Every year, when October approaches, there is a particular buzz in the world of artists, illustrators, and creatives. Why is that? Well, because Inktober is about to begin, of course!
1. Inktober: what it is and why it is so popular
Inktober is a creative challenge created in 2009 by illustrator Jake Parker. The idea is simple: draw every day in October using ink. The aim is not only to practice the technique, but also to develop consistency and creativity.
Over time, Inktober has become an international event: some people follow the official prompts (a list of daily keywords), others come up with their own theme, and others—like me—find their own way to enjoy the experience.
2. My experience with Inktober in 2023
In 2023, I decided to try a different approach to the one officially proposed (actually, I had already done so in 2017...). I didn't follow the official list (which, let's be clear, is a fantastic exercise for stimulating imagination and creativity), but I created a personal challenge that combined randomness, discipline, and lots of imagination.
Preparation of the sheet
I took a large A3 sheet of paper and divided it into a 4x8 grid, creating 32 small rectangles. Then, using ink, I created random splashes across the entire sheet, without thinking too much about what they would become.
The daily ritual
Every day in October, I devoted myself to a small square. I looked at the portion of the bush that fit into the space, and from there I created a drawing. To help me concentrate better, I made a cardboard mask so that I could only see the rectangle for that day and not the rest of the sheet.
To give continuity to the drawings, so that in the end they would all be connected, at the end of each drawing I would extend the edges so that they would fit into the squares adjacent to that day's drawing.
The final result
At the end of the month, the sheet was completely full. Seen all together, it has a surprising impact: so many illustrations together, yet coexisting in a single large picture.
Would I have been able to do it if I hadn't divided it into 31 drawings and 31 days? Probably not.
3. From sheet to booklet: a new way of looking at drawings
I didn't stop there. I cut the sheet along some of the grid lines, folded it, and created a small booklet that can be leafed through. This way, you can look at the drawings one at a time, panel by panel, as if they were little independent stories.
I did this type of Inktober in 2017 as well: that year, I made a photocopy of the original to cut it up and turn it into a booklet. The original is framed and proudly displayed in my home. In 2023, however, I decided to cut up the original drawing: am I crazy? Maybe, but I felt it was a creative project that had to be lived to the fullest.
I also added a cardboard cover and back, so the booklet became a real object to keep and look at again.
4. Creative ideas for you
If this idea inspires you, you can try it too! You don't need to be an expert illustrator: all you need is a sheet of paper, some ink or paint, and the desire to have fun interpreting random shapes. You can create a collective painting, or turn it into a mini-book like I did.
If you want to try it, here is my tutorial on how to fold and cut the sheet to turn it into a booklet.
For me, Inktober 2023 was above all an exercise in perseverance and a creative game. It taught me that, starting from a specific limit (one square per day), unexpected worlds can open up. It also made me realize that creativity and inspiration can be trained and exploited on demand, without having to wait for “the right moment.”
What about you? Have you ever participated in Inktober? Would you like to try a method similar to mine to transform simple marks into small illustrations?
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