Inktober is approaching fast and everyone is busy preparing their Inktober art supplies. Whether you are new to the Inktober drawing challenge or are looking for new Inktober tools, here are some suggestions for you.
If you’re Interested in watercolors check out my other post.
What is Inktober & what are the Inktober rules?
Each year during October those who enjoy drawing are challenged to do one ink drawing each day. During the month of September, the people behind the Inktober challenge offer an Inktober prompt list. This Inktober list has a suggestion for each day to inspire your creativity (but you are not expected to limit yourself to the list).
The Inktober rules are simple: make drawings in ink. You can use a wide variety of materials to create Inktober art. You can also use color but the spirit of Inktober is to create simple black lined art. The creators say as long as you keep the coloring simple it’s ok to add one other color to your Inktober paintings.
It might be difficult for everyone to create 1 drawing every day. Inktober is a big challenge and can be an immense commitment to drawing. Remember that you don’t have to stick to making 1 drawing each day for Inktober (it’s even mentioned in the Inktober rules). The best approach is to set your own goal and try to achieve it during October.
There is power in connecting with the community. Inktober challenge participants are very active on Instagram. If you’re an Instagram Inktober artist use the hashtag #inktober and #inktober(year) to join the fun. Instagram Inktober hashtags are a great way to find out what others are doing, get inspiration, and look into the Inktober art supplies people are using.
Inktober Art Supplies
Prepare your Inktober tools beforehand. If you are attempting to create a drawing a day waiting until October to get your Inktober supplies can complicate your life and delay the process.
Here are some Inktober art supply suggestions. I have included my favorite Inktober supplies as well as the best Inktober tools others have suggested.
Inktober Sketchbook
First things first, you need a good Inktober sketchbook. You can use sheets of paper if you want, but having a dedicated sketchbook helps you keep track of your work and look back at them in the future. You can look through your Inktober sketchbook at the end of the month to see how you have done. You can even make a sketchbook tour video (and you definitely should do it)!
It’s best to choose your Inktober sketchbook based on the art supplies you are planning to use. The paper should be able to hold the inks and the right texture for the results you want.
Here are some good Inktober sketchbooks:
Daler Rowney Ebony Artist’s Sketch Book
These sketchbooks come in a variety of paper weights and sizes. The markers and paints I have used have not bled through the pages.
The beautiful black cover matches the Inktober theme and you can use a white pen to add a design to the cover and personalize your Inktober sketchbook.
You can find a version of it here.
Fabriano Classic Artists Journal
This sketchbook is going to last many Inktober challenges. The paper comes in two colors of white and ivory so you can experiment with the paper color as well. Most of the supplies I have used on it have not bled through and overall I think it does a good job with ink and most markers.
The paper has a lined/ridged type of texture so it might not be very suitable for pencils.
This will make a classy chic Inktober sketchbook. If you can commit to using it for the upcoming years it will be an amazing showcase of your inking skill progress.
I could not find a good link on Amazon so I link here to Fabriano Boutique.
(Fine) Liner Markers
If you need an Inktober pen this is your section. Pick out a couple of different marker sizes and you’ll be able to do fine outlines and crosshatch.
Staedtler Pigment Liners
These are the markers that I use most often. I have a pack of 6 different sizes that come in a plastic casing. Since I do watercolors, I prefer to use waterproof markers. These also make good Inktober markers. Also, I have not had problems with smearing.
Sakura Pigma Micron Pens
Commonly known as Micron pens, these are a popular marker brand among artists. They are also waterproof and smear-free. I have used their 005 size pen in 4 different colors and I have enjoyed the delicate lines. They can make a useful Inktober art supply item.
Here you can check the set of 6 pens in different sizes.
They also offer a starter kit with a brush pen and a white gel pen.
Brush Pens
I had not used brush pens before last year’s Inktober. But now if I am drawing without any colors and with limited supplies, these are my go-to pens. Depending on the brush pen you choose this can be the best Inktober tool you own.
Pentel Fude Brush Pens
This is the pen that I fell in love with. Originally made for Asian calligraphy it is very versatile in use. It comes in a variety of brush sizes so to match your needs. But I found that one size has been enough for me since I can make very fine lines with the tip and make much wider lines applying more pressure. It works very much like water brushes. The ink is not waterproof so plan your Inktober drawing beforehand.
You can find this Inktober brush pen here.
Kuratake Sumi Brush Pen
Your Inktober tools can be both portable and beautiful. Sumi brush pen is also a calligraphy pen. But it has been made to be more portable and designed beautifully to match classic writing supplies such as fountain pens. You can replace the ink cartridge when you run out of ink.
The ink is not waterproof but some users seem to have successfully replaced it with other waterproof inks. But remember, if you replace the ink with waterproof inks in a nice pen like this there is a chance you might ruin the pen.
You can find Sumi brush pen here.
Inks
It wouldn’t be called Inktober if it did not tempt us to use ink. You can ditch the liners and brush pens for ink (but don’t, try to balance your different supplies).
Speedball India Ink
Speedball is one of the more commonly known names when it comes to India ink. India ink or China ink are inks made with the soot of burnt organic materials such as plants/bones and shellac.
*Since they are made of organic material they can also be used for tattoos.
India inks are also supposed to be waterproof. However, I have tried several brands and I cannot say they are 100% waterproof. They won’t dissolve and spread but you will have some lose pigments if you are applying a wash on top of it.
This is the brand I most often use. It is very affordable and easy to find in most stores.
Watercolors/Gouache
While some use inks to lay down washes, I have trouble doing smooth and even black washes with India ink. So I tend to use my watercolor or gouache’s black color as Inktober tools. Of course, the result isn’t waterproof, but I am happier with the way my Inktober drawings turn out. Black is a color that goes unused in most watercolor sets, so Inktober is a good time to put them to use.
Dip Pens & Nibs
Dip pens are not just for calligraphy! You can use dip pens with both inks and watercolor/gouache (you need to load the paint with a brush). If you are looking for an Inktober challenge trying to draw with dip pens might be a good idea.
Tachikawa Comic Pen Nib Holder
This is a nice simple nib holder that comes with a cap to protect the nib (which is very delicate). It’s made of wood and makes a beautiful Inktober art supply.
Get Tachikawa nib holder here.
G nibs
G nibs are commonly used by manga creators. They produce very fine but somewhat variable lines. I have only used Nikko so I am going to name the best brands. Nibs are affordable purchases and have to be replaced more often than you’d think. Try out the different brands and see which will suit you. You now have a very classic looking Inktober tool!
Nikko
Zebra
Tachikawa
Brushes
Use your watercolor brushes for inking. Round brushes with fine tips are a great tool for Inktober inking. You might want to keep the brushes you use for inking separate from the ones you use for watercoloring.
White Inktober Art Supplies
And last but not least in our Inktober art supply list are white supplies. Sometimes preserving the whites is not an easy option, especially when we are talking about small details. It is good to have some white Inktober art supplies ready at hand.
Sakura Gelly Roll Gel Pens
White gel pens are a good way of adding white details at the later stages of drawing for Inktober. Sakura’s Gelly Rolls are one of the most commonly used ones. They come in different sizes to give you more freedom with the Inktober drawing details.
White Inks
Alternatively, white inks are also a solution. However, since I am used to watercolors I have not used white inks and prefer to preserve the whites from the paper.
Inktober’s official website recommends using Deleter Manga Ink.
Inktober Instagram
For ideas on tools supplies and more, I suggest you check out Instagram for previous Inktober Instagram posts. You can use the hashtag #Inktober(year) to find them.
Post your drawings this year under the hashtag #Inktober2019
Also, don’t forget to check out the official Inktober 2019 prompt list:
Many artists have shared their own Inktober prompt lists which are worth checking out:
See you this Inktober ^^
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