Inktober is a familiar term to artists around the world, but what exactly is it?

Inktober is an art challenge created by Jake Parker focused on improving skills and developing positive drawing habits. He originally created the challenge to help improve his own inking skill – thus the name Inktober– but he ended up posting the challenge online.

The rules are simple. Every day for the month of October anyone participating in the Inktober challenge can create an ink drawing based on the prompt of the day and post it online. 

Mount Pisgah alumnus, Spencer Taylor, has participated in the challenge three times. 

‘This year has been different,” explained Taylor. “I went into Inktober with a different mindset. Instead of trying to complete 31 drawings, I decided to take it less seriously than I had in the past. I thought ‘If I don’t get all 31 days done, is it really THAT bad?’” 

This year hasn’t only been different for Spencer though.

Recently Parker published a book with inking tips and techniques that were strikingly similar to another artist, Alphonso Dunn, who has also published books on pen and ink drawing. Dunn is claiming that Parker is plagiarizing his work. This caused Parker to copyright Inktober. 

Many artists are not supporting Parker and Inktober because of this controversy, and either decided to create their own alternatives to replace Inktober, or to not participate in any event for October this year. 

“To adapt, I chose a different Inktober prompt for this year.,” says Taylor. “I went with an anonymous artist’s ’Badtober’ prompt to have fun with Inktober and do something a little different.”

Inktober has been popular at Mount Pisgah, too. The art teacher, Mrs. Hunter, says that students, including Sophia Rhoades, Lexie Newman, Ily Stevens, Elyse Hoopes, Isabella Keuller and Alexa Reid, are participating in the challenge and using it for their personal growth in ink drawing. 

Artists globally believe that Inktober is a great way to improve ink skills, and many hope that despite the drama, they can still use it as a tool of personal growth.

“A quick word to any artists reading this, don’t shy away from drawing, art, or challenges,” says Taylor. “I know Inktober can seem scary or even starting a new drawing can be intimidating, but don’t shy away from the challenge. Continue to learn, grow, and challenge yourself!’