Inktober

Ahh Inktober. Never heard of it? Don’t worry, I hadn’t either until a few years ago. Inktober is an annual art challenge first started by artist Jake Parker in 2009 to enhance his own skills. It has since expanded into the phenomenon it is today with millions of ink artists participating globally every year.

The premise is simple: For each of the thirty one days of October, artists are challenged to draw/paint using ink according to a daily prompt.

Ink +October. For thirty one days.

That’s it… or is it?

The premise seems so simply, but my goodness it feels equivalent to running a 26.2 mile race for artists. The daily grind, the highs, the lows, the literal and figurative muscle cramps… they all echo marathon runners (not that I’ve ever ran one lol).

So far, I have participated in Inktober three times (2022, 2023, and 2025) — each time brings new insights as well as familiar pains. I am certain that every participant vascilates between joy, love, frustration, excitement, and wondering “why did I decide to do this?… Again.”

Inktober 2022

This was my very first Inktober. I made a last minute decision to join in on the “fun.” I dove right in. No plan. No prep. All during medical residency (not a time that is particularly known for lots of time off). In order to make the challenge manageable, I decided to draw miniatures. Tiny drawings inside my sketchbook (each one no larger than 3 inches). They didn’t have to be large, they didn’t have to be impeccable; my goal was simply to have them done. Because done is better than perfect. During this month, my grandmother happened to have a stroke! To this day, my drawings take me back to the exact moments before her symptom onset and the moments when I sat next to her in the hospital.

Tip #1: Just do it!

Inktober 2023

Now in 2023, I was “experienced.” I knew what was coming. I knew the demands of the challenge. I knew preparation was key. So I didn’t mess around; I made sure to plan ahead and have sketches drawn out in September before I began inking. This allowed me to get into the zone easier. The daily hurdle of wondering what I would draw was no longer there because so many of my drawings were sketched out in advance!

Tip #2: Plan ahead (the list comes out in September)!

2024 - I did not participate. I did not have the desire or motivation to complete the challenge. And that is absolutely ok!

Tip #3: Don’t force it!

Inktober 2025

And just recently, 2025. Each year brings with it a new intention. The intention for this year was to explore different styles. And explore I did!

Realism, crosshatching, single line, comic art, graphic lines, blocking in, ink wash, gesture drawing! It was quite the month!

There were certainly days of excitement mixed with overwhelm and frustration. The mid-month slump always hits and thoughts of giving up creep in. But the further into the challenge you get, the more you desire to complete it and stick to your goal.

Tip #4: Experiment!

The moral of the story is that Inktober can be a love–hate relationship. It certainly isn’t easy, but the challenge can produce remarkable results. Each year builds on the last. In my three years of participating in Inktober, I’ve learned how to balance fun with discipline, to know when to push myself versus when to rest. It’s a challenge worth taking on—while also recognizing that it’s completely okay to take breaks. Whether you have have never participated in Inktober or if you are a seasoned participant, finding the right balance that works for you is key.

If you’d like to see a few of my favorite Inktober drawings from the years, click here.