Failing Creatively: Does Inktober make you an Artist?
Let’s talk about Inktober and creating art.
Inktober is coming and many artists are gearing up for a month of aggressive illustration, including myself, who knows how far I will make it but I plan to try.
I started my first inktober back in 2019 when I was trying to get back into illustration for the first time since I was young and there was no social media. I found it creative and stimulating to be forced to come up with a drawing based on nothing more than a word, my brain definilty went in very interesting directions after I completed that first year. I was even rewarded on socials back then because I had understood enough about how to be seen to grow a bit.
Inktober rekindled my passion for drawing and illustrating, it reminded me of my childhood sketchbooks filled with pencil sketches of different disney characters (don’t ask for photos I moved too much in my life to still have or know where any of them are 😂). While animation is not something I expect to ever have a career in at this point, I have not given up on childrens book illustration as an option. Especially since after I finished that first inktober I started realizing that silly ill-proportioned characters are my strength 😂.
I have spent most of my life being behind the curve, getting the polite rejections, and whether it is because of the algorithm or just that my art is not for everyone I have learned that I need to stick to creating for me and let the rest work itself out. I like my work the way it is, even with imposter syndrome creeping in telling me that I am not as good as the others I like and follow.
Over the years I have contiued to create for different drawing challenges, most of them inktobers or versions of inktober. However, as time went on I have found it more of a struggle to complete them and create for them even with the lists out well in advance. The challenge is what pushes me to keep doing them though. Being given one word I like to try to find something humous to draw for each one and it is very fun to complete them and feel that sense of accomplishment.
I do not know how far I will make it this year, but in recent years my freelance work and kids busy schedules have made finishing an inktober a lot harder than it was in 2019. I do know this much though I am not doing it for likes or a magic dream job to fall into my lap. I am doing it for me and my creativity and that is a very freeing thought.
I also really do want to start looking into ways to improve my own skills and maybe you my readers. If you have a place where you would like to start please mention it in the comments. 😊
Till next time keep failing creatively, and see you next week with some good news.
Remember that supporting me with follows or donations funds my creative practice … But honestly follows are great, I try not to hide things behind a paywall
Inktober reminds me those ‘642 Things to Draw’ journals I used to fancy! I think it’s a fantastic way to grow as an illustrator and an artist, but this Inktober craziness is certainly difficult to keep up with 🫠