Inktober is a month-long art challenge where participants create an ink drawing each day during October, creating thirty-one drawings in thirty-one days. There is a prompt list, a random word for each day but people are welcome to come up with their own ideas. The rules are simple. Make a drawing in ink. Post it online using the hashtag #inktober and #inktober2026. Rinse and repeat.
From an early age I’ve enjoyed drawing and as a designer I’ve always kept a sketchbook. But that practice had gradually disappeared and stopped completely. Furthermore, I’d found myself stuck in a rut, blocked creatively and felt like my work was becoming dull, boring! Inktober seemed like the perfect excuse to start drawing again and reclaim some creativity.
A quick note on my sketchbook, paper and pens. I’m currently living in Pokhara, Nepal and picked up a locally made sketchbook crafted from Lokta paper which is made from the bark and plant found high up in the Himalayas. It wasn’t the smoothest paper ride for my Sakura Pigma Micron 03 fineliner pen. However, whilst I was calling the Himalayas home, drawing on Lokta paper seemed fitting.
This was my first Inktober and naturally I discovered some pros n cons as a newbie worth mentioning. Firstly, I had to learn to keep it simple. My first few drawings were eating up far too much time. I quickly realized I needed to lower the stakes if I wanted to make all 31 days. My goal was to complete each drawing in roughly an hour, preferably in the morning. Eventually, I got better at choosing subjects I knew I could draw within my time constraint. Pinterest was my go-to for inspiration.
There were plenty of mornings when tbh I really couldn’t be bothered to draw. It’s perfectly fine to miss a day if life gets in the way. But I was committed to not skipping a day.
I was stubborn to sticking to the prompts. In future, I’d encourage my future self to be flexible. Some artists create their own themes, which is something I’d consider for next year.
Inktober has reminded me how much I enjoy drawing and the act of being creative. I’m already curious about experimenting with different pens, fountain pens and inks. Some days were a slog, but overall it’s been thoroughly enjoyable :)