Crossing characters, and just wrapped up a 100 day original character design series. Creativity, when you force it to flex that often, only gets healthier as your back is against the wall. It's helped me grow so much. Looking forward to everything you've got going!
In October I have done the Challenge called Monstober. You have to draw a Monster every day of October. Sometimes they have different subjects for each day all planned out for you and you can use it if you want to. I used Monstober to learn how to ink and use Copics to color my work. I was mainly a pencil portrait Artist before I did this. It helped me get comfortable with Copics and inking. Now I am a Sketch Card Artist drawing Star Wars for Topps/Lucsfilm/Disney and have been for a little over a year now. And by the way, I love your Art and I watch your videos in awe of your ink work. Kev
I just finished my second coloring book. It went a ton better than the first because I decided to do it as a challenge. The end result is something new and unique. Not only has it allowed me to grow and stretch my abilities as an artist, but I came out the other side with a bunch of new characters and stories that I want to tell. One awesome result is the children's book that my wife and I are writing and illustrating for our daughter. Thanks again Jake for your awesome words of inspiration!
Yo! After doing Inktober for a few years, and being inspired by a hashtag called "28 dys are not enough" i decided to do a watercolor ptg of a different African American figure from the past or present in February. Only catch was to do someone most people have not heard about, and stick to one color pallete. This challenge made me get better at researching quickly, at cataloguing info as i went, and at letting go-because i 2/3 of them i'd redo if i had more time (on top of client work).
There really is some serious benefits to doing a 30 day challenge. Multiple times, I once gave myself a month to finish the last couple pages of my sketchbook. During that time it really helped me as an artist. I tend to get really tight and picky about my drawings and doing a 30 day challenge really did help me to loosen up and to be more fluid. I'm currently sort of struggling with procrastination at the moment. So I definitely might have to look into a 30 day challenge again soon. Love your videos. They always inspire and motivate me.
I succeeded at finishing Inktober last year 2015. And for me it was a big step to learn how to just make something everyday, I learned to trust in myself that even if I started out with a bad idea, eventually it would become a good one. I gained a lot more exposure from my peers and although I make a ton of digital paintings all the time, some actually preferred seeing traditional sketches from me. It was thanks to Jake sharing his tools and all, that helped as well, I never knew about brush pens until last year and I work with them regularly now haha Looking forward to another year of Inktober!
I completely agree, I used to run a group on facebook that was all about every month we had a calendar that had 2 random prompts (easy & advanced) each day. The whole goal was to make people get outside of their comfort zone. This all came about from last year's Drawloween, because after that I was hugely inspired from it.
I've done something similar to the 30 day challenge this year, but have committed myself to draw every day of 2016. I joined a group on Facebook called Just Draw where we make drawings based on popular franchises every day. Before January, I hadn't drawn regularly for years, so I was worried that I wouldn't be able to pull it off. But thus far, I have and it has taught me so many things about me as an artist and me as a human being. By committing to this challenge, I have drawn so many things that I thought that I'd never draw ever, I've developed my style and learned new mediums, but best of all, it makes me want to keep drawing every day. Just like you say, working drawing into a daily routine for an extended period of time makes you crave drawing after a while. I just feel a bit lost when I'm not drawing now. Furthermore, it also inspired creativity. Six months into this challenge, I rarely struggle to find stuff to draw outside of the challenge. It happens naturally and it's constantly creating new ideas that I want to pursuit. I might sound a bit evangelical, but it's honestly one of the best things I've done in my life. I think that having a focused goal in a creative environment that I share with other people is such a rewarding experience. I really encourage everyone to do it in a way that works for them. Looking forward to join in on Inktober his year. Thanks for another great video!
2 years ago I started a secondary youtube channel and challenged myself to do a sketch every day for 90 days. Prior to that I never did daily drawings, and since that challenge I've now become a daily sketcher. Think I only missed 2 days in the past 2 years. Since adopting my daily sketching I've had more ideas for finished projects, but unfortunately not as much time to make them a reality.
I agree that doing a 30 day challenge can really push you out of a big slump, boost your confidence as an artist and start the flow of ideas. at the beginning of the year I was experiencing one of these and jumped on the 2016 March of Robots. Now I have 15 good pieces I am proud to show, the trial and errors of the other 15, and a lot of other ideas that I came up with during the how thing.
Love love love Inktober. My first one was 2 years ago and I used it to learn how to make art TH-cam videos to launch my channel. I learned how to film and edit my artwork and publish it for everyone to see. It was such a rush, and I have tried different strategies every time I do Inktober to push myself.
This is my first inkTober. I am doing mostly still life, but after the first week, it did lead me to have to dig deeper an look at different kinds of compositions and styles. I don't usually take the time to stipple, and I found it tedious, but I used it in one of my drawings and I really love the way it looks. Thanks for the video, it was insightful and practical.
I decided to scroll through your tools page, and the sound I made when coming across your number one pencil of choice was not human. I have been using the same Pentel Twist-Erase for about a decade now, and I love it to itty-bitty bits! I've tried other mechanical pencils and other wooden pencils, but I always go back to my old standby, and even practically forced my artistic younger sister to buy one of her own too! xD
I did Inktober for the first time last year, and it was fun! The hardest thing for me was finding ideas of things to draw because I'm limited in what I draw. It was also pretty hard not to work in color because I LOVE color! But I learned a lot about line weight, detailing, and just technuiqe in general! I've almost filled another book that I started in December full of pen drawings since doing Inktober. It's given me an outlet when i don't feel like spending hours coloring but I want to draw. Was great! I was dying a little without color but was still nice.
All of what you have said are totally true. I like to draw, but the most of the times I turn it by cleaning my desk or looking for inspiration through Pinterest. It's true that I don't need to wait for October to start drawing. Instead, I could take 20 minutes anytime in a day to make it happens, to draw. At the beginning is not easy, but is in us make it real. Thank you so much for your videos, not only because they are inspirational but because there is sort of real behind it.
I would have to say drawing challenges are probably the best/ most fulfilling thing I have started doing in my life. At the start of this year I made it a goal to at least do a drawing a day, and monthly challenges really changed things up in my year. Haha March of robots was my first one and now I'm crazy excited for inktober and have some serious plans for it. All I have to say is if your on the edge of if your going to do one or not, then just do it! I promise you won't be disappointed by the results.
Yes! All of this! I tried to do Mer-May and did a little here and there, but it wasn't daily. However, it made me want to draw more, get more involved in progressing with my art, promoting myself, etc. Even with a huge move across country, a convention to make inventory for and family coming to visit, I was able to do A Harry Potter week challenge and it was the best! I can't wait now that we have our new apartment, to get my art supplies out and start again with another challenge. These challenges have helped SO much in getting out of my art block rut.
I'm not doing a 30 Day drawing challenge this year but I have been able to create something similar to the subject. I found a 100 theme challenge on DeviantArt and after two years of not even reaching the half-way point, I made this year my goal to finish it. The constraints are the time (Dec 31 being the deadline) and themes themselves. I announced it in a DeviantArt journal to my watchers for the accountability. It is a macro challenge/goal of 100 drawings, but also micro in the sense that some months I would need to finish 6 drawings and 7 for others. After February it's become quite a habit to finish 6 drawings/illustrations each month because of that. I'd finished 24 when the year began. As of today, August 16th, I've finished 68. What I can say is completing a successful Inktober last year definitely helped prepare me for this challenge. Don't underestimate the power of breaking the task down and having those specific guidelines.
I’ve been binge watching these videos recently and I’ve gotta say, a lot of this advice can apply to life in general and is good to keep in mind for general discipline in work and daily activities. I really appreciate them, they’ve reinvigorated my creative and mental faculties in a way I have Severely needed.
Ever since I participated on last last year Inktober, I can't remember if I have passed a single day without doodling with my sketchbook. The habit sticks like a power glue. Thank You for creating such great, inspiring and motivated event. I look forward this year's as well
Challenges like this are HUGE! We've benefited many times from setting goals and participating in challenges. We are actually in the middle of writing an article much like this video! You've been a huge inspiration to our creative journey, keeping creating. We can't wait for inktober this year.
I've always tried to do a 30/31 day challenge, and my lifelong habit of not finishing anything surfaces, and then I stop. So recently, I've started a 365 day watercolor challenge, where the medium that I use for the majority of a piece is watercolor (sometimes I use micron pens or colored pencils for outlining), and so far, I'm on day 12 and I have missed a day. It's helped a lot in creating those good habits that you mentioned, and plus, I love watercolors. It's helped me broaden my techniques, color choices, and subject matters. I like to draw/paint people, but now, I'm painting insects, places, and animals and learning more about color theory as I mixed my paint. I post on my IG for my accountability, but I also hold accountability for myself, and I feel weird on days where I don't create, hence why I'm going big and doing a 365 day challenge. This video was great, and I hope a lot more artists can benefit from doing challenges!
Uh, wait. I just watched Scott Robertson's vid for this year and he jus' casually drops "Jake Parker, uh, started Inktober, and, uh..." HELL if I knew. Man, the times we live in. It's like being a Stormtrooper, always hearing about Darth Vader, and then some other guy points at that cool black Stormtrooper that's sometimes around and says "...know that guy, Darth Vader? I saw him smash some rebels the other day, and anyway, afterwards he went off to his ship, and me and the other guys, we went and had lunch, and..."
This is exactly what i have been needing...brilliant and thoughtful...and i go forth into the ‘challenge’ world to help me get more done in my current project
I like the sound of Inktober..not sure if I'll be able to do it...v94j said there was a mental shift to "what should I draw today" to "what will I draw" I find interesting. I like the stratergy you have...I may listen to this again and have a go. Many thanks Jake
Inktober has drastically improved my drawing skills with a brush pen I use the Pentel Pocket brush pen last year for inktober and I am so much more confident in drawing with a brush pen! I am still not where I want to be with it yet but I am light years better than I was so maybe I will do it again this year with a brush pen so I can get even better! I have done Inktober now for the last two years and I love doing it because it makes me a better artist!
I found doing Inktober last year for the first time to be hugely beneficial - As you said, the first few drawings are... a bit painful to look back on. But from there I was able to develop some cool drawings, which I actually ended up painting over later on and now use in my Professional portfolio to get more illustration work (I am a freelance illustrator and comic artist from NZ). So thanks for starting this challenge!
Hi Jake - I just learned about inktober this year. It's so cool so I decided to join....I started out pretty good, then missed 10/7....then 10/8 and 10/9. I was disappointed and was thinking why bother to catch up and continue? Then, this video popped up on my youtube ...I had a few minutes while waiting for my husband after work...I watched and was very thankful I did. I came home and caught myself up. AND, while driving to get my husband I had an idea for a story....so for tonights drawing I drew the imaginary island where the story will take place! I'm just excited and wanted to stop by and thank you for this video and explaining why doing a 30-day challenge is good for me us artists. Thank you! :)
Jake, I hear so many people who love your inking. Love watching you ink. Have you ever thought of an inking series, post light pencil drawings that you ink over, then video inking and talk about pressure for line width, the choices you make inking over pencils. I find myself sitting with my sketchbook mimicking your lines. Wondering if others do as well. (I do the same with Calvin and Hobbes comics). Also, ever thought of putting out of book of your "100 things" drawings? - Jonathan (Stamford CT)
I love Inktober. One of my constraints was to do it as "Sinktober" so I did 30 days of a socially awkward anthropomorphic sink. Looking forward to March of Robots next month. - I never thought of giving myself a reward after finishing each day's challenge to reinforce the habit though. Much needed and definitely will take this advice!
Jake, thank you so much for this immensely insightful video. I chanced upon this via your finished not perfect video and you've inspired me to level up! Your drawing's awesome, the commentary's incredibly helpful and you've given me the kick up the backside I needed. I think I might just take up the Inktober challenge too, it's been too long since I drew anything. I'm now fighting the urge to watch more episodes from your collection - it's time to implement some positive behaviour chains and finish my children's book! Thanks again dude.
You bring up an interesting point about not knowing what to draw on some of the days of your 30 day challenge. I did huevember this past November but I drew most of the pieces before-hand (with a couple exceptions). However, I did pick them randomly which means I had to be creative with how I incorporated the color of the day. However I think that it did put some limitations on my creative mind, as well as trying to pump out the best work I could quickly. I think for next huevember, as well as other challenges I will save coming up with the idea for the day I make the piece.
Excellent video! You sure covered a lot of territory here, and left us a handy map. Thank you for giving us so much food for thought. Now to work. Thanks again.
Hey Mr. J.P. I am so excited for Inktober, I tried it a couple of years back but never got it done! I'm trying it again to help improve my art and I just wanted to say THANK YOU SO MUCH, for doing this for the whole art community!
One of the challenges I like about Inktober are the Visual prompts that are given. As an Illustrator, I believe it's more challenging to develop an IDEA first, then INK and RENDER. I've come under criticism that my INKING wasn't up to par, but I DON"T CARE!! I can ink with the best of them, my main purpose during INKTOBER is to develop IDEAS as well a CRAFT.
I know I'm late! I just found your channel and you're words and art are so inspiring. its Oct 4 2016 and this is the first time I'm doing any thirty day challenge and I used to use ink a few years back but I was never great if good enough with it. four days in and I'm already low on ideas, but I'm still forcing through it cause I'm excited about this challenge. I'm excited to use a brush and some ink and I'm hoping that everything works out. and for anyone else doing the challenge also, good luck! and have fun!
It's my first time participating Inktober ,it's the day 2 but I can really feel the improvement.Yesterday I learned some techniques that I've never known about and never done before.I think this challenge is gonna be awsom for me .
I have done a 30 day challenge before, it was self imposed. All i did was draw characters from some what obscure video games in or close to my style. Not all of them turned out super awesome, but it did get me to draw things i wouldn't normally draw. This is my first year trying Inktober, and its already making me try new things, poses, angles, characters, formats. Because with the pic a day challenge you can really see if your just going through the motions that you may need to break out of. Also this is the first time I have used Copics, but they cost to much so i bough a cheap set of sea and sky colors which is providing its own artistic challenges but is still super fun.
Sketchtember? Someone took up Swaptember/ Swaptober from 15-15 respectively. But I think I'd like Sketchtember, INKtober, Dinovember . . . March of Robots. What else is there?
I've seen a new one start up for June - called "kaijune" (based on the monster type Kaiju, which seems to be anything city-destroying / havoc causing, from the Japanese tradition? not an expert, here's the tag pages)! twitter.com/hashtag/kaijune instagram.com/explore/tags/kaijune/
2015 Inktober really kickstarted my drawing - I did art in highschool but after that I had stopped - Inktober lead to me drawing at least once a week if not more since.
OMG, i just got your sketch book 'jake parker drawings II' when i got it i was thrilled and before i opened the book there was a note saying thank you and on the other side was a sketch also there was another sketch and I'm not sure if it was original or not because it was on paper and looked quite authentic. when i opened the book i was taken a back it was so amazing the pictures were so beautiful. the sketch book was so good i had to stop reading it because i was amazed i thought i was going to have a heat attack. and on the front cover in red marker jake had written JP16. i am so so so happy, can't wait to read through the sketchbook again and again. love u jake. ur the best
Learning to use a brush pen was what I got from inktober. I bought one, tried it, hated it. I forced myself to use it and learned all the possibilities that come from 'sculpting away the white paper' when using a brushpen.
Working while listening to your videos is my new favorite thing, it's really motivating and inspiring ^^ I did inktober last year and it was a huge help, I'm so ready for this year!
Ok I have to try DiNovember this year. I found that last year after completing Inktober I felt weird not being held to a daily challenge. I ended up doing my own inking challenge after that. I took a big piece of paper and filled it with as many same size circles as I could and did a little ink circle illustration in each one. I had them all made into stickers and now I have all these rad stickers that I made myself!!! :D I put them on this year's Inktober sketchbook.
Inktober's starting tomorrow!!! Very excited, doing it alongside the sketchbook slam challange (filling a sketchbook in a month!) so there's going to be lots of pulling ideas from odd places, I feel
In 2014 I did Inktober. Then I posted the whole album to Reddit in November. It went viral and I ended up with a book deal. Here's how it all went down: imgur.com/gallery/YToq4 Jake got one of my first books when my advance copies came in :D Inktober leveled up my visibility and my skills. The book deal came with an extremely tight deadline, and I learned a lot about balancing quality and speed, and also how little sleep I can get by on. If you haven't tried a monthly challenge, you should! I wouldn't go into it expecting to go viral or make money (I certainly didn't), just go in with the goal of finishing it and making something you're proud of. Can't wait for this year--already got my topic ready!
Thanks for sharing that Austin! You're Inktober was one of my absolute favorites, and a great example of the power of the internet to get exposure. Can't wait to see what you do this year.
I spent a couple hours and drew something from start to finish today - and I felt nothing but dead inside when it was done. No feeling of accomplishment or desire to do more, which is very different than how you described finishing something. I'm fine with that though, I draw to bring ideas to life, not to feel good or to form a habit.
I don't know how well you think you draw, but I wasn't someone who started drawing early in life, and I found it frustrating my skill level was so low. I wasn't feeling well enough to paint for a while so drawing was the easiest thing to do in terms of time and cleanup. After drawing for a while almost every day for lack of better things to do, my drawing got much better and I enjoy it a lot more.
Rose Thanks for sharing. I should've specified but my problem wasn't the quality of my art, it was because the process was mentally draining and the act of finishing it didn't make me feel any better. The other issue is that doing no art for a while is also agony. I asked other artists about it but they all seemed to enjoy the art process. I consider my skill level kinda high but far from professional. Here it is for reference: heart0fthestorm.deviantart.com/gallery/
Colin Wiens I looked at your deviantart page. If I may be forward, it is your process. It can be confusing. Let me explain. Most artist have a step by step procedure of thought to make a constant level of quality. By breaking it down, the artist can deal with things one area at a time. This can save time and frustration because most problems are worked out before they start the finished piece. They call this their process. Many artist don't show this side. They show a final line drawing or idea and start there on the how to and techniques. Here is an example: 1. Know what you to draw. 2. Do thumbnails on composition. Most use 3 to 5 shades of grey and not very detailed. Just the shapes mostly. 3. Do some line drawings with references you gathered. 4. Work on color scheme. 5. Complete final line drawing and leave it alone for a bit. Come back to check for problem areas. 6. Begin the final piece with most of the issues already addressed. Many of these steps only takes a few minutes, and save so much time and frustration. You can fix problems when they are small and not on a expensive paper/canvas with hours of work on it. Use references. It makes a biiiig difference. If there is some step you don't enjoy, modify it. Lastly, work with what inspires you, not what you think someone else finds cool. It shows. I like MLP too.;) I hope this helps you, and you find that joy and excitement in your work.
+Chastity Leadbeater Whoa thanks for putting in the effort to scope out my issues from afar. What you're suggesting resonates a lot since most of the projects I finish began as something I didn't put a lot of thought into starting. I'm capable of planning stuff but it's always larger scope than the unsatisfying spur-of-the-moment art that I actually complete. I also keep forgetting that thumbnails exist, especially when I'm working on them. Thanks a ton for your comment; I saved it and I'll definitely try it next time I paint/animate.
Oh yeah, I do Inktober every year. I have to set dead lines or else I get nothing done. Inktober helps me set up a specific deadline. Inktober also helps me develop story and concept ideas. It works great for my webcomic and my viewers really seem to enjoy the event as well.
Yeah. That kinda defines being passionate about something. A drug, in a good way (depending on how you view it) And you really can't progress in anything if you don't work on it. For example, your school thesis won't progress unless you work on it. Working on it everyday would make you finish faster. Same with art, but needs a bit more patience and perseverance.
Awesome video Jake, thanks for posting it. Definitely helping me prepare for the next few months - I'll be participating in Inktober for the first time this year and I think this video is going to help make it an even more positive experience. Also joined SVS a couple months ago and the videos there are fantastic - my art has really leveled up in a very short time. Thanks for all your help!
Last year I failed Inktober. The first few days were fine, but then I missed a couple of days and struggled to regain momentum. I also think the earlier drawings were too complex, which put a lot of pressure on the later ones. I hope I've learned from my mistakes. Really need to push it this year. :)
For inktober this year I can definitely speak to leveling up... just by changing drawing utensils. I typically draw with a dip pen or sharpie but this year Im trying out fine liners- for the challenge of it (because it takes forever to fill a page!!!) ah but the precision and accuracy one can achieve! THundercats hooooooooo!!!! :::raises pen to sky:::
Hey Jake, I was one of the people who asked this. Thank you so much for this video. I'm surely going to participate and finish inktober this year. Keep up the beautiful art and good advice!
This definitely inspires me to do Inktober!! I draw every once and a while, but sometimes I go weeks without doing it. I really want to progress, so this may help me!! And I have tried to draw everyday, but at some point I became too tired. That contextual cue is definitely a handy idea, I will surely do that!! Very handy video!! ^_^
A lot depends on the individual artists’ tolerance for frustration and situational awareness. These 30 day challenges can be a double edged sword if taken “too seriously”, they need to be viewed as they are intended - personal artistic growth, providing a “suggested” path to follow for the act of creating, something, anything as it applies to the particular challenge. I know how anxiety can thwart the best attempts, especially the posting on social media aspect, so if this is a hang up, don’t post, but do keep a visual journal for yourself. No ones watching over your shoulder, the Hell with the critics (internal ones included), just buy 1 new pen/brush/box of crayons and make a mark. Then make an image, then put it away until tomorrow...wash,rinse & repeat.
I've never done Inktober, but I'll going to give it a go this year. I'm hoping it will help me with my first steps to becoming an illustrator :) Thanks for the video Jake. Lots of good thoughts and ideas that I'm defiantly going to use
Day 10 out of 30 days of illustrations and I want to punch myself for doing this. I don't even feel like drawing and currently dragging myself along by discipline and sheer force of will. Thanks Jake :)
Next month is going to be my first time taking part in InkTober, and was wondering if coloured ink (pens, etc) are allowed. I am excited to do InkTober as it does fall on my birthday (31st) and I will be getting a few mates to do it with me. Anyways, thank you~ ^-^
If you don't have much money, you should buy touchfive markers. I know they are not as good as copics, but I just bought 80 for 35 euros. They are perfect for me as somebody who wants to try them out and uses them for architecture studies. I also have some copics, but I'm not good enough to get the full potential out of the alcohol based markers anyway.
This year will be my first time participating in Inktober and I'm excited and nervous. Haha I haven't worked much with ink, so it'll be interesting to explore and see what happens.
Hello Jake Parker and fans! This is first time I'm going to do Inktober and I just started to draw outside of my daily work. Anyway, sorry if this is a stupid question. You said in the video that for Inktober you only should use Ink. Does that mean I don't make sketch beneath? Just Ink seems to be really hard to get proportions and forms right. Thank you for answer and all the teaching videos.
That was really relaxing to watch as I munched a sammich 🍞😋 I did Drawtober last year - hosted by Autodesk Sketchbook on deviantArt: Absolutely loved it, even though I didn't do all the days because each painting would take hours. They gave us canvases to download with prompts already on them. But because I didn't do them all, it didn't turn into habit. I've started using the app again recently to prep for this year, and this time it WILL. And because I'm cray, I'm doing Inktober for the first time too. And I already know, thanks to you JP, what I'm gonna do... 😎 Reading Art Before Breakfast, I've started drawing traditionally - loving that book - so many ideas reinforcing what you just talked about, so I recommend that to anyone who wants to start drawing. April was National Poetry Month and I did all the days and ever since, I've been writing over 30 poems a month. Now I just need to pick a month to start learning watercolor, although not November because NaNoWriMo *passes out* 😌
Thanks for the advice Jake! It really helps me a lot.... It made me realize the stuff that I shouldn't do (like the 'screw this !'.. LOL) Thanks a lot.. And I'm gonna start my 30 days challenge right now...😀😀😀
![[กูเพิ่งซื้อมึงปิดหนี] 20 นาที ผมรีวิวเกมที่แย่ที่สุดในโลก CONCORD](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XhC-3q3Ii7I/mqdefault.jpg)
As a person who use to suffer from "Chronic Artist block" ( whatever that is) I can firmly say that CREATING EVERYDAY is he best thing one can do. I went through two Daily sketch challenges (for 83days and 164day) which helped me grow by leaps and bounds.There is something interesting within the "constrain" that we lay upon our creativity. We may think that doing something daily is hard or impossible or It may lower the quality of our work but actually, It goes the other way around and acts as a nurturing environment for the creativity to thrive. Now I can say that I haven't face the dreaded artist block in over a year. This reminds me of a quote by Chuck Close which is "Inspiration is for amateurs - the rest of us just show up and get to work. "
Kesh hey kesh
Wow! Brah Chuck Close was a Master of photo realism.
Did you try smoking crack? It's the artist drug after all. Frees the mind and imagination.
I have art Block now. Its so frustrating😭
I have done a daily sketch kinda thing for the last...300+ days now. One of the subtle things that those challenges make is a mental shift from "I should draw today" to "What WILL I draw today". It takes the starting part out of the equation making it much easier mentally. :)
thats actually a good mind set change, i feel that that is my major slump. i just tell myself that i need to draw something today when i need to ask myself what i will draw today.
v94j It also gets you a lot of mileage really quickly (compared to only drawing every now and then). I've also been drawing everyday except for not as long.
v94j I like that mindset! “What WILL I draw today!”, nice 👍🏻
I haven't took any art challenges yet except DTIYS and i am thinking of participating in DINOVEMBER this year and I got a plenty of time to prepare for it and I would love any sort of advices from you guys so help me with that please.
I came up with a full year of themed challenges! 👌✨ Lemme know what you think!
1) Gemuary (rocks/minerals/earthy things)
2) Femuary (females/feminine things)
3) March of All (walk/run cycles or motion)
4) Don't Saypril (express as much as you can without using any words)
5) MerMay (merpeople)
6) YOUne (self-portraits, your fave experiences, things you've imagined yourself doing, etc.)
7) JULienne (food/cooking)
8) Blogust (mock instagram-type blog by your OC or fave character)
9) Striptember (improve anatomy/gesture by drawing nude models and/or scantily clad characters)
10) Inktober (use ink only)
11) Growvember (plants/flowers)
12) Deadcember (zombies/vampires/rotting things/general decay)
Personally, I'm just doing a "Do Something Simple Every Day" challenge... for the rest of my life. If I'm able to draw a single stroke/pixel, write a single word, sew a single stitch, pull a single vertex, etc. then I'm technically done with my challenge for the day! But since the hard part (the act of starting) gets done, I always end up finishing like an entire sketch/etc. if not more. I'm about 38 days in, wish me luck! ( ՞ਊ ՞)
That's one of the best lists I've seen yet. Love it. Probably will give it a try and maybe change 1-2 things.
Great list :)
This is an awesome list
I wish I could see the entire 365 list 😐
Thats a good list! Can I use it
how about febru-fairy :>
J.Parker watching you ink a drawing is very relaxing.
I just finished my 50th - and final - painting for my "50 Days of Gouache" challenge while I watched this video! It was very fitting.
Today is my 321st day drawing daily. I've noticed a spike in ideas and creativity as well as improvement. If anyone ever asks me what they can do to improve, I'd definitely recommend a daily challenge of some sort. It works. It definitely helped me. Now I feel like I can actually make it as an artist. That's the dream I'm working toward at least. :)
PS: I love that drawing. It looks really neat.
another one that i have heard of is "Mer-May", drawing a mermaid/man every day of may
I am SO scheduling that into my Bujo for next year😍! You've probably seen Liana Hee's mermaids? Love 💗 Glad you mentioned it ~ thanks!
Mer May!!!! Sign me up for THAT!
thanks for mentioning this one - this is going in my planner for next year too!
:D
Thanks for mentioning that! ^-^
I need to tell you I love to hear your videos while I'm drawing. I just find it soothing.
I do the same) This is very inspiring
I participated in inktober 2016 and it was my first time doing a drawing challenge, note I haven't exactly drawn 9 years prior because I got frustrated with where I was with my drawing and I had no patience to really work on something, but I used to draw all of the time when I was little. Doing the inktober challenge got me out of a really long slump for a while, but it also gave me confidence in my line work since I had to commit to my lines just using ink. My drawing improved and in a way I feel like I mentally improved.
I gained a lot of confidence with my inking tools after last Inktober. I also developed a theme and really saw my creativity expand when I pushed it for all 31 days. I got stuck at about day 16 and ended up making my favorite pieces on days 28-31. pushing like that was the only way to find those ideas.
i agree with the early morning art hour. im a stay at home mom of 3 boys, ages 7, 4, and 8 months. if im not up before the kids, im lucky to get my coffee. ha! ive started doing more projects and it tends to happen in the early hours of the day. otherwise.... screw it. if i try to draw after they go to bed i cant keep my eyes open.
Jake, thank you for creating Inktober! I started half way through the month in 2014, did all of 2015 and they're still getting noticed. Not only did I see improvement in my drawing, speed and time management, but by being a part of such a large movement I was getting more followers than before, and my followers were starting to become excited with each new piece I submitted.
Someone just recently began Smaugust - a dragon a day during the month of August. One of the most rewarding things that happened so far is that two people have admitted that seeing me submit these dragons has encouraged them to join the challenge - and they've never even drawn dragons before! The idea that joining in a 30/31 day movement will encourage others to break out really makes me want to continue as well.
Inktober helps me get better at drawing. I see improvement from beginning. My biggest problem is slowing down and taking too much time with each drawing instead of getting right into it and keeping it simple.
Absolutely agree with all of this, Jake. This year alone I've done a 30 day challenge of Animal Crossing characters, and just wrapped up a 100 day original character design series. Creativity, when you force it to flex that often, only gets healthier as your back is against the wall. It's helped me grow so much. Looking forward to everything you've got going!
In October I have done the Challenge called Monstober. You have to draw a Monster every day of October. Sometimes they have different subjects for each day all planned out for you and you can use it if you want to. I used Monstober to learn how to ink and use Copics to color my work. I was mainly a pencil portrait Artist before I did this. It helped me get comfortable with Copics and inking. Now I am a Sketch Card Artist drawing Star Wars for Topps/Lucsfilm/Disney and have been for a little over a year now. And by the way, I love your Art and I watch your videos in awe of your ink work. Kev
I just finished my second coloring book. It went a ton better than the first because I decided to do it as a challenge. The end result is something new and unique. Not only has it allowed me to grow and stretch my abilities as an artist, but I came out the other side with a bunch of new characters and stories that I want to tell. One awesome result is the children's book that my wife and I are writing and illustrating for our daughter. Thanks again Jake for your awesome words of inspiration!
I highly recommend KAIJUNE ("30 days of strange beasts") for anyone wondering how to spend the last week of their artistic energy in June!
my name is Kai and i was born in june XD
Aaaa i wish i did it before school began >:(
Yo! After doing Inktober for a few years, and being inspired by a hashtag called "28 dys are not enough" i decided to do a watercolor ptg of a different African American figure from the past or present in February. Only catch was to do someone most people have not heard about, and stick to one color pallete. This challenge made me get better at researching quickly, at cataloguing info as i went, and at letting go-because i 2/3 of them i'd redo if i had more time (on top of client work).
There really is some serious benefits to doing a 30 day challenge. Multiple times, I once gave myself a month to finish the last couple pages of my sketchbook. During that time it really helped me as an artist. I tend to get really tight and picky about my drawings and doing a 30 day challenge really did help me to loosen up and to be more fluid. I'm currently sort of struggling with procrastination at the moment. So I definitely might have to look into a 30 day challenge again soon. Love your videos. They always inspire and motivate me.
I succeeded at finishing Inktober last year 2015. And for me it was a big step to learn how to just make something everyday, I learned to trust in myself that even if I started out with a bad idea, eventually it would become a good one.
I gained a lot more exposure from my peers and although I make a ton of digital paintings all the time, some actually preferred seeing traditional sketches from me.
It was thanks to Jake sharing his tools and all, that helped as well, I never knew about brush pens until last year and I work with them regularly now haha
Looking forward to another year of Inktober!
I completely agree, I used to run a group on facebook that was all about every month we had a calendar that had 2 random prompts (easy & advanced) each day. The whole goal was to make people get outside of their comfort zone. This all came about from last year's Drawloween, because after that I was hugely inspired from it.
I've done something similar to the 30 day challenge this year, but have committed myself to draw every day of 2016. I joined a group on Facebook called Just Draw where we make drawings based on popular franchises every day. Before January, I hadn't drawn regularly for years, so I was worried that I wouldn't be able to pull it off. But thus far, I have and it has taught me so many things about me as an artist and me as a human being. By committing to this challenge, I have drawn so many things that I thought that I'd never draw ever, I've developed my style and learned new mediums, but best of all, it makes me want to keep drawing every day. Just like you say, working drawing into a daily routine for an extended period of time makes you crave drawing after a while. I just feel a bit lost when I'm not drawing now. Furthermore, it also inspired creativity. Six months into this challenge, I rarely struggle to find stuff to draw outside of the challenge. It happens naturally and it's constantly creating new ideas that I want to pursuit. I might sound a bit evangelical, but it's honestly one of the best things I've done in my life. I think that having a focused goal in a creative environment that I share with other people is such a rewarding experience. I really encourage everyone to do it in a way that works for them. Looking forward to join in on Inktober his year. Thanks for another great video!
2 years ago I started a secondary youtube channel and challenged myself to do a sketch every day for 90 days. Prior to that I never did daily drawings, and since that challenge I've now become a daily sketcher. Think I only missed 2 days in the past 2 years. Since adopting my daily sketching I've had more ideas for finished projects, but unfortunately not as much time to make them a reality.
I agree that doing a 30 day challenge can really push you out of a big slump, boost your confidence as an artist and start the flow of ideas. at the beginning of the year I was experiencing one of these and jumped on the 2016 March of Robots. Now I have 15 good pieces I am proud to show, the trial and errors of the other 15, and a lot of other ideas that I came up with during the how thing.
Love love love Inktober. My first one was 2 years ago and I used it to learn how to make art TH-cam videos to launch my channel. I learned how to film and edit my artwork and publish it for everyone to see. It was such a rush, and I have tried different strategies every time I do Inktober to push myself.
This is my first inkTober. I am doing mostly still life, but after the first week, it did lead me to have to dig deeper an look at different kinds of compositions and styles. I don't usually take the time to stipple, and I found it tedious, but I used it in one of my drawings and I really love the way it looks.
Thanks for the video, it was insightful and practical.
I decided to scroll through your tools page, and the sound I made when coming across your number one pencil of choice was not human. I have been using the same Pentel Twist-Erase for about a decade now, and I love it to itty-bitty bits! I've tried other mechanical pencils and other wooden pencils, but I always go back to my old standby, and even practically forced my artistic younger sister to buy one of her own too! xD
I did Inktober for the first time last year, and it was fun! The hardest thing for me was finding ideas of things to draw because I'm limited in what I draw. It was also pretty hard not to work in color because I LOVE color! But I learned a lot about line weight, detailing, and just technuiqe in general! I've almost filled another book that I started in December full of pen drawings since doing Inktober. It's given me an outlet when i don't feel like spending hours coloring but I want to draw. Was great! I was dying a little without color but was still nice.
All of what you have said are totally true. I like to draw, but the most of the times I turn it by cleaning my desk or looking for inspiration through Pinterest. It's true that I don't need to wait for October to start drawing. Instead, I could take 20 minutes anytime in a day to make it happens, to draw. At the beginning is not easy, but is in us make it real. Thank you so much for your videos, not only because they are inspirational but because there is sort of real behind it.
I would have to say drawing challenges are probably the best/ most fulfilling thing I have started doing in my life. At the start of this year I made it a goal to at least do a drawing a day, and monthly challenges really changed things up in my year. Haha March of robots was my first one and now I'm crazy excited for inktober and have some serious plans for it. All I have to say is if your on the edge of if your going to do one or not, then just do it! I promise you won't be disappointed by the results.
Yes! All of this! I tried to do Mer-May and did a little here and there, but it wasn't daily. However, it made me want to draw more, get more involved in progressing with my art, promoting myself, etc. Even with a huge move across country, a convention to make inventory for and family coming to visit, I was able to do A Harry Potter week challenge and it was the best! I can't wait now that we have our new apartment, to get my art supplies out and start again with another challenge. These challenges have helped SO much in getting out of my art block rut.
I'm not doing a 30 Day drawing challenge this year but I have been able to create something similar to the subject. I found a 100 theme challenge on DeviantArt and after two years of not even reaching the half-way point, I made this year my goal to finish it. The constraints are the time (Dec 31 being the deadline) and themes themselves. I announced it in a DeviantArt journal to my watchers for the accountability. It is a macro challenge/goal of 100 drawings, but also micro in the sense that some months I would need to finish 6 drawings and 7 for others. After February it's become quite a habit to finish 6 drawings/illustrations each month because of that. I'd finished 24 when the year began. As of today, August 16th, I've finished 68. What I can say is completing a successful Inktober last year definitely helped prepare me for this challenge. Don't underestimate the power of breaking the task down and having those specific guidelines.
This was fantastic Jake. Was just the kick up the butt I needed! Thank you for making this~
I’ve been binge watching these videos recently and I’ve gotta say, a lot of this advice can apply to life in general and is good to keep in mind for general discipline in work and daily activities. I really appreciate them, they’ve reinvigorated my creative and mental faculties in a way I have Severely needed.
Ever since I participated on last last year Inktober, I can't remember if I have passed a single day without doodling with my sketchbook. The habit sticks like a power glue. Thank You for creating such great, inspiring and motivated event. I look forward this year's as well
Challenges like this are HUGE! We've benefited many times from setting goals and participating in challenges. We are actually in the middle of writing an article much like this video! You've been a huge inspiration to our creative journey, keeping creating. We can't wait for inktober this year.
I've always tried to do a 30/31 day challenge, and my lifelong habit of not finishing anything surfaces, and then I stop.
So recently, I've started a 365 day watercolor challenge, where the medium that I use for the majority of a piece is watercolor (sometimes I use micron pens or colored pencils for outlining), and so far, I'm on day 12 and I have missed a day. It's helped a lot in creating those good habits that you mentioned, and plus, I love watercolors. It's helped me broaden my techniques, color choices, and subject matters. I like to draw/paint people, but now, I'm painting insects, places, and animals and learning more about color theory as I mixed my paint. I post on my IG for my accountability, but I also hold accountability for myself, and I feel weird on days where I don't create, hence why I'm going big and doing a 365 day challenge.
This video was great, and I hope a lot more artists can benefit from doing challenges!
Uh, wait. I just watched Scott Robertson's vid for this year and he jus' casually drops "Jake Parker, uh, started Inktober, and, uh..." HELL if I knew. Man, the times we live in.
It's like being a Stormtrooper, always hearing about Darth Vader, and then some other guy points at that cool black Stormtrooper that's sometimes around and says "...know that guy, Darth Vader? I saw him smash some rebels the other day, and anyway, afterwards he went off to his ship, and me and the other guys, we went and had lunch, and..."
+The Sangson lol
This is exactly what i have been needing...brilliant and thoughtful...and i go forth into the ‘challenge’ world to help me get more done in my current project
I like the sound of Inktober..not sure if I'll be able to do it...v94j said there was a mental shift to "what should I draw today" to "what will I draw" I find interesting. I like the stratergy you have...I may listen to this again and have a go. Many thanks Jake
Inktober has drastically improved my drawing skills with a brush pen I use the Pentel Pocket brush pen last year for inktober and I am so much more confident in drawing with a brush pen! I am still not where I want to be with it yet but I am light years better than I was so maybe I will do it again this year with a brush pen so I can get even better! I have done Inktober now for the last two years and I love doing it because it makes me a better artist!
I found doing Inktober last year for the first time to be hugely beneficial - As you said, the first few drawings are... a bit painful to look back on. But from there I was able to develop some cool drawings, which I actually ended up painting over later on and now use in my Professional portfolio to get more illustration work (I am a freelance illustrator and comic artist from NZ). So thanks for starting this challenge!
Hi Jake - I just learned about inktober this year. It's so cool so I decided to join....I started out pretty good, then missed 10/7....then 10/8 and 10/9. I was disappointed and was thinking why bother to catch up and continue? Then, this video popped up on my youtube ...I had a few minutes while waiting for my husband after work...I watched and was very thankful I did. I came home and caught myself up. AND, while driving to get my husband I had an idea for a story....so for tonights drawing I drew the imaginary island where the story will take place! I'm just excited and wanted to stop by and thank you for this video and explaining why doing a 30-day challenge is good for me us artists. Thank you! :)
Jake, I hear so many people who love your inking. Love watching you ink. Have you ever thought of an inking series, post light pencil drawings that you ink over, then video inking and talk about pressure for line width, the choices you make inking over pencils. I find myself sitting with my sketchbook mimicking your lines. Wondering if others do as well. (I do the same with Calvin and Hobbes comics).
Also, ever thought of putting out of book of your "100 things" drawings? - Jonathan (Stamford CT)
I love Inktober. One of my constraints was to do it as "Sinktober" so I did 30 days of a socially awkward anthropomorphic sink. Looking forward to March of Robots next month. - I never thought of giving myself a reward after finishing each day's challenge to reinforce the habit though. Much needed and definitely will take this advice!
Jake, thank you so much for this immensely insightful video. I chanced upon this via your finished not perfect video and you've inspired me to level up! Your drawing's awesome, the commentary's incredibly helpful and you've given me the kick up the backside I needed. I think I might just take up the Inktober challenge too, it's been too long since I drew anything.
I'm now fighting the urge to watch more episodes from your collection - it's time to implement some positive behaviour chains and finish my children's book!
Thanks again dude.
You bring up an interesting point about not knowing what to draw on some of the days of your 30 day challenge. I did huevember this past November but I drew most of the pieces before-hand (with a couple exceptions). However, I did pick them randomly which means I had to be creative with how I incorporated the color of the day. However I think that it did put some limitations on my creative mind, as well as trying to pump out the best work I could quickly. I think for next huevember, as well as other challenges I will save coming up with the idea for the day I make the piece.
Excellent video! You sure covered a lot of territory here, and left us a handy map. Thank you for giving us so much food for thought. Now to work. Thanks again.
Hey Mr. J.P.
I am so excited for Inktober, I tried it a couple of years back but never got it done!
I'm trying it again to help improve my art and I just wanted to say THANK YOU SO MUCH, for doing this for the whole art community!
One of the challenges I like about Inktober are the Visual prompts that are given. As an Illustrator, I believe it's more challenging to develop an IDEA first, then INK and RENDER. I've come under criticism that my INKING wasn't up to par, but I DON"T CARE!! I can ink with the best of them, my main purpose during INKTOBER is to develop IDEAS as well a CRAFT.
I know I'm late! I just found your channel and you're words and art are so inspiring. its Oct 4 2016 and this is the first time I'm doing any thirty day challenge and I used to use ink a few years back but I was never great if good enough with it. four days in and I'm already low on ideas, but I'm still forcing through it cause I'm excited about this challenge. I'm excited to use a brush and some ink and I'm hoping that everything works out. and for anyone else doing the challenge also, good luck! and have fun!
It's my first time participating Inktober ,it's the day 2 but I can really feel the improvement.Yesterday I learned some techniques that I've never known about and never done before.I think this challenge is gonna be awsom for me .
I have done a 30 day challenge before, it was self imposed. All i did was draw characters from some what obscure video games in or close to my style. Not all of them turned out super awesome, but it did get me to draw things i wouldn't normally draw.
This is my first year trying Inktober, and its already making me try new things, poses, angles, characters, formats. Because with the pic a day challenge you can really see if your just going through the motions that you may need to break out of.
Also this is the first time I have used Copics, but they cost to much so i bough a cheap set of sea and sky colors which is providing its own artistic challenges but is still super fun.
Sketchtember? Someone took up Swaptember/ Swaptober from 15-15 respectively. But I think I'd like Sketchtember, INKtober, Dinovember . . . March of Robots. What else is there?
Sketchuary
As in January or February? I'm talking for September.
mermay
merpeople in may :P
You mean mermaids or fish people? That's cool what about April June July August?
I've seen a new one start up for June - called "kaijune" (based on the monster type Kaiju, which seems to be anything city-destroying / havoc causing, from the Japanese tradition? not an expert, here's the tag pages)!
twitter.com/hashtag/kaijune
instagram.com/explore/tags/kaijune/
2015 Inktober really kickstarted my drawing - I did art in highschool but after that I had stopped - Inktober lead to me drawing at least once a week if not more since.
OMG, i just got your sketch book 'jake parker drawings II' when i got it i was thrilled and before i opened the book there was a note saying thank you and on the other side was a sketch also there was another sketch and I'm not sure if it was original or not because it was on paper and looked quite authentic. when i opened the book i was taken a back it was so amazing the pictures were so beautiful. the sketch book was so good i had to stop reading it because i was amazed i thought i was going to have a heat attack. and on the front cover in red marker jake had written JP16. i am so so so happy, can't wait to read through the sketchbook again and again. love u jake. ur the best
This guy kills it on everything he does.
Learning to use a brush pen was what I got from inktober. I bought one, tried it, hated it. I forced myself to use it and learned all the possibilities that come from 'sculpting away the white paper' when using a brushpen.
Fabulous art work, luv watching you work and listening to you chat. Thanks for sharing, Ali x
I recently got back into art and drawing and I plan to participate in Inktober for the first time this year.
Working while listening to your videos is my new favorite thing, it's really motivating and inspiring ^^ I did inktober last year and it was a huge help, I'm so ready for this year!
Ok I have to try DiNovember this year. I found that last year after completing Inktober I felt weird not being held to a daily challenge. I ended up doing my own inking challenge after that. I took a big piece of paper and filled it with as many same size circles as I could and did a little ink circle illustration in each one. I had them all made into stickers and now I have all these rad stickers that I made myself!!! :D I put them on this year's Inktober sketchbook.
I'm not even an serious artist, but I find so much value in your content Jake. Like x 1000
Thanks Tommy!
Jake Parker You're most welcome!
Inktober's starting tomorrow!!! Very excited, doing it alongside the sketchbook slam challange (filling a sketchbook in a month!) so there's going to be lots of pulling ideas from odd places, I feel
I was already planning to do something similar, so listening to this has me all pumped up! Thanks a lot :)
Hey ramya...have you done the inktober challenge before ?
In 2014 I did Inktober. Then I posted the whole album to Reddit in November. It went viral and I ended up with a book deal. Here's how it all went down: imgur.com/gallery/YToq4 Jake got one of my first books when my advance copies came in :D
Inktober leveled up my visibility and my skills. The book deal came with an extremely tight deadline, and I learned a lot about balancing quality and speed, and also how little sleep I can get by on. If you haven't tried a monthly challenge, you should! I wouldn't go into it expecting to go viral or make money (I certainly didn't), just go in with the goal of finishing it and making something you're proud of.
Can't wait for this year--already got my topic ready!
Thanks for sharing that Austin! You're Inktober was one of my absolute favorites, and a great example of the power of the internet to get exposure. Can't wait to see what you do this year.
i really hope you find some more extra time because i really love watching your videos
I spent a couple hours and drew something from start to finish today - and I felt nothing but dead inside when it was done. No feeling of accomplishment or desire to do more, which is very different than how you described finishing something.
I'm fine with that though, I draw to bring ideas to life, not to feel good or to form a habit.
I don't know how well you think you draw, but I wasn't someone who started drawing early in life, and I found it frustrating my skill level was so low. I wasn't feeling well enough to paint for a while so drawing was the easiest thing to do in terms of time and cleanup.
After drawing for a while almost every day for lack of better things to do, my drawing got much better and I enjoy it a lot more.
Rose Thanks for sharing. I should've specified but my problem wasn't the quality of my art, it was because the process was mentally draining and the act of finishing it didn't make me feel any better. The other issue is that doing no art for a while is also agony. I asked other artists about it but they all seemed to enjoy the art process.
I consider my skill level kinda high but far from professional. Here it is for reference: heart0fthestorm.deviantart.com/gallery/
Colin Wiens I looked at your deviantart page. If I may be forward, it is your process. It can be confusing. Let me explain. Most artist have a step by step procedure of thought to make a constant level of quality. By breaking it down, the artist can deal with things one area at a time. This can save time and frustration because most problems are worked out before they start the finished piece. They call this their process. Many artist don't show this side. They show a final line drawing or idea and start there on the how to and techniques. Here is an example:
1. Know what you to draw.
2. Do thumbnails on composition. Most use 3 to 5 shades of grey and not very detailed. Just the shapes mostly.
3. Do some line drawings with references you gathered.
4. Work on color scheme.
5. Complete final line drawing and leave it alone for a bit. Come back to check for problem areas.
6. Begin the final piece with most of the issues already addressed.
Many of these steps only takes a few minutes, and save so much time and frustration. You can fix problems when they are small and not on a expensive paper/canvas with hours of work on it. Use references. It makes a biiiig difference. If there is some step you don't enjoy, modify it. Lastly, work with what inspires you, not what you think someone else finds cool. It shows. I like MLP too.;)
I hope this helps you, and you find that joy and excitement in your work.
+Chastity Leadbeater Whoa thanks for putting in the effort to scope out my issues from afar. What you're suggesting resonates a lot since most of the projects I finish began as something I didn't put a lot of thought into starting. I'm capable of planning stuff but it's always larger scope than the unsatisfying spur-of-the-moment art that I actually complete.
I also keep forgetting that thumbnails exist, especially when I'm working on them.
Thanks a ton for your comment; I saved it and I'll definitely try it next time I paint/animate.
Oh yeah, I do Inktober every year. I have to set dead lines or else I get nothing done. Inktober helps me set up a specific deadline. Inktober also helps me develop story and concept ideas. It works great for my webcomic and my viewers really seem to enjoy the event as well.
So basically, we need to transform drawing in a kind of drug?
uh, Da. [smokes blunt with drawings on it]
Milyusia Arts Isn't that what art is basically, for me it is lol
Yeah. That kinda defines being passionate about something. A drug, in a good way (depending on how you view it) And you really can't progress in anything if you don't work on it. For example, your school thesis won't progress unless you work on it. Working on it everyday would make you finish faster. Same with art, but needs a bit more patience and perseverance.
Awesome video Jake, thanks for posting it. Definitely helping me prepare for the next few months - I'll be participating in Inktober for the first time this year and I think this video is going to help make it an even more positive experience. Also joined SVS a couple months ago and the videos there are fantastic - my art has really leveled up in a very short time. Thanks for all your help!
Last year I failed Inktober. The first few days were fine, but then I missed a couple of days and struggled to regain momentum. I also think the earlier drawings were too complex, which put a lot of pressure on the later ones. I hope I've learned from my mistakes. Really need to push it this year. :)
For inktober this year I can definitely speak to leveling up... just by changing drawing utensils. I typically draw with a dip pen or sharpie but this year Im trying out fine liners- for the challenge of it (because it takes forever to fill a page!!!) ah but the precision and accuracy one can achieve! THundercats hooooooooo!!!! :::raises pen to sky:::
Hey Jake, I was one of the people who asked this. Thank you so much for this video. I'm surely going to participate and finish inktober this year. Keep up the beautiful art and good advice!
This definitely inspires me to do Inktober!! I draw every once and a while, but sometimes I go weeks without doing it. I really want to progress, so this may help me!! And I have tried to draw everyday, but at some point I became too tired. That contextual cue is definitely a handy idea, I will surely do that!! Very handy video!! ^_^
A lot depends on the individual artists’ tolerance for frustration and situational awareness. These 30 day challenges can be a double edged sword if taken “too seriously”, they need to be viewed as they are intended - personal artistic growth, providing a “suggested” path to follow for the act of creating, something, anything as it applies to the particular challenge. I know how anxiety can thwart the best attempts, especially the posting on social media aspect, so if this is a hang up, don’t post, but do keep a visual journal for yourself. No ones watching over your shoulder, the Hell with the critics (internal ones included), just buy 1 new pen/brush/box of crayons and make a mark. Then make an image, then put it away until tomorrow...wash,rinse & repeat.
It's great to see a new video from you jake!I always looks forward to them :)
I have been doing Inktober this month for the first time and I really enjoy it, I don't think I'll be able to stop at the end of the month xD
I started a 30 day challenge because I missed drawing monsters. It's helped me become more focused, driven, and have fun drawing again.
I've never done Inktober, but I'll going to give it a go this year. I'm hoping it will help me with my first steps to becoming an illustrator :) Thanks for the video Jake. Lots of good thoughts and ideas that I'm defiantly going to use
Day 10 out of 30 days of illustrations and I want to punch myself for doing this. I don't even feel like drawing and currently dragging myself along by discipline and sheer force of will. Thanks Jake :)
Happy to see new videos! Thanks man
I'm going to attempt Inktober for the first time ever this year! Super excited and nervous! 😊
Next month is going to be my first time taking part in InkTober, and was wondering if coloured ink (pens, etc) are allowed. I am excited to do InkTober as it does fall on my birthday (31st) and I will be getting a few mates to do it with me. Anyways, thank you~ ^-^
Since its your birthday I'll allow you to use colored ink. ;) have fun!
+Jake Parker ≥﹏≤ thank you so much
amber iddles is it ink? "Yes?" DO IT
amber iddles here's a flow chart my main man
*can I use this art supply*
Is it ink?
/ \
No Yes
| \
Then don't use it! Go right ahead my man.
Jake, I think you’re amazingly talented, and your imagination is WOW !
most artist do inktober but they don't it everyday. I think Jake is the artist who actually made it into a 31 day challenge XD
Last year I combined Inktober with a mindful eating plan and accomplished both! But I needed to hear your advise!
If you don't have much money, you should buy touchfive markers. I know they are not as good as copics, but I just bought 80 for 35 euros. They are perfect for me as somebody who wants to try them out and uses them for architecture studies.
I also have some copics, but I'm not good enough to get the full potential out of the alcohol based markers anyway.
Just found out about Inktober! I am all in and going to try it! Can't wait :)
Thanks to inktober, I became a better inker and used new inking tools!
This year will be my first time participating in Inktober and I'm excited and nervous. Haha I haven't worked much with ink, so it'll be interesting to explore and see what happens.
Hello Jake Parker and fans! This is first time I'm going to do Inktober and I just started to draw outside of my daily work. Anyway, sorry if this is a stupid question. You said in the video that for Inktober you only should use Ink. Does that mean I don't make sketch beneath? Just Ink seems to be really hard to get proportions and forms right.
Thank you for answer and all the teaching videos.
Go ahead and sketch underneath you ink line. Just make sure you ink it.
YES!! I've been waiting for a new video to come out for so long!
Awesome video Jake! I have not participated in Inktober yet, but I totally will be this ear. Glad you are back on TH-cam! Keep it up Jake!
I love your drawing style
That was really relaxing to watch as I munched a sammich 🍞😋
I did Drawtober last year - hosted by Autodesk Sketchbook on deviantArt: Absolutely loved it, even though I didn't do all the days because each painting would take hours. They gave us canvases to download with prompts already on them. But because I didn't do them all, it didn't turn into habit. I've started using the app again recently to prep for this year, and this time it WILL.
And because I'm cray, I'm doing Inktober for the first time too. And I already know, thanks to you JP, what I'm gonna do... 😎
Reading Art Before Breakfast, I've started drawing traditionally - loving that book - so many ideas reinforcing what you just talked about, so I recommend that to anyone who wants to start drawing.
April was National Poetry Month and I did all the days and ever since, I've been writing over 30 poems a month. Now I just need to pick a month to start learning watercolor, although not November because NaNoWriMo *passes out* 😌
Loved it, and I’m ready, thank you so much !
Coming back to this because it's Day 10 of Inktober 2018 and I am hitting a major wall. This is so helpful. Time to draw..
I wanna start to do 30 day challanges. It will be a good exercise for inktober. I wanna participate
Thanks for the advice Jake! It really helps me a lot.... It made me realize the stuff that I shouldn't do (like the 'screw this !'.. LOL) Thanks a lot.. And I'm gonna start my 30 days challenge right now...😀😀😀