Inktober 2019 Summary

I completed 31 (actually 32) little pen and ink/wash sketches in 31 days. Inktober is over and, though I found it challenging at times, I plan on making it an annual habit. It’s fun and motivational especially when you realise that someone is watching and, in effect, supporting your effort.

Many thanks to all those who liked, commented on or followed my journey, I am pretty sure I would have lapsed in my daily drawing had it not been for you. The motivation you provided helped me to stay focused.

For the past few years Inktober has been a themed event, where each day offers a topic of inspiration. As this was my first year I elected to set my own subjects.

I look forward to Inktober 2020 but in the meantime I shall continue to provide weekly posts on my progress in building experience and technique in watercolour painting (and the occasional other media).

Inktober was created by Jake Parker in 2009 as a challenge to improve his inking skills and develop positive drawing habits. It has since grown into a worldwide endeavor with thousands of artists taking on the challenge every year.

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Inktober Day 31

I lived in Middle East and North African countries for over 25% of my life and love the culture and food of those places. The black aba (abaya) and niqab offered a subject for pen and ink drawing which I found amusing (by no means derogatory) so I decided to start and end Inktober using them in my subjects.

These forms of dress, seen up close, are not always plain black, indeed some are richly textured yet follow the traditional modesty (hijab) that is associated with the region. This style of facial and body covering dates back to pre-Islamic times but has been adopted by the religion even in Asian muslim countries.

Inktober was created by Jake Parker in 2009 as a challenge to improve his inking skills and develop positive drawing habits. It has since grown into a worldwide endeavor with thousands of artists taking on the challenge every year.

Inktober Day 30

Plain-bellied Emerald

Our small garden in Natal is planted with, among other plants, Ixora chinensis which attracts several hummingbirds. We have had 4 species visit us and as many as eight birds simultaneously – though usually they fight.

Inktober was created by Jake Parker in 2009 as a challenge to improve his inking skills and develop positive drawing habits. It has since grown into a worldwide endeavor with thousands of artists taking on the challenge every year.

Inktober Day 29

Praia de Touros, Natal, Brazil

I lived in Touros for a while. It used to be an idyllic spot but, as the Brazilian economy declined, the security and attractiveness of these beautiful beaches has been severely undermined. Pity.

Inktober was created by Jake Parker in 2009 as a challenge to improve his inking skills and develop positive drawing habits. It has since grown into a worldwide endeavor with thousands of artists taking on the challenge every year.

Inktober Day 28 (2)

Glass House, Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh

The gardens are a great place to visit and relax. The Glass Houses are also nice, but access for a reasonable fee, where the temperature and humidity are controlled – great on wintery days!

My post earlier today was similar to one at the start of Inktober so this one hopefully makes up for it.

Inktober was created by Jake Parker in 2009 as a challenge to improve his inking skills and develop positive drawing habits. It has since grown into a worldwide endeavor with thousands of artists taking on the challenge every year.

Inktober Day 28

Taipa, Northeast Brazil

Ok, so I drew a taipa on the second day of Inktober, but this one is a bit more close up.

Inktober was created by Jake Parker in 2009 as a challenge to improve his inking skills and develop positive drawing habits. It has since grown into a worldwide endeavor with thousands of artists taking on the challenge every year.

Inktober Day 27

Racing pigeon

Just a bit of fun with my pen!

Inktober was created by Jake Parker in 2009 as a challenge to improve his inking skills and develop positive drawing habits. It has since grown into a worldwide endeavor with thousands of artists taking on the challenge every year.

Eurasian Robin

Eurasian Robin

It’s that time of year when we start to think of Christmas, and snow, and Robins, and fir trees etc so I tried my hand at painting a Robin.

Watercolour

Inktober Day 26

Primula

One of the nice things about Spring is seeing the variety of wild flowers on the side of paths and roads. The pale yellow primula is a favourite of mine.

Inktober was created by Jake Parker in 2009 as a challenge to improve his inking skills and develop positive drawing habits. It has since grown into a worldwide endeavor with thousands of artists taking on the challenge every year.

Inktober Day 25

Mum and babe

I can imagine that the day will soon come when there will be just a single family of elephants in the wild. I feel lucky to have seen them – such gentle an intelligent creatures – but one day the only specimens alive will be those in zoos. Sad.

Inktober was created by Jake Parker in 2009 as a challenge to improve his inking skills and develop positive drawing habits. It has since grown into a worldwide endeavor with thousands of artists taking on the challenge every year.